MYRModel Year Report

2012 Toyota Prius V

○ Not enough data
2012 Toyota Prius V
BUILT 2026-10-10

Not enough comparison years on file yet for a fair verdict.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
216
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2012

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

61% of complaints

Complaints per year

2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 216 complaints 2012 216 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 82 complaints 2014 2015: 24 complaints 2015 2016: 16 complaints 2016 2017: 12 complaints 2017 2018: 1 complaint 2018
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 216 complaints 2012 216 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 82 complaints 2014 2015: 24 complaints 2015 2016: 16 complaints 2016 2017: 12 complaints 2017 2018: 1 complaint 2018
2011: 1 complaint 2011 2012: 216 complaints 2012 216 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 82 complaints 2014 2015: 24 complaints 2015 2016: 16 complaints 2016 2017: 12 complaints 2017 2018: 1 complaint 2018

2012: 216 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20111
2012216
2013125
201482
201524
201616
201712
20181

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

61% · 132 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While pulling into a parking space (Speed less than 5 MPH) and applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor and the car seemed to speed up. The car jumped the curb and struck a tree.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-06-18

November 4, 2017 - car was parked in our driveway. Put the car in reverse to back out of our driveway. The brakes failed. No matter how many times the brake pedal was repeatedly pushed down, the car just would not stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-11-07

Slowed for red light that was visible for a great distance so coasting and applied brakes and they weren't there....I hit the car in front of me, he hit the car in front of him....mostly dings in fenders....my hood was up on one side, and front...

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-04-02

Engine

17% · 36 reports
CRASHFIRE

Electrical system

11% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing inverter and instrument cluster/panel.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, smoke emitted from the dashboard and the vehicle's mileage fluctuated. The contact also stated that her insulin pump malfunctioned while in the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-15

Vehicle speed control

7% · 15 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH and decelerating, the vehicle erroneously accelerated after hitting a bump in the road. The contact crashed into the preceding vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-03-08

Steering

5% · 11 reports
CRASHINJURYDEATH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. R
    2014-01-23Exterior lighting13E070000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2015-07-30Hybrid propulsion system15V449000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-01-22Hybrid propulsion system18V684000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2023-11-22Defect petitionOpen Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Buy-smart checklist

2012 Toyota Prius V — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 132 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 36 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 24 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 13E070000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 15V449000 · Hybrid propulsion system
  • Recall 18V684000 · Hybrid propulsion system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

FAQ

Is the 2012 Toyota Prius V reliable?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on file yet to give this model year a verdict.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius V?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 61% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius V have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.