2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Structurebody Problems
20 NHTSA complaints on file
Structurebody Issues in the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS
20 structurebody complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. Of these, 9 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 8 resulted in injury.
20
Complaints
9
Crashes
0
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
All Structurebody Complaints
Weather stripping around the solar sunroof cracked and has come off in sections. This is a very common problem with this specific model, but remains low due to the low numbers the solar sunroof packages was produced. Afraid the sunroof will leak if used, so it stays inoperable in order to not damage broken seals.
VEHICLE IS MANUFACTURED WITHOUT ANY REGARD FOR PREVENTING MICE FROM ENTERING THE PASSENGER INTERIOR--- AIR INTAKE VENT UNDER WINDSHIELD AND 2 REAR DECOMPRESSION VENTS LOCATED IN THE REAR CARGO COMPARTMENT ABOVE THE WHEEL WELLS ARE OPEN TO THE EXTERIOR ALLOWING UNIMPEDED ACCESS TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. HAD MICE IN THIS CAR 2 WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE IN 2012 AND HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR 7 YEARS. JUST RECENTLY, HAD TOYOTA INSTALL 1/4" HARDWARE CLOTH OVER THESE 3 AREAS AND THIS SHOULD HELP SIGNIFICANTLY TO PREVENT ENTRY. ALL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES TO PREVENT MICE ENTRY HAVE BEEN DILIGENTLY TAKEN BY ME, WITHOUT SUCCESS. MICE CAN MAKE A PERSON VERY SICK. THEIR EXCREMENT CARRIES HANTAVIRUS..... AND THE MICE CARRY TICKS, WHICH CAN LEAD TO LYME DISEASE. SIMPLY MANUFACTURING THE CAR WITH THESE VENTS PROPERLY SCREENED WOULD GREATLY REDUCE THE CHANCE OF OCCUPANTS CONTRACTING A SERIOUS DISEASE.THE MICE ALSO DO A...
I WAS COMING UP THE FREEWAY OFF RAMP AND MY CAR JUST TURNED OFF I HAD NO BRAKING I HIT SIX OTHER CARS ROLLED OVER AND WAS SEVERLY IMJURED IN THE HOSPITAL FORR THREE DAYS
THREE DIFFERENT DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS (FRONT LEFT, FRONT RIGHT, REAR LEFT) HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. SYMPTOM IS THAT DOOR DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM KEY FOB OR LOCK CONTROL ON DRIVER'S ARMREST, ALSO FAILS TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WHEN SHIFTING INTO GEAR IF THAT OPTION IS SET. DOOR MUST BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY USING THE ROCKER SWITCH IN THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE. CLEARLY THERE WAS A BATCH OF DEFECTIVE PARTS USED DURING MANUFACTURING.
ON JULY 28, 2017, I WAS DRIVING ALONG WITH MY THREE CHILDREN. I PULLED INTO A DRIVEWAY TO PARK MY VEHICLE BEHIND A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 2 FOOT SPAN BETWEEN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT OF MY 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. TO THE RIGHT OF THE PARKED VEHICLE WAS A PARKED TRUCK. BEING THAT I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE TO PARK MY VEHICLE, I WAS TRAVELING EXTREMELY SLOWLY. I BEGAN TO PRESS ON MY BRAKE TO PARK THE VEHICLE AND INSTANTLY KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM. UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, SEVERAL LIGHTS BEGAN TO FLASH WITHIN THE DASH TO INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE ABS, WARNING LIGHT, AND THE LIGHT WITH VEHICLE SWERVE LINES. OTHER LIGHTS WERE ALSO FLASHING, BUT I DO NOT RECALL EACH ONE. THE BRAKE PAD INSTANTLY WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR WITH NO PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THERE WERE RODENTS ENTERING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN AIR FILTER DID NOT HAVE A MESH GRILL WHICH WAS ALLOWING THE RODENTS TO ENTER THROUGH A HOLE IN THE CABIN AIR FILTER THEN INTO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT CONSOLE AND INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRES WERE SOY BASED CAUSING THE ATTRACTION OF RODENTS TO THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN FOR AN INSPECTION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WAS ALSO CONTACTED WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE CABIN AIR FILTER DID NOT HAVE A MESH GRILL WHICH RESULTED IN THE RODENTS ENTERING THROUGH A HOLE INTO THE CABIN AIR FILTER THEN ENTERING INTO THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT CONSOLE ACCESSING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN...
