What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2012 Toyota Prius V

Typical pattern

2.8% of complaints about the 2012 Toyota Prius V came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2012 vehicle — around the middle of the 201 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.5 yr in service. The most-reported system is service brakes (124 complaints), typically at 10.5 yr or about 68,000 miles.

Complaints
290
Median age at failure
8.5 yr
Median mileage
69,347 n=177
Crash / fire / tow
12.8% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Service brakes
124 reports · 68,000 mi
10.5 yr
8.1%
Engine
36 reports · 121,140 mi
8.3 yr
5.6%
Electrical system
24 reports · 84,434 mi
8.0 yr
8.3%
Speed control
15 reports · 16,004 mi
6.3 yr
33.3%
Other
15 reports · 68,000 mi
8.0 yr
13.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

18V684000 2018-10-04
Hybrid propulsion system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

15V449000 2015-07-15
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

13E070000 2013-12-12
Exterior lighting:tail lights

Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.

The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

13V014000 2013-01-16
Air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger se

If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

In owners’ own words

Service brakes 4,000 mi 1.0 yr in service
LOUD SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF CAR---HAD THE CAR IN TO TOYOTA 5 TIMES. THE NOISE CONTINUES TO GET LOUDER AS TIME PASSES.-- ITS NOW LOUD ENOUGH TO DROWN OUT THE RADIO.--TOYOTA SERVICE SAYS IT IS JUST RUST ON THE ROTORS.--THIS IS THE 4TH NEW TOYOTA I HAVE OWNED,-- BUT THIS THE ONLY ONE I HAVE HA D THIS PROBLEM WITH.-- WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A FIX FOR THIS PROBLEM.--II WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT TOYOTA KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM AND ARE WORKING A RECALL TO FIX IT.---SO WHERE IS THE RECALL?????? *TR
Service brakes 300 mi 9 mo in service
WHEN YOU START TO DRIVE IT MAKES A LOUD HOWLING SOUND, IT IS GETTING LOUDER AS TIME GOES ON. PEOPLE LOOK AT US LIKE WE ARE CRAZY FOR DRIVING WITH BAD BRAKES. WE HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES TO JUST BE TOLD IT IS THE WAY IT IS. NO REPAIR IS NECESSARY. IT IS GETTING MORE AND MORE ANNOYING TO LISTEN TO. IT LASTS LONGER AS TIME GOES ON. COME ON TOYOTA LETS GET THIS TAKEN CARE OF BEFORE THERE IS A FATAL COLLISION DUE TO THIS! IT IS GETTING SCARY TO DRIVE AND FEEL SAFE. *TR
Service brakes 7,500 mi 1.5 yr in service crash / fire / tow
SLOWED FOR RED LIGHT THAT WAS VISIBLE FOR A GREAT DISTANCE SO COASTING AND APPLIED BRAKES AND THEY WEREN'T THERE....I HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, HE HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM....MOSTLY DINGS IN FENDERS....MY HOOD WAS UP ON ONE SIDE, AND FRONT PANEL MOVED....NOBODY WAS HURT POLICE CAME AND SAT IN THE CAR AND APPLIED BRAKE AND IT WENT TO THE FLOOR. HE SAID "YOU HAVE NO BRAKES; DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR, HAVE IT TOWED". *TR
Speed control 9,700 mi 1.5 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AFTER HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH THE CRASH. THE POLICE WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 9,700. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

Other Prius V model years

201420132012

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