2012 TOYOTA PRIUS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    brake booster

    1 stranded, 61 unsafe

    62
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=15, median 133,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "THE CAR HAS BEEN SUFFERING ALL OF THE BRAKE SYMPTOMS FOR THE RECALL OF THE 2010 PRIUS BRAKE BOOSTER SYSTEM. I'VE REPEATEDLY COMPLAINED ABOUT LOSING BRAKING POWER WHEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON WHEN I GO OVER UNEVEN SURFACES SUCH AS RAILROAD TRACKS OR A POTHOLE. T…"~70,000 mi, complaint #1543293
    • "MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 WITH 95K MIL. ABS, TRACTION AND BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, THE BREAKING WASN'T LIKE USED TO BE, IT WAS MUSHY AFTER THE WARNING LIGHTS, TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THEY ESTIMATED $3500 FOR THE BRAKE REPLACEMENT THE FAU…"~95,755 mi, complaint #1737488
    • "MY 2012 PRIUS WAS DIAGNOSED AT OUR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID IT NEEDS A BRAKE BOOSTER/SOLENOID. WHEN I LOOKED INTO IT, IT SEEMS THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO HUNDREDS OF CONSUMERS WITH PRIUS CARS FROM THE SAME ERA. IT IS A DEVASTATING $3,000 REPAIR. TOTAL INJUS…"~154,000 mi, complaint #1680417
    • "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 PEOPL…"~200,000 mi, complaint #1561238
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brakes became inoperable. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an unknown local dealer where it was diagnosed tha…"~335,000 mi, complaint #1864165
  2. #2

    brake hydraulics

    56 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    57
    incidents
    Typical range: 3,500–139,000 mi

    Median 30,000 mi, based on 35 reports (54% had no usable mileage)

    • "1. WHEN VEHICLE TRANSITIONED FROM BATTERY TO MOTOR, SIGNIFICANT IMPACT RESULTED 2. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR, DASH WARNING LIGHT CAME ON [VEHICLE TOWED] 3. ATTEMPTING TO LEAVE DEALERS LOT, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO FLOOR. TECHNICIAN WITNESSED. *TR UPDAT…"~600 mi, complaint #952889
    • "I WAS EXITING THE PARK AND MY TOYOTA PRIUS' BRAKES FAILED, CAREENING ME ONTO A MAJOR THOROUGHFARE (SOUTH ORANGE AVENUE) ON A HILL, WHILE MY CAR BEGAN ACCELERATING. I HIT THE PARK BUTTON AND MY CAR SLOWED UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO GET CONTROL AGAIN AND TURN UP A HILL…"~3,700 mi, complaint #983679
    • "WHILE TRAVELING IN A RAIN STORM AT 17MPH, I TRIED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES TO PREVENT FROM CRASHING INTO AN 18 WHEELER AND THE BRAKES DID NOT WORK. I REPEATEDLY TRIED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING EVEN THOUGHT I WAS APPLYING THE BRAKES NOT THE GAS.…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1007732
    • "LOST FRONT BRAKES COMPLETELY DRIVING DOWN ROAD. I WAS ABLE TO SLOW CAR WITH MANUAL BRAKE ON SHIFTER IN CONJUNCTION WITH REAR BRAKES. A SERIOUS ISSUE."~113,000 mi, complaint #1435649
    • "BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED."~190,000 mi, complaint #1726258
  3. #3

    abs module

    42 unsafe

    42
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=20, median 107,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "FOR SOME TIME I HAVE NOTICED THAT WHEN BRAKING, IF MY CAR HIT A BUMP, THE BRAKES WOULD DISENGAGE FOR A SECOND OR TWO EVEN IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS FULLY PRESSED, AND THE CAR WOULD LURCH FORWARD UNTIL THE BRAKES REENGAGED. IT WAS A SIMILAR SENSATION TO HYDROPLANI…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1375087
    • "WHEN BRAKING DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, A MIXTURE OF CITY AND HIGHWAY, THE CAR MAKES A SOUND LIKE THE ABS IS KICKING IN. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE NOISE PERSISTS UNTIL RELEASING THE BRAKE PEDAL. SHORTLY AFTER THIS STARTED, THE ABS, TRACTION CONTROL, AN…"~76,000 mi, complaint #1432982
    • "TOOK MY CAR INTO DEALERSHIP BECAUSE OF A NOISE IT WOULD MAKE WHEN I STARTED TO BRAKE AND WHEN I WAS STOPPED AT A LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD ALSO VIBRATE AND SHAKE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THE ABS ACTUATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED WHICH WOULD COST OVER 4 GRAND! I COULDN…"~101,000 mi, complaint #1466685
    • "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."~115,000 mi, complaint #1566320
    • "ABS , TRACTION CONTROL,BRAKE LIGHTS ON. NO POWER ASSIST BRAKE, NO ABS, NO TRACTION CONTROL"~170,000 mi, complaint #1706214
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    19 unsafe, 4 broken, 9 annoyance

