← New search

2012 Toyota Prius V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius V years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Engine complaints

36 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Jul 17, 2019
Engine

OUR 2012 PRIUS V HAS CONTINUOUSLY BEEN BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT WAS PUT THROUGH AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED NOT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS (JUST THAT THE CAR WAS GETTING OLDER AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY BUY A NEW ONE), EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB TO DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. …

Read full complaint

OUR 2012 PRIUS V HAS CONTINUOUSLY BEEN BURNING OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE. IT WAS PUT THROUGH AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIMED NOT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS (JUST THAT THE CAR WAS GETTING OLDER AND WE SHOULD PROBABLY BUY A NEW ONE), EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE ISSUED A TSB TO DEALERSHIPS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. AT THIS POINT, WE ARE BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY DISTANCE WITHOUT HAVING TO PUT MORE OIL IN. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT UP ON THE MAINTENANCE FOR THE VEHICLE, WE RECENTLY REPLACED THE HEAD GASKET AND THE COOLANT IN THE CAR, BUT NOW THE CAR JUST RUNS HOT WITH THE FAN RUNNING ALL THE TIME AND THE OIL IS CONSISTENTLY BURNING. WE'VE NEVER HAD TO PUT OIL INTO THE CAR OURSELVES BETWEEN MAINTENANCE SESSIONS AND NOW THEY HAVE US COMING IN TO CHANGE OIL EVERY 5K MILES INSTEAD OF EVERY 10K MILES AS BEFORE. EVEN THEN, WE ARE STILL HAVING TO ADD OIL IN BETWEEN VISITS. I BOUGHT THE CAR AS A COMMUTER VEHICLE, IT HAS ABOUT 200,000 MILES ON IT, DRIVING IT 5 DAYS PER WEEK, ABOUT 100 MILES PER DAY. DEPENDING ON THE QUOTE TO FIX IT (FROM A NON DEALER BECAUSE THEY WON'T ACKNOWLEDGE THERE'S A PROBLEM), I WILL PROBABLY HAVE TO TRADE THE CAR IN AT A MINIMAL VALUE IN ORDER TO PURCHASE A NEW CAR, WHICH I REALLY CANNOT AFFORD TO DO RIGHT NOW. THIS PROBLEM IS ONLY OCCURRING WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING. THERE IS NO LEAK, AS IT WOULD BE EVIDENT ON MY DRIVEWAY. I MOSTLY DRIVE THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11232922

63,118 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

AFTER THE LATEST HYBRID SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON MY CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE DROPPED BY 10%. THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANES FOUR DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TWO WHICH WERE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND TWO OTHERS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE HYBRID BA…

Read full complaint

AFTER THE LATEST HYBRID SOFTWARE UPGRADE ON MY CAR WE NOTICED THAT THE GAS MILEAGE DROPPED BY 10%. THEN AS WE WERE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRAFFIC ON A TWO LANES FOUR DIFFERENT WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON TWO WHICH WERE FOR THE BRAKING SYSTEM AND TWO OTHERS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA SHOP AND THEY FOUND THE HYBRID BATTERS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT 63,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11232453

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2019
Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION STARTED 70,000 MILES. BURN OIL 1QT EVERY 1000 MILES GETTING WORSE

NHTSA ODI #11228305

148,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Engine

ENGINE MISFIRING AT START. WHILE AT INTERSECTION IN CITY AND TURNING LEFT, ACCELERATING AND TRIGGERING THE COMBUSTION ENGINE, MISFIRING CAUSING JERKING AND LACK OF ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING A STALLED CAR IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. SERVICE SAYS MISFIRING CAUSED BY FAULTY HEAD GASKET. APPEARS TO BE SYMPTOMATIC O…

Read full complaint

ENGINE MISFIRING AT START. WHILE AT INTERSECTION IN CITY AND TURNING LEFT, ACCELERATING AND TRIGGERING THE COMBUSTION ENGINE, MISFIRING CAUSING JERKING AND LACK OF ACCELERATION ALMOST CAUSING A STALLED CAR IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. SERVICE SAYS MISFIRING CAUSED BY FAULTY HEAD GASKET. APPEARS TO BE SYMPTOMATIC OF GEN 3 PRIUS.

NHTSA ODI #11203008

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I BRAKE THE CAR SHAKES A NOTICEABLE TYPE OF SHAKE AND STARTS TO MAKE A WEIRD STALLING NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11157210

64,452 miles · Oct 10, 2018
Engine

CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY. WAS JUST MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY, THE CAR STALLED AND DIED. WAS ABLE TO VERY, VERY SLOWLY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . THIS WAS A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE INVERTER. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT!!! GOT TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE INVERTER AND PARTS WITH AN …

Read full complaint

CAR STALLED ON HIGHWAY. WAS JUST MERGING ONTO HIGHWAY, THE CAR STALLED AND DIED. WAS ABLE TO VERY, VERY SLOWLY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD . THIS WAS A FEW MONTHS AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE INVERTER. COULD HAVE BEEN A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT!!! GOT TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER. THEY REPLACED THE INVERTER AND PARTS WITH AN UPDATED ONE AND SOFTWARE TOO. THERE WAS NO CHARGE TO ME. HOWEVER, I BELIEVE THE 2012 INVERTER WAS INFERIOR AND ALL THESE MODELS SHOULD BE UPDATED WITH NEW INVERTERS. THIS IS AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN!

NHTSA ODI #11139438

125,000 miles · Sep 2, 2018
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE SHAKE ON START UP WHEN VEHICLE IS NOT IN MOTION , SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11124062

88,000 miles · Jan 5, 2018
Engine

MY CAR HAS STARTED TO BURN OIL AT AN ALARMING RATE: 2 QUARTS BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AT 5,000 MILES. THIS DOES NOT SEEM NORMAL. THERE DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #11060841

138,000 miles · Oct 9, 2017
EnginePower Train

MY CAR IS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL

NHTSA ODI #11032613

50,000 miles · Aug 18, 2017
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF RENTON, LOCATED AT 150 SW 7TH ST, RENTON, WA 98057; (425) 228-4700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO MOLD. THE DEALE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS V. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (TOYOTA OF RENTON, LOCATED AT 150 SW 7TH ST, RENTON, WA 98057; (425) 228-4700) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ODOR WAS DUE TO MOLD. THE DEALER CLEANED THE VENTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL OTHER TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SAME DEALER, BUT THEY USED THE SOLUTION TO CLEAN THE VENT THE SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #11016170

Official recalls

3

18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Oct 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.

15V449000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

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.

13V014000 · Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seats

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 ↗

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.