AI Damage2015 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid reliability: common problems
Owners of the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 40% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine and cooling 20% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 20% of all complaints
- 5 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (40% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Engine and cooling: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Structure: 1 complaints (20% of all).
- Vehicle speed control: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 5 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 1 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Upon impact to driver's side front wheel, brake failed (several pumps to floor) while vehicle accelerated without foot pressure. Vehicle was moving when it was hit by another prius.
This poses a safetly hazard to the structural rigidity of the body which could rust, break down, and fail unexpectedly. I am requesting to hold Toyota, who has had paint issues with their vehicles in the past, liable and to pay for the cost of a new paint job. Please help!
ABS/ brakes, traction control warning lights came on 5 days ago. Dealer stated DTC 1391 code detected and recommend brake actuator replacement and brake booster assembly. Toyota issued TSB 0024-19 for service.
The contact stated that after his mother had driven uphill and had pulled into a gas station with him in the front passenger seat, the vehicle began to overheat. The check engine warning light was illuminated.
Failed door actuator causing locks to no longer switch on or off.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 13,113 of 32,261 model years in the NHTSA data (top 41% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Prius Plug-IN Hybrid has 7 complaints (10 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine and cooling. Radiator and fan after a frontal hit, coolant level and condition, overheating.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, engine and cooling. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (40%), brake failure (20%), overheating, coolant loss (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2015 Toyota Prius Plug-IN Hybrid from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2015 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-07.