Car suddenly had no pick up. There seems to be problems with the engine accelerating/switching gears. This was extremely dangerous while I was driving. Also If just had the car inspected a few months prior.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prius V 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
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.
Unknown Or Other complaints
15 reportsALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS POPPED ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . THERE WAS A RADAL IN THE ENGINE I GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECK IT WAS MULTIPLE MIS FIRE SO I CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS .YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MOVING AND WOULDN'T GO NO WHERE ELSE . THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CAR THAT MY FIANCE JUST GOT IN THE MA…
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ALL THE BRAKE LIGHTS POPPED ON AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT . THERE WAS A RADAL IN THE ENGINE I GOT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CHECK IT WAS MULTIPLE MIS FIRE SO I CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND COIL PACKS .YESTERDAY THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE MOVING AND WOULDN'T GO NO WHERE ELSE . THERE IS A RECALL ON THE CAR THAT MY FIANCE JUST GOT IN THE MAIL AND TOYOTA IN GOLDSBORO NC DOESN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT .
MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THE SPIRAL CABLE ALSO PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS PART WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR VEHICLES A COUPLE OF YEARS PRIOR. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND…
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MY HORN NO LONGER WORKS. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A FAULTY SPIRAL CABLE. ACCORDING TO INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET, THE SPIRAL CABLE ALSO PLAYS A ROLE IN THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AIRBAG. THIS PART WAS UNDER A RECALL FOR VEHICLES A COUPLE OF YEARS PRIOR. I FEEL THAT IF THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND AN EXTREME SAFETY ISSUE THEN IT SHOULD ALSO BE FIXED UNDER RECALL. THE DEALER PRICE TO FIX THIS IS OVER $800. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA #210-128-2281, BUT THEY DON'T SEE IT AS A SAFETY CONCERN AND WILL NOT OFFER ASSISTANCE TO REMEDY THE FAULTY CABLE.
[XXX] CAR DOES NOT STARTS STALLING DOES NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK DOES NOT RESPOND TO KEY FOB DOES NOT RESPOND POWER BUTTON OR START BUTTON MAKES SOME KIND OF NOISE WITH ALL LIGHTS BLINKING REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *CC
OWNER/DRIVER FOUND BLACKED OUT BEHIND WHEEL IN 55 MPH HIGHWAY IN OPPOSING TRAFFIC DITCH. DRIVER AMBULANCED TO HOSPITAL ER. DMV REQUIRES MEDICAL EVALUATION FOR CONTINUED DRIVING PRIVILEGES. DRIVER SUSPECTED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. SUBSEQUENTLY, DRIVER PLACES RESIDENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR INSIDE PRIUS WHICH ALARMED W…
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OWNER/DRIVER FOUND BLACKED OUT BEHIND WHEEL IN 55 MPH HIGHWAY IN OPPOSING TRAFFIC DITCH. DRIVER AMBULANCED TO HOSPITAL ER. DMV REQUIRES MEDICAL EVALUATION FOR CONTINUED DRIVING PRIVILEGES. DRIVER SUSPECTED CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING. SUBSEQUENTLY, DRIVER PLACES RESIDENTIAL CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTOR INSIDE PRIUS WHICH ALARMED WHILE PARKED AND TURNED OFF AT RESIDENCE DRIVEWAY. TOYOTA CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE CENTER ISSUED CASE # [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
11/15/19 ORIGINALLY THE CAR SHOWED BRAKE, ABS, ANTISKID AND ENGINE IDIOT LIGHTS WENT TO THE DEALER WITH A CODE C1391. THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BOOSTER FOR $2600. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS POLICY TO ALSO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $2,000 OR A TOTAL OF $4600. AFTER I …