    32
    incidents
    Typical range: 40,500–113,000 mi

    Median 80,000 mi, based on 28 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "THERE IS A TRIPLING OF LIGHT SOURCES THROUGH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD FROM THINGS SUCH AS ONCOMING VEHICLES HEADLIGHTS, VEHICLE TAILLIGHTS, EMERGENCY VEHICLE LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, INTERSECTION STOP/YIELD LIGHTS AND ANY OTHER STRONG LIGHT SOURCE. THE ISSUE IS APP…"~1,231 mi, complaint #976908
    • "BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHT BULBS FAIL IN 6 MONTHS OF LESS"~60,000 mi, complaint #1473469
    • "THE HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT ALL THE TIME, MAKING DRIVING DANGEROUS."~80,000 mi, complaint #1485943
    • "IN THE PAST YEAR WE HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE LOW BEAM HALOGEN HEADLIGHTS. ONE WEEK AGO, BOTH BURNED OUT CAUSING A NIGHTTIME SAFETY ISSUE. I RESEARCHED THE LIGHTING ISSUE AND LEARNED THERE IS TSB T-SB-0204-12 FOR HEADLAMP DURABILITY ENHANCEMENT AND A CUSTOMER S…"~115,000 mi, complaint #1523837
    • "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…"~211,000 mi, complaint #1600477
  5. #5

    glass and windshield

    19 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    21
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=18, median 3,500 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "HEAD LIGHTS FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC AT NIGHTTIME HAVE A "HALO" AND "PRISM" APPEARANCE. ADDITIONALLY, REFLECTIVE ROAD SIGNS ARE ALSO VERY DISTORTED, SEEING WHAT APPEARS TO BE MULTIPLE SIGNS. SINCE THAT TIME EYES HAVE BEEN TESTED WITH NO CHANGE FROM LAST EXAM AND…"~700 mi, complaint #976246
    • "WINDSHIELD PRODUCES BLURRY VISION OR DUPLICATED IMAGES AT NIGHT. TAILLIGHTS AND STREET LIGHTS ARE SHOWN IN MULTIPLES OF TWO OR THREE. EXTENDED DRIVING BEYOND 20 MINUTES CAUSES EYE FATIGUE AND ALSO DISTORTED GAUGE OF DISTANCE. *TR"~6,232 mi, complaint #967264
    • "DESIGN OF CAR INCLUDES A FLAW CAUSING A HUGE VERTICAL BLINDSPOT ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THERE IS A BAR THAT RUNS VERTICAL ON BOTH SIDES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGERS' WINDOWS, THIS, ALONG WITH THE PILLAR COMING…"~12,400 mi, complaint #961616
    • "THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HALO EFFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN VIEWING ONCOMING LIGHTS. IT IS BOTHERSOME AND IRRITATING ON THE EYES ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM WRITING TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO LEARN WHEN A DIFFERENT WINDSHIELD CAN BE PROVIDED.…"~15,600 mi, complaint #1001494
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ABOUT 65 MPH, GOING TO WORK ON 06/12/18 AT APPROXIMATELY 9:45 AM ARIZONA TIME. ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG (EXPLOSION) AND LOOKED AROUND MY CAR. I NOTICED IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR BLACK GLASS FLYING OFF THE ROOF OF MY CAR.…"~98,000 mi, complaint #1475398
  6. #6

    airbag system

    17 unsafe

    17
    incidents
    Typical range: 2,500–43,000 mi

    Median 25,500 mi, based on 30 reports (6% had no usable mileage)

