Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
360–25K
1325–50K
2150–75K
1275–100K
30100–150K
22150K+
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
What owners actually said
216 reports
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
75,000 miles · Jan 28, 2016
Service Brakes
BRAKES SOMETIMES GRAB VERY SHARPLY WHEN TOUCHED WHILE IN MOTION, CAUSING FORWARD MOMENTUM OF BODY TO SLAM ON BRAKES. ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENT WHEN I TOUCHED BRAKES WITH SOMEONE TAILGATING TOO CLOSELY. ALSO TRACTION IS INTERRUPTED WHEN HITTING THE METAL ABUTMENT TO BRIDGES.
NHTSA ODI #10822856
55,000 miles · Jan 26, 2016
Exterior Lighting
HEADLIGHTS LOW BEAM FAIL EVERY MONTH OR SO AND I HAVE REPLACED 16 BULBS IN LAST YEAR. THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION FOR US. ALSO THE COST IS GREAT. I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPLACE HEADLIGHTS BEFORE IN OTHER VEHICLES. WHEN IS A RECALL GOING TO BE DEMANDED ? WHEN SOMEBODY IS KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS
NHTSA ODI #10822440
72,240 miles · Jan 19, 2016
Steering
VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT RELEASED AND WOULD NOT RELOCK CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK, UP AND DOWN. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT STAY FIXED IN ONE POSITION. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REMOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AND REINSTALLED A BO…
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VEHICLE IN MOTION WHEN STEERING COLUMN ADJUSTMENT RELEASED AND WOULD NOT RELOCK CAUSING THE STEERING COLUMN TO MOVE FORWARD AND BACK, UP AND DOWN. THE CAR WAS DIFFICULT TO DRIVE BECAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD NOT STAY FIXED IN ONE POSITION. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REMOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AND REINSTALLED A BOLT THAT HAD COME OUT OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND REINSTALLED THE BOLT WITH THREAD LOCK. COST OF REPAIR WAS $532. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND OTHER MODELS SHOULD BE CHECKED FOR THE LOOSE BOLT.
NHTSA ODI #10821117
200 miles · Sep 6, 2015
Air Bags
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING 'METAL' IS SLIDING AROUND INSIDE THE PANEL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY IT. WHEN I WENT OUT WITH A TECH, ONCE, ALTHOUGH IT HAD MADE THE SOUND AS I TURNED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, IT WOULDN'T DUPLICATE WITH THE TECHNI…
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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS IT SOUNDS AS THOUGH SOMETHING 'METAL' IS SLIDING AROUND INSIDE THE PANEL OF THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND THEY CANNOT VERIFY IT. WHEN I WENT OUT WITH A TECH, ONCE, ALTHOUGH IT HAD MADE THE SOUND AS I TURNED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, IT WOULDN'T DUPLICATE WITH THE TECHNICIAN. THEY WOULDN'T TAKE OFF THE PANEL TO INVESTIGATE. GIVEN THE PROBLEM WITH AIRBAGS THIS MAKES ME VERY NERVOUS AND I HOPE THAT I AM NEVER IN A CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #10761879
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
23,000 miles · Jul 14, 2015
Air BagsCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO FULLY INFLATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO FULLY INFLATE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE CHEST THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DEEMED THE VEHICLE DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.
NHTSA ODI #10733946
67,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
Electrical System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR THE SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. ...UPDATED 07/30/15 *BF UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS
NHTSA ODI #10726974
33,634 miles · Jun 11, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion System
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A SLOW STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF NEUTRAL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW RATE OF SPEED, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND CAME TO A SLOW STOP. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OUT OF NEUTRAL AFTER THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE INVERTER FAILED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA'S HYBRID VEHICLES, BUT COULD ONLY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME MODEL INVERTER THAT WOULD FAIL AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT CONFIRM WHAT THE DEALER STATED ABOUT THIS BEING A KNOWN ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,634. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. MA 07/30/15 UPDATED 10/19/2017*CN
NHTSA ODI #10724729
14,000 miles · Apr 22, 2015
Service Brakes
BRAKES RELEASE AND CAR ACCELERATES WHEN BRAKING OVER POTHOLES OR UNEVEN PAVEMENT AT LOW SPEEDS. *TR
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.
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.
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.
2012 Toyota Prius V Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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