Home · 2012 Toyota Prius C · Complaints

What 684 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius C

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (684)Crash / fire / injury (79)Brakes (335)Electrical system (89)Engine (71)Airbags (42)Lights (42)Visibility & wipers (35)Speed control (31)Transmission & drivetrain (31)Body & structure (28)Steering (24)

335 of 684 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters · page 12 of 14

Jul 5, 2017Transmission & drivetrainBrakesCrash

I RECEIVED THE WARNING, PLEASE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM. AFTER CHECKING THE DTC THE FOLLOWING CODE APPEARED ON THE COMPUTER: P0A08:DC/DC CONVERTER CIRCUIT STATUS WHICH INDICATES AN INVERTER PROBLEM. LOOKING AT THE RECALL WEBSITE USING VIN NUMBER, SHOWED NO RECALL CONCERNING THIS. THE PROBLEM HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY OR A HIGHWAY

NHTSA ODI 11003135

May 2, 2017Brakes

FOR SOME TIME I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKING, IF MY CAR HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES WOULD DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO EVEN IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY PRESSED, AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNTIL THE BRAKES REENGAGED. IT WAS A SIMILAR SENSATION TO HYDROPLANING, EVEN THOUGH IT WOULD OCCUR ON A DRY ROAD. THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM LIGHT WOULD BE ON WHILE THE BRAKES WERE OUT, AND I AM TOLD THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON THE BACK OF MY CAR ALSO WERE ON, BUT NO BRAKE FUNCTION FOR A SECOND OR TWO. A FEW DAYS AGO I WAS BRAKING AT A STOPLIGHT IN NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK AT ALL. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR USING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. MY CAR ONLY HAS 30K MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN WELL-MAINTAINED.

NHTSA ODI 10983089

May 2, 2017Brakes

WHEN DRIVING ON UNEVEN GROUND, LIKE POT HOLES, THE BRAKES FAIL. LITERALLY IF YOU HAVE YOUR FOOT ON BRAKE WHEN DRIVING OVER A POT HOLE, YOU CAN FEEL THE BRAKES RELEASE AND THE CAR WON'T STOP. I'VE HAD SIMILAR ISSUES ON BUMPY GROUND. THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD THE PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED IT, PROBABLY ON A WEEKLY BASIS, AND I'VE WONDERED ABOUT THE SAFETY AND WHETHER IT'S JUST RELATED TO ABS. I'VE ALSO INQUIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. LUCKILY, I'VE NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. BUT, THIS WEEKEND MY FRIEND WITH A PRIUS HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEM, SO I DECIDED TO REPORT MY COMPLAINT.

NHTSA ODI 10983184

Feb 12, 2017Brakes

MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V (MILEAGE: 55155) HAS HAD A FAILURE OF THE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUSTING. PLEASE NOTE THE FRONT BRAKES ARE IN GREAT SHAPE AND SHOW VERY LITTLE WEAR. THE SERVICE MANAGER WAS QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT HE WAS ONLY A FRANCHISE STORE AND WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DESIGN OF THE REAR BRAKES. HE STATED THAT THIS HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY ON THE HYBRID CARS THEY SERVICE AND IF THE MANUFACTURER HAD COATED THE BRAKE (I BELIEVE HE WAS REFERRING TO THE SLIDE AREA OF THE CALIPER WHERE THE BRAKE PADS RIDES) THAT THE BRAKE PAD WOULD NOT HAVE HUNG UP AND WORN OUT ALONG WITH DESTROYING THE ROTORS. I AM A FORMER LICENSED AIRCRAFT MECHANIC AND A LICENSED ENGINEER WITH THE STATE OF ILLINOIS. CLEARLY THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE REAR BRAKES TO FAIL BEFORE THE FRONT BRAKES AND CERTAINLY NOT THE ROTORS. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER EVERY 5000 MILES, WHICH DEMONSTRATES THE FAILURE WAS NOT DUE TO NEGLECT. THIS FAILURE MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 10954077

Jan 23, 2017SteeringBrakes

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 INSTANCE OR SYSTEMATIC?) AND (2) A LOOSE BOLT SHOULD NOT BE A RISK FOR A POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC OUTCOME - LOSS OF BRAKES (DESIGN FLAW, LINKAGES SHOULD NOT BE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING JAMMED - THAT'S WHAT THEY WARNED ME ABOUT WHEN THEY ASKED FOR THE $330 TO FIX IT). THIS WAS DISCOVERED WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICING, THEY TOLD ME THE STEERING FELT FUNNY.