REALLY APPALLING THAT THE AIRBAGS WARE NOT DEPLOYED AFTER A BIG COLLISION WHEN THE WHOLE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS SMASHED AS SEEN IN THE PIC.THIS HAPPEN ON DOWNTOWN ARE IN COLUMBUS IN 5 AND SPRING I
MICE IN CABIN. SINCE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR (BOUGHT NEW) I'VE HAD SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHERE MICE GET INSIDE THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I'VE LOOKED ON-LINE AND HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS. MOST HAVE SAID THEIR DEALERS DENY ANY DESIGN PROBLEMS AND WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FRUSTRATING!
I WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION WITH A BOBCAT FRONT END LOADER. I STRUCK THE IMPLEMENT BROADSIDE GOING 35 MPH. THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO THE IMPLEMENT. MY CAR WAS TOTALED AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. AFTER GOING TO THE HOSPITAL AND A CHEST X-RAY, ULTRASOUND, AND CT SCAN, IT WAS DIAGNOSED I HAD FRACTURED MY STERNUM. I AM SIX FEET TALL AND HAD MY SEAT ALL THE WAY BACK. I AM QUESTIONING WHETHER THERE HAVE BEEN ANY OTHER PEOPLE SUSTAINING A FRACTURED STERNUM DUE TO AN AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT AT 35 MPH? *TR
TURNING RIGHT FROM A STOP SIGN STOP, THE CAR TOOK OFF IN AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED UNTIL IT HIT A CURB. THE FORCE BROKE THE BALL JOINT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE WHEEL CAUSING THE WHEEL TO TURN APPROX 45 DEGREES. THE CAR THEN SKIDDED ABOUT 20 YARDS AND CAME TO A STOP WITH THE MOTOR RACING. IT WAS A SINGLE CAR CRASH WITH NO BODILY INJURY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET AND STEPPED ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY. THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP, AND INSTEAD WENT OVER THE CURB, VEERING TO THE RIGHT AND SIDE SWIPED THE LEFT SIDE OF MY NEIGHBOR'S CAR, NARROWLY MISSING HIS GARAGE.THE CAR THEN SIDE SWIPED A TREE ON MY LEFT (ON PROPERTY BETWEEN MY AND NEIGHBOR'S PROPERTY.) THE FRONT END OF THE CAR CRASHED INTO A TREE, SAVING ME FROM ROLLING ABOUT 900 FEET TO THE STREET BELOW. THE ENTIRE TIME OF THIS INCIDENT THE BRAKES NEVER ENGAGED (PEDAL WAS DOWN TO FLOOR) AND I FRANTICALLY TRIED TO STEER TO AVOID HITTING ANYTHING. A WITNESS, STANDING ON THE STREET, CONFIRMED MY BRAKE LIGHTS WERE ON. CAR WAS SERVICED BY TOYOTA (WORLD CLASS INSPECTION) 15 DAYS BEFORE THE INCIDENT. INSPECTION REPORT INDICATED BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND BRAKE...
