2012 Toyota Prius v problems
The Toyota Prius v (for versatile), also named Prius α (pronounced as Alpha) in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, in the U.S. in October 2011, and released in Europe in June 2012. The Prius v was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show alongside the Prius c Concept, and it is the first Prius variant to be spun off from the Prius platform. According to Toyota the "v" stands for "versatility". It is a compact MPV with a standard full hybrid drivetrain.
The Prius α was offered in the Japanese market with both nickel–metal hydride battery and lithium-ion battery. The Prius v in the U.S. was offered only with a nickel–metal hydride battery. As of April 2016, global sales totaled about 634,000 units, led by Japan with 428,400 units sold, representing 67.6% of global sales.
Specifications
The Prius v design resembles compact based minivans prevalent in Europe and has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.29 with a shape that evolved from the Prius. The exterior styling is rounded with an extended roofline that allows the vehicle to retain the triangular silhouette symbolic of Prius. Other differences are the trapezoidal-shaped front with sharp-edged headlamps and wind-slipping aero corners for improved aerodynamics, as well as an enlarged under grille. The rear styling has a specially designed roof spoiler that improves air flow.
The interior cargo space is more than 50% larger than the 2010 Toyota Prius, 5 inches (130 mm) longer and 1 inch (25 mm) wider, providing 34.3 cubic feet (970 L) of cargo space behind the rear seats; it also offers 38 inches (970 mm) of rear leg room, and more head height.
The Toyota Prius v includes many of the same standard features of the 2010 Prius, with four driving modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV; smart key with push button start, an electronic shift lever, Hill Start Assist Control (HAC), and a back-up camera. Available options include energy-efficient LED headlamps, dynamic radar cruise control with a Pre-Collision System (PCS), and advanced parking guidance system. The Prius v has several technical advancements including Toyota's new Toyota Entune Multimedia System and a panoramic sunroof made of lightweight resin, 40% lighter than a glass roof of the same size. Entune premiered on the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
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Common 2012 Toyota Prius v problems
The Toyota Prius V 2012 is known for a few common problems that have been reported by its owners. These issues are primarily related to the car's windshield, excessive oil consumption, faulty multi-function display, engine problems, and headlights.
- Excessive Oil Consumption: This issue is common in the 2012 Toyota Prius V, with some cars burning through engine oil at a rate of a quart per 1,000 miles. This problem is often fixed by replacing the timing cover gaskets.
- Faulty Multi-Function Display: Models from 2001 to 2016, including the 2012 Toyota Prius V, are affected by this issue. The display may become unresponsive or stop working altogether, often due to a poorly soldered internal connection within the display's circuit board.
- Engine Issues: The 2012 Toyota Prius V has experienced a wide range of engine-related problems, including stalling, hesitation, blown head gasket, overheating, and engine failure. These issues can be severe and may require significant repairs or replacement of engine components.
- Faulty Headlights: Many owners of the 2012 Toyota Prius V, particularly those with the 2008 model, have reported issues with their car's headlights. The headlights may just go out while driving, which can be a severe safety hazard when night driving. Replacing the headlights or the headlight assembly may not fix the issue, and the problem may persist.
These common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius V are based on complaints from owners and should be considered when purchasing or maintaining this vehicle.
How many miles will a 2012 Prius V last?
With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong. As the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius has an established history of reliable service for more than two decades.
Is 2012 a good Prius year?
Beyond this increase of electronic toys, the 2012 Toyota Prius maintains the practical advantages that have made it so successful. With an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg, the Prius is topped only by the new Prius C subcompact, or more expensive plug-in models like the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and upcoming plug-in Prius.
How reliable is the Prius V?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 9% for the Toyota Prius V, compared to an average of 12% for midsize cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
Why was the Prius V discontinued?
U.S. sales of the Prius v were discontinued at the end of the 2017 model year as sales had fallen considerably since the 2016 launch of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid.
How long does a 2012 Prius V battery last?
8 to 10 years
How long do Toyota Prius batteries last? The general estimation is that it will run effectively for 8 to 10 years or anywhere between 100,000 and 150,000 miles, but there are factors that will help determine which end of the spectrum your battery life falls on.
