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WheelsPart report

2012 Toyota Prius Wheels Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 424 total for the year
Median mileage
9,300miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the wheels of the 2012 Toyota Prius, 1% of the 424 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,300 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.

“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

“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

“Vehicle is parked outside, and during morning cold start, the vehicle produces a moaning/wooing sound for approx. 50-75 yards with vehicle moving under 25 MPH. The sound is being generated from the front wheel wells. Sound generated is related to vehicle speed. The faster the vehicle moves, the more frequent the sound being produced during the first 50-75 yards. Strange sound is gone after that, and does not return until the next cool/cold start. …”

NHTSA complaint #10481010, filed 2012-10, 1,000 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 2025-01

“Unknown. There were a multitude of codes that appeared on the diagnostics causing problems with engine. The temperature, brake, tire sensor lights are all on. The cruise control is not working. White smoke emitting from tail pipe and engine. Main engine coolant leaking. Car overheating rapidly.”

NHTSA complaint #11748670, filed 2026-07

Related service bulletins

Wheels: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202516%
2024311%
2023314%
2021117%
202017%
201913%
201813%
201744%
201643%
201521%
201410%
201392%
201251%
201131%
2010171%
200910%
200860%
200720%
200630%
200530%
200410%
200132%

Other parts of the 2012 Toyota Prius

Brakes
200 complaints
Electrical system
52 complaints
Exterior lighting
36 complaints
Other or unknown
33 complaints
Engine
31 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
30 complaints
Air bags
28 complaints
Body and structure
23 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
21 complaints
Steering
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
13 complaints
Fuel 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 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