What 682 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius Phev

On 10-17-24 these warning lights came on: 1. Pre-collision System 2. Hybrid System 3. Airbag 4. Safety Connect red light And Intermittently: 1. Slip Indicator 2. Brake System Cruise control would not set, and displayed "E3". ------- Component failed: Dealer determined that the driver's side door harness had been chewed by a rat that had entered the under dash area "somehow". They said it couldn't be repaired but must be replaced. My insurance deductible was $500 and they paid the balance of the $1,387.06 bill. (I have retained the harness, which could have been repaired by splicing the two wires connecting to the driver's side airbag collision sensor. The labor to splice the wires would have been less than an hour.) ------ Safety: The chewed wire apparently disabled the Airbag, Pre Collision, Emergency Automatic Braking, Seatbelt Pre-Tensioning, ABS, and Stability Systems. ----- The dealer confirmed the problem. ----- My insurance adjuster did inspect the harness. ----- I placed electronic rat traps in the vehicle, which killed three rats. ========= NEXT ========= ALL THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON A FEW MONTHS LATER! I didn't throw more money at the Dealer, and took off the panels to inspect the wiring myself. There was damage to the passenger side door harness wires. I removed the harness and ordered a $60 used replacement on Ebay. While waiting for delivery, I researched rat damage to Toyota wires, and how rats could possibly enter the interior of the car. I discovered that there is an UNSCREENED 12x9 inch opening to bring fresh air into the HVAC system. It is hidden under the windshield wiper cowls. Also, there are two UNSCREENED vents in the trunk area. Other Prius owners covered those openings with 1/4 inch metal wire hardware cloth. I spent a few hours disassembling, covering, and reassembling pieces to prevent further access through the fresh air intake, and will do to the rear next. TOYOTA should recall these cars and ratproof the harnesses

NHTSA ODI 11660257

Broken bones in face. Nose split in two parts Eye socket broken along with cornea messed up. Broken ribs. Bleeding spleen. Broken neck.

NHTSA ODI 11567579

Upon driving out of my school parking lot at approximately 15 to 20 miles per hour I noticed a cushiony filled with a brakes and all of a sudden I heard a shhh all of my lights popped up on my dashboard. When I took my vehicle in to be able to find out what was going on with it I was told that I need a master cylinder and a brake booster. This was after having my vehicle for only 3 years where I purchased it from Rice Toyota Greensboro North Carolina.

NHTSA ODI 11566877

The front and driver side air bags did not deploy (although the passenger side air bag did deploy). Initial impact came from behind, toward the passenger side, causing the vehicle to turn fully sideways, where the vehicle was then t-boned on the driver's side. The lack of driver side air bag deployment resulted in a lot of glass making it into the left side of the driver's head.

NHTSA ODI 11466476

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while attempting to use the horn, the horn failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the front passenger’s air bag warning light illuminated and then turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer communications regarding the clock spring assembly repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

NHTSA ODI 11432347

MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THE SPIRAL CABLE ALSO PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS PART WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR VEHICLES A COUPLE OF YEARS PRIOR. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THEN IT SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER PRICE TO FIX THIS IS OVER $800. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA #210-128-2281, BUT THEY DON'T SEE IT AS A SAFETY CONCERN AND WILL NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE TO REMEDY THE FAULTY CABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11394459

MY FRONT AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DIDN'T OPEN WHEN MY CAR WAS HIT ON THAT SIDE BY ANOTHER CAR DRIVEN BY A LADY WHO RAN A STOP SIGN; AND STRUCK MY MOVING CAR; TOTALING MY CAR. I SUFFERED SERTOUS CHEST, NECK AND BACK SPRAINS THAT STILL L BOTHER ME. I WAS STRUCK PRETTY HARD, I SUFFERED A TERRIBLE JOLT TO MY CHEST AREA WHEN MY CAR CAME TO A HARD STOP, AND I STILL HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS ACCIDENT COSTS ME MY JOB AND I AM NO LONGER ABLE TO STAND OR WALK FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11173058

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG PARTIALLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT'S HEAD STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL WITHOUT A CUSHION. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY WAS PROCESSING THE CLAIM AND TOOK CUSTODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ODI 11166060

