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)

Newest first · 684 complaints · page 23 of 28

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 29, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY 59 FEEDER ROAD SOUTHWARDS TOWARDS UNIVERSITY BLVD IN THE LEFT MOST LANE. A CAR CAME AND HIT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR. DUE TO THE IMPACT MY CAR ROLLED OVER ONTO THE CURB, HIT THE GRASS AND FLIPPED BACK INTO THE LANE AGAIN. I WAS IN COMPLETE AND UTTER SHOCK AND TRAUMA AND SOON ENOUGH I NOTICED THE BLOOD ON ME. MY LEFT SIDE (HEAD, SHOULDER AND ELBOW) WAS PAINING BADLY. MY SEAT BELT WAS STILL ON, MY LEG WAS ON THE BRAKE AND WINDOWS SHATTERED AND GLASS WAS ALL OVER THE PLACE, AIR BAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, MOVED SHIFT ROD INTO PARK POSITION AND APPLIED THE HAND BRAKE. A MAN AND HIS SON (I BELIEVE) WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT AND CAME TO ME WITHIN A FEW MINUTES. THEY CALLED EMS. WHILE WAITING FOR EMERGENCY TO ARRIVE, I GOT MY CELL PHONE FROM MY BACKPACK, WHICH WAS ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, AND CALLED MY FATHER. A FEW MINUTES LATER, ANOTHER PERSON, CAME UP TO ME AND SAID HE WITNESSED THE ACCIDENT AS WELL AND STAYED NEAR MY CAR. I DID NOT MOVE FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT OR OPEN THE DOOR BECAUSE I WAS TOO AFRAID TO OPEN THE DOOR...FEW MINUTES LATER, THE EMERGENCY PERSONNEL CAME. THEY OPENED THE CAR DOOR AND CLEARED A FEW THINGS AND PUT ME ON A STRETCHER. THEY PUT A NECK BRACE AND RESTRAINED MY HEAD FROM MOVING AND STRAPPED ME ONTO THE STRETCHER. THEY PICKED UP MY BACKPACK AS WELL. MY DAD CAME AS THEY WERE PUTTING ME ON THE STRETCHER. I WAS IMMEDIATELY RUSHED TO THE NEAREST ER. .. I HAVE CONCERN ABOUT THE AIRBAG. WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY?. WOULD YOU BE ABLE TO INVESTIGATE? I AUTHORIZE MY FATHER (PHONE NUMBER PROVIDED BELOW) TO DISCUSS ABOUT THIS INCIDENT. UPDATED 08-20-14 *BF UPDATED 8/28/2014 *JS ..UPDATED 09-09-14 *BF

NHTSA ODI 10606831

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

Jun 18, 2014Transmission & drivetrainSpeed control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JERKED AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE RESUMED TO ITS NORMAL ACCELERATION AFTER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,000. THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN SHE APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTLY, THE ENGINE REVVED UP AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/23/14

NHTSA ODI 10599176

Jun 13, 2014Transmission & drivetrain1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, IT STARTED TO ROLL AWAY IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLED ALL THE WAY INTO THE STREET KNOCKING HER DOWN TO THE GROUND AND INTO A MAIL BOX. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO HER LEFT LEG WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,900. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10598170

May 29, 2014Transmission & drivetrainBody & structureCrash

I WAS GETTING READY TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, SO I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD ROAR AND THE CAR SHOT FULL SPEED IN REVERSE, COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. IT CLIPPED THE BUMPER OF A PARKED CAR AND SOME SHOPPING CARTS, THEN BACKED INTO A WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10595000

