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What 612 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius V

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 (612)Crash / fire / injury (71)Brakes (303)Electrical system (73)Engine (66)Lights (39)Airbags (35)Visibility & wipers (33)Transmission & drivetrain (28)Body & structure (27)Speed control (27)Steering (24)

Newest first · 612 complaints · page 13 of 25

Oct 2, 2019Electrical systemFuel system

ON JUNE 5TH, 2019, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA AND THEY PERFORMED THE 2018 TOYOTA PRIUS V RECALL FIX. SINCE THEN, MY MPG HAS GONE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 41 MILES PER GALLON, WHICH HAS STAYED CONSISTENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2012, DOWN TO 32 MPG. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA FOR A DIAGNOSIS ON SEPT 30, 2019 AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES, AND THAT MY NOW GREATLY REDUCED 32 MPG FELL WITHIN TOYOTA STANDARDS. I AM WRITING TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT THEIR 2018 RECALL FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS V HAS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE REVISITED OR THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I AM CO-FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE EPA AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11265675

Sep 12, 2019

THE BRAKE BOOSTER/ACCTUATOR HAS FAILED ON MY PRIUS AT ABOUT 76000 MILES AND I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 35000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH PRIUS VEHICLES SINCE 2006 AND ENHANCED WARRANTIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MODELS FROM 2006 AS WELL AS 2010-2015. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM FIX THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAY THAT MY VEHICLE ISNT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR SOME REASON. WHAT THEY SAID WAS THAT MY PARTS MAKER WASNT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT IF ITS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVELANT IN OTHER PRIUS VEHICLES, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULDNT BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF WHO MADE THE PART. IT HAS AFFECTED MY BRAKING RANDOMLY AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT A COUPLE TIMES ALREADY. WHEN DIAGNOSED I GOT ERROR CODE C1391 WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT LETTER I FOUND YET TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11254879

Sep 8, 2019Brakes

CAR WAS IN MOTION AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT HALF WAY TO FLOOR AND ABS, BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL AND TIRE SENSOR LIGHTS CAME ON. MASTER CYLINDER OR BRAKE BOOSTER SEEM TO HAVE FAILED. DEALER DIDN'T RECOGNIZE CODES AND COULD ONLY RECOMMEND CHANGING SPARK PLUGS WHEN I JUST HAD THEM REPLACE 6-8 MONTHS PRIOR. EXPLAINED THAT DID THINK THAT HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH BRAKES GIVING OUT. THEY RESET CODES AND SURE ENOUGH HAPPENED AGAIN WITHIN THE NEXT 30 DAYS. TOYOTA ADMITTED TO SINCE RECEIVING MANY REPORTS OF CERTAIN INTERNAL MALFUNCTIONS OF BRAKE BOOSTER ASSEMBLIES. 4 TRIPS LATER TO DEALER THE RESPONSE IS THE CODES ARE NOT COMING UP (DTCS) C1391, C1252, C1256 OR C1253 IN ORDER TO BE COVERED IT'S VOLUNTARY CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM WHICH HAS BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP COVERAGE. VERY FRUSTRATING!

NHTSA ODI 11253950

Sep 6, 2019Lights

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT BULBS MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE PAST TWO YEARS. READING REPORTS, IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AS THE 2010 AND 2011 PRIUS OWNERS HAD. I AM NOW HAVING TO HAVE MY HEADLIGHT COVERS RESURFACED BECAUSE MY PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS NOT AT ALL VISIBLE AT NIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP IS RECOMMENDING REPLACING THE COMPARTMENT WHERE THE BULB GOES.

NHTSA ODI 11253609

Sep 6, 2019Brakes

MY CAR HAS THE SAME BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER DEFECT THAT THE 2010/11 MODEL PRIUS WERE RECALLED FOR. BRAKE BOOSTER OR BRAKE PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR FAILURE ON 2012 MODELS CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS. SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT CAN CAUSE DEATH. TOYOTA IS WELL AWARE OF THIS. THIS HAPPENS IN MOTION AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

NHTSA ODI 11253725

Aug 17, 2019Engine

BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN 2012 AND HAVE ALWAYS PERFORMED MAINTENANCE ON TIME. BETWEEN THE LAST OIL CHANGE AND THIS OIL CHANGE THE PRIUS IS BURNING OIL AND I AM HAVING TO ADD AT LEAST TWO QUARTS OF OIL BEFORE IT IS BACK ON THE DIPSTICK. I AM NOTICING THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2010-2014 PRIUS AND THAT TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING TO SOLVE IT. I DO NOT WANT TO BE ON A LONG TRIP AND BURN THROUGH OIL AND LOCK MY ENGINE UP CAUSING HARM TO MYSELF OR OTHERS.

