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2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
25
Latest Aug 21, 2024
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
9
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
2

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1244.4%
  • Electrical311.1%
  • Driver assistance311.1%
  • Powertrain (other)27.4%
  • Engine27.4%
  • Other / unspecified27.4%
  • Suspension13.7%
  • Exterior lighting13.7%
  • Steering13.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

12
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

1. The ABS system failed upon inspection at a dealership. Specifically the ABS accumulator and booster. 2. The ABS system put us at risk by failing prematurely, and traction control and ABS functions seemingly stopped working while driving on the road. 3. Yes, dealership confirmed the issue with a full diagnostic, and the part has a customer support program bulletin/TSB out for this specific issue. 4. inspected by manufacturer dealership service center. 5. Lights such as the parking brake, ABS, and (!) lit up while driving and the failure occurred at the same time.

NHTSA ID 11610069 · filed Aug 21, 2024

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid. The contact stated that while driving down a winding road, the brake warning light and brake message suddenly activated and while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The vehicle was later taken to the local service center who diagnosed that the brake booster, brake master cylinder, and brake booster pump assembly were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the vehicle did not qualify for the manufacturers extended coverage regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.

NHTSA ID 11581169 · filed Apr 4, 2024
All 12 reports naming brakes

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

NOTHING HAPPENED YET, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE INVERTER FAILING AND CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING DESPITE AFFECTED CARS HAVING RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO "PREVENT" THE ISSUE. DURING AN EMERGENCY, REGENERATIVE SYSTEMS PREVENT THESE CARS FROM SWIFTLY COASTING OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANE AS OTHER CARS WOULD DO. INSTEAD, THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SLAMMED ON, CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD. I READ ABOUT THIS HERE HTTPS://TOYOTATALK.COM/TOYOTA-PRIUS-HYBRID-INVERTER/

NHTSA ID 11114443 · filed Jul 29, 2018

THE ACTUATORS FOR THE LOCKS ON 3 OF THE DOORS HAVE FAILED OVER TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT-DRIVER SIDE ACTUATOR ONCE PREVIOUSLY AND IT STARTED TO FAIL FIRST. WHEN I LOCK THE CAR, I ONLY HAVE ONE DOOR THAT UNLOCKS WHICH IS THE REAR-PASSENGER DOOR. IF IT FAILS, I WILL BE LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. IT SEEMS WRONG THAT I CANNOT UNLOCK MY CAR WELL. IT SEEMS WRONG THIS HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES ON A 6YR OLD CAR. IT IS DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ID 11098126 · filed May 26, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on February 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, Brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, Spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.

NHTSA ID 11572415 · filed Feb 16, 2024

I'M DRIVING AROUND 60MPH AND SUDDENLY THE ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT WENT ON AND THE ALL WHEELS SUDDENLY BRAKED. IT'S JUST SO DANGEROUS, GOOD THING NO BODY BEHIND ME AT THAT MOMENT. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CAR COULD BRAKE SUDDENLY BY ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING EVEN WHEN IT'S HIGH SPEED OR LOW SPEED. THERE'S A CLICKING NOISE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL IN THE PRIUS. IT COULD CAUSE THE CAR BRAKE BY ITSELF WITHOUT WARNING AND COULD CAUSE BIG ACCIDENT, ESPECIALLY IN THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ID 11165382 · filed Jan 5, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

AUTO STOPPED. ENGINE RUNNING. BRAKE PEDAL PRESSED. TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE. WHEN OPENING DRIVER DOOR AND RELEASING BRAKE PEDAL, CAR MOVES FORWARD. VIN INCLUDED IN ATTACHED FILE.

NHTSA ID 11235273 · filed Jul 27, 2019

ENGINE OIL GETTING TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. AND FILLING UP WITH OIL. THROTTLE BODY GETS REALLY DIRTY WITH OIL. IN TURN THE ENGINE BURNS OIL. WHICH CLOGS UP THE EGR SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE RESTARTS WOULD BE HARSH BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE CONDESAION ON THE CYCLINDER THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW. BROKEN CONNECTING RODS. BLOWN HEAD GASKET ALL SORT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN FROM HAVING OIL GET TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. STARTING FROM 2010 THESE PRIUS SUFFER FROM THIS AND TOYOTA HASNT DONE ANYTHING OTHER THEN SUPPSODELLY REDESIGNING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHICH IS THE SAME. TOYOTA JUST DONT WANT TO DEAL WITH IT.

