KnownCarProblems2012 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 424 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius, most often about the brakes (47% of complaints, typically around 95,500 miles). It is 9th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2012 Toyota Prius problems
Brakes
200 complaints · 47%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Pivot bolt inside steering wheel came loose, was warned it had dropped to where it could interfere with brake linkages. Filed complaint with Toyota and never heard back so filing this complaint. (1) a large bolt inside a sealed area should not be able to come loose if installed correctly (manufacturing error - single…
A number of lights came on...ABS, anti skid, system failure, etc. The brakes started to feel very funny and started to make a strange noise. Took it to Toyota and they said it was not safe to drive because of the brakes. Needed the brake system (actuator is the name I believe).
Electrical
52 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 36,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument panel, horn.
I went to start my Prius v. After it was started, a number of the warning lights came on including the ABS and stability control. I was stunned since I had my 30000 mile check up in may with no problems. When I took it to the dealer for repair, the dealer determined that rodents had eaten through a number of the…
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius hybrid. The contact stated that the automatic startup engaged independently with a loud clunking noise. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was also diagnosed by a different dealer who refused…
Lights
36 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles.
My Toyota Prius 2012 headlights are repeatedly burning out. Last bulbs lasted 3 days. I've blown over $200 on different bulbs. I drive for a living. This is murdering my business.
Both headlights went off at same time while driving on a highway during night time. As a result the car driving in next lane couldn't see my car in his sideview mirror and almost hit my car when tried to change lane. I escaped the major accident by auto reflexes to move my car to shoulder lane immediately which…
Engine
32 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
Soon after getting a recall software update for the hybrid system, the car displayed hybrid system check message and lost power. Car had to be towed. Created an extremely dangerous situation due to nature of problem while driving on the road and had to pull over right away.
Head gasket 77,000 miles with the head gasket issue the car engine was shaking when it's warming up. The car log showed misfires in 1st and 4th cylinders.
Other or unspecified
31 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles.
My passenger side sun visor just completely fell out while driving down the road. It has rarely been used (my car is a 2012 with high miles and most of the time I travel alone). This could have easily caused a distraction or crash. I noticed that there are several complaints about other Toyota models / years.
2012 Toyota Prius has been consuming large amounts of oil since 89000 miles. Dealer completed an oil consumption test, of course if passed. Dealer stated rave4's and camry's have had same issue and they issue recalls. Toyota has yet to accept responsibility and replace the pistions to correct the oil consumption.
Visibility and wipers
30 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 500 miles. Parts named most often: windshield, glass, side/rear.
Windshield optics cause light sources to triple with ghosting above and below the source of light. This is causing difficulty in judging distance, distraction and eye strain while driving.
There are very dangerous blind spots on both rear driver and passenger sides of the Toyota Prius v . Vehicles located near the mid to rear of the car can not be seen in mirrors or by glancing over the shoulder when changing lanes. I have had numerous near collisions due to this design defect. I have brought this to…
Air bags
28 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 28,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While traveling in a rain storm at 17mph, I tried to engage the brakes to prevent from crashing into an 18 wheeler and the brakes did not work. I repeatedly tried to stop the car and the car was accelerating even thought I was applying the brakes not the gas. The car would not shut down, go into park or neutral. I did…
My 2012 Prius was hit in back on passenger side at approximately 80-85 miles/hour while my speed was 62 m/h. With impact from hit in the back, my car went flying head on into the median wall (those temporary cement walls used during reconstruction). Two things happened were: 1. After the first impact my Prius had…
Body and structure
23 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 15,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
There is a noticeable halo effect in the windshield when viewing oncoming lights. It is bothersome and irritating on the eyes especially when driving for long periods of time. I am writing Toyota directly to learn when a different windshield can be provided.
Interior water leakage that drips down from the center console down to the driver and passenger floors. First occurrence occurred around 14k miles. It is possible that it was leaking before but I did not notice it because I have weather proofing floor mats, the wetness occurs under the mat. The dealer says clogged AC…
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 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.
Air bags: side/window
Risk: If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on october 17, 2016. Owners may contact toyota customer service department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is toyota g0u, and lexus glj.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 toyota prius, 2010 and 2012 toyota prius plug-in hybrid, and 2011-2012 lexus ct200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.
Seats: seat heater/cooler
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Set will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on july 14, 2016. Owners may contact set customer service at 1-866-405-4226. Set number for this recall is set16b.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4runner, highlander, sequoia, and sienna, 2005-2010 avalon and tundra, 2006-2008 camry solara, 2006-2010 highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 rav4 and tacoma, 2007-2010 fj cruiser, 2007-2011 camry hybrid, 2009-2010 venza, 2010-2012 prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
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 both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ecu) and the hybrid control ecu, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on march 21, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
Equipment: labels
Risk: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on may 28, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 toyota tundra, 2010-2012 rav4, 2012 toyota sequoia, 2010-2011 toyota corolla, 2010-2011 toyota camry and camry hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota highlander and highlander hybrid, 2010-2013 toyota fj cruiser, 2011 toyota land cruiser, 2010-2013 toyota venza, 2010-2011 toyota 4runner, 2010-2013 toyota tacoma, 2011-2012 toyota sienna, 2012 toyota prius, 2013 scion fr-s, 2011 scion xd, 2011 scion xb, and 2012 scion tc vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) number 110, "tire selection and rims."
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
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
Brake actuator valve wear
Summary
On september 19, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Roger hogan requesting that the agency investigate and recall certain toyota prius, prius phv, camry hybrid and avalon hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under toyota customer support programs zjb and zkk (subject csp?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject csp condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On september 30, 2019, odi opened defect petition dp19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In august 2020, the petitioner notified the agency that he was withdrawing
Questions about the 2012 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (200 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles); electrical (52 complaints, typically around 36,500 miles); lights (36 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius have?
- 6 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?
- It is 9th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 424 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.