NHTSA ODI 11244721

Aug 6, 2019Brakes

MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS II THREW ERROR CODE C1391 ABNORMAL LEAK IN ACCUMULATOR. I'VE RESET IT AND ITS COME BACK ON AGAIN. REGENERATIVE BRAKING HAS GONE OUT AND STOPPING IS DIFFICULT. THIS IS NOT RIGHT. MY CAR HAS JUST OVER 130,000 MILES

NHTSA ODI 11242127

Aug 2, 2019Hybrid Propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL AND A WARNING INDICATOR SIGNALED THE CONTACT TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARIETTA TOYOTA (750 COBB PKWY S, MARIETTA, GA 30060, (470) 938-8436) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYBRID INVERTER NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN *BF .

NHTSA ODI 11241343

Jul 26, 2019Brakes

COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE ON THE FREEWAY!!! ABS, BRAKE AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS LIT UP. ALMOST CRASHED! CODE C1391-ABNORMAL LEAK IN BRAKE ACTUATOR PUMP. HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE THIS AGENCY TO MAKE TOYOTA FIX THIS?? ITS A SAFETY ISSUE!!! STOP PICKING YOUR ASSES AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!

NHTSA ODI 11235210

Jul 17, 2019Engine

OUR 2012 PRIUS V HAS CONTINUOUSLY BEEN BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT WAS PUT THROUGH AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED NOT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS (JUST THAT THE CAR WAS GETTING OLDER AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY BUY A NEW ONE), EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB TO DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT, WE ARE BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY DISTANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT MORE OIL IN. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP ON THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE, WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THE COOLANT IN THE CAR, BUT NOW THE CAR JUST RUNS HOT WITH THE FAN RUNNING ALL THE TIME AND THE OIL IS CONSISTENTLY BURNING. WE'VE NEVER HAD TO PUT OIL INTO THE CAR OURSELVES BETWEEN MAINTENANCE SESSIONS AND NOW THEY HAVE US COMING IN TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 5K MILES INSTEAD OF EVERY 10K MILES AS BEFORE. EVEN THEN, WE ARE STILL HAVING TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN VISITS. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE, IT HAS ABOUT 200,000 MILES ON IT, DRIVING IT 5 DAYS PER WEEK, ABOUT 100 MILES PER DAY. DEPENDING ON THE QUOTE TO FIX IT (FROM A NON DEALER BECAUSE THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S A PROBLEM), I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO TRADE THE CAR IN AT A MINIMAL VALUE IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR, WHICH I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO RIGHT NOW. THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY OCCURRING WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THERE IS NO LEAK, AS IT WOULD BE EVIDENT ON MY DRIVEWAY. I MOSTLY DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11232922

Jul 16, 2019Electrical systemEngine

AFTER THE LATEST HYBRID SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON MY CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE DROPPED BY 10%. THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANES FOUR DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TWO WHICH WERE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND TWO OTHERS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE HYBRID BATTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 63,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI 11232453

Jul 15, 2019Lights

BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS FAIL FREQUENTLY (EVERY 3-6 MONTHS) MAKING DRIVING IN THE EARLY MORNINGS AND NIGHTTIME VERY DANGEROUS, AS THEY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY. THE MOST DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR US WITH THE HEADLIGHT FAILURE IS WHEN WE WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN THE MOUNTAINS AND BOTH LOW BEAMS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. THANKFULLY THE HIGH BEAMS WERE FUNCTIONING. THE FACT THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2010 AND 2011 MODELS BUT THE 2012 MODEL PRIUS IS EXCLUDED US VERY CONCERNING CONSIDERING THE ISSUE IS THE SAME ACROSS YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11231875

Jul 13, 2019Brakes

VSA, AVS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ON WITH DECREASED RESISTANCE IN PETAL. BRAKES WILL RETURN TO NORMAL WITHOUT WARNING PERIODICALLY WHILE DRIVING. THIS MAKES DRIVING AND STOPPING UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE.

