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2012 Toyota Prius C

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Compare all Prius C years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

36 reports with mileage · 27 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

63 reports
60,000 miles · Jan 5, 2016
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashFireInjury

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A 18+ CAR ACCIDENT. TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH ALL TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE CAR DID STOP BEFORE IMPACT. DRIVER PRESSED HIMSELF TO THE SEAT WHILE SLAMMING ON BREAKS. A CAR SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE PRIUS WHICH SHOT THE PRIUS FORWARD, WEDGING IT BETWEEN THE 2 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT WI…

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CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A 18+ CAR ACCIDENT. TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH ALL TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE CAR DID STOP BEFORE IMPACT. DRIVER PRESSED HIMSELF TO THE SEAT WHILE SLAMMING ON BREAKS. A CAR SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE PRIUS WHICH SHOT THE PRIUS FORWARD, WEDGING IT BETWEEN THE 2 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT WITH THE CARS IT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. DRIVER FLEW FORWARD BREAKING BONES IN HIS FACE AND OBTAINED INJURIES TO A KNEE FROM IMPACTING THE CONSOLE, AND WHIPLASH. A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT OBTAINED A KNOT ON HEAD AND WHIPLASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BELT ELR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

NHTSA ODI #10818023

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2015
Air Bags

AIR BAG DESTROYED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS....TOYOTA?S CHOICE OF SUGAR CANE, BIO-BASED MATERIALS RESULTED IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF AN AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE WHEN MICE, ATTRACTED TO THE MATERIALS ATE THROUGH AN AIR BAG. WE ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE THAT AFTER BATTLEFIELD TOYOTA FAILED TO FIND AND REPORT THE DESTROYED AIRBAG, IT WAS …

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AIR BAG DESTROYED DUE TO DEFECTIVE MATERIALS....TOYOTA?S CHOICE OF SUGAR CANE, BIO-BASED MATERIALS RESULTED IN COMPLETE FAILURE OF AN AIR BAG IN MY VEHICLE WHEN MICE, ATTRACTED TO THE MATERIALS ATE THROUGH AN AIR BAG. WE ARE ALL VERY FORTUNATE THAT AFTER BATTLEFIELD TOYOTA FAILED TO FIND AND REPORT THE DESTROYED AIRBAG, IT WAS DISCOVERED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND NOT BY A DEATH DUE TO AIR BAG FAILURE...UPDATED 11/13/15 *BF WHEN I REPORTED RODENT DAMAGE TO MY 2012 PRIUS C 4 CAUSED BY BIO-BASED MATERIALS, TOYOTA DENIED ANY LIABILITY OR RESPONSIBILITY. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO REACH A SETTLEMENT WITH TOYOTA. I HAVE OWNED A TOYOTA VEHICLE FOR OVER 30 YEARS. NONE OF THE VEHICLES WERE PARKED INSIDE A GARAGE. I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA PICK UP TRUCK PARKED BESIDE MY 2012 PRIUS C. THE MICE HAVE NEVER ENTERED THE TRUCK, EVEN THOUGH IT IS SELDOM MOVED. TOYOTA MUST ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SAFETY HAZARDS (AIR BAG DESTROYED) CAUSED BY ANIMALS ATTRACTED TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BY FEED STOCK (SUGAR CANE) MATERIALS. I HAVE MADE EVERY ATTEMPT TO KEEP MICE OUT OF MY CAR, INCLUDING MOUSE TRAPS AND POISON. THE MICE QUICKLY LEARN TO AVOID TRAPS AND POISON IN ORDER TO EAT THE CAR?S BIO-BASED MATERIALS.

NHTSA ODI #10749290

35,000 miles · Nov 10, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKING OFTEN BECOMES EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE WHEN MOISTURE IS PREVALENT. INITIAL APPLICATION IS NORMAL, UNTIL DEEPER INTO THE BRAKING CYCLE. ONCE VEHICLE IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING AN ADDITIONAL (HARD BRAKE) SURGE THEN RENDERS SYSTEM INTO BECOMING FAR TOO AGGRESSIVE. THIS IS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SCENARIOS REQUIRING ACTIVE OPERATO…

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BRAKING OFTEN BECOMES EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE WHEN MOISTURE IS PREVALENT. INITIAL APPLICATION IS NORMAL, UNTIL DEEPER INTO THE BRAKING CYCLE. ONCE VEHICLE IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING AN ADDITIONAL (HARD BRAKE) SURGE THEN RENDERS SYSTEM INTO BECOMING FAR TOO AGGRESSIVE. THIS IS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SCENARIOS REQUIRING ACTIVE OPERATOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STOP NORMALLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653875

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2014
Seats

METAL COMING THRU RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10644776

20,000 miles · Sep 12, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND TRAFFIC, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE SURGE. I DID REPORT …

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WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND TRAFFIC, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE SURGE. I DID REPORT THIS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED, ORR TOYOTA, SEARCY, ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME TO TELL THEM IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10632714

Mileage unknown · Apr 30, 2014
Service Brakes

BRAKES ARE EXTREMELY TOUCHY AND GRAB WHENEVER IT IS DAMP OUTSIDE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10585791

Mileage unknown · Apr 20, 2014
Service Brakes

WHEN STEPPING ON THE BRAKES DURING WEST WEATHER (MOISTURE IN THE BRAKES) THE REAR WHEELS LOCK UP FOR A SPLIT SECOND EVERY TIME. WHEN IT IS DRY IT DOESN'T LOCK UP BUT STILL HITS HARD.

