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2012 Toyota Prius C

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

36 reports with mileage · 27 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 26 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports1 fire reports5 injury reports

What owners actually said

63 reports
Mileage unknown · Mar 11, 2024
Service Brakes

Code C1391 shows in which the accumulator and the brake booster assembly need to be changed. This is a known defect and was covered through an ‘extended warranty’ due to a lawsuit. Since it results in less than optimal braking, and can result in crashes since function disappears suddenly, it should have warranted a recall. This …

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Code C1391 shows in which the accumulator and the brake booster assembly need to be changed. This is a known defect and was covered through an ‘extended warranty’ due to a lawsuit. Since it results in less than optimal braking, and can result in crashes since function disappears suddenly, it should have warranted a recall. This issue is also known to happen in multiple Toyota hybrid vehicles.

NHTSA ODI #11576687

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2023
Service Brakes

The brakes fail and the ABS module stops working correctly and when I go at a speed of 60 MPH the brakes lock until the speed drops and they work again. The problem is with the ABS module and I went to the dealer and the repair value is $3450 dollars.

NHTSA ODI #11549504

Mileage unknown · Jun 9, 2023
Service Brakes

Last week my 2012 Toyota Prius-C had four lights come on (ABS, Brake, Swerve, and one other). I took it to my local mechanic who informed me that it was my master cylinder brake that needed to be replaced and would cost me $3,300. This issue started roughly 10-12 months ago, when I heard my brakes making a noise that sounded v…

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Last week my 2012 Toyota Prius-C had four lights come on (ABS, Brake, Swerve, and one other). I took it to my local mechanic who informed me that it was my master cylinder brake that needed to be replaced and would cost me $3,300. This issue started roughly 10-12 months ago, when I heard my brakes making a noise that sounded very unusual, almost like a hydraulic issue. I learned that there was a Toyota initiated CSP. Toyota realized there was an issue with the 2012-2014 brake system that affected over 100,000 vehicles. Those affected by CSP's are supposedly notified by mail. Needless to say, I never received such notice. This aforementioned CSP expired in November 2022 that my car would have qualified for, had the problem been diagnosed prior. However, when I brought my car in on August 8th, 2022 for my hybrid battery, a diagnostic was done on my brake system with no indication that my brake system was in trouble. I really can't fault the mechanics at the local Toyota, I took it to a second brake specialist a few months after and they too could not identify the problem. The problem was so bad, Toyota discontinued the brake system. Toyota said it would need to be broken 100% with an error message to qualify prior to the November 2022 deadline. After being facetious and saying I should have broken the part myself to qualify, she said that is what I would have needed to qualify.

NHTSA ODI #11526268

Mileage unknown · May 6, 2023
Service Brakes

Without prior warning brake pedal goes to floor before minimally engaging braking system at a very reduced rate causing me to swerve and narrowly avoid collisions on interstate. There is no pressure feeling in the brake pedal although brake fluid level is normal and inspection of brake pads indicated significant pad available. N…

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Without prior warning brake pedal goes to floor before minimally engaging braking system at a very reduced rate causing me to swerve and narrowly avoid collisions on interstate. There is no pressure feeling in the brake pedal although brake fluid level is normal and inspection of brake pads indicated significant pad available. No DTC light is coming on and OBD scan tool indicates no brake error. Brakes are unable to stop car to avoid collision, so car is dangerous and undrivable.

NHTSA ODI #11520747

134,999 miles · Mar 23, 2023
Unknown Or Other

My letter to Toyota: I'm writing this in regard to an inverter issue my 2012 Prius C recently experienced. While driving last month my car completely shut down, no warning and thankfully cars avoided hitting me and I was able to get from the middle lane to be able to coast to a side street in which I had to be towed. It turned o…

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My letter to Toyota: I'm writing this in regard to an inverter issue my 2012 Prius C recently experienced. While driving last month my car completely shut down, no warning and thankfully cars avoided hitting me and I was able to get from the middle lane to be able to coast to a side street in which I had to be towed. It turned out it was an inverter issue which had to be replaced. Granted my vehicle has less than 135k even though it is a 2012. I have done research and found models of Prius had the same exact issue(s) which was part of a warranty enhancement and I truly think my vehicle should be included. I want this to be looked in to and addressed. I will be contacting NHTSA also in regard to this. I filed with Toyota and ref#230323001904

NHTSA ODI #11513487

Mileage unknown · Mar 19, 2023
Seat Belts

Seatbelt does not retract or lock properly when braking.

