[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
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.
What owners actually said
216 reportsAPPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SHAKE AND RUN ROUGH BUT WOULD RUN GOOD AFTER IT WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND A MANIFOLD AND A SENSOR WAS ORDERED BY THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY I W…
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APPROXIMATELY 2 MONTHS AGO I STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN STARTING THE CAR IN THE MORNINGS OR AFTER THE VEHICLE SAT FOR A WHILE. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD SHAKE AND RUN ROUGH BUT WOULD RUN GOOD AFTER IT WARMED UP. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND A MANIFOLD AND A SENSOR WAS ORDERED BY THE DEALER. THE NEXT DAY I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE PARTS INSTALLED. I SAT IN THE WAITING AREA FOR OVER 2 HOURS ONLY TO BE TOLD IT WAS NOT THE MANIFOLD AND SENSOR. AFTER A SCOPE WAS USED TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD I EITHER HAD A LEAKING GASKET OR A CRACKED ENGINE HEAD. THIS PRIUS V ONLY HAS 94245 MILES ON THE ENGINE. IT HAS ALWAYS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE AT THE TOYOTA DEALER. THE DEALERSHIP QUOTED ME TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT $6000.00. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE WITH LESS THAN 100,000 MILES USAGE TO NEED A NEW REBUILT ENGINE ESPECIALLY A TOYOTA PRODUCT. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN TOYOTA. THIS WAS A KNOWN CONCERN ON TOYOTA'S PART AND IT WAS NOT PROPERLY ADDRESSED IN A RECALL, NOW I AM LEFT HOLDING A VERY EXPENSIVE BAG. HOW MANY OTHER UNSUSPECTING,CUSTOMERS WILL YOU LOSE BESIDES ME
MY ABS ACTUATOR HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS GETTING CODE C1391 WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND RECENTLY IT FINISHED FAILING COMPLETELY. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT DID AND I SEVERELY LOST BRAKE PRESSURE AND ALMOST GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. THIS ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON REGULAR PRIUS HATCHBACKS BUT BECAUSE TH…
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MY ABS ACTUATOR HAS COMPLETELY FAILED. I WAS GETTING CODE C1391 WHEN I FIRST HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AND RECENTLY IT FINISHED FAILING COMPLETELY. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT DID AND I SEVERELY LOST BRAKE PRESSURE AND ALMOST GOT IN A CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. THIS ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON REGULAR PRIUS HATCHBACKS BUT BECAUSE THE PRIUS V'S ABS PUMP SYSTEM IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DIFFERENT WEIGHT OF THE PRIUS V, THE PRIUS V DOEST FALL UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY TO HAVE THE ISSUE FIXED EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE THAT THE REGULAR PRIUS' HAVE BEEN HAVING WHICH THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON. IM EXTREMELY FRUSTRATED BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED MY DEALERSHIP AS WELL AS THE TOYOTA HELPLINE TO REPORT THIS AND THEY SAY THAT THERES NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME AND THAT MY CAR IS JUST NOT COVERED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BECAUSE THE WARRANTY DIDNT APPLY TO PRIUS V'S EVEN THOUGH ITS THE SAME PART HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. I'VE BEEN QUOTED $4,000 TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND I CAN'T AFFORD THAT RIGHT NOW.
THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BROKE DOWN ON MY CAR. THE WARNING LIGHTS FINALLY CAME ON HOWEVER THE ISSUE WAS NOTICEABLE BEFORE THAT AS THE CAR BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS CREATED SLIGHT STUTTERING STOPS WHEN COMING TO THE END OF A COMPLETE STOP PLUS MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NOTICED BRAKING WAS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT AT CERTAIN TIMES. THI…
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THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER BROKE DOWN ON MY CAR. THE WARNING LIGHTS FINALLY CAME ON HOWEVER THE ISSUE WAS NOTICEABLE BEFORE THAT AS THE CAR BRAKING AT LOW SPEEDS CREATED SLIGHT STUTTERING STOPS WHEN COMING TO THE END OF A COMPLETE STOP PLUS MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE NOTICED BRAKING WAS GETTING MORE DIFFICULT AT CERTAIN TIMES. THIS ISSUE IS CREATING A COST OF OVER $3000 TO REPAIR. NUMEROUS OTHERS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THE PREVIOUS PRIUS MODEL (GEN 3) AND TOYOTA ACKNOWLEDGED IT AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO THOSE MODELS BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO BEEN HAVE CORRECTED WITH THE PRIUS V. *TR
THE ACTUATOR HAS BEEN MAKING NOISE FOR THE PAST YEAR . I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER ABOUT FEB 2019 AND SINCE MY WARRANTY HAD JUST EXPIRED THE DEALER WOULD NOT FIX. AND TODAY IT'S BEEN WORSE . EVERY TIME I AM AT A STOP IT MAKES TONS OF NOISE. *TR
TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 LOST POWER AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I HAD TO MAKE EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE INVERTER/ELECTRIC MOTOR FAILED. MECHANIC RAN COMPUTER TEST AND FOUND THAT PROBLEM CODES INDEED POINTED TO FAILURE OF INVERTER.I CALLED LOCAL DEALER MCCORD TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD MY CAR DOES NOT FALL T…
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TOYOTA PRIUS V 2012 LOST POWER AS I WAS DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT. I HAD TO MAKE EMERGENCY STOP ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD BECAUSE INVERTER/ELECTRIC MOTOR FAILED. MECHANIC RAN COMPUTER TEST AND FOUND THAT PROBLEM CODES INDEED POINTED TO FAILURE OF INVERTER.I CALLED LOCAL DEALER MCCORD TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD MY CAR DOES NOT FALL TO EXTENDED WARRANTY OF INVERTER AND DID NOT OFFER ANY HELP. SAME DAY I CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE AT 1-800-331-4331 AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOES NOT FALL UNDER INVERTER WARRANTY BASED ON MY VIN NUMBER, AND GAVE ME CASE NUMBER 2005072419. I WAS ABLE TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY TO ARRANGE TOWING FROM MY LOCATION TO REPAIR SHOP. REPAIR SHOP COMPLETED WORK AND VEHICLE IS NOW IN OPERABLE CONDITION. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I WAS NOT ON FREEWAY AND DID NOT HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME WHEN IT HAPPENED. *TR
1)INTERMITTENT REGEN BRAKING FAILURE CAUSING BRAKES TO BECOME MORE DIFFICULT TO PRESS THUS HARDER TO STOP THE CAR IN A TIMELY MANNER. USUALLY WHEN THERE IS STOP AND GO DRIVING WILL THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING FAIL. 2) CLOGGED EGR VALVE CAUSING A LOUD ENGINE KNOCK RESULTING IN A BLOWN HEAD GASKET.