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11/15/19 ORIGINALLY THE CAR SHOWED BRAKE, ABS, ANTISKID AND ENGINE IDIOT LIGHTS WENT TO THE DEALER WITH A CODE C1391. THEY SAID I NEED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE POWER BOOSTER FOR $2600. THEN THEY SAID IT WAS POLICY TO ALSO REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY FOR AN ADDITIONAL $2,000 OR A TOTAL OF $4600. AFTER I COMPLAINED THAT THEY HAD RECALLED 972,000 OTHER PRIUS BUT DIDN'T INCLUDE THE PRIUS V THEY SAID I ONLY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND POWER BOOSTER AND SAID THEY WOULD DO IT FOR $1,516.89. SO THEN I GO TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TODAY 12/4/19 AND WHILE SITTING THERE THE IDIOT LIGHTS ALL TURN OFF AND THE BRAKE START TO FUNCTION NORMALLY OWN ITS OWN... I ASK THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE WHAT HIS THOUGHTS WERE AND HE SAID I SHOULD STILL MAKE THE REPAIRS, BUT HE COULDN'T SAY WHAT THEY WOULD DO IT CAME BACK. SO I'M GOING TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR A WEEK TO SEE. WHILE I'M WAITING CAN YOU PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THE BRAKE PUMP ASSEMEBLY SINCE THESE FOLKS DONT EVEN KNOW WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON WITH THIS CAR. IT APPEARS ITS NOT EITHER DEVICE AND ITS A COMPUTER GLITCH THAT THEY HAVEN'T RESOLVED...HELP US PRIUS OWNERS PLEASE!!!
MY 2012 PRIUS V STARTED SHOWING THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKES, ABS, ANTI-SKID AND ENGINE LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A REGULAR ROAD. BRAKES STILL WORK BUT FEEL SPONGY. SCANNED FOR CODES AND IT SAYS C1391 WHICH REQUIRES REPLACING ALL THE MAIN BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE COST IS OVER $3000 BECAUSE SO MANY PARTS INVOLVED. THER…
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MY 2012 PRIUS V STARTED SHOWING THE WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKES, ABS, ANTI-SKID AND ENGINE LIGHTS. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A REGULAR ROAD. BRAKES STILL WORK BUT FEEL SPONGY. SCANNED FOR CODES AND IT SAYS C1391 WHICH REQUIRES REPLACING ALL THE MAIN BRAKE COMPONENTS. THE COST IS OVER $3000 BECAUSE SO MANY PARTS INVOLVED. THERE'S SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN A RECALL FOR OTHER MODELS OF PRIUS BUT THE 'V' NOT INCLUDED. MANY V OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM. ALL THE PARTS SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED PICTURE NEED TO BE REPLACE CAUSE TOYOTA DOESN'T KNOW OR CAN'T FIGURE OUT WHERE THE PROBLEM IS. CAR ONLY HAS 68,000 MILES ON IT
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".
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.
THE BRAKE BOOSTER/ACCTUATOR HAS FAILED ON MY PRIUS AT ABOUT 76000 MILES AND I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 35000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH PRIUS VEHICLES SINCE 2006 AND ENHANCED WARRANTIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MODELS FROM 2006 AS WELL AS 2010-2015. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM FIX THE ISSUE BUT T…
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THE BRAKE BOOSTER/ACCTUATOR HAS FAILED ON MY PRIUS AT ABOUT 76000 MILES AND I BOUGHT IT USED WITH 35000 MILES. I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE WITH PRIUS VEHICLES SINCE 2006 AND ENHANCED WARRANTIES HAVE BEEN ISSUED ON MODELS FROM 2006 AS WELL AS 2010-2015. I HAVE TRIED TO CALL TOYOTA TO HAVE THEM FIX THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAY THAT MY VEHICLE ISNT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY FOR SOME REASON. WHAT THEY SAID WAS THAT MY PARTS MAKER WASNT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT IF ITS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN PREVELANT IN OTHER PRIUS VEHICLES, I DONT UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULDNT BE COVERED REGARDLESS OF WHO MADE THE PART. IT HAS AFFECTED MY BRAKING RANDOMLY AND HAS ALMOST CAUSED ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT A COUPLE TIMES ALREADY. WHEN DIAGNOSED I GOT ERROR CODE C1391 WHICH WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT LETTER I FOUND YET TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX MY VEHICLE.
Official recalls
318V684000 · 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
1DP23005 · 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.
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