NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
216 reports99,350 miles · Feb 16, 2020
Service Brakes
BROUGHT CAR IN FOR RECALL J0V00D AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE ABS,TRACTION-CONTROL, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYED ON. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A $3800.00 REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS WERE AFFECTED, BUT NOT MY VIN#. NOT SURE HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE SINCE I AM READIN…
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BROUGHT CAR IN FOR RECALL J0V00D AND IMMEDIATELY AFTERWARDS THE ABS,TRACTION-CONTROL, BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE LIGHTS WENT ON AND OFF AND THEN STAYED ON. WENT BACK TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD IT NEEDED A $3800.00 REPAIR. WAS TOLD THAT CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS WERE AFFECTED, BUT NOT MY VIN#. NOT SURE HOW THIS IS POSSIBLE SINCE I AM READING ALL OVER THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR CAR ALSO? I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY US 19 IN CLEARWATER, WHEN THIS ALL HAPPENED.
NHTSA ODI #11309518
122,000 miles · Feb 14, 2020
Service Brakes
UNLIKE OTHER 2011-2015 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES THE PRIUS V IS NOT COVERED UNDER TOYOTA'S CSP-ZJB CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS ALL THE INDICATIONS OF THIS BRAKE BOOSTER AND PUMP PROBLEM... MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON THE DASH (BRAKE, ABS, PCS ..... ON; CODES C1252 & C1256; AND BRAKE BOOST PUMP RUNNING EVERY 6-8 SECONDS PLUS…
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UNLIKE OTHER 2011-2015 TOYOTA PRIUS VEHICLES THE PRIUS V IS NOT COVERED UNDER TOYOTA'S CSP-ZJB CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM. MY 2012 PRIUS V HAS ALL THE INDICATIONS OF THIS BRAKE BOOSTER AND PUMP PROBLEM... MULTIPLE LIGHTS ON THE DASH (BRAKE, ABS, PCS ..... ON; CODES C1252 & C1256; AND BRAKE BOOST PUMP RUNNING EVERY 6-8 SECONDS PLUS A BRAKE PEDAL THAT YOU CAN PUSH TO THE FLOOR IN 4-5 SECONDS. IN HARD BRAKING I'VE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET STOPPED. IT'S MY WIFE'S CAR BUT SHE WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. TOOK THE CAR TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND STARTED TO HAVE IT FIXED AT THEIR EXPENSE UNTIL HE PUT THE VIN # IN HIS COMPUTER. HIS ESTIMATE WAS $2500+ TO HAVE THE PROBLEM FIXED AFTER I PAID TO HAVE THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED EVEN THOUGH HE KNEW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I DECLINED AND CALLED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHICH WAS A WASTE OF TIME...SORRY, YOUR CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND YOUR CAR DOES NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WE WILL COVER. ON THE NET, THERE ARE MULTIPLE PRIUS V OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN 2008. UNTIL SOMEONE WITH A BIGGER STICK (NHTSA), TOYOTA IS SAYING THERE ISNOT A PROBLEM WITH THE PRIUS V BRAKES.
NHTSA ODI #11309201
5 miles · Jan 29, 2020
Service Brakes
WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES WENT OUT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THE BRAKE BOOSTER IS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED THE PRICE TO DO SO IS ABOUT $3,000 THEY ALSO SAID THEY DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENED AS IN SOME CASES YOU NEVER HAVE TO REPLACE A BRAKE BOOSTER NOR MASTER CYLINDER
NHTSA ODI #11302763
68,000 miles · Jan 22, 2020
Service BrakesCrash
2012 PRIUS V 68,000 MILES ON VEHICLE BRAKE ISSUES FROM THE TIME CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. HISTORY... WHEN BRAKING AND GOING OVER ROUGH SURFACE OR BUMP, THE BRAKES WOULD SEEM TO MOMENTARILY DISENGAGE AND THEN REENGAGE AFTER THE SURFACE SMOOTHED. THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE OR SKIP FORWARD AND TAKE LONGER TO STOP. …
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2012 PRIUS V 68,000 MILES ON VEHICLE BRAKE ISSUES FROM THE TIME CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM A TOYOTA DEALER. HISTORY... WHEN BRAKING AND GOING OVER ROUGH SURFACE OR BUMP, THE BRAKES WOULD SEEM TO MOMENTARILY DISENGAGE AND THEN REENGAGE AFTER THE SURFACE SMOOTHED. THE CAR SEEMED TO LUNGE OR SKIP FORWARD AND TAKE LONGER TO STOP. ALERTED THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHECKED AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE. THIS HAS CONTINUED THROUGHOUT MY OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. RECENTLY DURING AN EMERGENCY STOPPING ACTION ON A FREEWAY, MY PRIUS WAS THE 3RD CAR IN A 3 CAR ACCIDENT. THE 1ST CAR FOR SOME REASON, SLOWED DRASTICALLY,AND WAS REAR ENDED BY THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I FELT I WAS AT A GOOD DISTANCE BEHIND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND I REACTED AND FULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND FELT THIS CAR CONTINUE TO ROLL AND CONTACT THE CAR IN FRONT. THE BRAKES DID FINALLY TAKE HOLD, BUT I FELT A HESITATION WHICH LENGTHENED THE STOPPING DISTANCE. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THERE ARE DOZENS OF REPORTED ISSUES WITH THE HYBRID'S BRAKE SYSTEMS IN BOTH PRIUS MODELS AS WELL AS SOME REPORTED ISSUES WITH LEXUS HYBRIDS. I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER INCIDENTS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE MILLIONS OF PRIUS VEHICLES THAT HAVE NOT BEEN REPORTED. THERE SEEMS TO BE ISSUES WITH THE COMPUTERIZED/MECHANICAL BRAKING INTEGRATION AND POSSIBLE ISSUES WITH THE ACTUATOR.