    • "ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO OUR RENTAL AND WAS HIT AS SHE READIED TO TURN TO THE HOUSE. OUR 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS 3 WAS THROWN INTO THE AIR AND BOUNCED BACK TO A DIAGONAL POSITION ACROSS THE ROAD. UPON IMPACT, THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT…"~2,200 mi, complaint #941277
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY [REDACTED ADDRESS] 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…"~20,700 mi, complaint #1080808
    • "MY 2012 PRIUS WAS HIT IN BACK ON PASSENGER SIDE AT APPROXIMATELY 80-85 MILES/HOUR WHILE MY SPEED WAS 62 M/H. WITH IMPACT FROM HIT IN THE BACK, MY CAR WENT FLYING HEAD ON INTO THE MEDIAN WALL (THOSE TEMPORARY CEMENT WALLS USED DURING RECONSTRUCTION). TWO TH…"~27,000 mi, complaint #1022287
    • "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 AIRBA…"~43,000 mi, complaint #1245227
    • "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 DRIVE…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1529956
  7. #7

    hv system fault reduced power

    1 stranded, 16 unsafe

    17
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=21, median 53,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "DRIVING 70 MPH CAR BEGAN TO GO INTO HIGH RPM, THEN ACCELERATED TO 74 FROM 70 MPH. I TRIED TO DECREASE SPEED THEN VEHICLE SHUT OFF GOT A LONG BEEP AND MESSAGE ON DISPLAY "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM, PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY" ALL LIGHTS ON DASH WERE INDICATING FAILURES. C…"~4,944 mi, complaint #938336
    • "AFTER STARTING THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE DASHBOARD WAS LIT BUT I COULD NOT GET THE CAR MOVING. AFTER FIDDLING AROUND FOR SOMETIME, IT FINALLY CLICKED AND I WAS ABLE TO GO INTO REVERSE. THE CAR FUNCTIONED FINE UNTIL LATER THAT DAY I MADE A DROP-O…"~25,300 mi, complaint #1153416
    • "TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO MOVE FORWARD OR REVERSE. THE VEHICL…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1156039
    • "WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE HAD NO POWER , WHILE DRIVING ON THE STREET, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON."~92,396 mi, complaint #1483601
    • "WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A DRY SURFACE STREET, THE "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT LIKE I HAD TO APPLY MORE PRESSURE TO STOP AND IT SEEMED TO TRAVEL FURTHER TOWARD THE FLOORBOARD THAN NORMAL."~120,000 mi, complaint #1390416
  8. #8

    ev drive unit or inverter

    1 stranded, 14 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 98,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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.…"~8,800 mi, complaint #1070346
    • "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 APPOINTME…"~56,000 mi, complaint #1575942
    • "MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING THE CAR PREPARING TO TURN TO ENTER THE FREEWAY WHEN THE PRIUS LOST ALL DRIVING POWER SPONTANEOUSLY AT THE SAME TIME PROMPTED WITH A WARNING ON THE SCREEN 'CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM AND PARK IN A SAFE PLACE'. THE CAR LOST ALL DRIVING POWER INC…"~79,000 mi, complaint #1458731
    • "MY PRIUS WAS JUST FINE THEN ONE DAY IT STALLED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREE WAY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO ELMORE TOYOTA IN WESTMINSTER, CA, THEY FOUND IT HAD A FAILED INVERTER AND IT WAS STILL COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. IT TOOK 2 WEEKS FOR THEM…"~125,000 mi, complaint #1520861
    • "I WENT TO THE CHARLES MAUND TOYOTA DEALER AT AUSTIN, TX FOR A RECALL. NHTSA RECALL ID 18V684. ACCORDING TO THE OFFICIAL RECALL REMEDY FROM NHTSA, "IF THE VEHICLE HAS EXPERIENCED AN INVERTER FAILURE WITH CERTAIN HYBRID SYSTEM FAULTS RELATED TO THIS CONDITIO…"~203,079 mi, complaint #1535141
  9. #9

    other

    8 unsafe, 7 annoyance

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 65,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN HER MOTHER WHOM HAS A PACEMAKER OCCUPIED THE VEHICLE, THE GAUGES WOULD MOVE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WOULD RETURN TO NORMAL FUNCTION WHENEVER HER MOTHER EXI…"~2,000 mi, complaint #940493
    • "I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE WITH MY FACTORY INSTALLED SEAT WARMER ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT ON. I GOT OUT AT A GAS STATION TO GO TO THE BATHROOM. WHEN I SAT DOWN ON THE TOILET I FELT AN EXCRUCIATING PAIN ON MY LEFT UPPER BACK SIDE OF THE THIGH. THE CAR SEAT…"~28,000 mi, complaint #1143380
    • "MICE IN CABIN. SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR (BOUGHT NEW) I'VE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE MICE GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I'VE LOOKED ON-LINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS. MOST HAVE SAID THEIR DEALERS DENY ANY DESIGN PRO…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1315513
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact noticed that there was a significant amount of water on the floorboards from the windshield whenever it rained heavily. Additionally, the contact stated while at a traffic sign on a hill, the vehicle would roll…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1800444
    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact’s son recently purchased a 2012 Toyota Prius. The vehicle was a private sale. After the purchase, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy based on the Carfax report. At the time of purchase, the vehicle displayed 137,…"~281,586 mi, complaint #2153451
  10. #10