NHTSA ODI 10947045

Oct 5, 2016Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED PRIOR TO ACCELERATING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

NHTSA ODI 10913998

Jun 21, 2016BrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO ENGAGE. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AWAY FROM THE CRASH SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

NHTSA ODI 10875625

Feb 26, 2016Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE ACTUATOR WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 10838650

Jan 28, 2016Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 10822856

Jan 19, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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.

NHTSA ODI 10820898

Jan 18, 2016Brakes

"TAKATA REPORT" COMUNICATION CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION C 1203 ECM - BRAKE BOOSTER W/MASTER, DURING OPERATION ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS AT THE DASH WENT ON PERMANENTLY.

NHTSA ODI 10820801

Jan 11, 2016Brakes

BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE DURING WET WEATHER. IT TAKES GREAT EFFORT TO AVOID A SKID. ONCE THE BRAKES WARM UP THE PERFORMANCE IS NORMAL. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE SHORT TERM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS RETURNING.

NHTSA ODI 10819384

Oct 1, 2015Speed controlBrakesCrash2 injuries

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED WHILE PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO UNINTENDEDLY ACCELERATE AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. THE VEHICLE TURNED RIGHT AND CRASHED INTO A TRASH DUMPSTER. THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED WHIPLASH. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT REQUIRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER'S COLLISION CENTER WHO REPAIRED THE BODY DAMAGES AND WAS TO SEND A THIRD PARTY TO INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE THE REMEDY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.

NHTSA ODI 10779130

Aug 18, 2015BrakesCrash

VEHICLE HAD LITTLE OR NO BRAKING POWER IN A PANIC STOP SITUATION. THIS WAS LIKELY CAUSE BY A DELAY SWITCHING FROM REGENERATIVE BRAKING TO MECHANICAL BRAKES.

NHTSA ODI 10749388

Apr 22, 2015Brakes

BRAKES RELEASE AND CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLES OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712312

Apr 3, 2015Brakes

TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE AT 40,251. WAS TOLD BRAKE PADS ARE AT 1MM FOR BOTH REAR BRAKE PADS, AND THAT ROTORS WERE RUSTED. TOLD FOR SAFETY IT SHOULD BE REPLACED AT THIS TIME. THERE HAD BEEN NO INDICATION THAT BRAKES WERE FAULTY. NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO NOISE, NO CHANGE IN BRAKING SENSATION. PRIOR SERVICE AT 35,397 INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH BOTH REAR PADS AT 7MM. ALSO, NO MENTION OF ROTOR RUST. SERVICE DONE AT 30,109 ALSO INDICATES BRAKES IN GOOD CONDITION WITH REAR PADS AT 7MM. MULTIPOINT INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40K SERVICE WAS NOT ATTACHED TO BILL. REQUESTED INSPECTION PAPER FOR 40,251 SERVICE, AND ALL OTHER INSPECTION PAPERS. CAR WAS BOUGHT AT WARREN OHIO TOYOTA, AND WAS ALWAYS TAKEN THERE FOR SERVICE. WAS TOLD NO INSPECTION PAPERS ARE KEPT LONGER THAN 6 MONTHS, AND THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS CARS PREVIOUS INSPECTIONS RESULTS. THE MOST RECENT INSPECTION PAPER WAS MAILED TO ME. IT INDICATES THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE AT 0MM AND 1MM. A 0MM PAD. THERE WAS NOTHING THAT OCCURRED DURING DRIVING TO INDICATE THE PAD WAS DOWN TO METAL. I HAVE CONTACTED THE WARREN OHIO TOYOTA GENERAL MANAGER AND SERVICE MANAGER WITH MY CONCERNS OVER THIS RAPID DECLINE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IN LESS THAN 5,000 MILES OF DRIVING. MOST OF THE DRIVING I DO WEEKLY IS HIGHWAY MILES. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE FROM THE GENERAL MANAGER OR SERVICE MANGER DESPITE REPEATED CALLS AND EMAILS. THIS RAPID DECLINE IN MY BRAKING SYSTEM WITH NO WARNING IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. EITHER MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS A FAULTY BRAKING SYSTEM, OR THE BRAKES WERE FINE AND TOYOTA OF WARREN OHIO LIED ABOUT THE CONDITION OF THE BRAKES. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10703539

