ToyotaPrius2015Overview/toyota/prius/2015/base/

2015 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Prius.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2015 Toyota Prius is a passenger car fitted with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios and requiring 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 50 mpg city, 46 mpg highway, and 48 mpg combined. With only 160 total owner complaints on record—markedly fewer than the 2,819 complaints logged for the 2010 model year—and a single recall, this installment sits well below the nameplate's historical peak for reported issues. That relatively low complaint volume positions the 2015 model as a comparatively stable and dependable entry in the Prius's longitudinal reliability history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy50/46/48 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S46B24R · 325 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S46B24R · 325 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLEFTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP195/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA6
Engine air filter1780137021
Spark plug9091901275
Battery2880037092
Front wiper blades8521247040 alt 8522247101
Thermostat1632637020 alt 1603137010
Cabin air filter8713976010 alt 8713950100

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase106.3 in
Curb weight3042 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined50 / 46 / 48 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.7–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2011 III Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2014C Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec10.90 sec17.90 sec99 hpFWD
2013Plug-in Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 4.4-kWh9.80 sec17.40 sec134 hpFWD
2013IV Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec134 hpFWD
2013V Three Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.30 sec17.80 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.20 sec17.60 sec134 hpFWD
2012C Four Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh10.60 sec17.80 sec99 hpFWD
2012C Four Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh10.60 sec17.80 sec99 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6
Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT3
Brake FluidDOT 3
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)950-1050 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Gap.039 - .043 (2) in
Spark Plug Torque15 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing10 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity16.6 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeDENSO ND-OIL 11
Oil Capacity4.4-4.9 oz
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04 lbs
Oil TypeND 11 Oil

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-50 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Engine Compressionpsi 89.5 / max variation 14.5 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 25 /
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 101; Rear: 42 /; Front: 101; Rear: 42
ABS Sensor Torque8.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .866; Rear: .295
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0020; Rear: .0059

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 150,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
At 10,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The third-generation Prius (2010–2015) followed a clear complaint arc: the 2010 redesign year spiked to 2,819 complaints and 10 recalls, remained elevated through 2012 (682 complaints), then declined steadily each year to reach just 160 complaints and a single recall by 2015 — the lowest counts of the generation. Compared to the preceding 2014 model year (233 complaints, 3 recalls) and the following 2016 redesign (179 complaints, 6 recalls), the 2015 sits at the mature, stabilized end of its generation's curve, suggesting Toyota had resolved most of the development issues that plagued earlier models. The dominant complaint area for 2015 is Service Brakes (65 of 160 complaints), with 28 crash-associated complaints and 1 fire complaint reported; the data does not specify root causes for these issues. The recall count of just 1 is notably lower than every other year in the generation except the debut 2000 model, and investigations held steady at 3 — consistent with the surrounding years rather than signaling any new regulatory concern. For a used buyer, the 2015 model year represents the most refined and least problematic year of its generation, making it a strong choice relative to earlier third-gen Prius models.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
324
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
160
Owner complaints
28 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 160 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes65
Unknown Or Other10
Electrical System8
Exterior Lighting6
Power Train6
Structure5
Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance5
Service Brakes, Hydraulic4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V369000Hybrid Propulsion System: InverterReported 24/06/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 324 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2015 Prius take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 ILSAC multigrade engine oil, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 50 city / 46 highway / 48 combined mpg.