May 26, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

AT APPROXIMATELY 14:35 ON SATURDAY MAY 24 2014, THE CAR BEHIND ME WAS HIT BY AN SUV THAT DIDN'T BRAKE WHEN HE CAME TO A TOTALLY STOPPED LONG LINE OF TRAFFIC ON HWY 101 SB. I ESTIMATE THAT THE SUV WAS TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF AT LEAST 55 MPH WHEN IT STRUCK THE CAR BEHIND ME. THE CAR BEHIND ME THEN STRUCK THE BACK OF MY 2012 PRIUS PLUG-IN VEHICLE PUSHING THE FRONT OF MY CAR INTO ANOTHER SUV IN FRONT OF ME. 4 VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED, OTHERS TOOK HEAVY DAMAGE. NONE OF MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, AND I BEGAN FEELING LOWER LEFT SIDE NECK PAINS THE DAY AFTER THE ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10594053

May 21, 2014Electrical system

WHEN OUR NEIGHBOR WITH A 2013 PRIUS KEY FAB ENTERS OUR 2011 PRIUS IT DISABLES THE IGNITION. IT WILL SOMETIMES ALLOW THE CAR TO START BY TOUCHING OUR KEY FAB TO THE IGNITION BUTTON HOWEVER IF ENGINE STOPS, LIKE AT A STOP LIGHT, IT WILL DISABLE THE IGNITION AGAIN NOT ALLOWING YOU TO START THE CAR UNLESS YOU PUT YOUR KEY FAB UP TO THE START BUTTON AGAIN. THE DEALER KNEW ABOUT THE SITUATION AND AGREED IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD BUT SAID TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10593237

May 19, 2014Speed control

WHEN THE VEHICLE HITS A BUMP, ROCK OR UNEVEN ROAD WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATES. IT FEELS LIKE WHEN YOU SKIP A STEP. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE SINCE DECEMBER 2012 AND THIS HAS HAPPENED ENOUGH TIMES THAT I DO NOT THINK ITS FORTUITOUS. THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION MAKES THE CAR TRAVEL A COUPLE OF FEET. UPDATED 12/5/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10592592

May 16, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE SPUN AROUND AND ROLLED OVER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD CONCUSSION AND A BULGING DISK IN HIS BACK INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 13V014000 (AIR BAGS). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000.

NHTSA ODI 10588901

May 1, 2014Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND TO DECELERATION ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.

NHTSA ODI 10586036

Apr 30, 2014Brakes

BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY TOUCHY AND GRAB WHENEVER IT IS DAMP OUTSIDE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10585791

Apr 24, 2014BrakesCrash

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 20 MILES AN HOUR DURING TRAFFIC HOUR WHEN I SAW THE CAR STOPPED IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD AT LEAST 4 CAR DISTANCE WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. NORMALLY, I CAN FEEL THE SEAT BELT TIGHTEN, CARS JERKING OR SHAKE DUE TO ANTI-LOCK BRAKE WHEN YOU STEP ON THE BRAKE HARD. BUT THIS TIME, I DID NOT FEEL THE CAR SLOW DOWN WHEN I STEPPED ON BRAKE ALL THE WAY DOWN, IT CONTINUE TO CRUISE A LITTLE BEFORE IT SLOW DOWN, BUT BY THEN, I HAVE ALREADY HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THIS CAR WAS SERVICED REGULARLY, DURING MY LAST VISIT 3 WEEKS AGO, I WAS NOTIFIED THAT MY CAR IS ON THE RECALL LIST FOR SOFTWARE UPDATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10584723

