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2012 Toyota Prius V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius V years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

134 reports with mileage · 82 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 124 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

19 crash reports2 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

24 reports
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180,000 miles · Nov 4, 2019
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Steering

AFTER REPAIR OF STALLING ENGINE CONDITION: VSV VALVE REPLACED, A SOFTWARE UPDATE SUBSEQUENTLY WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR (JOV RECALL). EVER SINCE THAT SOFTWARE UPDATE IT HASN'T BEEN SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR : UNSAFE BREAKING, REALLY HARD BREAKING, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS AND UNTIMELY DASHBOARD LIGHTING RELATED TO TRAC/VSC, CHECK ENGINE…

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AFTER REPAIR OF STALLING ENGINE CONDITION: VSV VALVE REPLACED, A SOFTWARE UPDATE SUBSEQUENTLY WAS PERFORMED ON MY CAR (JOV RECALL). EVER SINCE THAT SOFTWARE UPDATE IT HASN'T BEEN SAFE TO DRIVE MY CAR : UNSAFE BREAKING, REALLY HARD BREAKING, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAYS AND UNTIMELY DASHBOARD LIGHTING RELATED TO TRAC/VSC, CHECK ENGINE AND HYBRID WARNING LIGHT

NHTSA ODI #11277943

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

ON 09/19/2019 KEY WEST TOYOTA COMPLETED THE TIRES CHANGE OF MY VEHICLE AS I REQUESTED. IN ADDITION, KEY WEST TOYOTA PERFORMED "107649 J0V RECALL J0V01B 0.70 UPDATE TO THE POWER MANAGEMENT ECU WITH NEW SOFTWARE" AS SHOWING ON THE INVOICE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, ON FRIDAY 09/20/2019, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STAL…

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ON 09/19/2019 KEY WEST TOYOTA COMPLETED THE TIRES CHANGE OF MY VEHICLE AS I REQUESTED. IN ADDITION, KEY WEST TOYOTA PERFORMED "107649 J0V RECALL J0V01B 0.70 UPDATE TO THE POWER MANAGEMENT ECU WITH NEW SOFTWARE" AS SHOWING ON THE INVOICE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, ON FRIDAY 09/20/2019, WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TRAFFIC, PUTTING MY LIFE AND SAFETY AT RISK AND MY HEATH AND GENERAL WELL-BEING. I SENT BACK THE VEHICLE TO KEY WEST TOYOTA, AND SINCE THEN THE ISSUE IS UNRESOLVED, AND I AM NOT EVEN ABLE TO REACH ANYONE ON THE PHONE OR THROUGH THE EMAIL I SENT FROM KEY WEST TOYOTA WEBSITE "CONTACT US".

NHTSA ODI #11266817

111,000 miles · Oct 2, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

ON JUNE 5TH, 2019, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA AND THEY PERFORMED THE 2018 TOYOTA PRIUS V RECALL FIX. SINCE THEN, MY MPG HAS GONE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 41 MILES PER GALLON, WHICH HAS STAYED CONSISTENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2012, DOWN TO 32 MPG. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA FOR A DIAGNOSIS…

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ON JUNE 5TH, 2019, I TOOK MY CAR IN TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA AND THEY PERFORMED THE 2018 TOYOTA PRIUS V RECALL FIX. SINCE THEN, MY MPG HAS GONE FROM AN AVERAGE OF 41 MILES PER GALLON, WHICH HAS STAYED CONSISTENT SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JUNE 2012, DOWN TO 32 MPG. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO ROUND ROCK TOYOTA FOR A DIAGNOSIS ON SEPT 30, 2019 AND THEY SAID THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG, THERE ARE NO ERROR CODES, AND THAT MY NOW GREATLY REDUCED 32 MPG FELL WITHIN TOYOTA STANDARDS. I AM WRITING TO FILE A COMPLAINT THAT THEIR 2018 RECALL FOR THE TOYOTA PRIUS V HAS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE REVISITED OR THE VEHICLES SHOULD BE TAKEN OFF THE ROAD. I AM CO-FILING A COMPLAINT WITH THE EPA AS WELL.

NHTSA ODI #11265675

63,118 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

AFTER THE LATEST HYBRID SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON MY CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE DROPPED BY 10%. THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANES FOUR DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TWO WHICH WERE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND TWO OTHERS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE HYBRID BA…

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AFTER THE LATEST HYBRID SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON MY CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE DROPPED BY 10%. THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANES FOUR DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TWO WHICH WERE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND TWO OTHERS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE HYBRID BATTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 63,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11232453

43,107 miles · Jul 13, 2019
Electrical System

HEADLIGHTS BURN OUT IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS DUE TO DEGRADATION OF THE WIRING HARNESS. AS THE VEHICLE AGES, HEADLIGHT LIFE DECREASES DRAMATICALLY. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IN THE MOST RECENT BULB FAILURE, BOTH BULBS FAILED ON THE SAME DAY - AND ONLY BECAME APPARENT THAT NIGHT..