I JUST WANT TO KNOW WHERE TO GO TO GET CHECKED FOR RECALLS I RECEIVED

NHTSA ODI 11139646

I WAS STOPPED AT A GREEN LIGHT WAITING FOR THE CAR IN FRONT ME; WHEN THEY TURNED LEFT AN ONCOMING CAR SWERVED TO MISS THEM, THEN OVERCORRECTED AND HIT ME. HIT ME HEAD ON; ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. THEY HIT ME WITH SO MUCH FORCE THEY MOVED MY CAR ALMOST 6 FEET SIDEWAYS. NONE OF THE MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE I HAD THE TOYOTA SYMBOL IMPRINTED ON MY CHEST FOR A DAY. (I WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS A JACKET AND 2 SHIRTS).WHY DID NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORK?

NHTSA ODI 10949608

I WAS STOPPED AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR IN FRONT ME TURNED LEFT AN ONCOMING CAR SWERVED TO MISS THEM, THEN OVERCORRECTED AND HIT ME. HIT ME ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, THEY HIT ME WITH SO MUCH FORCE THEY MOVED MY CAR ALMOST 6 FEET SIDEWAYS. NONE OF THE MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE I HAD THE TOYOTA SYMBOL IMPRINTED ON MY CHEST FOR A DAY. (I WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS A JACKET AND 2 SHIRTS).WHY DID NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORK? IT WAS IF I WASN'T WEARING A SEATBELT, BUT I DO HAVE HE BRUISES ACROSS MY HIPS SAYING I WAS.

NHTSA ODI 10947031

TAKATA RECALL

NHTSA ODI 10925470

REALLY APPALLING THAT THE AIRBAGS WARE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER A BIG COLLISION WHEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED AS SEEN IN THE PIC.THIS HAPPEN ON DOWNTOWN ARE IN COLUMBUS IN 5 AND SPRING I

NHTSA ODI 10924489

TAKATA RECALL. NO SOLUTION FOR THIS YET

NHTSA ODI 10903359

TAKATA RECALL. NHSTA SHOWS RECALL BUT ALSO SHOWS THAT TOYOTA DOESN'T HAVE A REMEDY. WHY NOT?!? NOTHING HAS HAPPENED REGARDING THE DEFECT BUT I'M CONCERNED IT MAY. BLOOMBERG SAYS TAKATA USES AMMONIUM NITRATE (FERTILIZER) AS A PROPELLANT WHICH IS APPARENTLY UNSTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10899176

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 21 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE SEAT BELT ALSO FAILED TO HOLD THE DRIVER IN PLACE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A FRACTURED STERNUM, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,569.

NHTSA ODI 10896953

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. VARIOUS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND A BEEPING NOISE WAS PRESENT. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE COASTED TO A STOP AND WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE FOREARM THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000.......UPDATED 04/01/16 *BF *JS CONSUMER STATED THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS STALLS WHICH THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS. UPDATED 6/7/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10838647

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.

NHTSA ODI 10818023

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

NHTSA ODI 10810066

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.

NHTSA ODI 10761879

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

NHTSA ODI 10749290

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.

NHTSA ODI 10733946

I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A BOBCAT FRONT END LOADER. I STRUCK THE IMPLEMENT BROADSIDE GOING 35 MPH. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE IMPLEMENT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AFTER GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND A CHEST X-RAY, ULTRASOUND, AND CT SCAN, IT WAS DIAGNOSED I HAD FRACTURED MY STERNUM. I AM SIX FEET TALL AND HAD MY SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. I AM QUESTIONING WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER PEOPLE SUSTAINING A FRACTURED STERNUM DUE TO AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AT 35 MPH? *TR

NHTSA ODI 10654927

I WAS REAR ENDED WHILE STOPPED, BY A VEHICLE REPORTED TO BE DOING 40 MPH. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED REAR BUMPER DAMAGE FROM THE CAR HITTING MINE AND FRONT BUMPER / ENGINE COMPARTMENT DAMAGE FROM THE CAR I SUBSEQUENTLY HIT. TOTAL DAMAGE IN EXCESS OF $11,000. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW IF THE IMPACT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE IT. HOWEVER, WHEN REVIEWING THE REPAIR INVOICE, I NOTICED THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS REPLACED. APPARENTLY IT SHOULD HAVE ACTIVATED THE SYSTEM BUT DIDN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10632748

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