NHTSA ID 11104266 · filed Jun 27, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

ENGINE OIL GETTING TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. AND FILLING UP WITH OIL. THROTTLE BODY GETS REALLY DIRTY WITH OIL. IN TURN THE ENGINE BURNS OIL. WHICH CLOGS UP THE EGR SYSTEM. THE ENGINE WOULD OVER HEAT WHICH COULD CAUSE THE HEAD GASKET TO BLOW. DURING WINTER MONTHS. ENGINE RESTARTS WOULD BE HARSH BECAUSE IT WOULD HAVE CONDESAION ON THE CYCLINDER THIS COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO BLOW. BROKEN CONNECTING RODS. BLOWN HEAD GASKET ALL SORT OF THINGS COULD HAPPEN FROM HAVING OIL GET TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. STARTING FROM 2010 THESE PRIUS SUFFER FROM THIS AND TOYOTA HASNT DONE ANYTHING OTHER THEN SUPPSODELLY REDESIGNING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. WHICH IS THE SAME. TOYOTA JUST DONT WANT TO DEAL WITH IT.

NHTSA ID 11104266 · filed Jun 27, 2018

I HAVE HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE & PCS SYSTEM WARNING MESSAGE ON MY CAR I HAVE TAKEN IT TO DIFFERENT DEALERSHIP IN DALLAS TX AREA ANY NONE OF THEM HAS FIX IT TRY TO DO RESEARCH ON MY OWN TO FIGURE OUT AND FOUND THAT TOYOTA HAS THIS IN RECALL MY DEALERSHIP IS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE CAR. SO I REALLY DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO ..TRYING TO GET HELP SO THIS ISSUES R FIXED AND IT SAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR I DRIVE ABOUT 30000 MILE EVERY YEAR AND JUST DON'T FELL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID 10947277 · filed Jan 24, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Today 05/25/2024 noticed a slight camber on the right rear wheel. Jacked up the car and removed the right rear to take a closer look and realized the rear axle/subframe was splitting in half along the weld point. If I hadn't caught this today and my daughter was driving it I'm confident she or others would have been killed or severely injured since most of her driving is highway related. The part that is blowing my mind is the vehicle was at the dealership twice in the last month and no one noticed when on a lift. The car is now permanently on jack stands till it can be repaired. I'm not sure it will even hold together to get onto a tow truck. I will not attempt driving do to safety specially others. I witnessed a tire go through a vehicle resulting in the death of someone.

NHTSA ID 11590779 · filed May 25, 2024

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ECO MODE SHOWED LESS FUEL PER MILE. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO NALLEY TOYOTA OF ROSWELL (404-994-5422, LOCATED AT 11130 ALPHARETTA HWY, ROSWELL, GA 30076) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN AFTER IT WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V718000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1812050132. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

NHTSA ID 11181343 · filed Feb 20, 2019

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

Today 05/25/2024 noticed a slight camber on the right rear wheel. Jacked up the car and removed the right rear to take a closer look and realized the rear axle/subframe was splitting in half along the weld point. If I hadn't caught this today and my daughter was driving it I'm confident she or others would have been killed or severely injured since most of her driving is highway related. The part that is blowing my mind is the vehicle was at the dealership twice in the last month and no one noticed when on a lift. The car is now permanently on jack stands till it can be repaired. I'm not sure it will even hold together to get onto a tow truck. I will not attempt driving do to safety specially others. I witnessed a tire go through a vehicle resulting in the death of someone.

NHTSA ID 11590779 · filed May 25, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. BOTH SIDES. ABOUT EVERY FOUR MONTHS. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! AND UNNECESSARILY EXPENSIVE!!!

NHTSA ID 11296797 · filed Jan 3, 2020

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on February 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, Brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, Spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.

NHTSA ID 11572415 · filed Feb 16, 2024

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .