2012 Toyota Prius Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 424 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,926miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the equipment of the 2012 Toyota Prius, 1% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,926 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“When going from park to drive forward, the car slips into reverse!!! I've taken it to Toyota multiple times and they say they find nothing wrong! I have to be very careful to be sure the car is actually in drive before moving it or I could back into something or someone by mistake.”
NHTSA complaint #10649597, filed 2014-10, 500 miles“Upon starting the engine and engaging the air conditioning of my 2012 Toyota Prius with 10,000 miles, a strong foul smelling air comes from the A/C vents. At the 10,000 mile servicing, the Toyota service manager stated this smell is typical to some toyotas. A Toyota technical assistance was performed. The report stated no repairs needed at this time vehicle is operating as per designed. I know of no vehicle design that would stream foul air from the A/C vents of a new car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10543441, filed 2013-09, 9,851 miles“I own a 2012 Prius with the technology package, including radar adaptive cruise control. I believe these same radar sensors are also used to detect imminent collisions in front of the vehicle, even when cruise control mode is not engaged. About a month ago, while driving north on interstate 5 in downtown seattle at approximately 60 miles per hour, and without cruise control engaged, my Prius went into imminent collision mode despite the fact that there was nothing in front of me -- no vehicles, no debris, no obstructions. …”
NHTSA complaint #10682017, filed 2015-02, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 13V123000Apr 9, 2013Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011…Covers: Toyota Prius 2012, Tundra 2008, 2010–2013, Tacoma 2010–2013 +16 more
Related service bulletins
- 10251070Jan 22, 2024OBSOLETE NOTICE January 22, 2024: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0057-18.
- 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…
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10220213Aug 4, 2022DD: Toyota is involved in a class action settlement involving certain 2010-2015 Toyota Prius and certain 2012-2017 Prius V vehicle?s inverters. The settlement provides a Customer…
- 10213902May 31, 2022TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
- 10220174May 26, 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…
- 10207946Jan 12, 2022POL: This consolidated Tire Warranty Guide contains the complete warranty terms for all brands of ground and spare tires currently in use by Toyota. This information must be kept…
- 10203532Oct 1, 2021TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10201400Jul 26, 2021TSB: Some 2006 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles in particular geographic areas may exhibit a condition where the HVAC evaporator drain hose has become obstructed with an insect…
- 10190450Mar 18, 2021OBSOLETE NOTICE March 08, 2021: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0012-21.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 2 | 0% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 1% |
| 2010 | 15 | 1% |
| 2009 | 7 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 1% |
| 2007 | 22 | 1% |
| 2006 | 18 | 1% |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% |
| 2004 | 7 | 1% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2001 | 4 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius
200 complaintsElectrical system
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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