I WAS GETTING READY TO PULL OUT OF A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING LOT. THE CAR WAS IN PARK, SO I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE, STARTED THE CAR AND PUT IT IN REVERSE. ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A LOUD ROAR AND THE CAR SHOT FULL SPEED IN REVERSE, COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. IT CLIPPED THE BUMPER OF A PARKED CAR AND SOME SHOPPING CARTS, THEN BACKED INTO A WALL WHICH STOPPED THE CAR. MIRACULOUSLY NO ONE WAS INJURED. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOTALED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE INTERIOR SPLASH PROTECTOR BECAME DISENGAGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT WITH THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SPLASH PROTECTOR. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING TOO LOW TO THE GROUND AND WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE SPLASH PROTECTORS WOULD MAKE CONTACT WITH THE CURB CAUSING THEM TO BECOME LOOSE AND EVENTUALLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PROTECTORS WOULD ALSO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE TIRES ONCE THEY BECAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
THE WINDSHIELD CAUSES MOST LIGHT SOURCES, PARTICULARLY LED LIGHTS, STREET LIGHTS, AND ONCOMING HEADLIGHTS (BASICALLY ANY BRIGHT LIGHT SOURCE), TO APPEAR WITH A "GHOSTING" IMAGE. THE "GHOSTING" APPEARS IN THE WINDSHIELD VERTICALLY BELOW THE LIGHT SOURCE AS ONE, TWO, OR EVEN THREE IMAGES. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD TWICE ALREADY, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO IMPROVEMENT. IN FACT, THE FIRST AND SECOND REPLACEMENTS ARE WORSE THAN THE ORIGINAL. I ALSO OWN A 2008 TOYOTA SIENNA, AND I DRIVE VARIOUS CHEVY EQUINOXES AND FORD ESCAPES WHERE I WORK - I DO NOT EXPERIENCE THE "GHOSTING" EFFECT IN THOSE VEHICLES. PERSONNEL FROM THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AS WELL AS REPRESENTATIVES FROM TOYOTA HAVE ALSO OBSERVED THIS PHENOMENA WITH THE WINDSHIELDS IN MY PRIUS PLUG-IN. I WAS TOLD BY A REPRESENTATIVE IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AFTER THE LAST REPLACEMENT THAT EVEN THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS WEREN'T HAPPY WITH THE REPLACEMENT. IT HAS NOW...
THERE IS A NOTICEABLE HALO EFFECT IN THE WINDSHIELD WHEN VIEWING ONCOMING LIGHTS. IT IS BOTHERSOME AND IRRITATING ON THE EYES ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING FOR LONG PERIODS OF TIME. I AM WRITING TOYOTA DIRECTLY TO LEARN WHEN A DIFFERENT WINDSHIELD CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD POPPING NOISE (CRACKING) WAS HEARD WITH NO OBSERVED DAMAGE, AND LATER THAT DAY THE WINDSHIELD GREW A LONG CRACK IN WINDSHIELD WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. AN EDGE CRACK FORMED ON THE WINDSHIELD EXTREME OUTER EDGE IN THE CHAMFER ABOUT 2/3 OF THE WAY UP ON THE DRIVER?S SIDE A-PILLAR. THE WINDSHIELD BY IT?S DESIGN APPEARS TO BE RATHER THIN, AND THE WINDSHIELD EDGE IS EXPOSED, NOT COVERED OR EMBEDDED IN PLASTIC OR RUBBER OR TRIM MATERIAL. THE WINDSHIELD EDGE AS OBSERVED HAS A VERY SMALL CHAMFER AND DOES NOT HAVE A GENEROUS BEVEL (ROUND) THAT IS HIGHLY POLISHED SUCH AS FOUND ON THE PASSENGER WINDOW EDGES OR OLDER WINDSHIELDS I AM FAMILIAR WITH. I TOOK THE CAR TO TOYOTA OF BOWIE AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE MANAGER, HE BELIEVES THERE WAS AN IMPACT TO THE WINDSHIELD AT THE VERY EXTREME EDGE OF THE WINDSHIELD...
DESIGN OF CAR INCLUDES A FLAW CAUSING A HUGE VERTICAL BLINDSPOT ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR. BECAUSE THERE IS A BAR THAT RUNS VERTICAL ON BOTH SIDES AT THE BEGINNING OF THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGERS' WINDOWS, THIS, ALONG WITH THE PILLAR COMING DOWN THE WINDSHIELD CONTRIBUTE TO AN EXTREMELY LARGE SPOT WHERE OBJECTS IN ROAD CANNOT BE SEEN. THIS IS ESPECIALLY HAZARDOUS FOR PEDESTRIAN FOOT-TRAFFIC CROSSING PERPENDICULAR TO THE CAR. PEDS IN CROSSWALKS OR IN PARKING LOTS ARE AT TIMES, COMPLETELY MASKED BY THIS BLIND SPOT BY THE COMBINATION OF THE FRONT WINDSHIELD PILLARS AND FRONT WINDOW SUB-PILLARS. OTHER CARS (SUCH AS HONDA INSIGHT) WITH A DRAMATICALLY ANGLED WINDSHIELD AVOID THIS BY USING A SMALLER SUB-PILLAR ON THE FRONT WINDOW, ALLOWING FOR THINGS TO BE SEEN FAR MORE EASILY. THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT CAUSES A PEDESTRIAN INJURY OR DEATH. THIS IS...