Feb 8, 2015Seat beltsEquipment Adaptive/mobilityBrakes

I OWN A 2012 PRIUS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, INCLUDING RADAR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THESE SAME RADAR SENSORS ARE ALSO USED TO DETECT IMMINENT COLLISIONS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL MODE IS NOT ENGAGED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO, WHILE DRIVING NORTH ON INTERSTATE 5 IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR, AND WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, MY PRIUS WENT INTO "IMMINENT COLLISION MODE" DESPITE THE FACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME -- NO VEHICLES, NO DEBRIS, NO OBSTRUCTIONS. BEFORE SLAMMING ON THE BRAKES, MY SEAT BELT WAS "TIGHTENED" AND THE BRAKES WERE AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED AT FULL FORCE, EVEN WITHOUT MY FOOT TOUCHING THE BRAKE. THIS WAS INCREDIBLY JARRING AND DISTURBING, AND COULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT IF THERE WAS A VEHICLE BEHIND ME. FORTUNATELY, THERE WAS NO VEHICLE BEHIND ME AT THIS TIME. AFTER ABOUT TWO SECONDS OF FULL BRAKING, THE VEHICLE "DISENGAGED" COLLISION MODE AND ALLOWED ME PROCEED AND RETURN TO SPEED. I CALLED THE TOYOTA OF SEATTLE DEALERSHIP AND SPOKE TO THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE, AND SUGGESTED THAT I BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICING. THEY CONFIRMED THERE WERE NO OUTSTANDING RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST AT LEAST $100 FOR A BASIC DIAGNOSTIC, AND IF SENSORS HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT COULD COST HUNDREDS OR EVEN THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. BECAUSE I AM CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED AND LOOKING FOR WORK, I DID NOT BRING MY VEHICLE INTO THE SERVICE CENTER. I FEEL THIS IS TOYOTA'S OBLIGATION TO FIX, AND SHOULDN'T REQUIRE ME SPENDING MONEY OUT OF POCKET. I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE. I HAVE AVOIDED USING THE RADAR CRUISE CONTROL SINCE THIS MOMENT, BUT THE FACT THAT IT OCCURRED WHILE NOT IN THIS MODE MAKES ME FEEL THAT THE CAR COULD "TAKE CONTROL" AT ANY MOMENT AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ODI 10682017

Jan 25, 2015Brakes

I WAS DRIVING ON I-45 AT 55 OR 60 MPH AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. IT IS STILL THAT WAY, BRAKE FLUID LEVEL IS OK. TOYOTACARE PLAN IS EXPIRED. IS THERE A RECALL FOR THESE VEHICLES? THANKS *TR

NHTSA ODI 10678779

Dec 9, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

I OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE BRAND NEW. IT HAD HAPPENED MORE THAN A DOZEN TIMES. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS OR UNEVEN SURFACES, WITH THE SAME PRESSURE APPLIED TO THE BREAK, THE 2012 PRIVUS FAILED TO STOP AND LURCHED SEVERAL FEET BEFORE STOPPING. WE HAD AN INCIDENT THAT WE ALMOST RAN INTO PEDESTRIAN YESTERDAY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURS. THIS IS VERY CONCERNED TO MY FAMILY. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICAL BACK TO THE DEALER SHIP WHERE WE PURCHSED IT.(EXPRESSWAY DORCHESTER TOYOTA IN MASSCHUSETTES) THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT FIX IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCED AT THE DEALSHIP. THE SERVICE OF MANAGER CLAIMED THIS IS WORKING AS DESIGNED FROM THE (TRACKING CONTROL). I FEEL THIS IS A FALSE STATEMENT, THIS DOES NOT HAPPENED TO MY OTHER CARS THAT HAS TRACTION CONTROL. TOYOTA SHOULD REALLY STARTING FIXING IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10663065

