10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,272 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota Prius v electrical problems

electrical problem

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2012 Toyota Prius v Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #22

Jan 302024

Prius v

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The hybrid system was shut down while driving. The symptoms are like the description in this recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000). However, my VIN is not on the recall list.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #21

Nov 222022

Prius v

  • miles
In September 2022, my car, a 2012 Toyota Prius V with 79, 056 miles, began making noises in the engine area and the brakes became loose, meaning it took more pressure on the brake pedal to engage the brakes. In November 2022 the following warning lamps on the dashboard came on: Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light and Warning Buzzer, Brake System Warning Light, ABS Warning Light and SLIP Indicator. I took it to the Toyota Dealership near me: Lipton Toyota in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, and they diagnosed car with the trouble code of C1391-Abnormal Leak of Accumulator, Internal ABS Actuator Failure. To fix this problem, Lipton Toyota will charge $3124.29 for the repair. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. issued a customer support program notification that would cover this repair if the malfunctions happened before coverage ended. Primary Coverage was applicable until December 31, 2021 with no year/mileage limitation. Secondary Coverage was applicable for 10 years from the vehicle's date of first use or 150,000 whichever occurs first. Date of first use on my Prius V was 03/01/2012 and my mileage is 79K. So as you can see, I am just out of the coverage window. My private mechanic and myself have appealed our case to Toyota that this problem should be a recall with no limits on coverage. (Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. - case reference # 230206000678) I believe that if I had driven my car more, (which was not done because of the Pandemic 2020-2021) this issue would have come up before the cut off date for repair coverage. I also believe that this problem with the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies on certain 2012-2014 model year Prius V vehicles should be a recall.

- Plantation, FL, USA

problem #20

Apr 272022

Prius v

  • miles
Faulty brake and ECU assembly failure. A safety issue when driving. Was told by mechanic NOT to drive car as it could suddenly stop. Took car in 9/11/15 for software update for motor generator ECU and power management ECU as recall letter suggested. This is apparently common and needs to be corrected without cost to driver.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #19

Mar 012022

Prius v

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Bought the car from a dealership in january 2022 with 158,000 miles and heard buzzing noise that I was told was normal with hybrid cars.no codes showing on car and passed dealer inspection.Driving down a highway and heading to a stop brakes are hard to mash and caused skidding. No brake lights or abs lights are on. Couple days later brake lights and traction lights come on and then went back off. Take to Tires Plus and I am told I have to schedule appointment with toyota dealer as they do not have the software to diagnose. Take to toyota dealership to see codes 1391c for brake system. After searching issue there was a recall/customer warranty extension for replacement of this part for 150,000 miles /march 19,2022 whichever comes first. This did not show up on a report for dealer to inspect before selling vehicle and causes a huge safety concern to people that did not own this car before 150,000 miles. If a less experienced driver would not have known to reduce brake pressure applied it could have slid and caused collision or if brakes would have been needed during an emergency situation. Car is now sitting at toyota dealership and advised not to drive as brake pressure was lowered while being diagnosed. After talking with toyota they cannot provide assistance due to car being slightly over the 150,000 mile mark. Also if the brake pedal is mashed for an extended period of time the dash lights for brake system and traction control go off and will not come back on until it is driven for awhile

- Elberton, GA, USA

problem #18

Feb 222022

Prius v

  • 152,900 miles
.The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had exceeded the 150,000 warranty. The failure mileage was 152,900.

- Hawaiian Gardens, CA, USA

problem #17

Jun 302021

Prius v

  • miles
Found car tampered with cut in carpet under driver seat to check battery maintenance per Toyota owner manual where hybrid battery was not receiving charge, was running hot Unknown person impersonated me registered my VIN to enroll with Toyota upgraded software app Entune version not with purchase is a 2021 software version with parental like controls, I took to Toyota dealerships below for assistance, new battery and hybrid faulting losing charge, car does not provide hybrid fault notice, loses charge, uses little gas, I researched on side of road to rest throttle and work around as I was driving it could have lost all power and stalled per recall notice needed hybrid software update Ran dr Prius app and finding recalls serviced at Toyota chambers burg pa are coding J0V issue w/inverter not completed and additional engine & battery codes almost causing my car to not enter fail safe mode hybrid battery almost fully discharged as approaching Bay Bridge Service notes from Fitzgerald day there were no issues specific repair request was for diagnostic report of car hybrid battery and sensor check, they claim no issue Only repair was replaced fob key although car at location 10 days, missing fuses found upgrade causes car to get 2-4mpg and burn battery hot/discharge without any dash or other warnings from car Safety recall notice no. 18v-684 are indicative of car symptoms Since incident Easton Md Toyota Service, Arlington Va Koons, Hagerstown MD Toyota and chambers burg refused to provide diagnostics Chambers burg held car did not perform service claiming no issues but noted cut carpet under driver seat above hybrid air vent battery cool/ intake Problem still an issue no Toyota will run diagnostics -

- Smiths Burg , MD, USA

problem #16

Jul 262020

Prius v

  • 59,670 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

[xxx] car does not starts stalling does not lock or unlock does not respond to key fob does not respond power button or start button makes some kind of noise with all lights blinking redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #15

May 072020

Prius v

  • 113,221 miles
Toyota Prius V 2012 lost power as I was driving out of the parking lot. I had to make emergency stop on the side of the road because inverter/electric motor failed. Mechanic ran computer test and found that problem codes indeed pointed to failure of inverter.I called local dealer mccord Toyota and was told my car does not fall to extended warranty of inverter and did not offer any help. Same day I called Toyota customer care at 1-800-331-4331 and they told me that my car does not fall under inverter warranty based on my VIN number, and gave me case number 2005072419. I was able to call my insurance company to arrange towing from my location to repair shop. Repair shop completed work and vehicle is now in operable condition. I feel lucky that I was not on freeway and did not have my children with me when it happened.