NHTSA ODI 11231596

Jul 13, 2019Electrical system

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS DUE TO DEGRADATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. AS THE VEHICLE AGES, HEADLIGHT LIFE DECREASES DRAMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE MOST RECENT BULB FAILURE, BOTH BULBS FAILED ON THE SAME DAY - AND ONLY BECAME APPARENT THAT NIGHT..

NHTSA ODI 11231606

Jun 28, 2019Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED 70,000 MILES. BURN OIL 1QT EVERY 1000 MILES GETTING WORSE

NHTSA ODI 11228305

Jun 18, 2019

I HAVE A RECALL ON MY PRIUS FOR SOFTWARE AND IT SAYS ON YOUR SITE THAT IF I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY INVERTOR THEY SHOULD FIX IT OR REPAIR IT FOR FREE MY CAR HAD THIS PROBLEM 1 WEEK AGO AND MY INVERTOR FAILED AND I WENT TO TOYOTA TODAY THEY GAVE ME AN APPOINTMENT TODAY AND THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA JAPAN AND THE RECALL GOT REJECTED FOR THE INVERTOR PART THEY SAID I SHOULD FIX MY INVERTOR FIRST THEN THEY WILL DO THE RECALL OF THE SOFTWARE! AND IT COSTS 3000 JDS HERE IN JORDAN ITS TOO EXPENSIVE WHAT SHOULD I DO?

NHTSA ODI 11220809

Jun 7, 2019

NHTSA RECALL #18V-684 I WAS DRIVING ON THE STREET WHEN CHEQ HIBRID SISTEM SIGN CAME ON, AFTER I GOT THIS MASAGE, I DID DROVE FOR A WHILE TIL STOP ON A SAFE PLACE, WHEN TURNING IT BACK ON WITH THE BREAK PEDAL PUSHED, THE SISTEM DID NOT GET A READY LIGHT, WHICH MEANS ABLE TO MOVE, SO I CALLED AAA (A TOWING SERVICE). WE WENT TO A WEST COVINA TOYOTA DEALER. THE SERVICE MAN MANNY TOLD ME IT MAYBE IS ABOUT THE RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WHEN VEHICLE WAS READY MANNY TOLD ME ON THE PHONE THAT IT WAS A LOOSE WIRE AND WHEN I GOT AT THE DEALER HE SHOW ME A SWITCH (NOT A WIRE) THAT IT IS IMPOSIBLE TO UNLOCK IT BY IT SELF, IT HAS TO BE MOVE BY A FINGER IN ORDER TO UNLOCK IT OR LOCK IT BACK ON, SO MY POINT IS THAT I FEEL THAT THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT JUST TO CHARGE ME AND I BELIEVE THAT THEY ARE MAKING THIS UP. I DID TALK TO THE MANAGER GARY KUFTEDJIAN, HE GOT MAD AT ME BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT TO SIT DOWN AND TOLD ME THAT I WAS NO RESPECTING HIM JUST BECUASE I DID NOT HAVE A SIT, I TOLD HIM THAT THE ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE WAS THE NEED OF THE UPDATE ( THE RECALL ) NOT THE SWITCH THE THEY SAID SO I TOLD HIM THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND HE TOLD ME THAT IF I DO NOT PAY THAT I HAVE TO LEAVE MY VEHICLE AN OTHER DAY FOR THEM TO CHEQ IT AGAING AND I SAID WHY IF THE VEHICLE IS READY? AND HE SAID TO CHEQ IT UP AGAIN, SO I PREFER TO PAY 139.00 DOLLARS AND COMPLAIN ABOUT IT AFTER... SO I DID A COMPLAIN TO THE TOYOTA HEAD QUARTERS REFERENCE # [XXX] I DID SPEAK WITH MRS. BETH . IF YOU NEED MORE PICTURES PLEASE SEND ME AN EMAIL SO I CAN SEND MORE EVIDENCE ABOUT THIS CASE ...THANK YOU PLEASE CALL ME IF ANY AS WELL .. [XXX] MY EMAIL IS [XXX] THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

NHTSA ODI 11218425

May 14, 2019Brakes

TRACTION, BRAKE AND ABS LIGHTS ALL CAME ON AT ONCE, PRATICALLY LOST ALL BRAKING WHILE DRIVING BUT ABLE TO SLOWLY STOP. SQUISHY BRAKES. "PUMP" SOUNDING NOISE LIKE IT'S HAVING TROUBLE PUMPING BRAKE FLUID.

