Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2012 Toyota Prius C Electrical system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
23%of 64 total for the year
Median mileage
100,250miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Toyota Prius C, 23% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,250 miles. 1 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.

“Takata recall from the date of purchase, vehicle performed unpredictably. I took my car to the Toyota dealership and they found that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. When I drive 45 MPH, the vehicle will stall and all indicator illuminate on the instrument panel. In the middle of the road, the car will stall. Toyota does not stand by their product. My car goes completely dead. Every warning light turns on and its blinking.”

NHTSA complaint #11255179, filed 2019-09, 107,931 miles

“I've had to replace the light bulb on my passenger side headlight constantly over the past couple of months. I heard that there was a recall on the wiring harness of the 2012 regular prius and I'm wondering if the issue has been looked at in the Prius C models.”

NHTSA complaint #11241674, filed 2019-08, 100,250 miles

“When in the high 80s+ outside, my 2012 Prius C, bought new, has not started from in a stopped position, with all the warning lights on the dashboard activating &, many times, the hybrid system shutting down while I'm trying to exit a driveway or garage, city street or parking the vehicle, creating a sudden stall & leaving me in the path of oncoming traffic. Took to dealership many times & they insist my car can't be doing what it's doing because they see no codes & ignore my screenshots, pics & video. …”

NHTSA complaint #10853183, filed 2016-04, 500 miles

“The car lock doors no longer work and must be locked and unlocked manually. Went to Toyota dealership and replaced remote battery to no end. Now attempting to isolate the part that is causing the problem with all four doors. Safety is an issue because, in the event of an accident, I would not be able to exit the vehicle due to door locking malfuntion.”

NHTSA complaint #11149973, filed 2018-11, 145,000 miles

“From date of purchase, vehicle performed unpredictably. Transitioning from electric to motor was rough and noticeable. At 600 miles, a significant impact was felt during transition. Dealer found nothing. Brake pedal traveled to the floor and vehicle went through stop sign at low speed. Route 44 Toyota insisted I needed to get used to electronic brakes. Toyota insisted brakes worked as prescribed. Recently, a aaa driver discovered the ground wire on the battery was loose. The battery was replaced and the vehicle now functions as described, the hill hold functions as described. …”

NHTSA complaint #11170640, filed 2019-01, 800 miles

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018117%
2016217%
2015529%
2014618%
20132340%
20121523%

Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius C

Brakes
26 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 29, 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