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2012 Toyota Prius V Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 218 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius V, most often about the brakes (61% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Prius V model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota Prius V problems
Brakes
132 complaints · 61%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, power assist.
Brakes sometimes grab very sharply when touched while in motion, causing forward momentum of body to slam on brakes. Almost caused accident when I touched brakes with someone tailgating too closely. Also traction is interrupted when hitting the metal abutment to bridges.
On jan. 3, 2018 while moving at a minimum speed (less than 15 MPH) I applied the brakes and several warning lights illuminated (brakes, ABS, traction control) along with a warning sound. This was on a city street, driving in a straight line. I was able to brake to a stop. I then attempted to continue to drive at a…
Engine
37 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles.
The engine went stalled in the middle of the highway. Lucky enough, I was able to stop the car safely without any collusion. Brought the vehicle to a mechanic and diagnosed with excessive consumption of engine oil. The engine had catastrophic damage and needed a replacement. I spoke to piercey Toyota service director…
My Toyota Prius V only has 121,153 miles on it and during a short drive to work where we never reached speeds over 50mphs our Prius V overheated causing a blown head gasket and all sorts of combustion issues. The repairs were $3000. This is a 2nd family car which has always been maintained by expert, license auto…
Electrical
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, propulsion system.
Vehicle was serviced for safety recall j0v. After service, in car electronics systems did not work properly: navigation, bluetooth/phone integration, audio system. Dealer refused to acknowledge that recall service was responsible.
My 2012 Prius V started showing the warning lights for brakes, ABS, anti-skid and engine lights. This happened while driving on a regular road. Brakes still work but feel spongy. Scanned for codes and it says c1391 which requires replacing all the main brake components. The cost is over $3000 because so many parts…
Speed control
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 16,000 miles.
Driver was making a sharp left turn into a parking space at low speed and attempted to brake to a stop. The vehicle did not slow down at all despite hard pressure on brake pedal but instead accelerated,jumped a curb in front of the vehicle and hit a wall which stopped the car. No one was injured but front bumper badly…
I bought Prius V in february 2012. I've noticed few times issues with brakes. While decelerating with my foot on the brake pedal to slow the car to a stop and if the car goes over a pothole or slight bump on the road then car accelerates forward before coming to a stop. This is safety hazard since it almost LED to…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles.
My 2012 Prius V started showing the warning lights for brakes, ABS, anti-skid and engine lights. This happened while driving on a regular road. Brakes still work but feel spongy. Scanned for codes and it says c1391 which requires replacing all the main brake components. The cost is over $3000 because so many parts…
11/15/19 originally the car showed brake, ABS, antiskid and engine idiot lights went to the dealer with a code c1391. They said I need to replace the master cylinder and the power booster for $2600. Then they said it was policy to also replace the brake booster pump assembly for an additional $2,000 or a total of…
Steering
11 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles.
Noise ("clunking") when turning left & right as if there is "play" or something is loose somewhere in the steering system. Worried about safety and understand there were previous recalls of the shaft on previous year models. Do not want to replace the entire steering shaft as dealer suggests if not necessary.
Vehicle in motion when steering column adjustment released and would not relock causing the steering column to move forward and back, up and down. The car was difficult to drive because the steering column would not stay fixed in one position. Took the car to the dealer where they removed the steering column and…
Air bags
8 complaints · 4%Driver in a 2005 ford focus 4 door turned left in front of me. My Prius V hit the ford focus on the front passenger side corner. My prius was damaged in the center of the front. The speed of my vehicle is less that 40 MPH, the speed limit. I believe I was traveling about 30 MPH before I hit the brakes had about 25…
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius V. While driving 5 MPH and making a left turn, a vehicle crashed into the front passenger side of the contact's vehicle. As a result, the air bags deployed, but the driver side air bags failed to fully inflate. The contact sustained injuries to the chest that required medical…
Stability control
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 98,500 miles.
On jan. 3, 2018 while moving at a minimum speed (less than 15 MPH) I applied the brakes and several warning lights illuminated (brakes, ABS, traction control) along with a warning sound. This was on a city street, driving in a straight line. I was able to brake to a stop. I then attempted to continue to drive at a…
Toyota Prius V 2012 lost power as I was driving out of the parking lot. I had to make emergency stop on the side of the road because inverter/electric motor failed. Mechanic ran computer test and found that problem codes indeed pointed to failure of inverter.I called local dealer mccord Toyota and was told my car does…
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 V recalls
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ecu) and the hybrid control ecu as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 22, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is j0v. Note: the software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14v-053 or 15v-449.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 toyota prius and 2012-2014 toyota prius v vehicles. Excessive voltage in the intelligent power module (ipm) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: 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.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ecu) and the hybrid control ecu, free of charge. The recall began on july 30, 2015. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 prius v vehicles manufactured august 22, 2011, to june 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.
Seats
Risk: 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. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
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
Brake actuator valve wear
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received a petition dated september 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 toyota prius v requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that odi closed dp19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. Odi will review the work conducted during dp19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition the petition and related materials can
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Prius V
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius V?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (132 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); engine (37 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); electrical (24 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius V have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 4, 2018 (hybrid system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Toyota Prius V?
- It is the most complained-about Prius V model year since 2000, with 218 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.