    unintended acceleration

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=14, median 22,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PARKING CAR IN HANDICAPPED SPOT - SPEED APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH - GAS ENGINE CUT IN AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AT A VERY HIGH SPEED. IT WENT OVER SPACE STOP (CONCRETE) - CROSSED THE SIDEWALK ONTO GRASS AND I HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND STOPPED THE CAR APPROX. 3 F…"~2,374 mi, complaint #972555
    • "TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP SIGN STOP, THE CAR TOOK OFF IN AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THE FORCE BROKE THE BALL JOINT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TURN APPROX 45 DEGREES. THE CAR THEN SKIDDED ABOUT…"~9,300 mi, complaint #1117862
    • "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 BRAKE…"~22,000 mi, complaint #1076822
    • "I SWITCHED INTO NEUTRAL AND PUSHED THE PARK BUTTON TO PARK. I LEANED FORWARD TO GRAB MY WALLET AND FELT THE CAR ACCELERATING OVER THE PARKING CURB. I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED THE BRAKES AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO A BUILDING. I AM FORTUNATE TO BE ALIVE BECAUSE IF…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1639820
    • "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."~69,500 mi, complaint #1555211
  11. #11

    engine head gasket

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "PROBLEM WITH HEAD GASKET, LOW MILES, COLD ENGINE STARTING, STATIONER, AND SOME TIMES IN MOTION"~70,000 mi, complaint #1656545
    • "THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BURNING OIL FOR THE PAST 10,000 MILES. VEHICLE HAS HAD ALL SERVICES AND SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGES DONE FROM DAY 1 AT THE DEALERSHIP. OIL CHANGES EVERY 5,000 MILES SINCE DAY 1. AT 90,000 MILES THE CAR STARTED BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. COMPLAINT…"~99,500 mi, complaint #1729106
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a rattling sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle started shaking abnormally with a rattli…"~106,000 mi, complaint #1974238
    • "WHEN IDLING THERE IS A LOUD RATTLE AND MULTIPLE RANDOM MISFIRES IN THE ENGINE. APPEARS TO BE A HEAD GASKET LEAK PROBLEM FROM READING FORUMS. I HAVE BEEN TO MULTIPLE REPAIR SHOPS THEY CANNOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM."~136,000 mi, complaint #1713330
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA VALLEJO (201 AUTO MALL PKWY, VALLEJO, CA 94591, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOS…"~165,000 mi, complaint #1526826
  12. #12

    engine stall or no start

    7 unsafe

    7
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=12, median 40,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "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 DON…"~31,000 mi, complaint #1059690
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AUTOMATIC STARTUP ENGAGED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. TH…"~32,775 mi, complaint #1034281
    • "I WAS COMING UP THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF I HAD NO BRAKING I HIT SIX OTHER CARS ROLLED OVER AND WAS SEVERLY IMJURED IN THE HOSPITAL FORR THREE DAYS"~40,063 mi, complaint #1540754
    • "TYPICALLY THE KEY IS LEFT IN THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. TONIGHT AT 6 PM, AT A GARAGE TEMPERATURE OF 83 DEGREES F, THE ENGINE SPONTANEOUSLY STARTED. NO ONE WAS IN THE CAR AND IT HAD BEEN GARAGED FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS. I JUST HAPPENED TO BE IN THE GARAGE WHEN THE PRI…"~80,000 mi, complaint #1514567
    • "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 PA…"~92,041 mi, complaint #1562861
  13. #13

    wiring harness

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "CIGARETTE/POWER OUTLET FUSE ALWAYS BLOWS VERY FREQUENTLY - EVEN WITH A GPS USE OF CELLPHONE CHARGER ONLY. HAVE BEEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE ISSUE AFTER SEVERAL COMPLAINTS. REPLACING FUSES DOES NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISS…"~3,000 mi, complaint #955175
    • "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 COMPARTM…"~24,000 mi, complaint #1054879
    • "I WENT TO START MY PRIUS V. AFTER IT WAS STARTED, A NUMBER OF THE WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON INCLUDING THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL. I WAS STUNNED SINCE I HAD MY 30000 MILE CHECK UP IN MAY WITH NO PROBLEMS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR, THE DEALER…"~33,200 mi, complaint #1124646
    • "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 REPLAC…"~57,421 mi, complaint #1198007
  14. #14

