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Model Year Problem Record

Toyota Prius 2012 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2012 Toyota Prius: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

423Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
79Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes199 complaints

199 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System52 complaints

52 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other31 complaints

31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags28 complaints

28 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 16V487000.

Vehicle Structure23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats7 complaints

7 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 13V014000, 16V396000.

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion6 complaints

6 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 14V053000, 18V684000.

Wheels5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 13V123000.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

13V014000Reported January 16, 2013 - 3,235 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on January 16, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 3,235 vehicles across all affected models.

13V123000Reported April 9, 2013 - 7,525 vehicles potentially affected

Equipment. Recall covering the equipment system, reported to NHTSA on April 9, 2013. The campaign covers an estimated 7,525 vehicles across all affected models.

14V053000Reported February 12, 2014 - 698,457 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on February 12, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 698,457 vehicles across all affected models.

16V396000Reported June 2, 2016 - 7,749 vehicles potentially affected

Seats. Recall covering the seats system, reported to NHTSA on June 2, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 7,749 vehicles across all affected models.

16V487000Reported June 30, 2016 - 482,002 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on June 30, 2016. The campaign covers an estimated 482,002 vehicles across all affected models.

18V684000Reported October 4, 2018 - 807,329 vehicles potentially affected

Hybrid and Electric Propulsion. Recall covering the hybrid and electric propulsion system, reported to NHTSA on October 4, 2018. The campaign covers an estimated 807,329 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

DP19004Opened September 30, 2019 - Closed January 21, 2021

Brake Actuator Valve Wear. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP22005Opened January 27, 2023 - Closed August 7, 2023

Pedestrian alert sounds. Resulted in recall campaign 22V063000.

DP23005Opened November 22, 2023 - Open

Brake Actuator Valve Wear. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP23005Opened November 22, 2023 - Open

Brake Actuator Valve Wear. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20111
201238
201336
201429
201517
201619
201722
201834
201934
202010
202122
202242
202330
202428
202544
202617
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.