NHTSA ODI #11231606

84,434 miles · Mar 9, 2019
Electrical System

VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR SAFETY RECALL J0V. AFTER SERVICE, IN CAR ELECTRONICS SYSTEMS DID NOT WORK PROPERLY: NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH/PHONE INTEGRATION, AUDIO SYSTEM. DEALER REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT RECALL SERVICE WAS RESPONSIBLE.

NHTSA ODI #11185543

130,000 miles · Oct 31, 2018
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY PRIUS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TOTALLY DEAD. IT DID NOT GO INTO A LIMP-HOME MODE. I WAS DEAD IN THE WATER IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET ALL OF A SUDDEN. WE HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT OUT OF THE STREET. MECHANIC SAYS ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH PRIUS AND INVERTER. THAT WAS PRETTY DANGEROUS…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET IN MY PRIUS WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WENT TOTALLY DEAD. IT DID NOT GO INTO A LIMP-HOME MODE. I WAS DEAD IN THE WATER IN THE MIDDLE OF A STREET ALL OF A SUDDEN. WE HAD TO GET OUT AND PUSH IT OUT OF THE STREET. MECHANIC SAYS ITS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH PRIUS AND INVERTER. THAT WAS PRETTY DANGEROUS AND I WAS GLAD WE WERENT ON THE FREEWAY. WE WERE UNAWARE OF ANY RECALL. THE CAR WENT INTO "DISCO MODE" - EVERY WARNING LIGHT IT HAD WAS ON AND BLINKING BUT THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD.

NHTSA ODI #11144597

145,000 miles · Feb 24, 2017
Electrical System

MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS'S DASHBOARD INDICATORS (ODOMETER, WARNING SIGNS AND EVERYTHING) SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF DISAPPEARING MOMENTARILY DURING SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR 2016. UPON RESTARTING, IT USED TO COME BACK. HOWEVER, ON FEBRUARY 18, 2017, THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WON'T COME BACK EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE TIME RESTARTING. DROVE TO WORK IN TH…

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MY 2008 TOYOTA PRIUS'S DASHBOARD INDICATORS (ODOMETER, WARNING SIGNS AND EVERYTHING) SHOWED SYMPTOMS OF DISAPPEARING MOMENTARILY DURING SECOND HALF OF THE YEAR 2016. UPON RESTARTING, IT USED TO COME BACK. HOWEVER, ON FEBRUARY 18, 2017, THE DASHBOARD LIGHT WON'T COME BACK EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE TIME RESTARTING. DROVE TO WORK IN THAT CONDITION HOPING THE DASHBOARD INDICATORS WILL COME BACK BUT THEY DIDN'T. MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP TO CHECK IT OUT ON MONDAY. BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT, THE INDICATORS CAME BACK SO I CANCELLED THE APPOINTMENTS. WHEN DISCUSSING THE PROBLEM WITH A FRIEND, I WAS TOLD THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR SUCH REPAIRS. UPON HEARING THIS, I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE TO INQUIRE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS EXPIRED AND CAN'T FIX THE PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY. DRIVING WITHOUT THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA SHALL ADDRESS FOR ALL AFFECTED VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10956861

100,475 miles · Feb 17, 2016
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V449000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE LIMP-HOME MODE AND FAILED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V449000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AFTER THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN THE LIMP-HOME MODE AND FAILED TO ACCELERATE PAST 40 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,475.

NHTSA ODI #10836702

60,000 miles · Aug 19, 2015
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

THE NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH & RADIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF ON IT OWN AND BECAME CORRUPTED WHEN THE CAR DEALERSHIP TRIED TO UPDATE THE SYSTEMS SOFTWARE. THE HARDWARE WAS THEN RENDERED INOPERABLE AND THE SYSTEMS COMPUTER WAS THEN REPLACED, THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR EXCEEDED $1000US. D…

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THE NAVIGATION, BLUETOOTH & RADIO SYSTEM WAS TURNED OFF ON IT OWN AND BECAME CORRUPTED WHEN THE CAR DEALERSHIP TRIED TO UPDATE THE SYSTEMS SOFTWARE. THE HARDWARE WAS THEN RENDERED INOPERABLE AND THE SYSTEMS COMPUTER WAS THEN REPLACED, THE WARRANTY DID NOT COVER THE DEFECTS IN THE SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR EXCEEDED $1000US. DUE TO THE DEALERSHIPS ACTIONS IN TRYING TO RUN A SOFTWARE UPDATE, THE REPAIR COSTS WERE PAID BY THE DEALERSHIP. THE FAILURE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM SEEMED TO BE KNOWN BY THE CAR DEALER. TOYOTA WAS NEVER DIRECTLY CONTACTED BY CAR OWNER AS ONLY THE CAR DEALER HANDLED THE REPAIR ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #10749744

Official recalls

3

18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Oct 4, 2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.

15V449000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jul 15, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

Jan 16, 2013

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

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

1

DP23005 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Nov 22, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that ODI closed DP19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. ODI will review the work conducted during DP19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition The petition and related materials can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.