    wiper and washer

    3 unsafe, 1 broken, 1 annoyance

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "ON OCT. 23, 2013 AT 6AM IN THE MORNING IN ABOUT 45 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT, MY TOYOTA PRIUS 2012 REAR WINDOW EMITTED A LOUD PUNCHING SOUND AND THEN SHATTERED WHEN I TURNED ON THE REAR WIPER. I GOOGLED THE INCIDENT AND WE'RE NOT THE ONLY ONES WHO EXPERIENCE THIS.…"~17,570 mi, complaint #1017364
    • "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."~625,000 mi, complaint #1244852
  15. #15

    engine oil consumption

    3 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MY PRIUS IS USING 1 QUART OF OIL PER 900 MILES, THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DID A OIL STUDY AND VERIFIED THAT INDEED THE CAR IS USING 1 QUART PER 900 MILES, BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT AND STATED MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND COULD BE REBUILT FOR 9000…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1374038
    • "2012 TOYOTA PRIUS HAS BEEN CONSUMING LARGE AMOUNTS OF OIL SINCE 89000 MILES. DEALER COMPLETED AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, OF COURSE IF PASSED. DEALER STATED RAVE4'S AND CAMRY'S HAVE HAD SAME ISSUE AND THEY ISSUE RECALLS. TOYOTA HAS YET TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILIT…"~89,000 mi, complaint #1379847
    • "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…"~133,883 mi, complaint #1595207
  16. #16

    mirror

    2 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THERE ARE VERY DANGEROUS BLIND SPOTS ON BOTH REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE TOYOTA PRIUS V . VEHICLES LOCATED NEAR THE MID TO REAR OF THE CAR CAN NOT BE SEEN IN MIRRORS OR BY GLANCING OVER THE SHOULDER WHEN CHANGING LANES. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS NEAR COLL…"~1,500 mi, complaint #929555
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AUTO DIMMING REAR VIEW MIRROR FAILED TO FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND WOULD NOT DIM THE LIGHTS FROM OTHER VEHICLES IN THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER…"~5,000 mi, complaint #939464
  17. #17

    seat mechanism

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~21,382 mi, complaint #1192718
  18. #18

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    3 unsafe, 1 broken

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "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…"~46,500 mi, complaint #1224396
    • "THE DRIVER SEATBELT BUCKLE WILL NOT UNBUCKLE"~117,050 mi, complaint #1474160
  19. #19

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL, ANTI-LOCK BRAKE, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS INTERMITTENTLY TURN OFF. A FEW TIMES IT SHUT DOWN THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND TELL ME TO STOP . NOW ALL THOSE LIGHTS ARE ALL ON AND I AM DRIVING WITHOUT VSS, ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. BRAKING…"~78,000 mi, complaint #1421619
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT 45MPH VSC, PARKING BRAKE, AND ABS LIGHTS COMES ON AND STAYS ON AFTER RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2012 PRIUS. STILL WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO DO SMETHING ABOUT IT"~107,000 mi, complaint #1446550
    • "THE BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ALL CAME ON AT ONCE WHILE DRIVING NORMALLY. IT DID NOT AFFECT THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE SPECIALIST SAID THAT THIS IS A KNO…"~120,000 mi, complaint #1474796
  20. #20

    steering rack mechanical

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "I HAD TO RETURN A 2012 PRIUS I RENTED FROM AVIS CORP. THE CARBON FIBER STEERING WHEELS ON THE 2012 PRIUS VEHICLES ARE DECOMPOSING IN THE FLORIDA HEAT AND SUN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS PUTTING CARBON (GLASS) FIBERS INTO PEOPLE'S HANDS. THEY MAKE OUR HANDS RED AND…"~9,800 mi, complaint #988830
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE EMITTED WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY WHEN MAKING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1285323
    • "PIVOT BOLT INSIDE STEERING WHEEL CAME LOOSE, WAS WARNED IT HAD DROPPED TO WHERE IT COULD INTERFERE WITH BRAKE LINKAGES. FILED COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA AND NEVER HEARD BACK SO FILING THIS COMPLAINT. (1) A LARGE BOLT INSIDE A SEALED AREA SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CO…"~95,000 mi, complaint #1350782
  21. #21

