2012 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 200about this part
- Share
- 47%of 424 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,378miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 200 complaints about the brakes of the 2012 Toyota Prius, 47% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,378 miles. 15 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.
“Driving on Interstate and suddenly traction control light, brake Light, and ABS light came on. After this the brakes were not as affective at stopping the vehicle and felt sluggish. Found a lot of reports online about similar issue and even some when the vehicle brakes failed. My brakes allowed me to get home without incident.”
NHTSA complaint #11511346, filed 2023-03, 112,000 miles“Abs warning light indicating trouble with the braking system, I took the car to an independent auto repair store and the mechanic checked the codes on his computer and received 2 codes that indicating that the ABS pump needs to be replaced. The total cost would be between $3000 to $5000. The ABS light goes on when I start the car”
NHTSA complaint #11318546, filed 2020-03, 61,900 miles“My 2012 Prius was diagnosed at our Toyota dealership. They said it needs a brake booster/solenoid. When I looked into it, it seems that this has happened to hundreds of consumers with Prius cars from the same era. It is a devastating $3,000 repair. Total injustice if it is a manufacturer issue as it seems.”
NHTSA complaint #11341979, filed 2020-07, 154,000 miles“More than once I was driving about 40/45mph, once on a curve, anyhow as I was going through the curve it felt as though the brakes engaged, without me touching them. I understand the safety thing, however at both instances it was not necessary. It caused the car to pull to the left. Almost causing me to loose control.”
NHTSA complaint #11279410, filed 2019-11, 75,300 miles“Vehicle stability control, anti-lock brake, and traction control lights intermittently turn off. A few times it shut down the hybrid system and tell me to stop . Now all those lights are all on and I am driving without vss, ABS and traction control. Braking is getting harder. I took it to the dealer and they told me the cost is $3500. I did some research and found out that this is a known Prius problem problem”
NHTSA complaint #11043167, filed 2017-11, 78,000 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
- 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.
- 10164923Aug 28, 2019Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- 10164922Aug 28, 2019Dealer Package: Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies in some of the subject vehicles. Although the brake booster and…
- 10158578Mar 7, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- 10158577Mar 7, 2019Dealer Letter: March 7, 2019 ZJB Phase 2 Launch for Certain 2011 ? 2015 Model Year Prius Vehicles and Certain 2012 ? 2015 Model Year Prius PHV vehicles. Toyota has received…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 5 | 21% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 4 | 29% |
| 2019 | 11 | 37% |
| 2018 | 4 | 11% |
| 2017 | 14 | 15% |
| 2016 | 20 | 13% |
| 2015 | 93 | 56% |
| 2014 | 103 | 49% |
| 2013 | 242 | 58% |
| 2012 | 200 | 47% |
| 2011 | 278 | 53% |
| 2010 | 1,945 | 69% |
| 2009 | 199 | 40% |
| 2008 | 390 | 26% |
| 2007 | 331 | 17% |
| 2006 | 210 | 15% |
| 2005 | 282 | 27% |
| 2004 | 76 | 12% |
| 2003 | 16 | 16% |
| 2002 | 20 | 12% |
| 2001 | 16 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius
52 complaintsExterior lighting
36 complaintsOther or unknown
33 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaintsAir bags
28 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
21 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsSeat belts
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Prius
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