Nov 20, 2014Brakes

THERE ARE TWO THINGS THAT OCCUR WITH MY BRAKES. ONE IS A CONSISTENT AND VERY LOUD GROAN WITH BRAKING AFTER ANY LENGTH OF TIME SITTING IDLE. THE OTHER IS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AND I MAY BE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR A POT HOLE OR ROCKS THE CAR LURCHES FORWARD QUICKLY AS IF I HAVE LOST CONTROL OF BREAKING. ALMOST LIKE HYDROPLANING WITHOUT WATER PRESENT. I HAVE TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEAL CONSISTENTLY SINCE THE NOISE BEGAN AND YET TO HAVE A FIX FOR IT. THEY SAY THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. HOWEVER I SPECIFICALLY HAD SOMEONE SIT IN MY CAR TO HEAR THE GROAN BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE IT. THEY HEARD THE NOISE AND AGAIN COULD DO NOTHING TO MAKE IT STOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10659869

Nov 10, 2014Brakes

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 OPERATOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STOP NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10653875

Oct 28, 2014Electrical systemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Brakes

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 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF THE SOY BASED WIRING. (I UNDERSTAND NOW THAT IT'S "BIOGRADABLE SOY BASED WIRING INSULATION.) I GENERALLY PARK MY CAR AT ONLY TWO LOCATIONS - MY HOME AND MY WORK. I HAD NEVER SEEN ANY RODENTS OF ANY TYPE! I CAN'T IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF ONE OF THE WIRES TO THE ENGINE, OR AIRBAGS, OR ANY SYSTEM FOR THAT MATTER SEPARATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. APPARENTLY, TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IS TRYING TO DOWNPLAY IT! I WAS TOLD IT'S NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. MY CAR REQUIRES TWO NEW WIRING HARNESSES, THE ALARM WIRING, AND THE AIRBAG HARNESS PLUS OTHER REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10650709

Oct 2, 2014Brakes

ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHEN BRAKING IF I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD OR POTHOLE THE CARS SPEEDS FORWARD FOR A FEW FEET. IT FEELS LIKE THE BRAKES RELEASE CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP SLOWING DOWN. THIS IS VERY DISCOMFORTING. SO FAR I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENT THOUGH I FEAR THAT THIS COULD CONTRIBUTE TO AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD TO STOP SUDDENLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10640938

Jul 24, 2014SteeringBody & structureBrakesCrash

I WAS DRIVING ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, AND INSTEAD WENT OVER THE CURB, VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND SIDE SWIPED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR, NARROWLY MISSING HIS GARAGE.THE CAR THEN SIDE SWIPED A TREE ON MY LEFT (ON PROPERTY BETWEEN MY AND NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY.) THE FRONT END OF THE CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE, SAVING ME FROM ROLLING ABOUT 900 FEET TO THE STREET BELOW. THE ENTIRE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKES NEVER ENGAGED (PEDAL WAS DOWN TO FLOOR) AND I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING. A WITNESS, STANDING ON THE STREET, CONFIRMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA (WORLD CLASS INSPECTION) 15 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. INSPECTION REPORT INDICATED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND BRAKE LINING WERE "CHECKED AND OK." AFTER THE INCIDENT THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SITE WHERE THE OPERATOR DEMONSTRATED TO ME THAT THE BRAKES WERE NONEXISTENT AND THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL WAS STILL APPROPRIATE. CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10616134

Jun 19, 2014Brakes

I STATED TO THE DEALERSHIP ON JUNE24,2013 THAT THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT RUNAWAY WHEN I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE IN THE ROAD. THEY ROAD TESTED MY CAR AND COULDN'T DUPLICATE ANY ABNORMAL ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING. THEY VISUALLY INSPECTED THE BRAKES AND THEY FOUND NOTHING. THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS WHERE I BRAKE AND HIT A POTHOLE AND JUT FORWARD EITHER ALMOST PASSING A RED LIGHT OR ALMOST HITTING A CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT IS A VERY SCARY SITUATION. I WOULD HAVE DONE THIS COMPLAINT SOONER,BUT I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS WEBSITE. I JUST HAPPEN TO SEARCH TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAS THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR 2012 PRIUS V. THIS SCARY DANGEROUS SITUATION STILL CONTINUES TILL THIS DAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10604558

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How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Toyota Prius C verdict →