2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (8) · Electrical System (3) · Vehicle Speed Control (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (2)
Hybrid Propulsion System 2017-11-15 · campaign 17V718000 · 39,915 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:side/Window 2016-06-30 · campaign 16V487000 · 482,002 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (93)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Structure:body 2024-12-03 · T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. this type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 93 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-08-21 · Service Brakes“1. the abs system failed upon inspection at a dealership. specifically the abs accumulator and booster. 2. the abs system put us at risk by failing prematurely, and traction control and abs functions seemingly stopped working while driving on the road. 3. yes, dealership confirmed the issue with a full diagnostic, and the part has a customer suppor…”
2024-05-25 · Wheels“today 05/25/2024 noticed a slight camber on the right rear wheel. jacked up the car and removed the right rear to take a closer look and realized the rear axle/subframe was splitting in half along the weld point. if i hadn't caught this today and my daughter was driving it i'm confident she or others would have been killed or severely injured since…”
2024-04-04 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius plug-in hybrid. the contact stated that while driving down a winding road, the brake warning light and brake message suddenly activated and while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle would not immediately stop. the vehicle was later taken to the local service center wh…”
2024-02-16 · Vehicle Speed Control · 💥 crash“i was driving less than 55mph on freeway on february 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider. …”
2023-10-05 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius plug-in hybrid. the contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the stabili-trak, abs, and a several unknown warning lights were illuminated. the contact stated there were also audible alarms being sounded. the contact depressed the brake pedal and the brake pedal failed to respond. the contact stated tha…”
2023-09-18 · Service Brakes“2012 level 5 plug-in i was driving on the freeway with radar cruise control and the vehicle dash lit up with check pcs system ever warning light came on the brake petal was not there as normal it would go about half way down to engage very scary i took it to the dealership service said i need new brake booster installed not covered under warranty …”
2023-05-04 · Service Brakes“brakes failed while i was slowing down for a speed trap; if i had been stopping for traffic i would have been in somebody's back seat. there was already a class action lawsuit about this that toyota settled out of court. we were supposed to receive notice about the extended warranty related to this but did not; additionally the dealership lied to u…”
2023-01-16 · Service Brakes“the brake booster pump started pressuurizing frequently last year around 140,000 miles. error lights and less responsive breaks this year so i called toyota service they said bring it in. they said repair is over $3000. the mileage was just over 150000 and just over 10 year extended warranty i didn't know about for this problem coded c1391…”
2022-11-06 · Service Brakes“the brake pressure pump comes on every 2 seconds. the warning lights on the dash are on for brakes and abs. the car still stops but it reacts slower to pedal pressure. dealer says it needs master cylinder and actuator pump for 3000$ at least. it is available for inspection, has 155,000 miles now, but pump has been hyperactive for about 12 mo. may b…”
2022-08-25 · Service Brakes“i bought a first generation toyota prius phev in 2012. apparently a customer support program notice was sent out two years ago which i never received. for the last year or so my prius has made a hissing sound when i stepped on the brakes unless i push extra hard on the pedal. didn’t think anything of it until last month several lights went off. i t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.