2012 Toyota Prius C Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 13%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Toyota Prius C, 13% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was stopped at a green light waiting for the car in front me; when they turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me head on; on the front right side. They hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt did not lock. I hit the steering wheel with such force I had the Toyota symbol imprinted on my chest for a day. (I was wearing 3 layers a jacket and 2 shirts).why did none of the safety features work?”
NHTSA complaint #10949608, filed 2017-02, 35,781 miles“I was stopped at a green light the car in front me turned left an oncoming car swerved to miss them, then overcorrected and hit me. Hit me on the front right side, they hit me with so much force they moved my car almost 6 feet sideways. None of the my airbags went off and my seat belt did not lock. I hit the steering wheel with such force I had the Toyota symbol imprinted on my chest for a day. (I was wearing 3 layers a jacket and 2 shirts).why did none of the safety features work? It was if I wasn't wearing a seatbelt, but I do have he bruises across my hips saying I was.”
NHTSA complaint #10947031, filed 2017-01, 34,000 miles“The brakes were applied gently as the car was approaching a stopped car. The Prius C then accelerated, at which time the brakes were firmly applied, the ABS system engaged, but not in enough time for the vehicle to stop. The prius rear ended the vehicle in front, all airbags were deployed causing injury to the driver, and the front end of the prius was destroyed. It cannot be fixed and will need to be scrapped.”
NHTSA complaint #10513805, filed 2013-05, 5,000 miles“Car in front slowed then stopped quickly as the car ahead of it attempted to use the middle lane improperly (not a turn lane at that time), not moving fully nor quickly into the lane. Car in front stopped. Applied brakes immediately to the Prius C to slow, then added one rapid pump, and ultimately pushed the pedal to the floor. The prius did little more than slow (without even a jolt from the firm application of the brakes), causing a crash into the rear of the car in front and significant damage to the entire front end. No airbag deployment.”
NHTSA complaint #10579128, filed 2014-04, 25,000 miles“Car was involved in a 18+ car accident. Traveling at approx 55mph all traffic came to a sudden stop. The car did stop before impact. Driver pressed himself to the seat while slamming on breaks. A car slammed into the back of the prius which shot the prius forward, wedging it between the 2 vehicles in front of it. Upon impact with the cars it was slammed into the driver's seatbelt did not lock. Driver flew forward breaking bones in his face and obtained injuries to a knee from impacting the console, and whiplash. A child passenger in the back seat obtained a knot on head and whiplash. …”
NHTSA complaint #10818023, filed 2016-01, 60,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10129146Jan 8, 2018Dealer Package: January 8, 2018 A watermark has been added to the Dealer Letter to indicate that F0B expired on December 31, 2017 LSC Expired on December 31, 2017.
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
Air bags: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius C
26 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsForward collision avoidance
2 complaintsFuel system
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Prius C
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology