2012 Toyota Prius V problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (114) · Engine (23) · Vehicle Speed Control (15)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius V model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
136 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Hybrid Propulsion System 2018-10-04 · campaign 18V684000 · 807,329 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter 2015-07-15 · campaign 15V449000 · 108,624 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2013-12-12 · campaign 13E070000 · 409 vehicles
Defect: Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.
Risk: The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
Seats 2013-01-16 · campaign 13V014000 · 3,235 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (496)
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.
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0009-26 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on ni-mh high voltage (hv) batteries. this bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year repair manual while performing a rescue charge. the grx-5100 should be used wherever the repair manual ref
Engine 2026-02-13 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
obsolete notice february 13, 2026: this bulletin is now obsolete. please see t-sb-0009-26.
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 496 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-24 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 81,239 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph and depressing the brake pedal there was a buzzing sound coming from the vehicle and the brake warning light illuminated. the contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, the brake fluid level was very low. the vehicle was taken to a service center where it was …”
2026-09-16 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 187,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius v. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. while driving over 45 mph, the brake pedal became firm, requiring the driver to exert extra force while depressing the brake pedal; the brakes failed to respond as intended. additionally, a burning and toxic odor was prese…”
2026-09-09 · Service Brakes“2012 toyota prius v with 89,662 miles. multiple brake warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code c1391, “abnormal leak in accumulator.” the brake booster/accumulator pump is also cycling about every 13 seconds, even when the brake pedal is not being applied. the vehicle and components are available for inspection. m…”
2026-06-29 · Service Brakes“brake actuator assembly failure on a vehicle with 99,818 miles. whirring sound when braking followed by lighting of several brake alert lights on dash including pcs and abs and others. the whirring noise has occured for several weeks, but the light indicators happened on 6/28/26. toyota has an acknowledged customer support program (20te07) for thi…”
2026-06-28 · Engine · 🔥 fire“driving down the highway, the engine suddenly threw a rod, causing a terrible jolt, after which the engine burst into flames. there had been no warning lights.…”
2026-06-21 · Service Brakes“the abs system has failed. all brake related warning lights have appeared on the dash board and the abs no longer works. the car will brake for now, but the pedal is mushy. the issue was diagnosed by a dealer. the diagnosis from the dealer, based on diagnostic trouble codes they did not provide, is that brake fluid is leaking in the master cylinder…”
2026-06-11 · Service Brakes“abs, brake, and traction control lights, all illuminated at once on the dashboard. inspection found dtc c1391 indicating the accumulator is leaking or failing to hold pressure correctly. we are advised that the braking system performance will decline, eventually failing. an very expensive repair is required and toyota apparently has a shortage of t…”
2026-02-02 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius v. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake master cylinder was constantly cycling. no warning lights were illuminated. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. most recently, while the vehicle was turned off, the brake master…”
2025-12-11 · Service Brakes“the power assist braking system failed while i was driving in the rain. i was approaching a stoplight and i had to push down a lot harder and farther than i typically have to in order to stop. luckily i was not going that fast and there were no cars ahead of me, but i stopped beyond where i had intended at a busy intersection. no warning lamps or m…”
2025-12-09 · Service Brakes“i bought this car over a week ago for a good price, performed fine until i’m driving it home on the interstate and some abs/brake lights came on the dash. i enter my city and notice the brakes aren’t performing as tight as they were during the test drive. a few days later i take it to a local dealership to get it looked at. the brake actuator and p…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.