2012 Toyota Prius C Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 41%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 25,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Toyota Prius C, 41% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Igualmente que los carros prius regulares, el cual hay una garantia extendida, mi el auto dao la bomba de frenos, lo cual es muy costosa, esta garantia solo es solo para prius regulares igualmente utilizan el mismo sistema. Se debe verificar porque no cubre los otros autos ya que tienen el mismo sistema.”
NHTSA complaint #11299250, filed 2020-01, 15,000 miles“Braking often becomes extremely aggressive when moisture is prevalent. Initial application is normal, until deeper into the braking cycle. Once vehicle is committed to stopping an additional (hard brake) surge then renders system into becoming far too aggressive. This is under normal braking scenarios requiring active operator adjustments to stop normally.”
NHTSA complaint #10653875, filed 2014-11, 35,000 miles“Brakes are very sensitive during wet weather. It takes great effort to avoid a skid. Once the brakes warm up the performance is normal. The dealer resurfaced the front rotors which fixed the problem in the short term. However, the problem is returning.”
NHTSA complaint #10819384, filed 2016-01, 40,000 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“The back brakes automatically release at 5 MPH when decreasing speed and only when its wet outside. The car is now at 365,000 miles and it is still doing it 6 years later”
NHTSA complaint #11130403, filed 2018-09, 1,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10198142May 20, 2021RL: Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at…
- 10198141May 20, 2021DP: Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at…
- 10198140May 20, 2021RE: Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota?s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for 3 years or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at…
- 10198139May 20, 2021DE: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for Brake Booster and Brake Booster…
- 10198129May 11, 2021TSB: Some 2012 ? 2014 model year Prius C hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on and/or a Check VSC message displays…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
Brakes: other model years
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius C
15 complaintsAir bags
8 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