WHEN STARTING TO DRIVE THE CAR AFTER IS HAS BEEN SITTING FOR ABOUT 3 HOURS AND ESPECIALLY FIRST THING IN THE MORNING, THE VEHICLE MAKES A GROANING NOISE WHICH SEEMS TO BE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR TIRE AREA. IT LASTS FOR ABOUT THE FIRST 50 FEET AND THEN IT STOPS MAKING THE NOISE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH TEMPERATURES VARYING BETWEEN 40 TO 75 DEGREES. WHEN IT IS REALLY HOT IN THE MORNING, THE NOISE IS NOT PRESENT. THE DEALER HAS LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY SAY THAT THIS IS A NATIONAL PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION. I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR FOR 4 DAYS SHORT OF A YEAR WITH 12,250 MILES ON IT AND IT DOES IT ALL THE TIME. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THE CAR IS FINE OTHERWISE. *TR
ON SEPTEMBER 8, 2012 MY WIFE WAS ON HER WAY TO OUR RENTAL AND WAS HIT AS SHE READIED TO TURN TO THE HOUSE. OUR 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS 3 WAS THROWN INTO THE AIR AND BOUNCED BACK TO A DIAGONAL POSITION ACROSS THE ROAD. UPON IMPACT, THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER IMPACT--HER SEATBELT DID NOT RESTRAIN HER FROM HITTING HER CHEST ON THE STEERING WHEEL NOR DID THE KNEE AIR BAG DEPLOY UNTIL AFTER SHE HIT HER KNEES ON THE LOWER DASH. FORTUNATELY FOR HER AND ME, SHE SUFFERED DEEP BRUISING BUT NO BROKEN BONES ETC. AS OF TODAY, 9/26/2012, HER CHEST STILL HURTS BUT THE PAIN IS DIMINISHING. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND FILED A COMPLAINT ON 9/8/2012 AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE--CASE #[XXX], MY CONCERN SINCE WE HAVE HEARD NOTHING IS THAT YOU TOO WILL HEAR NOTHING AND IF THIS ISSUE EXISTS IN...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS HIS VEHICLE WAS PARKED A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF HIS VEHICLE AT 10 MPH WHICH CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE FRAME AND BUMPER. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY BUT THE AIR BAGS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81.
Other 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Problem Areas
Service Brakes
175 complaints
Electrical System
49 complaints
Exterior Lighting
36 complaints
Unknown Or Other
31 complaints
Engine
30 complaints
Visibilitywiper
28 complaints
Air Bags
26 complaints
Power Train
20 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Vehicle Speed Control
12 complaints
Seat Belts
10 complaints
Service Brakes Hydraulic
10 complaints
Fuelpropulsion System
9 complaints
Suspension
8 complaints
Electronic Stability Control Esc
7 complaints
Seats
5 complaints
Fuel System Other
4 complaints
Hybrid Propulsion System
4 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints
Equipment Adaptivemobility
3 complaints
Forward Collision Avoidance Automatic Emergency Braking
3 complaints
Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light
3 complaints
Structure
3 complaints
Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter
2 complaints
Air Bagsfrontaldriver Clockspringspiral Cassette
1 complaint
Electrical Systemhorn
1 complaint
Electrical Systeminstrument Panelspeedometerodometer
1 complaint
Engine And Engine Cooling
1 complaint
Equipment
1 complaint
Insert Padding
1 complaint
Lane Departure Blind Spot Detection
1 complaint
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
1 complaint
Seat Beltsfront
1 complaint
Seatsfront Assemblyhead Restraint
1 complaint
Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule
1 complaint
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light
1 complaint
Tirestreadbelt
1 complaint
Traction Control System
1 complaint
Visibilityglass Siderear
1 complaint
Visibilitywindshield
1 complaint