Is 2012 a good Prius year?
Beyond this increase of electronic toys, the 2012 Toyota Prius maintains the practical advantages that have made it so successful. With an EPA combined rating of 50 mpg, the Prius is topped only by the new Prius C subcompact, or more expensive plug-in models like the 2012 Chevrolet Volt and upcoming plug-in Prius.
What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?
A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.
- Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
- Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
- Unintended Acceleration. ...
- Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
- Prius Headlight Problems. ...
- Prius Brake Defects. ...
- Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.
Is the Prius V reliable?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 9% for the Toyota Prius V, compared to an average of 12% for midsize cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
2012 Toyota Prius v car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius v problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Engine problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Exterior lighting problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Toyota Prius v vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Toyota Prius v
The NHTSA has received 558 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Toyota Prius v. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Toyota Prius v vehicles.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-23
- VIN: JTDZN3EU4C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I write to add my voice to the litany of complaints in support of NHTSA investigation DP23005. While on an road trip recently the ABS, Traction Control, and Brake warning lights all came on. The brake felt squishy and didn't seem to be functioning as confidently as before. I altered my driving (giving plenty of distance, lowering my speed) so that in the event the brakes quit working I would have an exit strategy. I took it to my Independent Service Center as soon as possible who found the code C1391 and diagnosed the need to replace the master cylinder / booster assembly for several thousand dollars. Of course I must do this in order to remain safe but this is clearly a safety issue that could have been catastrophic. Meanwhile I am out of a car for several weeks until the part arrives and out of at least $2000 as quoted by my mechanic ($1640 for the part). The car only has 146,500 miles on it so otherwise would have plenty of life left in it. I'm filing this complaint to add my voice to the open petition and toward the NHTSA's investigation in strong support of holding Toyota responsible for PREVENTING injury and death through a proper recall, as well as against burdening the car owner with the costs of making up for Toyota's negligence on this issue. At the least they need to cover the cost of these necessary safety repairs when they are warned by the lights and reinstate their warranty extension for this issue
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-21
- VIN: JTDZN3EUXC3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I write to add my voice to the litany of complaints in support of NHTSA investigation DP23005. While on an interstate road trip recently the ABS, Traction Control, and Brake warning lights all came on. The brake felt squishy and didn't seem to be functioning as confidently as before. I altered my driving (giving plenty of distance, lowering my speed) so that in the event the brakes quit working I would have an exit strategy. I took it to my Independent Service Center as soon as possible who found the code C1391 and diagnosed the need to replace the master cylinder / booster assembly for several thousand dollars. Of course I must do this in order to remain safe but this is clearly a safety issue that could have been catastrophic. Meanwhile I am out of a car for several weeks until the part arrives and out of at least $2000 as quoted by my mechanic ($1640 for the part). The car only has 146,500 miles on it so otherwise would have plenty of life left in it. I'm filing this complaint to add my voice to the open petition and toward the NHTSA's investigation in strong support of holding Toyota responsible for PREVENTING injury and death through a proper recall, as well as against burdening the car owner with the costs of making up for Toyota's negligence on this issue. At the least they need to cover the cost of these necessary safety repairs when they are warned by the lights and reinstate their warranty extension for this issue ("POL18-03") which expired for my vehicle in August of 2021.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-30
- VIN: JTDZN3EU9C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: have suddenly brake failture, w code c1391, it problem persist car do not stop by pressing brake , it is too dangerous to drive this car!!!! what you can help me w this recall or rebate option for brake repair?
