Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (43% of complaints) — is the subject of an open NHTSA investigation (DP23005, opened Nov 2023).
Service Brakes complaints here are 5.8× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 180 · 43% | Under investigation | DP23005 |
| Electrical System | 49 · 11.7% | Investigation closed | DP22005 → recall 22V063000 |
| Exterior Lighting | 36 · 8.6% | No official action | — |
| Engine | 31 · 7.4% | No official action | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 28 · 6.7% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags | 26 · 6.2% | Recalled | Recall 16V487000 · Recall 13V014000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 419 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 18V684000 · 2018 · reported 10/04/2018
If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V487000 · 2016 · reported 06/30/2016
If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 14V053000 · 2014 · reported 02/12/2014
The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 2013 · reported 01/16/2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 13V123000 · 2013 · reported 04/09/2013
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS…”NHTSA complaint 10838650 — filed 02/26/2016 · SERVICE BRAKES
“VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OR NO BRAKING POWER IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSE BY A DELAY SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL…”NHTSA complaint 10749388 — filed 08/18/2015 · SERVICE BRAKES
“I OWN A 2012 PRIUS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, INCLUDING RADAR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THESE SAME RADAR SENSORS ARE ALSO USED TO DETECT…”NHTSA complaint 10682017 — filed 02/08/2015 · SERVICE BRAKES
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 180 of 419 NHTSA complaints (43%), followed by electrical system (49), exterior lighting (36), engine (31). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
419 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 45 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 31 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V684000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. NHTSA has an open investigation (DP23005) into service brakes that has not led to a recall. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