NHTSA ODI #11301133
137,000 miles · Dec 30, 2019
Engine
IT STARTED WITH SHAKING ON STARTUP, IDLE AND LOW SPEEDS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DIAGNOSED WITH MULTIPLE CYLINDER MISFIRE. IGNITION COILS REPLACED, BUT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. SUBSEQUENT ANALYSIS INDICATED COOLANT IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER DUE TO A FAILED HEAD GASKET.
NHTSA ODI #11292147
38,000 miles · Dec 9, 2019
Unknown Or OtherCrashInjury
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
NHTSA ODI #11287887
Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2019
Engine
VEHICLE HAS BEEN CONSUMING OIL TO THE POINT WHERE THE VEHICLE NEEDS MONTHLY OIL CHANGES. WAS TOLD MANY TOYOTA PRIUS MODELS HAVE HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE AND THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT.
NHTSA ODI #11286990
68,700 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
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!!!
NHTSA ODI #11286843
151,000 miles · Dec 4, 2019
Service Brakes
MY ENTIRE BREAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A BUSY ROAD, WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AS I HAD NEVER SEEN THOSE FIVE LIGHTS LIGHT UP EVER, AS THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ISSUE THAT WOULD EVER BREAK WITHOUT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A SPECIFIC ISSUE WITH CERTAIN 2011-2…
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MY ENTIRE BREAKING SYSTEM WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO WORK ON A BUSY ROAD, WHERE I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG, AS I HAD NEVER SEEN THOSE FIVE LIGHTS LIGHT UP EVER, AS THIS IS NOT A TYPICAL ISSUE THAT WOULD EVER BREAK WITHOUT A MANUFACTURING ISSUE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF A SPECIFIC ISSUE WITH CERTAIN 2011-2015 PRIUS VEHICLES THAT ARE INVOLVED IN A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM ZJB. I HAVE NOW PAID $100 TO TOYOTA TO DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM, WHICH WAS NOT NECESSARY, AS IT IS OBVIOUSLY THE EXACT ISSUE (5 LIGHTS LUMINATED) FROM THE CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM, AND THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE BECAUSE MY VIN IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE PROGRAM. IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THE EXACT BREAK BOOSTER ISSUE LISTED IN THE LETTER SENT TO OTHER VIN NUMBERS. I DRIVE CHILDREN AROUND IN THIS CAR, AND THIS ISSUE IS SEVERE AND SHOULD CLEARLY BE FOR A LARGER NUMBER OF CARS THAN THEY ARE ADMITTING. I HAVE NOW BEEN TOLD THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR THE $3,000 IN REPAIRS BECAUSE IT IS NOT INCLUDED. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD AND UNBELIEVABLE THAT I WOULD PAY EXTRA MONEY FOR A TOYOTA BECAUSE IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE A SAFE AND RELIABLE CAR, ONLY TO FIND OUT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT WHEN THEY HAVE A WIDESPREAD BREAK MANUFACTURING ISSUE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. MY ONLY RECOURSE THOUGH TOYOTA I AM TOLD IS TO MAKE A CASE NUMBER AND IF MY VIN HAPPENS TO BE ADDED TO THE LIST, THEY MAY REIMBURSE ME. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL ALL VINS FOR THIS ISSUE, SO CONSUMERS ARE AWARE THAT THEIR BREAKS MAY FAIL AT ANY MOMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11286822
120,000 miles · Nov 23, 2019
Engine
THE ENGINE WENT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKY ENOUGH, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY WITHOUT ANY COLLUSION. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. THE ENGINE HAD CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. I SPOKE TO PIERCEY TOYOTA SERVICE DIRECTOR KEN JOHNSON…
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THE ENGINE WENT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. LUCKY ENOUGH, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR SAFELY WITHOUT ANY COLLUSION. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND DIAGNOSED WITH EXCESSIVE CONSUMPTION OF ENGINE OIL. THE ENGINE HAD CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE AND NEEDED A REPLACEMENT. I SPOKE TO PIERCEY TOYOTA SERVICE DIRECTOR KEN JOHNSON AND HE STATED THERE IS NO ACTIVE RECALL FOR THE VEHICLE AND DO NOT BELIEVE IT IS THE VEHICLE ISSUE. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT IS THE CASE, FURTHER INVESTIGATION IS NEEDED TO PREVENT OTHER SAME MODEL DRIVERS FROM A DEADLY ENGINE STALLING CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #11281955
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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 ↗