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-09-01
- VIN: JTDZN3EUXC3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The Toyota Prius of this generation has a known defect in the brake booster pump assembly. About 2 weeks ago the dash lights came on for ABS, Traction control, general warning light. The brakes work but feel soft, and a motor sound pulses behind the steering column every 8-10 seconds. My mechanic pointed out it is a known problem where the ABS booster pump has a faulty valve that doesn’t allow proper pressure to build to engage ABS system. I cannot afford the Repair: $3890 for master cylinder and brake booster. My concern is that most people can’t afford this repair and without a functioning ABS system, people are put at risk from this generation of Prius. Toyota did offer a customer service program acknowledging the issue, but that program only helped if these issues occurred before 2022. With the known issue, why wasn’t a recall required? Toyota should be required to address this safety issue. How many of these Prius are on the road where customers are expected to perform a $4,000. Repair to keep up the safety standards. The car is available for inspection upon request. Thank you.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
- VIN: JTDZN3EU0C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: About three weeks ago, my daughter told me that several lights were on on her display. I checked and among them were the traction control and 2 other related to the brake system. I looked up possible causes on the Internet and it seemed the brake booster/master cylinder could be a culprit, but then I checked the fluid reservoir and the fluid was low, so I topped it off, drove the car, pumped the brakes a few times and all the lights went off. About a week later the lights were back on. I checked all the lines and saw not visible signs of leaks and decided to take it to a mechanic. I took it to a local mechanic and I was told that the brake master cylinder with brake booster failed and had to be replaced. Afterward the brakes were repaired I went to 2 local Toyota dealerships to check the price of the parts. The first dealership provided the prices without any discussion. At the second dealership, the employee who waited on me, after I provided her the VIN and told her that I need the price of the brake booster/master cylinder,m told me that there was a service notice on the booster/master cylinder because of a high rate of failure and that I would have to check with the service department before she could sell me the part. This is concerning, if Toyota knew/knows that the part has a high rate of failure, why wasn't a recall notice issued?
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-21
- VIN: JTDZN3EUXC3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I was driving and all of a sudden the emergency brake light, the ABS brake light and a couple more turned on and I had no more brakes. I had just driven 25 miles with it and stopped at many red lights along the way with no issue and NO WARNING lights. I could have gotten into a major accident if it had happened anywhere else in my route. Fortunately, I was about a mile from my house and the hybrid motor helped slow the car down. I was unable to stop at any stop sign in my development and here again was very fortunate that there were no cars along the way. Once I got home, I got it towed to Toyota and was told it is an internal failure of the actuator. I contacted Toyota America and was just told that there was a campaign to repair this but that I had passed the date. My car has only been serviced at the same Toyota in my city since I got it. I religiously brought it every 5000 miles. I am shocked that they never mentioned this campaign to me and that they didn't initiate a repair during the campaign. This is a major issue that needs to be addressed and Toyota needs to be held accountable.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-15
- VIN: JTDZN3EUXC3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Brake master cylinder and brake booster accumulator assemblies brake parts from this vehicle failed on another vehicle.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-04
- VIN: JTDKN3DU7C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: My actuator is failing. This is a known issue for Priuses and a danger to those on the road. Toyota issued a voluntary service program on these parts to avoid a recall and now many are on the road with actautors that should have been replaced.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: JTDZN3EU5C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: After starting the car on 7/30/24, the Brake System Warning Light, ABS,Slip Indicator, and Master Warning Light all came on indicating an issue with the brake system. We were able to get it to the local dealership and when they ran diagnostics on it, it returned a code C1391, which confirmed the issue. This was addressed in 2020 by Toyota, but only for cars 10 years or 150,000 miles old. Our car is a 2022 with 105,000 miles on it, but we are outside of the year limit (car was 8 years old when the Customer Service Program was released).
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-01
- VIN: JTDKN3DU4C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS brake system doesn't work with three warning lights on and warning beeping sound. I'v learned that Brake actuator failed. Current mileage is only 67300.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-17
- VIN: JTDKN3DU5C0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: ABS Break Lights turned ON and it need replacement. Toyota have faulty ABS this is my 3rd Prius that have the same Issue.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: JTDKN3DU6C0
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I started noticing a strange noise when I applied the brakes. It was an electronic type of almost grinding sound. When I looked into it, it was determined that the brake actuator was failing despite no warning lights coming on. This started around the beginning of March. Finally in the beginning of July the noise stopped and a lot of dashboard lights came on including ABS, BRAKE, and others. This is when the brake actuator actually failed, and the battery no longer was charged when the brakes were applied. This is extremely concerning that a major brake component can fail like this and affect the safety of the vehicle. I am attaching a photo of the dash that shows the lights that came on when this failure occurred.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-08
- VIN: JTDZN3EU4C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The brake booster noise, brake problem, brake booster pump internal mail function
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-15
- VIN: JTDKN3DU9C5
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: I contacted Toyota about the peeling paint on my car. The Toyota representative told me to file a complaint with your agency. The paint is peeling on the roof of my car. There are many similar cars with the same problem. Toyota is unresponsive.
