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2012 Toyota Prius PLUG-IN Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

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

About this comparison →
25Owner complaints

Model-year median: 5

2Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
6
20101
201125
201212
201313
20145
2015
Compare all Prius PLUG-IN Hybrid years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Service Brakes
10Unknown Or Other
4Electrical System
3Engine
2Power Train
2
All reported categories
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Vehicle Speed Control
2Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Exterior Lighting
1Hybrid Propulsion System
1Steering
1Suspension
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 16 of 25 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

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 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

3 reports
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54,000 miles · Jul 29, 2018
Electrical System

NOTHING HAPPENED YET, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE INVERTER FAILING AND CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING DESPITE AFFECTED CARS HAVING RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO "PREVENT" THE ISSUE. DURING AN EMERGENCY, REGENERATIVE SYSTEMS PREVENT THESE CARS FROM SWIFTLY COASTING OUT OF T…

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NOTHING HAPPENED YET, BUT I AM CONCERNED ABOUT NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THE INVERTER FAILING AND CAUSING SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS STILL HAPPENING DESPITE AFFECTED CARS HAVING RECEIVED A SOFTWARE UPDATE TO "PREVENT" THE ISSUE. DURING AN EMERGENCY, REGENERATIVE SYSTEMS PREVENT THESE CARS FROM SWIFTLY COASTING OUT OF THE TRAVEL LANE AS OTHER CARS WOULD DO. INSTEAD, THE CAR WILL ACT LIKE THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN SLAMMED ON, CAUSING A SERIOUS HAZARD. I READ ABOUT THIS HERE HTTPS://TOYOTATALK.COM/TOYOTA-PRIUS-HYBRID-INVERTER/

NHTSA ODI #11114443

68,000 miles · May 26, 2018
Electrical System

THE ACTUATORS FOR THE LOCKS ON 3 OF THE DOORS HAVE FAILED OVER TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT-DRIVER SIDE ACTUATOR ONCE PREVIOUSLY AND IT STARTED TO FAIL FIRST. WHEN I LOCK THE CAR, I ONLY HAVE ONE DOOR THAT UNLOCKS WHICH IS THE REAR-PASSENGER DOOR. IF IT FAILS, I WILL BE LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. IT SEEMS WRONG THAT I CANNOT U…

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THE ACTUATORS FOR THE LOCKS ON 3 OF THE DOORS HAVE FAILED OVER TIME. I HAVE REPLACED THE FRONT-DRIVER SIDE ACTUATOR ONCE PREVIOUSLY AND IT STARTED TO FAIL FIRST. WHEN I LOCK THE CAR, I ONLY HAVE ONE DOOR THAT UNLOCKS WHICH IS THE REAR-PASSENGER DOOR. IF IT FAILS, I WILL BE LOCKED OUT OF THE CAR. IT SEEMS WRONG THAT I CANNOT UNLOCK MY CAR WELL. IT SEEMS WRONG THIS HAS FAILED MULTIPLE TIMES ON A 6YR OLD CAR. IT IS DEFECTIVE AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11098126

60,000 miles · Feb 28, 2017
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE AND DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ODI #10957492

Official recalls

2

17V718000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Nov 15, 2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.

16V487000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jun 30, 2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is Toyota G0U, and Lexus GLJ.

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

DP19004 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Sep 30, 2019 · Closed Jan 21, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.