    adas collision warning

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "I OWN A 2012 PRIUS WITH THE TECHNOLOGY PACKAGE, INCLUDING RADAR ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. I BELIEVE THESE SAME RADAR SENSORS ARE ALSO USED TO DETECT IMMINENT COLLISIONS IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, EVEN WHEN CRUISE CONTROL MODE IS NOT ENGAGED. ABOUT A MONTH AGO…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1155413
    • "MORE THAN ONCE I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 40/45MPH, ONCE ON A CURVE, ANYHOW AS I WAS GOING THROUGH THE CURVE IT FELT AS THOUGH THE BRAKES ENGAGED, WITHOUT ME TOUCHING THEM. I UNDERSTAND THE SAFETY THING, HOWEVER AT BOTH INSTANCES IT WAS NOT NECESSARY. IT CAUSED THE C…"~75,300 mi, complaint #1619890
    • "ON JULY 28, 2017, I WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH MY THREE CHILDREN. I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY TO PARK MY VEHICLE BEHIND A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 2 FOOT SPAN BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT OF MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. TO THE RIGHT OF T…"~106,453 mi, complaint #1399842
  22. #22

    noise or vibration unspecified

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "VEHICLE IS PARKED OUTSIDE, AND DURING MORNING COLD START, THE VEHICLE PRODUCES A MOANING/WOOING SOUND FOR APPROX. 50-75 YARDS WITH VEHICLE MOVING UNDER 25 MPH. THE SOUND IS BEING GENERATED FROM THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS. SOUND GENERATED IS RELATED TO VEHICLE SPE…"~1,000 mi, complaint #945306
    • "MY PRIUS V FIVE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2012. LOCATION OF THE CAR IS NW OF WA STATE WHERE TEMPERATURES ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MID 50S (AND BELOW) WITH HIGH LEVEL OF HUMIDITY. SINCE THE BEGINNING OF OCTOBER 2012, I'M EXPERIENCING A NOISE THAT WOULD BEST BE DESCRI…"~1,800 mi, complaint #950903
  23. #23

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "DOOR LOCKING MECHANISM, SECURITY ISSUE, VEHICLE WILL NOT LOCK DUE TO FAULTY LOCK ACTUATOR--- MAY EFFECT OTHER ACTUATORS. VEHICLE STATIONARY AND ON START UP FOR MOTION."~50,000 mi, complaint #1308614
    • "THREE DIFFERENT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS (FRONT LEFT, FRONT RIGHT, REAR LEFT) HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. SYMPTOM IS THAT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM KEY FOB OR LOCK CONTROL ON DRIVER'S ARMREST, ALSO FAILS TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR IF…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1508388
  24. #24

    sunroof

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE LINING ON THE DEFLECTOR RUBBER GASKET/SEAL OF THE SUNROOF HAS BEEN DETERIORATING. I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OTHER PRIUS III OWNERS THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT FOR THE 2010-2013 YEAR MODELS. I BELIEVE IT IF IS THIS COMMON, TOYOTA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REP…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1641523
    • "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 SEV…"~91,000 mi, complaint #1241149
  25. #25

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=4)

    • "WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE FORWARD, THE CAR SLIPS INTO REVERSE!!! I'VE TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA MULTIPLE TIMES AND THEY SAY THEY FIND NOTHING WRONG! I HAVE TO BE VERY CAREFUL TO BE SURE THE CAR IS ACTUALLY IN DRIVE BEFORE MOVING IT OR I COULD BACK INTO SOMETHIN…"~500 mi, complaint #1123069
    • "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 START…"~16,000 mi, complaint #1055075
    • "I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT ON A HILL. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS WITH NO RESPONSE. THE CAR SLID BACK AND I BRAKED. THE PANEL LIGHT AFFIRMED THAT THE CAR WAS SUPPOSED TO BE IN DRIVE. YET THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AT ALL. THE CAR SEEMED…"~20,500 mi, complaint #1184644
  26. #26

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "MOLDY ODOR EMITS FROM VENTS. HAD ROUND ROCK TOYOTA DEALERSHIP ATTEMPT TO CORRECT THE ISSUE FOUR TIMES AND ALSO HAD CALLED UP TOYOTA CORP BUT ISSUE WAS NEVER RESOLVED. ON THE FOURTH ATTEMPT AT THE DEALERSHIP, TOYOTA HAD AUTHORIZED A CARBON-TYPE CABIN FILTER T…"~3,000 mi, complaint #1018639
    • "UPON STARTING THE ENGINE AND ENGAGING THE AIR CONDITIONING OF MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS WITH 10,000 MILES, A STRONG FOUL SMELLING AIR COMES FROM THE A/C VENTS. AT THE 10,000 MILE SERVICING, THE TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER STATED THIS SMELL IS TYPICAL TO SOME TOYOTAS.…"~9,851 mi, complaint #1009444
  27. #27

