10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
58,837 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 c miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2012 Toyota Prius c Owner Comments

problem #8

Mar 102023

Prius c

  • 134,999 miles

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

My letter to Toyota: I'm writing this in regard to an inverter issue my 2012 Prius C recently experienced. While driving last month my car completely shut down, no warning and thankfully cars avoided hitting me and I was able to get from the middle lane to be able to coast to a side street in which I had to be towed. It turned out it was an inverter issue which had to be replaced. Granted my vehicle has less than 135k even though it is a 2012. I have done research and found models of Prius had the same exact issue(s) which was part of a warranty enhancement and I truly think my vehicle should be included. I want this to be looked in to and addressed. I will be contacting NHTSA also in regard to this. I filed with Toyota and ref#230323001904

- Port Saint Lucie, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 102022

Prius c 4-cyl

  • miles
I was driving on freeway when my vehicle shut off and wouldnt start again. It almost caused an accident thankfully not. I paid to have car taken tothe repair shop Viva Toyota in Las Cruces NM and they inspected it and gave me a quote on repair as well what was causing the problem. There was a saftey recall for the PCU and i believe the inverter is causing the failure. please help me to get this figured out.

- Las Cruces, NM, USA

problem #6

Oct 072020

Prius c

  • 74,200 miles
Drivers side door lock malfunction.drivers side door will not open with keyless remote or by resting my hand on the door handle which should automatically open all doors. I tried using electronic unlock button inside drivers side door and also won't open.it appears to be a bad drivers side unlock actuator which has so many complaints that its obvious this part is not built correctly. It is a safety concern because you can get locked inside vehicle.

- Covington, WA, USA

problem #5

Dec 212019

Prius c

  • 90,000 miles

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

My 2012 Prius C with 90,000 miles began to lose power/speed driving when check hybrid system warning suddenly came on tonight. It was unresponsive to the gas peddle, even at full throttle. Did not allow enough time to pull to the side of a busy road before it lost all ability to drive, leaving me stalled near intersection. A stranger helped push my car off the main road until aaa sent a tow truck. Had this occurred one mile later, I would've stalled on the 25 southbound freeway going from lone tree to denver at a very busy time in the evening without warning (scary thought). Upon arriving home with the towed vehicle, I attempted to start the engine again, but it would not start. Turned off the ignition, removed keys, but a low sound I've never continued for several minutes. After that, the car was completely dead. Dashboard won't light up, no working horn, power locks, windows, alarm. I now have no functioning vehicle and have no idea what caused my car to lose power while driving.

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #4

Sep 202014

Prius c

  • 50,000 miles
I have replaced 5 evap charcoal canisters at $590 per canister

- Washington, DC, USA

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problem #3

Jan 202017

Prius c

  • 34,000 miles
I was stopped at a green light the car in front me turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me on the front right side, they hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt did not lock. I hit the steering wheel with such force I had the Toyota symbol imprinted on my chest for a day. (I was wearing 3 layers a jacket and 2 shirts).why did none of the safety features work? it was if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, but I do have he bruises across my hips saying I was.

- Overland Park, KS, USA

problem #2

May 012013

Prius c 4-cyl

  • 500 miles
When in the high 80S+ outside, my 2012 Prius C, bought new, has not started from in a stopped position, with all the warning lights on the dashboard activating &, many times, the hybrid system shutting down while I'm trying to exit a driveway or garage, city street or parking the vehicle, creating a sudden stall & leaving me in the path of oncoming traffic. Took to dealership many times & they insist my car can't be doing what it's doing because they see no codes & ignore my screenshots, pics & video. When I ask them why my car has same "symptoms" as others of the same make, model & year, their reply is that my specific car has not been recalled. They will not even look to see if there are problems with the sensor, inverter or software. My car has only 8700 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it cause I have no clue what it's going to do & the dealership is unconcerned. It seems neither the NHTSA nor Toyota gives a [xxx] about safety. I think the issue is the software in the electronic controls of the car, with current settings that could create heat in some of the transistors. 2012 Toyota prius electrical system: Software, hybrid propulsion system: Inverter NHTSA campaign #14V053000. Summary: In the affected vehicles, the intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel...consequence: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. Just cause my specific car was not included in the recall doesn't mean it shouldn't have been when it is doing the exact same thing that the other recalled cars are doing. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Glendale, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jan 142016

Prius c

  • 87,000 miles
Brake booster w/ master ECM communication malfunction -unable to communicate and performs ABS, anti slippery and brake pedal to low. The malfunction includes warning lights panel to stay on.

- San Juan, PR, USA

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