TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2014 Toyota Prius airbags problems
severe Owners of the 2014 Toyota Prius have filed 16 NHTSA complaints about the airbags, typically surfacing around 63,769 miles at roughly $1,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
| Model year | airbags complaints |
|---|---|
| 2010 Prius | 74 |
| 2011 Prius | 41 |
| 2012 Prius | 39 |
| 2013 Prius | 18 |
| 2014 Prius (this page) | 16 |
| 2015 Prius | 5 |
| 2016 Prius | 11 |
| 2017 Prius | 3 |
| 2018 Prius | 3 |
12crashes
9injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 16 airbags complaints filed for the 2014 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system. Due to incorrect programming in the DCM software, after November 2nd, 2019, the GPS coordinates for this system will be calculated incorrectly. This will cause the system to use incorrect vehicle coordinates if one of the system?s features is activated.v
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles are equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system. Due to incorrect programming in the DCM software, after November 2nd, 2019, the GPS coordinates for this system will be calculated incorrectly. This will cause the system to use incorrect vehicle coordinates if one of the system?s features is activated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2014 Prius shows a consistent pattern of airbag non-deployment in impacts that should trigger them. Eight complaints describe collisions where airbags did not deploy: a T-bone at 3 MPH, frontal impacts at 5 MPH and 25–30 MPH, a highway rear impact, a head-on collision with a tree, and a ditch impact generating 14G deceleration. Injuries ranged from lacerations and contusions to severe neck injuries requiring hospitalization. Most vehicles were totaled; few were inspected to determine why systems failed.
A separate issue emerged with passenger airbag occupant detection: the on/off indicator reads "OFF" for properly restrained adults weighing 175 pounds while showing "ON" for a 300-pound passenger. One dealership confirmed a faulty airbag after two-hour diagnostics. The owner noted 2012–2013 Prius models had been recalled for the identical problem.
One owner reported the steering wheel airbag pad bulging visibly outward—service staff confirmed it as a safety issue and replaced the pad assembly. Another complaint involved premature airbag deployment at low braking speeds without collision. A third report noted the airbag warning light illuminating but the dealership declining to diagnose the vehicle. One case documented a severe impact generating -14G forces where the driver's-side airbag did not deploy, yet Toyota claimed the system operated as designed.
Same Toyota Prius airbags reports on nearby years: 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Airbag fails to deploy in collision
Driver- and passenger-side airbags do not deploy during impacts that should trigger deployment, leaving occupants unprotected and resulting in serious injury or totaled vehicles.
When: Upon impact at various speeds (3 MPH, 5 MPH, 25 MPH, 30 MPH, head-on collisions); mileage ranges from 50 to 113,127 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal collision; No airbag deployment during side impact/T-bone collision; Occupants make contact with windshield, steering wheel, or vehicle structure despite collision severity; Occupants sustain facial lacerations, contusions, neck/back injuries, head injuries, or hospitalization
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicles not diagnosed or repaired; some totaled by insurance and unavailable for inspection. One vehicle taken to Crown Toyota at 255 W Pershing Rd, Decatur, IL but not diagnosed.
Airbag deploys prior to impact or at wrong threshold
Airbag system deploys when brakes are applied hard or at speeds well below collision threshold, before actual impact occurs, creating unnecessary injury risk.
When: At braking speeds below 25 MPH; early mileage (no specific mileage stated for this failure)
Symptoms owners cite: All airbags deploy when driver applies brake pedal forcefully without collision; Deployment occurs prior to any vehicle impact; Unnecessary airbag deployment at low speeds
Passenger airbag occupant detection malfunction
Passenger airbag on/off indicator provides false readings, turning off when adult passenger is present and properly restrained, or providing inconsistent readings based on passenger weight.
When: New vehicle (within weeks of purchase); also reported on 2014 model (complaint #13); 2012-2013 models previously recalled for same issue
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag indicator reads 'OFF' when occupant of sufficient size (175 lbs, 5'10") is seated with seatbelt on; Indicator reads 'ON' for heavier passenger (300 lbs) then 'OFF' for lighter adult (175 lbs), indicating faulty weight detection; Inconsistent airbag status readings for similarly-sized passengers
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership stated airbag needed recalibration; no repair completed in one case. Another case diagnosed as faulty airbag itself after two-hour diagnostic.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: 2012-2013 models recalled for identical occupant detection problem; 2014 still being sold with same defect per owner report
Steering wheel airbag pad bulging or deformation
Steering wheel airbag cover shows visible raised marks or bulging, suggesting internal airbag or component pressure or defect, posing safety concern for premature or improper deployment.
When: During normal operation/inspection (no collision)
Symptoms owners cite: Visible raised marks or bulges on steering wheel center (horn pad) shaped like quarter of bundt cake; Raised section on left side more prominent than right; Steering wheel not flat as it appears in other identical model (Prius V); Airbag pad pushing outward
Repairs/costs cited: Pad assembly replaced by Tustin Toyota; service advisor confirmed safety issue
Airbag warning light illuminated with no diagnosis
Airbag warning indicator light comes on, but vehicle is not properly diagnosed or repaired by dealership despite customer notification.
When: At 113,127 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning indicator illuminated on dashboard
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle taken to Crown Toyota; customer informed diagnosis was needed but no diagnosis or repair was performed
Airbag insufficient to prevent occupant contact with vehicle structure
Even when airbags deploy, they do not adequately restrain occupants or reduce impact forces, allowing driver contact with windshield and resulting in serious facial and bodily injuries.
When: At 30 MPH frontal/side impact; 40,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Side and front driver-side airbags deploy but do not prevent windshield contact; Seatbelt also fails to restrain driver during same collision; Occupant sustains facial lacerations, contusions to left arm/shoulder/hip, severe headaches; Vehicle deemed total loss
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to lot and totaled; not taken to dealer for cause determination
Airbag system fails to deploy during high-impact collision despite design criteria
Despite extreme deceleration forces (14G sustained over 123 milliseconds), airbag system does not deploy, with manufacturer claiming system operated as designed despite severe occupant injury.
When: During construction zone ditch impact at 20 MPH with -14G deceleration (123 ms stop time)
Symptoms owners cite: Driver's side airbag does not deploy during violent sudden deceleration; Occupant suffers severe neck injuries despite extreme G-forces; Brunt of impact absorbed by undercarriage despite violent collision dynamics
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota extracted and analyzed event data recorder; concluded system operated as designed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota claims airbag system operated as designed and was not at fault; owner disputes adequacy of design criteria for this type of collision
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
Passenger airbag indicator on/off light was on despite having passenger over the airbag activation weight requirement being present with seatbelt buckled. Brought car to Toyota dealership and after running diagnostics for two hours they found that the airbag itself is faulty.
I purchased the vehicle brand new from a dealership. Within a few weeks, I noticed that when my husband sat in the front passenger seat (300lbs) the notification light said "passenger air bag on". When my stepson sat in the front passenger seat the light said "passenger air bag off". I took a picture to show the notification light and the size of my 15 yr old stepson 5' 10" & 175lb-fully adult…
My airbags deployed prior to impact at a speed of less than 25 MPH. I applied the brakes very forcefully and the airbags deployed prior to impact. I had little front end damage and every single airbag deployed.
Had airbags trouble with your 2014 Toyota Prius?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2014 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 9,998 and 75,000 miles, with the median around 63,769. A quarter of owners report trouble before 9,998; a quarter make it past 75,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2014/Toyota/Prius.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.