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "CAR BECOMES IMMOBILE - WILL NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE. COMPUTER KEEPS SENDING THE MESSAGE TO PUT IT IN PARK AND DEPRESS BRAKE, BUT ONCE THAT IS DONE, ANY ATTEMPT TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE OR DRIVE TRIGGERS THE MESSAGE, ENDLESSLY. THE PROBLEM IS APPARENTLY…"~2,865 mi, complaint #931759
  28. #28

    engine cooling

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "There has been a safety recall on my vehicle for the years 2004-2009 models of the Toyota Prius, but my model year is 2012 and I have the exact same issue. 1) My check engine light comes on and off and it appears to be the hybrid electric water pump issue rel…"complaint #1752803
    • "Unknown. There were a multitude of codes that appeared on the diagnostics causing problems with engine. The temperature, brake, tire sensor lights are all on. The cruise control is not working. White smoke emitting from tail pipe and engine. Main engine coolan…"complaint #2223056
  29. #29

    engine internal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The engine caught fire while sitting in my garage. I had driven it for a few hours doing deliveries for a store and parked it in my garage around 2:30pm. About 1.5 hours later, my wife was coming home and opened the garage door and saw smoke above the hood o…"complaint #1867672
    • "I was driving on the internet doing 60mph and there was a very loud bang and then a shaking of the parts under the hood. I was right next to an exit and coasted off the exit to a hotel parking lot. I had car towed to my mechanic. He said that the piston went t…"complaint #1967047
  30. #30

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "WHEN DRIVING DASHBOARD "HYBRID SYSTEM NOT WORKING. PULL OVER..." THIS WAS 7/3/2012. IT HAD RUN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THERE WERE 2 BARS OUT OF 10 STILL PRESENT ON GAS GAUGE. ON 7/30/12 LATER THIS HAPPENED AGAIN WITH 4 BARS SHOWING. GOT THE FUEL SENSOR AND…"~6,000 mi, complaint #934135
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER HE MADE A U-TURN, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…"~15,000 mi, complaint #972221
  31. #31

    horn

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "CAR HORN STOP WORKING , IF THE STEERING WILL ITS TURN HALF WAY EITHER WAY IT WORKS , THE CAR ITS NOT THAT OLD FOR ELECTRICAL TO DO THAT"~179,180 mi, complaint #1542494
  32. #32

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "NAVAGATION SCREEN, WHEN SUN HITS THE SCREEN FROM RIGHT DIRECTION THE SCREEN CAN ACT LIKE A VERY BRIGHT MIRROR AND BLIND DRIVER WITHOUT WARNING. *TR"~4,000 mi, complaint #941542
  33. #33

    instrument cluster

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "FUEL INDICATOR ON THE DASH SHOWED 3 BARS FOR REMAINING FUEL. VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL DESPITE SHOWING 3 BARS. OFTENTIMES AFTER TANK IS FILLED IT ONLY ILLUMINATES TO 1 OR 2 UNDER THE TOP BAR INSTEAD OF SHOWING A FULL TANK. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT T…"~13,104 mi, complaint #943143
  34. #34

    key fob and immobilizer

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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 AGAI…"~12,000 mi, complaint #1067712
    • "I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PRESSED THE STOP BUTTON TO PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. I GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND LEFT THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPEN. I WALKED TO THE MAILBOX TO GET THE MAIL AND HEARD A CRASH AS THE CAR DROVE OFF AND HIT A TREE AND LANDSC…"~85,000 mi, complaint #1529380
  35. #35

    phone connectivity

    2 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH A HANDS-FREE PHONE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED CONCERNS THAT HE HAD TO ACTIVATE TOO MANY BUTTONS IN ORDER TO OPERATE THE PHONE SYSTEM. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT FE…"complaint #910828
    • "NEW PRIUS DOES NOT WORK BLUETOOTH WISE WITH EXISTING PHONE. PRIUS I JUST TRADED IN DID. NO RESOLUTION FROM DEALER (TOYOTA WORLD O NEWARK DELAWARE) AND NO RESOLUTION FROM TOYOTA CORPORATE. I WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING AND THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PURCHASE NEW P…"complaint #927704
  36. #36

