What 684 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius C

THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH IS WEAK AND THE LATCH ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS PREVENTS THE REAR HATCHBACK DOOR FROM BEING OPENED OR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO OPEN. IT WILL COST JUST SHY OF $700 TO FIX. OF THE FOUR PRIUSES MY FAMILY HAS OWNED (PRIUS 2005 AND 2 PRIUS 2007 AND PRIUS V 2012) HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE REAR HATCHBACK LATCH. TOYOTA PLEASE FIX THIS PROBLEM.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V449000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE LIMP-HOME MODE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,475.

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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.

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HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAM FAIL EVERY MONTH OR SO AND I HAVE REPLACED 16 BULBS IN LAST YEAR. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR US. ALSO THE COST IS GREAT. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS BEFORE IN OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN IS A RECALL GOING TO BE DEMANDED ? WHEN SOMEBODY IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS

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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.

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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 REINSTALLED A BOLT THAT HAD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND REINSTALLED THE BOLT WITH THREAD LOCK. COST OF REPAIR WAS $532. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER MODELS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR THE LOOSE BOLT.

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

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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.

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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 IMPACT WITH THE CARS IT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. DRIVER FLEW FORWARD BREAKING BONES IN HIS FACE AND OBTAINED INJURIES TO A KNEE FROM IMPACTING THE CONSOLE, AND WHIPLASH. A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT OBTAINED A KNOT ON HEAD AND WHIPLASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BELT ELR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

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I HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH LOW BEAM HEAD LAMPS APPROXIMATELY EVERY THREE WEEKS. I HAVE BOUGHT AND REPLACED 5 SETS SINCE OWNING THE CAR IN JUNE 2015. I CURRENTLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON THE CAR.

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WIFE IN ACCIDENT WITH SIDE IMPACT AND FRONT IMPACT APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH RAN OFF OF A ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER SIDE IMPACT WITH OAK TREE THEN FRONT IMPACT WITH ANOTHER OAK TREE. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. VEHICLE TOTALED. EMT AND CHP COMMENTED THAT UNUSUAL THAT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS AMAZED AS WELL!....UPDATED 12/30/15 *BF; UPDATED 05/11/18*JB *TR

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WIND SHIELD WIPER SWITCH QUIT WORKING AT 62,500 MILE.THE WIND SHIELD WIPER MOTOR IS NOW MAKING GRINDING NOISES AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED(74,000 MILES). BOTH PARTS BROKE WHEN WE WERE TRAVELING OUT OF STATE,DURING RAIN STORMS.

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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.

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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.

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MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN A TWO CAR CRASH WHEN A CAR COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF HER. IT HAPPENED SO QUICK THAT SHE NEVER HAD TIME TO HIT HER BRAKES. SHE WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH IN A 35 MPH ZONE ON A TWO LANE ROAD. I WOULD THINK THAT AT THAT SPEED IF ALL HER SAFETY EQUIPMENT WORKED SHE WOULD NOT SUFFER ANY INJURIES. HER SEAT BELT FAILED CAUSING THE SEAT LATCH TO FAIL AND SHE ENDED UP JAMMED INTO THE BOTTOM AND UNDER SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. SHE SUFFERED A BLOW TO HER CHEST AND INJURIES TO HER KNEES, LOWER LEGS AND FOOT. SHE HAD SURGERY ON HER RIGHT KNEE SO WE COULD GET HER ON HER FEET AGAIN AND IS AWAITING SURGERY ON HER RIGHT SHOULDER. SHE HAD A PRE EXISTING HEART CONDITION THAT WAS RAISED TO EMERGENCY STATUS AFTER THE BLOW TO HER CHEST AND SHE HAD SURGERY FOR THAT AND THEY FOUND A SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF HER HEART AND ZAPPED IT. THERE IS ONLY A 2% CHANCE IT WILL EVER RETURN. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE FAILED SEAT BELT AND SEAT. THE SEAT BELT IS IN THE FULLY EXTENDED POSITION AND LOCKED AND CAN NOT BE RELEASED EVEN BY YANKING ON IT. I AM WRITING THIS REPORT SO THIS SITUATION CAN BE CHECKED AND IF FOUND FAULTY CAN BE CORRECTED BEFORE ANY ONE ELSE GOES THROUGH WHAT MY WIFE IS GOING THROUGH.