NHTSA ODI #10583756

25,000 miles · Apr 11, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrash

CAR IN FRONT SLOWED THEN STOPPED QUICKLY AS THE CAR AHEAD OF IT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE MIDDLE LANE IMPROPERLY (NOT A TURN LANE AT THAT TIME), NOT MOVING FULLY NOR QUICKLY INTO THE LANE. CAR IN FRONT STOPPED. APPLIED BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO THE PRIUS C TO SLOW, THEN ADDED ONE RAPID PUMP, AND ULTIMATELY PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR…

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CAR IN FRONT SLOWED THEN STOPPED QUICKLY AS THE CAR AHEAD OF IT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE MIDDLE LANE IMPROPERLY (NOT A TURN LANE AT THAT TIME), NOT MOVING FULLY NOR QUICKLY INTO THE LANE. CAR IN FRONT STOPPED. APPLIED BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO THE PRIUS C TO SLOW, THEN ADDED ONE RAPID PUMP, AND ULTIMATELY PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE PRIUS DID LITTLE MORE THAN SLOW (WITHOUT EVEN A JOLT FROM THE FIRM APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES), CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT END. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579128

22,000 miles · Oct 9, 2013
Visibility

WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED BY SOME DEBRIS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE SIZE WAS HALF A CENTIMETER, IF THAT. THE NEXT MORNING IT TURNED INTO A 6 INCH CRACK AND HAS GROWN EVEN BIGGER IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS TO WHERE IT HAS COME TO BLOCK MY VISION. OTHER CARS THAT I HAVE OWNED HAD CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD, BUT N…

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WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED BY SOME DEBRIS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE SIZE WAS HALF A CENTIMETER, IF THAT. THE NEXT MORNING IT TURNED INTO A 6 INCH CRACK AND HAS GROWN EVEN BIGGER IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS TO WHERE IT HAS COME TO BLOCK MY VISION. OTHER CARS THAT I HAVE OWNED HAD CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NEVER DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK. I AM THINKING THE WINDSHIELD IS TOO, TOO, THIN FOR IT TO BE PRACTICAL FOR A VEHICLE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG OTHER OWNERS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN, IF THE DEBRIS IS A LITTLE LARGER, WILL THE WINDSHIELD PREVENT PENETRATION INTO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SO AS NO ONE WILL BE HARMED DUE TO A THIN WINDSHIELD? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10547468

36,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Visibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525561

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP13002 · Drivability, Service Brake Failure

Opened Mar 18, 2013 · Closed Jul 25, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes

On January 3, 2013, NHTSA received a letter (ODI No. 10487746) from Ms. Jessie A. Powell petitioning the agency to investigate drivability and braking concerns in the subject vehicle.The petition expressed two concerns: 1. The first software problem was when the vehicle shifted from battery to motor and caused such impact, I initially believed the vehicle had been struck in the rear.2. The next more alarming problem was NO BRAKES. The brake pedal traveled to the floor and a dashboard warning light flashed.This symptom occurred twice, leading to the vehicle being towed to the dealership, the second time in the dealership parking lot after diagnostics of the first incident.After a test drive and vehicle inspection, no actionable problem was found within the petitioner?s vehicle.The braking concern reported turned out to be normal vehicle operation.The petitioner identified other complaints of poor braking performance and low brake pedal received by NHTSA concerning Prius models. Broader review of the consumer complaints reported for all variants of the subject vehicle showed no indication that either the reported jolting sensation or the brake performance concerns reported are occurring in this vehicle population at a level that would require investigative action by NHTSA.The following recalls by Toyota were to address many of these complaints in Prius variants. Neither of these recalls is applicable to Ms. Powell?s 2012 Prius C: 1. Recall 10V-039 March 5, 2010 - 2010 Prius, Lexus HS - Reprogramming ABS ECU - Improve Antilock brake function over bumpy surfaces. 2. Recall 13V-235 August 7, 2013 - 2010 Prius, Lexus HS - Replace Brake Booster / Pump assembly - Low brake pedal due to nitrogen bubble in hydraulic portion of brake system. In the Agency?s view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles.Therefore, given the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA limited resources to best accomplish the Agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.More details concerning our review can be found in the Federal Register Notice for this action.