NHTSA ODI #11512708

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 2022
Electrical SystemEngine

I was driving on the expressway and experienced a sudden loss of power. The internal combustion engine suddenly stopped and did not deliver any power to the wheels. I immediately received a message on the system that said 'Check Hybrid System Stop Vehicle in a Safe Place'. The electric motor still continued to provide some power…

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I was driving on the expressway and experienced a sudden loss of power. The internal combustion engine suddenly stopped and did not deliver any power to the wheels. I immediately received a message on the system that said 'Check Hybrid System Stop Vehicle in a Safe Place'. The electric motor still continued to provide some power with the available battery charge. I was able to make it to the shoulder of the road but it was challenging to get to the shoulder with no power or warning and high speed traffic. My wife and I were in the vehicle. The vehicle had no engine or error codes until the failure on the expressway. The vehicle has the code P0A1A and P0A94. This is consistent with the error codes in the NHTSA 19V491000 recall and Toyota Safety Recalls E0E and F0R.

NHTSA ODI #11490716

Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other

I was driving on freeway when my vehicle shut off and wouldnt start again. It almost caused an accident thankfully not. I paid to have car taken tothe repair shop Viva Toyota in Las Cruces NM and they inspected it and gave me a quote on repair as well what was causing the problem. There was a saftey recall for the PCU and i beli…

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I was driving on freeway when my vehicle shut off and wouldnt start again. It almost caused an accident thankfully not. I paid to have car taken tothe repair shop Viva Toyota in Las Cruces NM and they inspected it and gave me a quote on repair as well what was causing the problem. There was a saftey recall for the PCU and i believe the inverter is causing the failure. please help me to get this figured out.

NHTSA ODI #11484484

Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2022
Service Brakes

a warning light came in on my dashboard brakes regarding the Brake pump accumulator. It feels like my brakes are not working right, not stopping like they always did.I was scared I almost hit someone in front of me at a red light because after applying the appropriate notes due on the brake pedal I noticed a delay in the car st…

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a warning light came in on my dashboard brakes regarding the Brake pump accumulator. It feels like my brakes are not working right, not stopping like they always did.I was scared I almost hit someone in front of me at a red light because after applying the appropriate notes due on the brake pedal I noticed a delay in the car stopping. I had the brakes checked by a mechanic and they are ok. This is very dangerous. Can the manufacturer be required to repair this defect? Thank for your help.

NHTSA ODI #11457814

Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2022
Forward Collision AvoidanceService Brakes

My brakes gave out while driving with my infant child luckily I was almost home and made it without hitting anyone or seriously hurting myself and my child. Had car diagnosed error code c1256. Local dealership won’t repair because I “missed “ recall and my car has salvage title. I cannot afford to fix on my own and I’m shaking a…

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My brakes gave out while driving with my infant child luckily I was almost home and made it without hitting anyone or seriously hurting myself and my child. Had car diagnosed error code c1256. Local dealership won’t repair because I “missed “ recall and my car has salvage title. I cannot afford to fix on my own and I’m shaking as I drive with my child to work everyday praying to get there in one piece because I have to work…

NHTSA ODI #11445845

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

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

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP13002 · Drivability, Service Brake Failure

Opened Mar 18, 2013 · Closed Jul 25, 2014

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes

On January 3, 2013, NHTSA received a letter (ODI No. 10487746) from Ms. Jessie A. Powell petitioning the agency to investigate drivability and braking concerns in the subject vehicle.The petition expressed two concerns: 1. The first software problem was when the vehicle shifted from battery to motor and caused such impact, I initially believed the vehicle had been struck in the rear.2. The next more alarming problem was NO BRAKES. The brake pedal traveled to the floor and a dashboard warning light flashed.This symptom occurred twice, leading to the vehicle being towed to the dealership, the second time in the dealership parking lot after diagnostics of the first incident.After a test drive and vehicle inspection, no actionable problem was found within the petitioner?s vehicle.The braking concern reported turned out to be normal vehicle operation.The petitioner identified other complaints of poor braking performance and low brake pedal received by NHTSA concerning Prius models. Broader review of the consumer complaints reported for all variants of the subject vehicle showed no indication that either the reported jolting sensation or the brake performance concerns reported are occurring in this vehicle population at a level that would require investigative action by NHTSA.The following recalls by Toyota were to address many of these complaints in Prius variants. Neither of these recalls is applicable to Ms. Powell?s 2012 Prius C: 1. Recall 10V-039 March 5, 2010 - 2010 Prius, Lexus HS - Reprogramming ABS ECU - Improve Antilock brake function over bumpy surfaces. 2. Recall 13V-235 August 7, 2013 - 2010 Prius, Lexus HS - Replace Brake Booster / Pump assembly - Low brake pedal due to nitrogen bubble in hydraulic portion of brake system. In the Agency?s view, additional investigation is unlikely to result in a finding that a defect related to motor vehicle safety exists in the subject vehicles.Therefore, given the need to allocate and prioritize NHTSA limited resources to best accomplish the Agency?s safety mission, the petition is denied.This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The Agency will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.More details concerning our review can be found in the Federal Register Notice for this action.