2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
285
Owner Complaints
4
Recalls
54
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
The 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V has received a total of 285 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS. 54 technical service bulletins have been issued by Toyota Motor Corporation for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes (120 complaints), Engine (35 complaints), and Electrical System (22 complaints).
Recalls for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V, potentially affecting up to 922,832 vehicles.
Recall 18V684000 — HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
| 807,329 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service...
View full details →Recall 15V449000 — HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
| 108,624 vehicles affected
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the...
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at...
View full details →Recall 13E070000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
| 409 vehicles affected
Defect: Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.
Consequence: The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
View full details →Recall 13V014000 — SEATS
| 3,235 vehicles affected
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model...
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
View full details →Recall 13V014000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
| 3,235 vehicles affected
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model...
Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
285 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake master cylinder was constantly cycling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. Most recently, while the vehicle was turned off, the brake master cylinder was cycling. The contact stated that while the keys were in his hands and standing several feet away from the vehicle, the brakes started cycling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
The power assist braking system failed while I was driving in the rain. I was approaching a stoplight and I had to push down a lot harder and farther than I typically have to in order to stop. Luckily I was not going that fast and there were no cars ahead of me, but I stopped beyond where I had intended at a busy intersection. No warning lamps or messages had been illuminated prior to this happening. After the failure, the Brake system, ABS, and SLIP indicator lights were on and remained on when the car was restarted. An independent service center used a scan tool and found code C1391 stored in memory, indicating that the brake booster is unable to hold pressure due to an internal leak. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance, but can be available upon request.
I bought this car over a week ago for a good price, performed fine until I’m driving it home on the interstate and some abs/brake lights came on the dash. I enter my city and notice the brakes aren’t performing as tight as they were during the test drive. A few days later I take it to a local dealership to get it looked at. The brake actuator and pump had gone bad, causing this issue. It cost almost $5,000 to fix there, I couldn’t afford it so I had to only pay the $185 for the diagnostic. It’s an on and off thing, sometimes the lights go away and it brakes as it should, but most of the time the lights are on and the brakes don’t work as they should. I fear one day the brakes may eventually give out on me and cause an accident. I am available for inspection.
After 13 years and 112,000 the brake booster and brake booster pump went out on my car. Toyota extended the warranty to 10 years because of this issue. Now just outside of the 10 yr mark my car has this issue and Toyota will not cover it. This is a huge expense and also a major issue with this year and model of car.
I have a Prius v 2012, and the lights for abs turned on and when I checked on internet Toyota was repairing the part for 150k miles and 10 years but this is a safety feature my car is now at 149922, And while I was on road suddenly the signs came up and I the brakes were hard, and this is a problem for my safety and for others too since It doesn’t brake well
Safety Rating for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
Toyota Motor Corporation has issued 54 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
T-SB-0088-21 — BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: RADAR
TSB: For proper calibration of the millimeter wave radar sensor, the vehicle and radar target must be on a level surface with a consistent plane. If a level surface with a consistent plane is not available, use the Floor Slope Compensation Procedure in this service bulletin in conjunction with the...
Customer Support — SERVICE BRAKES
RE: Toyota has received reports regarding the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies on certain 2012 ? 2014 model year Prius V vehicles. These reports have indicated certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Booster Assembly. Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota?s New...
T-SB-0089-20 — TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM
TSB: Some 2012 ? 2014 model year Prius V hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C1391, C1252, C1256, or C1253 may be stored. This condition may be caused by a...
T-SB-0089-20 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TSB: Some 2012 ? 2014 model year Prius V hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C1391, C1252, C1256, or C1253 may be stored. This condition may be caused by a...
T-SB-0089-20 — SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TSB: Some 2012 ? 2014 model year Prius V hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C1391, C1252, C1256, or C1253 may be stored. This condition may be caused by a...
T-SB-0171-13 Obs — ENGINE
TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
ZF3_Toyota POL16 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports of a rough idle and/or rattle noise from the transaxle at cold start due to a sticking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) Valve in some vehicles. If this occurs, the vehicle may illuminate the check engine light and set diagnostic trouble code (DTC) P0401.
T-TT-0442-17_Rev — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
TT: Safety Connect is a vehicle option which requires a subscription fee for the system to be active after the initial trial period. Once the subscription has expired the DCM (Telematics Transceiver) will be in an inactive state. In some instances, a DCM may need to be replaced even though...
ZJB_Dealer Lette — SERVICE BRAKES
Dealer Letter: March 7, 2019 ZJB Phase 2 Launch for Certain 2011 ? 2015 Model Year Prius Vehicles and Certain 2012 ? 2015 Model Year Prius PHV vehicles. Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies in some of the subject vehicles. Although the brake...
T-SB-0024-19 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TSB: Some 2011 ? 2015 model year Prius and 2012 ? 2015 model year Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on and/or a Check VSC message displays. Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253 may be stored....
Showing 10 of 54 technical service bulletins.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the TOYOTA PRIUS V
- 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 1 complaint
- 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V (current)
- 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 159 complaints
- 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 111 complaints
- 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 31 complaints
- 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 24 complaints
- 2017 TOYOTA PRIUS V — 14 complaints
Other TOYOTA Models
- TOYOTA CAMRY — 23,209 total complaints
- TOYOTA PRIUS — 15,411 total complaints
- TOYOTA COROLLA — 14,342 total complaints
- TOYOTA RAV4 — 11,737 total complaints
- TOYOTA SIENNA — 10,769 total complaints
- TOYOTA TACOMA — 10,512 total complaints
- TOYOTA TUNDRA — 8,997 total complaints
- TOYOTA HIGHLANDER — 6,663 total complaints