SUSPENSION PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-07
- VIN: JTDKN3DU2C1
- Components: SUSPENSION
- Summary: On 07-June-2024 @14:47 my 2012 Toyota Prius suffered a catastrophic failure. I was attempting to back my 2012 Toyota Prius vehicle a few meters back into my driveway while turning slightly. This was a very slow speed backup. Suddenly, the rear passenger side wheel collapsed inward, and rendered the vehicle unmovable. A video of the incident is attached for viewing The vehicle has low mileage approximately 58,000 miles. The vehicle is in excellent condition and the service records provide evidence of proper maintenance, often at Toyota dealership. This vehicle was originally from Cape Cod Massachusetts and perhaps suffered adverse effects from ocean salt air? Although the rest of the vehicle does not show any significant rusting. . I am impressed by the engineering of the Prius hybrid technology, but this point of failure seems to be an engineering weakness.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-22
- VIN: JTDZN3EU6C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: 2012 Toyota Prius brake actuator failure . While driving my Toyota Prius the braking system failed, this was on a large road and so posed a major danger to not only me, but the passengers in the vehicle and the vehicles around us. Thankfully nobody was hurt. After having the vehicle inspected by a Toyota dealership the problem was found to be the “Actuator/accumulator” and after speaking with the dealership it has come to be my understanding that this is a common and unavoidable problem with Toyota Prius models. There were no lights or warnings on in the vehicle until after the brakes gave out. I cannot understand why this has not been recalled when it is a manufacturing issue on Toyotas end that poses a significant danger on the roads, and am wondering what the reimbursement policy for this is as it came out to be quite expensive.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
- VIN: JTDKN3DU9C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: In 2019, I took my Prius in for service. I reported that when I suddenly brake, the pedal feels spongy as if the brakes will not stop vehicle and lights on dash lit up. Toyota did diagnostic, no action taken by service department at Toyota dealership. I have service history documentation. On June 29, 2024 we had routine maintenance and the service department of the Toyota dealership recommended brake fluid serviced. On July 1, 2024, I was driving my child home from his summer camp and when I tried to stop the brake did not work. I started pumping the brakes several times until the car slowed and came to a stop. The lights on the dash lit up again. The brake failure put my son and I in danger. We had the car towed to the service department of the Toyota dealership. The service department sent the following information after their diagnostic. "The warning lights re-appeared after we drove it a few times. Now regarding the brake fluid service we performed, it is not related to those warning lights. Your accumulator is internally failing. The accumulator is a computer that distributes and controls the amount of pressure going into the brake system, and the computer was not untouched. Unfortunately it was bad timing and the computer started to internally fail. These vehicle's are known to have bad brake actuators, and Toyota created a type of recall for it to get replaced under no charge. Unfortunately they only cover up to 10 years and your warranty expired last year." My husband and I did not receive information regarding this recall. We did an online search to find out more about this recall and found several pages and posts of people describing the same situation.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-31
- VIN: JTDZN3EU6C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The Brake Master Cylinder and Brake Booster pump failed to maintain pressure. I don't have the replaced parts, my mechanic recycled them before I realised I was going to submit this. When the part completely failed, I had the ABS, traction control lights on. I couldn't trust that the car wouldn't have a problem stopped, and the brake pedal also became squishy in responsiveness. My own safety, my kids safety, and the safety of others was at risk and I immediately stopped driving it to get the repair done. The problem was confirmed by a Toyota dealership and this was a recall but since my car is older the recall had expired. I was unaware of this recall until the issue began. It was also confirmed by my personal mechanic to be the failure. The Dashboard lit up the ABS, TCS, Brake, (!) light, VSC, and the sound of the pump changed. Before all the lights came up I had noticed a air leaking sound coming from near the brake pedal at times.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-02