BRAKE LIGHT/TSC LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO DIFFERENCE IN DRIVE-ABILITY, BUT THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE PRESENT AT IDLE AND 20-30 MPH. TOOK CAR TO DEALER 4/30/2019 FOR CHECK. COGGINS TOYOTA IN JACKSONVILLE, FL DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS A, ABNORMAL LEAK IN THE ACCUMULATOR. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CY…
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BRAKE LIGHT/TSC LIGHT ON DASH WAS ON. THERE APPEARED TO BE NO DIFFERENCE IN DRIVE-ABILITY, BUT THERE WAS A HUMMING NOISE PRESENT AT IDLE AND 20-30 MPH. TOOK CAR TO DEALER 4/30/2019 FOR CHECK. COGGINS TOYOTA IN JACKSONVILLE, FL DETERMINED THE CAUSE WAS A, ABNORMAL LEAK IN THE ACCUMULATOR. THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER/MASTER CYLINDER ASSEMBLY. AFTER THE NEW EQUIPMENT WAS INSTALLED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THE NEW PUMP ASSEMBLY HAD EXCESSIVE NOISE AND VIBRATION INTERNALLY SO ANOTHER REPLACEMENT PART WAS ORDERED. NEW PUMP ASSEMBLY BRAKE BOOSTER WAS INSTALLED AND CAR WAS PUT BACK IN SERVICE 5/19/2019. TOTAL COST OF THIS SERVICE WAS $2,745.11. WE LATER LEARNED THAT A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM CSP ZJB WAS ISSUED BY TOYOTA FOR 'CERTAIN" 2010 PHD PRIUS, "CERTAIN" 2011-2015 PRIUS, AND "CERTAIN" 2012-2015 PHV PRIUS. AS PER THE CSP ZJB MAILING TO OUR RELATIVE WHO ALSO OWNS A PRIUS, THE PROBLEM WAS "WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLIES". ACCORDING TO DIANNE, CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WITH TOYOTA, THESE VEHICLES INCLUDED IN THE CSP ZJB WERE PRODUCED BETWEEN OCTOBER 2010 TO NOVEMBER 2015 AND INCLUDED SOME 946,100 VEHICLES. MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM AS THE VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE AFFECTED VEHICLES. HOWEVER, WE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OUR VEHICLE THAT THE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED TO INCLUDE. UPON SUBMITTING A REQUEST FOR REIMBURSEMENT FROM TOYOTA FOR THE COST ASSOCIATED WITH REPAIRS, IT WAS REJECTED. WE BELIEVE THE PROBLEM FOR WHICH THE SERVICE PROGRAM WAS INITIATED IS THE SAME PROBLEM WE EXPERIENCED AND OUR VEHICLE VIN SHOULD BE ADDED BY TOYOTA TO THE LIST OF AFFECTED VEHICLES SO THAT IT BECOMES ELIGIBLE FOR EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT.
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2012 PRIUS V THAT I'VE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND TOYOTA ABOUT A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE RELATING TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE PRIUS V IS CURRENTLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE ZJB CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE. BRAKE PEDAL FEELS VERY FIRM AND INCONSISTENT AND MUCH HARDER TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES…
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THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2012 PRIUS V THAT I'VE NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND TOYOTA ABOUT A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE RELATING TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THE PRIUS V IS CURRENTLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE ZJB CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE. BRAKE PEDAL FEELS VERY FIRM AND INCONSISTENT AND MUCH HARDER TO ACTIVATE THE BRAKES. THERE IS CONSTANT (EVERY FEW SECONDS) BRAKE BOOSTER ACTUATION/WHIRRING CONSISTENT WITH SYMPTOMS OF A LEAKING/DEFECTIVE BRAKE BOOSTER PER MY LOCAL DEALER. WARNING LIGHTS FOR BRAKE, ABS, STABILITY CONTROL, AND TIRE PRESSURE ARE ON.
FAULTY HEAD GASKET, ENGINE SHAKING ON STARTUP, COOLANT DRAINING PREMATURELY, WHITE EXHAUST, LOW COMPRESSION AND POWER.
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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