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2012 Toyota Prius C Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 64 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius C, most often about the brakes (41% of complaints, typically around 25,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Prius C model year since 2000.
Most common 2012 Toyota Prius C problems
Brakes
26 complaints · 41%Half of these problems showed up before 25,000 miles.
Car in front slowed then stopped quickly as the car ahead of it attempted to use the middle lane improperly (not a turn lane at that time), not moving fully nor quickly into the lane. Car in front stopped. Applied brakes immediately to the Prius C to slow, then added one rapid pump, and ultimately pushed the pedal to…
Braking often becomes extremely aggressive when moisture is prevalent. Initial application is normal, until deeper into the braking cycle. Once vehicle is committed to stopping an additional (hard brake) surge then renders system into becoming far too aggressive. This is under normal braking scenarios requiring active…
Electrical
15 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 100,500 miles. Parts named most often: propulsion system.
I've had to replace the light bulb on my passenger side headlight constantly over the past couple of months. I heard that there was a recall on the wiring harness of the 2012 regular prius and I'm wondering if the issue has been looked at in the Prius C models.
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the message "check hybrid status - stop vehicle in safe place immediately" was displayed. There were several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal power module…
Air bags
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles.
I was stopped at a green light the car in front me turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me on the front right side, they hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt did not lock. I hit the steering…
I was stopped at a green light waiting for the car in front me; when they turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me head on; on the front right side. They hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt…
Other or unspecified
8 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles.
Drivers side door lock malfunction.drivers side door will not open with keyless remote or by resting my hand on the door handle which should automatically open all doors. I tried using electronic unlock button inside drivers side door and also won't open.it appears to be a bad drivers side unlock actuator which has so…
Brake booster w/ master ECM communication malfunction -unable to communicate and performs ABS, anti slippery and brake pedal to low. The malfunction includes warning lights panel to stay on.
Engine
5 complaints · 8%My 2012 Toyota Prius C four model (purchased new in august, 2012) with approximately 5,200 original miles experienced a loss of power and total failure (engine stalled right after the hybrid motor warning light appeared) of the 2012 Toyota Prius C hybrid inverter engine due to an electrical panel defect while exiting…
Problem with the fuel bladder causing the gauge to read incorrectly. The gauge gets stuck at a quarter tank and before you know it, you're out of gas. Once this happened, it caused the hybrid system to fail and locked the car up even after putting gas in it. Has to do a master reset of the entire car to get it to…
Seat belts
4 complaints · 6%Car was involved in a 18+ car accident. Traveling at approx 55mph all traffic came to a sudden stop. The car did stop before impact. Driver pressed himself to the seat while slamming on breaks. A car slammed into the back of the prius which shot the prius forward, wedging it between the 2 vehicles in front of it. Upon…
I was stopped at a green light the car in front me turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me on the front right side, they hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt did not lock. I hit the steering…
Stability control
4 complaints · 6%Brake booster w/ master ECM communication malfunction -unable to communicate and performs ABS, anti slippery and brake pedal to low. The malfunction includes warning lights panel to stay on.
My vehicle completely shuts down in the middle of the road without even letting the hazard light; this is the greatest risk I am encountering and found a recall from Toyota with similar indications and consequences (nhsta campaign number: 14v053000); upon calling Toyota customer helpline they simply rejected my…
Transmission
4 complaints · 6%I was driving my 2012 Prius C and I'm middle of traffic my car lost its power, thankfully I was able to park the car. I got it towed to the dealership and they told me it's the inverter. I advised that I had read on recalls on them they said my car didn't have a recall they are wanting me to pay 4k for a new inverter…
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle rapidly accelerated upon tapping the brake pedal and crashed into a brick storefront without warning. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. A bystander inside the store assisted the contact in exiting the…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Toyota Prius C recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Drivability, service brake failure
Summary
On january 3, 2013, NHTSA received a letter (odi no. 10487746) from ms. Jessie a. Powell petitioning the agency to investigate drivability and braking concerns in the subject vehicle.the petition expressed two concerns: 1. The first software problem was when the vehicle shifted from battery to motor and caused such impact, I initially believed the vehicle had been struck in the rear.2. The next more alarming problem was no brakes. The brake pedal traveled to the floor and a dashboard warning light flashed.this symptom occurred twice, leading to the vehicle being towed to the dealership, the second time in the dealership parking lot after diagnostics of the first incident.after a test drive a
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Prius C
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius C?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (26 complaints, typically around 25,000 miles); electrical (15 complaints, typically around 100,500 miles); air bags (8 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius C have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius C. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota Prius C?
- It is the most complained-about Prius C model year since 2000, with 64 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.