Apr 24, 2014Engine

DRIVING THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE STOPPED - WITH NO WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE AIR, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC ALL CONTINUED TO WORK. WE COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & RESTARTED THE ENGINE. WE PURCHASED NEW & HAD ALL THE REQUIRED MAINTENANCE DONE AT THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. WE LEARNED OF A RECALL ON THE NEWS IN FEBRUARY & TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE REPAIR. (A SOFTWARE PROBLEM RELATED TO THE CAR ENGINE STOPPING WHILE DRIVING) WHEN WE LEARNED OF THE RECALL WE REMEMBERED THIS HAD HAPPENED TO US ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER, AGAIN, ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH & THOUGHT IT WAS JUST A FLUKE AT THE TIME. WE WERE VERY UPSET WHEN THIS LATEST INCIDENT HAPPENED AFTER HAVING THE RECALL REPAIR DONE ON THE CAR & HAVING DRIVEN A FEW THOUSAND MILES BETWEEN INCIDENTS. WE DROVE THE CAR DIRECTLY TO OUR DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT AND REPORTED THESE FACTS TO THE SERVICE MANAGER. THEY IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN AND TRIED TO DETECT ANY EVIDENCE OF THE INCIDENT. THEY TOLD US THAT THEY ALSO CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE TECHNICAL SERVICES FOR ASSISTANCE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THE INCIDENT. AS WE ARE NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR, THEY GAVE US A CAR TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PROBLEM COULD BE RESOLVED. WE DON'T WANT TO SEE THIS CAR SOLD TO AN UNSUSPECTING DRIVER. WE FEEL THIS IS A LIFE THREATENING DEFECT AND TOYOTA SHOULD REPURCHASE THE CAR FROM US AT A FAIR VALUE SO THAT WE COULD REPLACE IT WITH ANOTHER CAR. WE CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER YESTERDAY BY PHONE AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT, THEY OPENED A FILE AND GAVE US A CASE NUMBER. TODAY WE WERE CONTACTED BY PHONE BY A TOYOTA REGIONAL ANALYST AND WERE TOLD THAT SINCE THEY CANNOT FIND ANY EVIDENCE OF THE INCIDENT BY USING THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM WE WOULD NEED TO FILE A LEMON LAW COMPLAINT. WE TOLD HIM THAT WE EXPECT TOYOTA TO RESOLVE OUR ISSUE - WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PROVE THE DEFECT. HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10584747

Apr 22, 2014AirbagsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, HE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE CONTACT COULD NOT RECALL WHAT THEY CRASHED INTO. UPON IMPACT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,230.

NHTSA ODI 10584300

Apr 20, 2014Brakes

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES DURING WEST WEATHER (MOISTURE IN THE BRAKES) THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP FOR A SPLIT SECOND EVERY TIME. WHEN IT IS DRY IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT STILL HITS HARD.

NHTSA ODI 10583756

Apr 14, 2014Body & structureWheelsCrash1 injury

I WAS COMPLETING PARKING THE CAR IN A HEAD-IN PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE CAR EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CAR JUMPED A CONCRETE SIDEWALK, CROSSED THE 6-8 FOOT WIDE SIDEWALK, AND CRASHED INTO A METAL SECURITY FENCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10579530

Apr 11, 2014AirbagsBrakesCrash

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 THE FLOOR. THE PRIUS DID LITTLE MORE THAN SLOW (WITHOUT EVEN A JOLT FROM THE FIRM APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES), CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT END. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI 10579128

Apr 10, 2014AirbagsBrakesCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS CRASHED INTO FROM THE REAR. THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES HOWEVER, THE BRAKES BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 10578888

Apr 9, 2014Body & structure

A DEAD MOUSE WAS FOUND IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER. THE DEALER CHARGED ME TO CHANGE THE FILTER AND CLEAN OUT THE AIR SYSTEM. I THOUGHT IT WAS A FLUKE. I HAD SEVERAL UNEXPLAINED MESSES IN THE CAR (BLAMED MY CHILDREN) THEN FOUND A LIVE MOUSE IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. OPENED UP THE GLOVE BOX ALL THE WAY AND EXPOSED WHAT WAS BEHIND IT AND FOUND THE MICE HAD SHREDDED UP THE INSULATION AROUND THE WIRING SYSTEM. WE REMOVED A GALLON SIZED BAGGIE OF INSULATION THAT MADE A VERY COZY AND LARGE MOUSE NEST. NOW THE DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE ME AGAIN FOR A MOUSE ISSUE. WHERE WILL THIS END? IN READING ON THE INTERNET, IT APPEARS TOYOTA PRIUS HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH NOT SEALING UP THE CAR FOR VERMIN. HANTA VIRUS IS A VERY BIG CONCERN FOR ME, AS IS THE THOUGHT OF A MOUSE SCURRYING NEAR OR OVER ME WHILE I AM DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10578430