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STARTING IN SPRING 2013 AND CONTINUING DURING THE REST OF THE SPRING, SUMMER AND EARLY FALL IN THE HOTTEST MONTHS, AFTER PARKING MY PRIUS C OUTSIDE, IT ALWAYS HAD ISSUES STARTING, WHICH CONTINUES TO THIS DAY. I WILL PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, START THE CAR, ALL THE DASH LIGHTS COME ON AND THE CAR WILL USUALLY NOT ALLOW ME TO PUT IT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. I HAVE TO TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION AND START IT AGAIN AT LEAST TWICE BEFORE IT STARTS NORMALLY AS IT DOES WHEN THE WEATHER IS COOLER AND/OR WHEN THE CAR IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. A COUPLE OF TIMES, I MANAGED TO GET THE CAR TO GO INTO REVERSE, BUT IT WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AS IF THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ON. THEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED, LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CAN'T FIX IT UNLESS THEY CAN RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN PICTURES AND VISEO, BUT THAT MAKES NO DIFFERENCE TO THEM. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE FIXED. THIS IS THE SECOND COMPLAINT I HAVE FILED RE: THIS MATTER AS MY FIRST DOES NOT SEEM TO APPEAR HERE.

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING 'METAL' IS SLIDING AROUND INSIDE THE PANEL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY IT. WHEN I WENT OUT WITH A TECH, ONCE, ALTHOUGH IT HAD MADE THE SOUND AS I TURNED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, IT WOULDN'T DUPLICATE WITH THE TECHNICIAN. THEY WOULDN'T TAKE OFF THE PANEL TO INVESTIGATE. GIVEN THE PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS THIS MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS AND I HOPE THAT I AM NEVER IN A CRASH.

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THE NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH & RADIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF ON IT OWN AND BECAME CORRUPTED WHEN THE CAR DEALERSHIP TRIED TO UPDATE THE SYSTEMS SOFTWARE. THE HARDWARE WAS THEN RENDERED INOPERABLE AND THE SYSTEMS COMPUTER WAS THEN REPLACED, THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR EXCEEDED $1000US. DUE TO THE DEALERSHIPS ACTIONS IN TRYING TO RUN A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE REPAIR COSTS WERE PAID BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE KNOWN BY THE CAR DEALER. TOYOTA WAS NEVER DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY CAR OWNER AS ONLY THE CAR DEALER HANDLED THE REPAIR ISSUES.

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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.

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TL* 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 ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

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OVER THE LAST NINE MONTHS I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BULBS IN MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS 6 TIMES. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY STATED THAT IT WAS BECAUSE I WAS NOT USING TOYOTA CERTIFIED BULB AND I PAID OVER $150 TO HAVE THEM INSPECT THE HEADLIGHTS AND REPLACE THE BULBS. AFTER I HAD THE CERTIFIED BULBS INSTALLED, A BULB WENT OUT AGAIN. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED NEW WIRING FOR A COST IN EXCESS OF $250.00. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TSB-0204-12 WAS ISSUED FOR FOR 2010-11 PRIUS FOR THIS PROBLEM AND THAT THE 2012 PRIUS HAVE THE EXACT SAME WIRING HARNESS, BUT THAT TOYOTA WAS NOT GOING TO FIX THAT PROBLEM FOR TEH 2012 MODELS AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO ABSORB THE COST MYSELF.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS

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I AM 5'3". THE HEADREST OF MY CAR IS DESIGNED TO ANGLE FORWARD AT THE TOP. THIS PUSHED MY HEAD DOWN AT A 15* ANGLE. IT IS PAINFUL TO DRIVE. I WILL HAVE TOREMOVE THE HEADREST COMPLETELY, LOSING ANY PROTECTION IN ANY ACCIDENT AND LOSING THE SUPPORT IT SHOUD GIVE MY HEAD NOW. I UNDERSTAND THIS DESIGN IS MANDATED BY YOUR AGENCY AND THAT ALL PEOPLE IN THE 5'0" TO 5'4" HEIGHT RANGE EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM. SINCE THE AVERAGE HEIGHT FOR AMERICAN WOMEN IS 5'5" YOUR REGULATION DISCOMFORTS AND/OR ENDANGERS HALF OF THE WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY. CHANGE THE REGULATION. ALLOW, OR REQUIRE, HEADRESTS THAT CAN SWIVEL TO CHANGE THE ANGLE OF ALIGNMENT.

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A SLOW STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF NEUTRAL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S HYBRID VEHICLES, BUT COULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME MODEL INVERTER THAT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHAT THE DEALER STATED ABOUT THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,634. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN

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