NHTSA ODI 11207636

May 2, 2019

I LIVE IN AN APARTMENT COMPLEX IN ILLINOIS, AND I DO NOT HAVE A GARAGE. I THINK THAT SOME, IF NOT ALL, OF MY TIRES WERE STOLEN OVERNIGHT WHILE I WAS SLEEPING. I DO NOT HAVE A CAR ALARM. I BOUGHT 4 NEW AND VERY INEXPENSIVE TIRES TODAY. THE TIRE THEFT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IN MY PARKING LOT, OR AT AN AUTO-BODY SHOP LIKE NTB WHILE I WAS GETTING AN OIL CHANGE. I THINK IT WAS THE NTB IN DEKALB, ILLINOIS. I AM NOT 100% SURE IF THIS IS WHERE IT HAPPENED.I AM NOT SURE WHEN IT HAPPENED. MY TIRES WERE SO BALD, THAT I ALMOST LANDED IN THE DITCH. CAN YOU PLEASE START A DOT TIRE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER REGISTRATION FORM ONLINE VIA YOUR WEBSITE? IT WOULD BE EASIER TO TRACK TIRES BOUGHT BY HONEST AND HARD-WORKING MIDDLE-CLASS AMERICANS. ALSO, ARE ALL 4 DOT ID NUMBERS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAME IF YOU BUY 4 NEW TIRES ALL AT ONCE? THE DOT ID NUMBER IS LOCATED ON EVERY TIRE APPROVED BY THE NHTSA. I WOULD UPLOAD PICTURES OF ALL 4 OF MY NEW TIRES IF THAT WAS THE OPTION. PLEASE HELP HONEST PEOPLE SAVE MONEY AND TIME! MC FROM ILLINOIS.

NHTSA ODI 11205371

May 1, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN I HEARD A LOUD "BOOM" SOUND AND HAD TO GRAB MY STEERING WHEEL HARD SO I WOULDNT DRIFT ONTO THE OTHER LANE BECAUSE MY CAR WAS SHAKING AND SKIDDING THEN RIGHT AFTER MY CAR EMERGENCY DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND TOLD ME SYSTEM FAILURE PARK YOUR CAR IMMIDENTLY KEEP IN MIND WHILE THIS WAS HAPPENING MY CAR ONLY WENT UP TO TWENTY MILES PER HOUR WITH MY CAR MAKING A LOUD SOUND AS IF I WAS GOING 80 MPH IT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS SPEEDING WHEN I WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT TWENTY MILES PER HOUR.

NHTSA ODI 11205056

Apr 25, 2019Brakes

I HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER ON MY PRIUS AND THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP I WENT TO SAID I NEED TO REPLACE BOTH THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BOOSTER PUMP WHICH WOULD BE 3000 DOLLARS WORTH OF PARTS AND LABOR. AFTER RESEARCH THIS ISSUE I HAVE FOUND SERVAL PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. ALSO THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER, SHOWING YOU HOW BIG OF ISSUE THIS IS. THE BREAKING SYSTEM FELT SPONGY, MY TRACTION CONTROL BRAKING SYSTEM AND ABS LIGHTS CAME ON. THANKFULLY I HAD JUST A COUPLE OF FEET TO MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI 11203834

Apr 24, 2019Brakes

CAR EXPERIENCED GREATLY DIMINISHED BRAKING POWER ON INTERSTATE 75 PRIOR TO APPROACHING HEAVY TRAFFIC BACKED UP TO EXIT. MANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH: BRAKE, ABS, ETC. TOYOTA HAS ALREADY ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THE STANDARD MODEL PRIUS, AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE PRIUS V WAGON AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI 11203591

Apr 22, 2019Engine

ENGINE MISFIRING AT START. WHILE AT INTERSECTION IN CITY AND TURNING LEFT, ACCELERATING AND TRIGGERING THE COMBUSTION ENGINE, MISFIRING CAUSING JERKING AND LACK OF ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING A STALLED CAR IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. SERVICE SAYS MISFIRING CAUSED BY FAULTY HEAD GASKET. APPEARS TO BE SYMPTOMATIC OF GEN 3 PRIUS.

NHTSA ODI 11203008

Apr 15, 2019Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

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.

NHTSA ODI 11196480

Apr 5, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

WHEN I DRIVE OVER ANY TYPE OF BUMP, (POTHOLE, SPEED BUMP, ETC) AND MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE....THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY SPEED-UP INSTEAD OF SLOW DOWN. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11194061

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Working with the data? Download all 612 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

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 V verdict →