Apr 9, 2014Transmission & drivetrain

I PULLED UP TO A CAR WASH AND ONCE I WAS ON THE TRACK I TRIED TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND IT WOULD NOT WORK. THE AUTOMATIC CAR WASH TRACK STARTED TO TRY TO PULL THE VEHICLE FORWARD. AS IM FRANTICALLY TRYING TO MAKE IT GO INTO NEUTRAL, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HOP OFF THE TRACK AND WAS GETTING VIOLENTLY THRASHED AROUND AS IT WAS GETTING PULLED FORWARD CAUSING THE PERSON RUNNING THE WASH TO HAVE TO MANUALLY HIT A PANIC BUTTON TO STOP IT. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO EITHER THE VEHICLE OR THE CAR WASH BUT IT IS VERY DISTURBING THAT IT WOULD NOT WORK. IT TOOK SEVERAL EMPLOYEES TO BE ABLE TO FIGURE OUT HOW IT WORKED. IT SHOULD BE SIMPLE... IT'S NOT!!! WAY TO COMPLICATED AND I'M STILL NOT 100% SURE AFTER TRYING TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL HOW IT WORKS. IT JUST SOMETIMES WILL GO INTO NEUTRAL AFTER TRYING IT OVER AND OVER....VERY UNSAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10578554

Apr 8, 2014Speed controlCrash

2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED AS HE ENTERED A PARKING LOT AND TURNED TO GO DOWN AN AISLE, HE HIT THE CURB TOO CLOSELY AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT AN INCREDIBLE SPEED. HE PUT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR; HE TRIED TO TURN THE POWER OFF, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. AT THE RATE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, HE PASSED BY 2 PARKING AISLES AND WAS STOPPED BY HITTING A PARKED VEHICLE, WHICH THE FORCE OF HIS VEHICLE WAS PUSHED UNDER A FENCE AND ONTO A RAILROAD TRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS BADLY DAMAGED BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON AND THE IMPACT DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALERSHIP REVIEWED THE COMPUTER DATA AND CONCLUDED THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THEY IMPLIED HIS FOOT WAS ON THE ACCELERATOR AND NOT THE BRAKE. *JB

NHTSA ODI 10577661

Apr 8, 2014AirbagsCrash1 injury

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 FEET TO STOP. WHEN WE HIT THE FORD IT WAS LIKE HITTING A BRICK WALL, MY PRIUS POPPED UP OFF THE GROUND ABOUT A FOOT. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY WIFE, THE PASSENGER IN MY PRIUS FRACTURED HER STERNUM DUE TO THE PRESSURE OF THE SEAT BELT. UPDATED 06/06/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10578327

Apr 1, 2014Brakes

I HAVE OWNED A TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 SINCE FEBRUARY 2012 AND HAVE HAD MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. I HAVE NOTICED THAT IF DRIVING OVER A DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD (E.G. POT HOLE OR MAN HOLE COVER) WHILE DEPRESSING THE BRAKE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. IT SEEMS THAT THE VEHICLES BRAKE SYSTEM RELEASES AND YOU HAVE TO REAPPLY THE BRAKES. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY THE DEALER 2 TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I HAVE NOTICE VARIOUS OTHER COMPLAINS ON THIS WEBSITE AND WANTED TO ADD MY EXPERIENCE. HOPEFULLY THIS WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO THE GOVERNMENT FORCING TOYOTA TO RECALL 2012 PRIUS MODELS BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10576120

Mar 8, 2014Electrical systemLights

WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE ON, THE SPEEDOMETER DOES NOT DISPLAY WHEN THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ARE DIMMED. ALL OTHER DISPLAYS DIM, BUT THE SPEED OF THE CAR IS NO LONGER DISPLAYED. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10567969

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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 →