    steering column

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THERE WAS A RATTLING OR KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE DASH AREA OF THE PASSENGER SIDE WHENEVER DRIVING OVER BUMPS AT SLOWER SPEEDS ON CITY STREETS, OFTEN FELT TRAMSMITTED TO THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON TAKING IT TO THE TOYOTA DEALER, THEY FOUND THAT THERE…"~40,000 mi, complaint #1295956
  37. #37

    suspension arms and bushings

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "REPEATING SEVERAL-SECOND GROANING OR GRINDING NOISE HEARD FROM REAR WHEEL AREA UPON STARTUP MOTION. THE NOISE IS SEVERE AND SOUNDS LIKE LOW-PITCH METAL GRINDING. IT'S POTENTIALLY BRAKE RELATED BUT COULD BE SUSPENSION BUSHINGS OR OTHER COMPONENTS RUBBING AGAINS…"~2,400 mi, complaint #945217
    • "The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while reversing, the driver's side rear wheel flipped over. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a corroded I-Beam assembly on the rear wheel. The contact was informed th…"~196,347 mi, complaint #2156860
  38. #38

    wheel or rim

    1 stranded, 1 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On 07-June-2024 @14:47 my 2012 Toyota Prius suffered a catastrophic failure. I was attempting to back my 2012 Toyota Prius vehicle a few meters back into my driveway while turning slightly. This was a very slow speed backup. Suddenly, the rear passenger side…"complaint #2006958
    • "2012 Prius in very good condition with 180k miles- only 12 years old. Driving on back roads (thankfully) and the drivers side rear wheel compelely fell off while driving. I was doing about 30 MPH and felt like there was a flat tire so I was in the process of p…"complaint #2053302
  39. #39

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE DESIGN OF BOTH HONDA ACCORD AND TOYATO PRIUS, AND LIKELY OTHERNEW MODEL CARS, MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE WHEN BACKING UP. THE BACK UP CAMERA IS PLACED SUCH THAT IT IS EASILY COVERED WITH ROAD DEBRI (DIRT AND SNOW) SO IT OFTEN USELESS. THE DEISGN OF WI…"~38,000 mi, complaint #1360679
  40. #40

    ev charging system

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AFTER TOYOTA POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE RECALL INSTALLED "POWER MANAGEMENT UPGRADE" SOFTWARE IN MY CAR I IMMEDIATELY EXPERIENCED SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION /START OF HYBRID/GASOLINE ENGINE. AFTER PRESSING IGNITION, I HAD TO WAIT 15 TO 20 MINUTES AND PR…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1291389
  41. #41

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "INTERIOR WATER LEAKAGE THAT DRIPS DOWN FROM THE CENTER CONSOLE DOWN TO THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORS. FIRST OCCURRENCE OCCURRED AROUND 14K MILES. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS LEAKING BEFORE BUT I DID NOT NOTICE IT BECAUSE I HAVE WEATHER PROOFING FLOOR MATS, TH…"~14,000 mi, complaint #1025806
  42. #42

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "The styrofoam padding of the headrest came unglued from the plastic base of the headrest. This was discovered when removing fabric to wash the fabric. Car was not driving at the time."complaint #2077095
  43. #43

    paint and clearcoat

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "I contacted Toyota about the peeling paint on my car. The Toyota representative told me to file a complaint with your agency. The paint is peeling on the roof of my car. There are many similar cars with the same problem. Toyota is unresponsive. "complaint #2007817
  44. #44

    parking brake

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "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…"~23,900 mi, complaint #1075234
  45. #45

    steering electric assist

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DRIVE IN A STRAIGHT LINE AND DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE CONTACT HAD TO CONSTANTLY ADJUST THE STEERING WHEEL. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE…"complaint #1115628
  46. #46

    suspension struts shocks

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "ON COLD MORNINGS THE CAR MAKES A GROANING NOISE FROM THE REAR FOR APROX A 1/2 BLOCK. MY DEALER WAS ABLE TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM WHEN I LEFT THE CAR OVERNIGHT PARKED OUTSIDE. THEY SAID THEY ARE WAITING FOR TOYOTA TO COME UP WITH A FIX. THE CAR NOW HAS JUST OVER 1…"~2,000 mi, complaint #961141
  47. #47

    throttle and pedal

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS SHE WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A…"~2,400 mi, complaint #920006
  48. #48

    tire failure

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "On three of the four tires at different times the tires were separating. They had bulges in the tire. Caused extreme vibration and noise. The last tire was today with 22k miles. The other two were a year ago with 15k miles. I’ve had to replace all 4 tires"complaint #2091778

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA PRIUS directly.