- VIN: JTDKN3DU5C5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Completely lost vacuum brake assist without any prior warning, while driving on the interstate. Got warning lights on the dash for brake and ABS, when it happened. Fortunately there was little traffic, but if there had been even moderate traffic, it could have caused a crash. Checked the codes and found a C1391 leak in the accumulator. Dealer has quoted me $3200 to repair.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-01
- VIN: JTDZN3EU0C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: while driving i lost the power braking on my vehicle and the abs, traction and another exclamtion point symbol came on. my brakes had to be pushed really hard all the way down to the floor board increasing my braking distance.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-17
- VIN: JTDKN3DU6C5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Hi NHTSA, I have a 2012 Toyota Prius and all the Brake-related lights came on the dash. ABS and TC stopped working and the Brake Pedal lost sensitivity. I was about to crash the car and immediately took my car to the Toyota Dealership. They said that there was a Recall unfortunately the program has expired on my vehicle. I asked a couple of Toyota Prius owner friends and half of them had the same issue and they have been fixed under a program. But they said my 95k miles Prius is barely out of the program. My concern is that they charged the diagnosis cost released my vehicle and said that it was not safe to drive! I don't have the budget to cover the Manufacturer's low-quality BRAKE Booster production and I have to drive my car every day! I don't want to risk anyone but I have no choice. I hope you can help!
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-08
- VIN: JTDKN3DU2C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle did not stop as intended. In addition, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact used the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a failed brake master cylinder, accumulator, and brake booster. The contact was informed that the brake master cylinder, accumulator, and brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The contact was informed of an unknown recall for the failure; however, the contact was informed that the recall had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 136,000.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-22
- VIN: JTDKN3DU1C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Traction control, brake, and abs warning lights all came on at once while driving on freeway. Braking became harder. Car has fewer than 60,000 miles. I took it to the mechanic. He says I need a new booster pump.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-25
- VIN: JTDZN3EU1C3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Complete Brake failure, confirmed brake accumulator / actuator failure resulting in near miss crash, tow home not drivable, onle e brake works, appears pump burned up not running any longer.
SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-21
- VIN: JTDKN3DU4C1
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: Decreased braking performance. Sudden loss of ABS and Traction Control capabilities. (ABS light and Traction Control lights are now permanently illuminated on the dash). During the drive home, the brake response changed dramatically. More force is now required to operate the brakes. This failure occurred during a merge into traffic while on a merge ramp, going about 35 mph. It took what felt like a few seconds for both the vehicle and myself to adjust to the new braking requirements. During this time, it felt like a brief loss of braking ability. I continued to depress the brake pedal, and finally noticed a slowing of the vehicle. The pedal clearly requires much more effort and depress distance to begin slowing down the car. This decreased braking performance appears to be sustained until repairs are made to the vehicle.
2012 Toyota Prius v recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
- Summary: 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: 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.
- Manufacturer: Genera Corporation
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
- Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2012 Toyota Prius v car reviews
Positive 2012 Toyota Prius v car reviews
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Congratulations on your new 2012 Prius V-five! It sounds like you're off to a great start with your fuel economy, averaging an impressive 42MPG. The Prius wagon is a smart choice by Toyota, providing plenty of room and a comfortable ride. It's great to hear that you're enjoying it so far!
