2012 Toyota Prius Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 2%of 424 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,200miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the suspension of the 2012 Toyota Prius, 2% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,200 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“On cold mornings the car makes a groaning noise from the rear for aprox a 1/2 block. My dealer was able to verify the problem when I left the car overnight parked outside. They said they are waiting for Toyota to come up with a fix. The car now has just over 10,000 miles but it has been going on for most of the time we have owned it.”
NHTSA complaint #10496215, filed 2013-02, 2,000 miles“Turning right from a stop sign stop, the car took off in an unintended acceleration and could not be stopped until it hit a curb. The force broke the ball joint of the driver's side wheel causing the wheel to turn approx 45 degrees. The car then skidded about 20 yards and came to a stop with the motor racing. It was a single car crash with no bodily injury.”
NHTSA complaint #10642014, filed 2014-10, 9,300 miles“When starting to drive the car after is has been sitting for about 3 hours and especially first thing in the morning, the vehicle makes a groaning noise which seems to be coming from the left rear tire area. It lasts for about the first 50 feet and then it stops making the noise. This has happened with temperatures varying between 40 to 75 degrees. When it is really hot in the morning, the noise is not present. The dealer has looked at the vehicle several times and they say that this is a national problem with no solution. …”
NHTSA complaint #10492027, filed 2013-01, 6 miles“Repeating several-second groaning or grinding noise heard from rear wheel area upon startup motion. The noise is severe and sounds like low-pitch metal grinding. It's potentially brake related but could be suspension bushings or other components rubbing against one another. It does not sound like typical brake glazing. The noise occurs in all weather conditions and typically after vehicle has been sitting for several hours or overnight. Noise continues for several minutes at stop and start. Noise is loud enough to startle an experienced driver. …”
NHTSA complaint #10480948, filed 2012-10, 2,400 miles“2012 Prius in very good condition with 180k miles- only 12 years old. Driving on back roads (thankfully) and the drivers side rear wheel compelely fell off while driving. I was doing about 30 MPH and felt like there was a flat tire so I was in the process of pulling over when the whole rear assembly snapped. The wheel hit the rear quarter of the car and bounced about 100 feet down the road. I could have been on the highway and this could have been fatal I believe. Very, Very scary. As can be seen in attached photos the issue was rust from the inside. …”
NHTSA complaint #11634157, filed 2025-01Related service bulletins
- 10177782Jun 23, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE June 23, 2020: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0063-20.
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 1 | 0% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 | 8 | 2% |
| 2011 | 3 | 1% |
| 2010 | 9 | 0% |
| 2009 | 5 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 0% |
| 2007 | 8 | 0% |
| 2006 | 5 | 0% |
| 2005 | 4 | 0% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 9 | 5% |
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