2012 Toyota Prius Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 5%of 424 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 15,708miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the body and structure of the 2012 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 15,708 miles. 9 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.
“Mice in cabin. Since I've owned this car (bought new) I've had several occasions where mice get inside the passenger compartment. I've looked on-line and have seen numerous complaints and suggested solutions. Most have said their dealers deny any design problems and will not fix the problem. Frustrating!”
NHTSA complaint #10904728, filed 2016-09, 50,000 miles“On july 28, 2017, I was driving along with my three children. I pulled into a driveway to park my vehicle behind a parked vehicle. There was approximately a 2 foot span between the back of the vehicle and the front of my 2012 Toyota Prius. To the right of the parked vehicle was a parked truck. Being that I was pulling into a space to park my vehicle, I was traveling extremely slowly. I began to press on my brake to park the vehicle and instantly knew there was a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11014797, filed 2017-08, 106,453 miles“I was getting ready to pull out of a parking space in a parking lot. The car was in park, so I pressed on the brake, started the car and put it in reverse. All of a sudden there was a loud roar and the car shot full speed in reverse, completely out of control. It clipped the bumper of a parked car and some shopping carts, then backed into a wall which stopped the car. Miraculously no one was injured. The car has been totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #10595000, filed 2014-05, 8,800 miles“I was coming up the freeway off ramp and my car just turned off I had no braking I hit six other cars rolled over and was severly imjured in the hospital forr three days”
NHTSA complaint #11180711, filed 2019-02, 40,063 miles“I was driving on my residential street and stepped on the brake to slow down to make a left turn into my driveway. The car failed to slow down or stop, and instead went over the curb, veering to the right and side swiped the left side of my neighbor's car, narrowly missing his garage.the car then side swiped a tree on my left (on property between my and neighbor's property.) the front end of the car crashed into a tree, saving me from rolling about 900 feet to the street below. …”
NHTSA complaint #10616134, filed 2014-07, 25,070 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11012744Dec 6, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11012743Dec 6, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11012742Dec 6, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
- 11012735Dec 5, 2024Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental…
- 11012727Dec 3, 2024Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding…
- 11007455Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11006161Jul 29, 2024Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate…
- 11007445Jul 12, 2024The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic…
- 11007444Jul 12, 2024To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film…
- 11007443Jul 12, 2024Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 7 | 8% |
| 2016 | 11 | 7% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 9 | 4% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 23 | 5% |
| 2011 | 9 | 2% |
| 2010 | 35 | 1% |
| 2009 | 19 | 4% |
| 2008 | 68 | 5% |
| 2007 | 184 | 9% |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% |
| 2005 | 11 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 3 | 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 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 27, 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