NHTSA Complaint #10875560 — 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM issue reported to NHTSA
Complaint Details
| ODI Number | 10875560 |
| Vehicle | 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS |
| Component | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM |
| Date of Incident | |
| Date Filed | |
| Mileage | 14,000 miles |
| Crash | No |
| Fire | No |
| Injuries | 0 |
| Deaths | 0 |
| Vehicle Towed | No |
| State | CA |
Consumer Description
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 PRESS START BUTTON ON/OFF REPEATEDLY UNTIL THE GASOLINE ENGINE IGNITE BUT HYBRID FAILED TO START. IT IS NOT NORMAL BECAUSE A PRIUS HYBRID ENGINE STARTS FIRST NOT THE GASOLINE ENGINE. TOYOTA HAS DISABLED SOME IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS IN ITS POWER MANAGEMENT RECALL SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT AFFECTS THE HYBRID ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND FAILURE TO START. I DRIVE MY PRIUS 3-4 TIMES A MONTH AND I DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM BEFORE THE RECALL SOFTWARE UPGRADE BECAUSE PRIUS OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY SAYS THAT THE BATTERY WITH BE DISCONNECTED BY BATTERY SAVING FUNCTION WHEN YOUR CAR IS PARKED FOR LONG TIME, SEVERAL DAYS, WEEKS. IN FACT, WHEN YOUR CAR IS PARKED FOR JUST DAYS, TOYOTA POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE (RECALL) IS DRAINING THE CAR BATTERY AND RECONFIGURING THE RELAYS TO POWER UP THE GASOLINE ENGINE. TOYOTA OWNERS MANUAL CLEARLY STATES THAT WHEN YOU ARE PARKED, "POWER MANAGEMENT SOFTWARE DISCONNECTS THE AUXILIARY BATTERY FROM THE HYBRID SYSTEM." HOWEVER, AFTER THE RECALL, NOT ONLY AUXILIARY BATTERY IS NOT DISCONNECTED BUT THERE ARE LOTS OF "ACTIVITY" IN HYBRID ENGINE THAT DRAINS THE BATTERIES. I CALLED THE TOYOTA SERVICE AND THEY NOW SAY YOU HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR ON A CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL DAYS. OF COURSE , IT IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM TO KEEP THE CAR ON A CHARGER ALL THE TIME WHEN PARKED FOR DAYS BECAUSE THE BATTERY IS HOUSED IN THE CABIN AND THE VENTILATION DOES NOT EXIST UNLESS YOU PARK YOUR CAR OUTDOORS. AT THE SAME TIME TOYOTA RECOMMENDS KEEPING THE CAR ON A CHARGER , IT ALSO WARNS OF EXPLOSION CAUSED BY CHARGING THE BATTERIES IN A GARAGE.
Related Complaints for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
Other ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Complaints
#11707029
While driving, the vehicle experienced a sudden brake system malfunction without prior warning or gradual degradation...
#11697829
The hybrid system fails to enter “Ready” mode with no SMR engagement audible from the junction box. Dashboard display...
#11676307
Brake getting stuck on the floor would have to press on brake really hard just to get a response, this will happen ou...
#11651487
The accelerator wasn’t pushing down after I turned a corner then the lights in attached photo appeared. The power inv...
#11637477
I am writing to bring attention to a critical safety issue affecting the 2012 Toyota Prius and other Toyota models eq...
Recent Complaints for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
#11719694
SERVICE BRAKES
My Brake Booster/Actuator failed on me while on the freeway with out any warnings. It made it really hard to stop the...
#11717956
SERVICE BRAKES
The vehicle is experiencing a suspected brake actuator / brake booster failure. Multiple warning lights appeared simu...
#11716476
SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle check engine code C1391 (Antilock Brake System - abnormal leak in accumulator) came up on 2/5/2026. Recommend...
#11713170
SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle: 2012 Toyota Prius Mileage: Approximately 217,000 miles While driving normally in traffic, the vehicle exper...
#11707166
SERVICE BRAKES
My 2012 Toyota Prius plug in hybrid had just passed state inspections and was even looked at by a dealership a year a...