2014 Toyota Prius c

Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.

77/100

Worth a look

AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.

What owners actually report

Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA about the 2014 Toyota Prius c, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.

Complaints by area, from NHTSA records for this model-year
Area	Complaints	Share
Service brakes	53	26%
Unknown or other	17	8%
Electrical system	13	6%
Air bags	11	5%
Engine	10	5%
Visibility/wiper	7	3%
Exterior lighting	6	3%
Vehicle speed control	4	2%
Power train	4	2%
Service brakes	3	1%

In owners' own words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.

Brake actuator assembly known issue in Prius C, Toyota refuses to do anything about it. Part is not cheap.
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

While driving, suddenly all brake lights and warning lights went on, and brakes stopped working normally. It became difficult to brake (brake took a while to engage - had to press pedal to the floor). After diagnostics a
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

My 2014 Toyota Prius (VIN [XXX] , 77,000 miles) displayed Brake, ABS, and Slip warning lights. A mechanic confirmed failure of the Brake Booster and Pump Assembly (DTC C1391). Toyota previously acknowledged this as a saf
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

I was told that my Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assembly needed replaced. I had specifically asked my dealership in the past if there were any issues with my car and was told that there was nothing, which was unt
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

There was a safety recall issued for brake system malfunctions involving the brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies on my vehicle. Unfortunately, the recall expired on December 31, 2024. On March 4, 2025, at 4:1
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

Cruise Control Not Working. Traction Control Light Active, Brake Light Active, And Light Active The cause was diagnosed by Toyota of Paris. TSB for C1391 Code abnormal leak in accumulator. The corrective action is to
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control

I am writing to express my profound concern and disappointment regarding a recent, terrifying incident involving the brake system of my 2014 Toyota Prius. On Saturday, June 21, 2025, while driving with other passengers,
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes

We were driving on a city street about 25-30mph and the car jerked suddenly and the lights on the dashboard illuminated and the "Check Hybrid System" message came up as well. The car was able to coast to a nearby parking
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system

The seven scores

Reliability raw	79	good
Longevity est.	83	excellent
Maintenance	89	excellent
Depreciation	79	good
Performance	39	below average
Efficiency	70	good
Safety	80	excellent

How it compares in its class

Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.

Reliability: better than 30% of compact cars
Longevity: better than 82% of compact cars
Running costs: better than 82% of compact cars
Value retention: better than 81% of compact cars

Which of these numbers are measured

What stands behind each score for this car:

Reliability 79: from NHTSA recalls and complaints. This one is a raw count: we do not have a sales figure for this model, so a high-volume car looks worse here than it should.
Longevity 83: an estimate from powertrain and brand record. No 200,000-mile population exists for a 2014 car yet, so this is a prior, not evidence.
Maintenance 89: repair-cost data where we have it for this model, otherwise a mechanical-complexity estimate from engine size, cylinder count and drivetrain.
Safety 80: NHTSA crash testing blended with IIHS awards.

Common questions

What goes wrong with the 2014 Toyota Prius c?

Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 53 of them (26%). No recalls are on record for it.

Is the 2014 Toyota Prius c reliable?

AVOIR scores its reliability 79/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.

How long will a 2014 Toyota Prius c last?

AVOIR scores its longevity 83/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2014 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.

Should I buy a 2014 Toyota Prius c?

AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 77/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.

Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.