- Vancouver, WA, USA

problem #14

Nov 152019

Prius v

  • 68,000 miles
My 2012 Prius V started showing the warning lights for brakes, ABS, anti-skid and engine lights. This happened while driving on a regular road. Brakes still work but feel spongy. Scanned for codes and it says C1391 which requires replacing all the main brake components. The cost is over $3000 because so many parts involved. There's seems to have been a recall for other models of prius but the 'V' not included. Many V owners have experienced this problem. All the parts shown in the attached picture need to be replace cause Toyota doesn't know or can't figure out where the problem is. Car only has 68,000 miles on

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #13

Oct 162019

Prius v

  • 180,000 miles
After repair of stalling engine condition: Vsv valve replaced, a software update subsequently was performed on my car (jov recall). Ever since that software update it hasn't been safe to drive my car : unsafe breaking, really hard breaking, especially on highways and untimely dashboard lighting related to trac/vsc, check engine and hybrid warning light

- Germantown, MD, USA

problem #12

Sep 202019

Prius v

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 09/19/2019 key West Toyota completed the tires change of my vehicle as I requested. In addition, key West Toyota performed "107649 J0V recall J0V01B 0.70 update to the power management ECU with new software" as showing on the invoice. The following day, on Friday 09/20/2019, while I was driving the vehicle lost power and stalled in the middle of the traffic, putting my life and safety at risk and my heath and general well-being. I sent back the vehicle to key West Toyota, and since then the issue is unresolved, and I am not even able to reach anyone on the phone or through the email I sent from key West Toyota website "contact us".

- Key West, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 302019

Prius v

  • 111,000 miles
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.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #10

Jul 122019

Prius v

  • 63,118 miles
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.

- Honolulu, HI, USA

problem #9

Jul 072019

Prius v

  • 43,107 miles
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..

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #8

Mar 022019

Prius v

  • 84,434 miles
Vehicle was serviced for safety recall J0V. After service, in car electronics systems did not work properly: Navigation, bluetooth/phone integration, audio system. Dealer refused to acknowledge that recall service was responsible.

- Huntington Beach, CA, USA

problem #7

Oct 252018

Prius v

  • 130,000 miles
Was driving down the street in my prius when all of a sudden the car went totally dead. It did not go into a limp-home mode. I was dead in the water in the middle of a street all of a sudden. We had to get out and push it out of the street. Mechanic says its a known issue with prius and inverter. That was pretty dangerous and I was glad we werent on the freeway. We were unaware of any recall. The car went into "disco mode" - every warning light it had was on and blinking but the car was completely dead.

- Tucson, AZ, USA

problem #6

Oct 312016

Prius v

  • 145,000 miles
My 2008 Toyota prius's dashboard indicators (odometer, warning signs and everything) showed symptoms of disappearing momentarily during second half of the year 2016. Upon restarting, it used to come back. However, on February 18, 2017, the dashboard light won't come back even after multiple time restarting. Drove to work in that condition hoping the dashboard indicators will come back but they didn't. made an appointment with dealership to check it out on Monday. Before the appointment, the indicators came back so I cancelled the appointments. When discussing the problem with a friend, I was told that Toyota is aware of this problem and have extended the warranty for such repairs. Upon hearing this, I called Toyota customer service to inquire and was told that the extended warranty is expired and can't fix the problem under warranty. Driving without the dashboard lights is a safety issue that Toyota shall address for all affected vehicles.

- Lawrenceville, NJ, USA

problem #5

Feb 122016

Prius v

  • 100,475 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 15V449000 (hybrid propulsion system). While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle stalled after the traction control warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle restarted and was able to be driven in the limp-home mode and failed to accelerate past 40 mph. The vehicle was driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the inverter failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,475.

- Glide, OR, USA

problem #4

Jul 172015

Prius v

  • 60,000 miles
The navigation, bluetooth & radio system was turned off on it own and became corrupted when the car dealership tried to update the systems software. The hardware was then rendered inoperable and the systems computer was then replaced, the warranty did not cover the defects in the system. The estimated repair exceeded $1000us. Due to the dealerships actions in trying to run a software update, the repair costs were paid by the dealership. The failure of the computer system seemed to be known by the car dealer. Toyota was never directly contacted by car owner as only the car dealer handled the repair issues.

- Saint Paul, MN, USA

problem #3

Jun 212015

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. while driving approximately 10 mph, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the intelligent power module needed to be replaced or the software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system). The approximate failure mileage was 67,000....updated 07/30/15 updated 9/23/15

- Richmond, VA, USA

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