7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,260
Average Mileage:
118,850 miles
Total Complaints:
10 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
  2. replace piston & rings (2 reports)
2012 Toyota Prius v engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Toyota Prius v Owner Comments

problem #10

May 212019

Prius v 1.8L-Liter Four-cyl E

  • CVT transmission
  • 103,148 miles

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

This is a common problem and Toyota refuses to acknowledge that they installed defective piston rings in these vehicles.

- Rose Y., Canmore, AB, Canada

problem #9

Dec 282019

Prius v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,232 miles

Found engine oil low by 3.24 quarts at routine maintenance.

- Jenny Q., Garden Grove, US

problem #8

May 012019

Prius v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 190,000 miles

Our car started burning oil in between regular maintenance oil changes. We have always kept up on the maintenance. About two years ago, the head gasket blew and needed replacing. It’s never run the same again since. I was driving it home one day and it smelled hot inside the car, which had me worried. I drove it straight to the dealer.

They said it was the water pump that needed replacing. Did that. Then, randomly (I live on mountain roads, where the car may be elevated or facing downward), the oil light would blink on. Took it in for that. They said bring it in every 5k instead of 10k from now on. Started the first 5k, and it needed oil not even half way through the 5k. We are dumping oil in now about every 400 - 500 miles.

I use this car for commuting (duh) about 100 miles per day during the week, and have been since I bought it. That’s why it has so much mileage on it. But we have done every recommended maintenance requirement at the dealership since it was purchased. I’m not sure what to do at this point.

I’m afraid to take it to work anymore and will be driving my big expensive diesel truck until I have an answer about the cost to fix it. Seems like the fix requires pistons and rings? Anyone know how much that costs, parts and labor? I’m willing to take it to a non dealer mechanic if it would be cheaper. Suggestions? I’m not a “car” person so dumb it down for me please!

- pissedoffpriusv, Camino, US

problem #7

Nov 122018

Prius v Five 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 193,627 miles

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

I've noticed that my Prius has been "eating" engine oil. I drive about 200 miles every day, from Monday to Friday, and every other week I need to add a quarter of engine oil. I bought this Prius with 80K miles on it almost 3 years ago, and now I have 193,627 miles on it. I love the car, it's awesome on gas, and has huge space as a wagon. I've seen that other Prius owners have had the same problem, and I've heard that Toyota is aware of the issue and knows the solution/fix. I'm wondering if they have a recall on it.

- Robson G., Waterford, US

problem #6

Oct 172017

Prius v V Stock

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,000 miles

I have had many Toyota vehicles over the years and never had an issue with oil consumption. This is my second Prius, having sold my 2005 Prius with 175,000 miles and almost NO oil consumption. Around 70 or 80 k on my 2012 Prius V I noticed increased oil consumption. Now with approximately 110k miles, the engine is consuming over 1 quart / 1K miles!!!! That is 10 quarts per 10,000 mile oil change interval! This is completely outrageous and unacceptable

Toyota T-SB-0169-16 acknowledges this problem and covers it up to 60k miles. Unfortunately, according to the many reports online, this problem almost never shows up until past this milestone.

Toyota - ACKNOWLEDGE AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. You are scamming loyal customers who trusted your quality from previous generations and are getting burned on your trusting your previous reputation.

- Connor S., San Diego, CA, US

problem #5

Nov 012017

Prius v 4 cyl Gas And Elect

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,500 miles

It seems like it is using about 2 quarts every 4,000 miles. I bought it used @ 75,000 miles and did not know this was an issue. With a regular engine this might be something, but remember with a hybrid the engine is being used much less of the time, so it is much worse than it seems when thinking about actual hours on the engine is at anywhere from 25% to 50% less than a non-hybrid engine. So it is much worse it sounds taking that into account. I am looking to trade in for another (non-Toyota) vehicle. I have had a lot of Toyotas in the past, but this time I am pretty disappointed in the brand.

- Ron R., Bastrop, TX, US

problem #4

Mar 302018

Prius v

  • Automatic transmission
  • 159,000 miles

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

My car has been using excessive amounts of oil for a while. I had complained to my mechanic after he had changed the oil thinking he forgot to put enough quarts in when the oil light was flickering not long after an oil change. I had them refill it and checked the level and it was OK. Less than 2000 miles later in was down 3 quarts! There is no staining in my yard so I know its not leaking.

I've owned four Toyotas and the other 3 I was able to drive over 250,000 miles with no major engine problems...

- Bill S., WOODLAND, ME, US

problem #3

Aug 212017

Prius v Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 88,000 miles

My car has been using up to 2 quarts of oil inbetween oil changes (every 5,000 miles). My mechanic (not the dealer) tells me there is no fix for this. One of my friends, who also until recently owned a Prius, had a similar but even worse problem. It got so bad she sold the car. I was thinking that I would keep this car for at least another 100K miles but now I'm not so sure. Has anyone been able to have Toyota fix this problem?

- Mary Kay S., Irvine, US

problem #2

Jan 042017

Prius v

  • CVT transmission
  • 80,000 miles

Toyota already fixed same excessive oil consumption problem for RAV4, Camry with 2..4L engine as warranty.

Admit it is a defect!

Fix Prius 1.8L engine ASAP in same way

Bought new with plan to use beyond 200K miles, changed oil as directed, No oil in engine after 1000 miles of oil change at only 70000 miles?

This is not Toyota quality at all.

Treat loyal customers right, We trusted you!

- K K., Temecula, CA, US

problem #1

Sep 212015

Prius v 3 1.8L Hybrid

  • CVT transmission
  • 99,985 miles

Bought a 2012 Prius-V with 99K miles from a Toyota dealer. They were pushing the extended warranty but I told them they can sell Toyota's or they can sell warranties, but not both. I checked the oil when I filled up the tank and the oil was down a half a quart. I thought it was a fluke. Checked it again next fill-up, down a quart. That's about a quart every 600-700 miles. I replaced the PCV valve with a genuine Toyota PCV and there's been no change. I've tried Marvel Mystery Oil, Hyper Lube & Dura Lube with Amsoil 0W-20, & 10W-30. Now I use Walmart 20W-50 with Marvel Mystery Oil. I could put anything in there it would burn away. I did 1 oil change since I bought the car and used Amsoil. No difference. Even Amsoil burns in this car. Looks like it needs new rings. I checked the service record, timely oil changes at Toyota it's whole life.

- Thomas B., Aurora, IL, US

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