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This is my first hybrid and I'm absolutely loving it! As someone who has always driven large gas-guzzling cars, it's such a relief to drive by gas stations and not have to spend more than $20 per week. I went for the three model with the beautiful pearl white paint and it's been an absolute joy to drive. The power button is a great feature when you need that extra boost to get on the highway. Although I'm currently only averaging 38 miles per gallon instead of the claimed 42, I'm still thrilled with the savings. I managed to get an amazing deal on mine too - even though most dealers weren't willing to drop the price, I managed to snag mine for only $25498 and got $2500 more for my trade. Needless to say, I'm over the moon with my purchase and I can't help but notice people staring at me when I'm at the gas station. I'm pretty sure it's just envy though - who wouldn't want to save so much money on gas? :)
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I love this vehicle! I bought it with 88k miles and it currently has 92k miles. While it may seem like a lot of money for a used car, they hold their value so well that you can easily resell it for a good price. It's rated at 42 mpg on average, but I easily get 50 mpg without even trying to save gas. If I put in a little effort, I can get even higher mileage! Plus, it has the same mpg as a regular Prius but with way more room and a full hatch. I highly recommend this car over the regular Prius. You'll save so much money with this vehicle over a regular car. I've owned a few vehicles in the past, including a 2006 Honda Element, 2001 Audi S4, 2007 Toyota RAV4, and 2019 Subaru Impreza, but I love this car the most out of all of them. The gas mileage is insane, even compared to my previous Subaru Impreza rated at around 30mpg. You'll save a lot of money on gas and maintenance, as the parts are cheap and easy to fix. I highly recommend this car. While the backup camera takes a little long to load when you put it in reverse, it's an old vehicle and you can upgrade it to a more modern touch screen with Apple CarPlay. You can't go wrong with this vehicle. I recommend buying it and keeping it as a daily driver for a long time, then selling it privately to get most of your money back. Do your research and see what's worth it!
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We decided to downsize our lives and opted for the Prius V as our new car. It's a great choice for us as it gets excellent mileage and has enough room to haul our stuff. We're currently averaging 45 mpg and have even hit a high of 54 mpg! The ride is pretty good for a small car and the fit and finish are excellent, as expected from Toyota. However, we do wish that the driver's seat was electrically adjustable and that the steering wheel was more adjustable. Unfortunately, Toyota missed the mark on driver comfort with the V. It would also be nice to be able to adjust the Smart Key locking features without having to go to the dealer. Overall, the car has met our expectations and we're happy with our purchase.
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The 2012 Toyota Prius V has several issues that make it less than satisfactory, especially when compared to the Prius model. These include the manual adjustments of the driver's seat, which can be dangerous to adjust while moving, an engine that is not adequate for the weight of the vehicle, inferior electronics and comfort compared to the Prius, wind noise, gas mileage that does not meet expectations and is not as good as the Prius, and radio interference with even local stations. Based on my experience, I would not recommend this model and will trade it.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2012 Toyota Prius v problems:
Prius V known issues and years to avoid? : r/prius
Aug 17, 2022 ... Toyota would replace/repair the engine if the customer had oil consumption issues while still under warranty.
Considering buying a 2012 Prius V with a few problems... Please ...
As you may or may not know, the head gasket blows when too much oil gunk plugs up the EGR system. This causes the ignition temperatures inside ...
tell me everything bad about owning a Prius 2012. : r/prius
Sep 29, 2023 ... 13 votes, 76 comments. 46K subscribers in the prius community. Everything Toyota Prius! Currently private to support the proposed changes to ...
Toyota Prius V Complaints, Problems and TSBs| Toyota Parts ...
2012-2013 Prius V - Common Problems ... Overheated Hybrid Inverter Assembly: As mentioned in the '2014 Prius v Common Problems' entry above, the hybrid inverter ...
2012 Toyota Prius v Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2012 Toyota Prius v? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Other years of Toyota Prius v
Are you having problems with your 2012 Toyota Prius v?
Benjamin Lebsack 2024-08-21
We had our Prius V for seven years and loved it. However, we had a scary experience when we were backing out of a parking space and suddenly had no brakes at all. We rolled down a hill and were stopped about three feet from a busy highway by a small tree. Unfortunately, the car was totaled by the insurance company. Subsequent research showed that sudden brake loss is a fairly common occurrence that Toyota refuses to do anything about. Overall, it was a great car, but we had a scary experience that we hope Toyota will address.
Turner Walsh 2024-07-28
Overall, I am satisfied with the car. I have driven 10,320 miles and my gas mileage is 44.2mpg, which is great! The rear storage is more than adequate for a small car and it handles and rides just fine. However, we are currently experiencing a problem with an increasing high-pitched noise coming from the rear. Unfortunately, there is no fix available at this time. The noise has been increasing in loudness and duration as we add mileage and it now occurs at times when applying brakes. It is more noticeable when it is damp, but has at times occurred when dry. I have had it back to the dealer three times and was informed that Toyota is aware of the issue but does not have a fix yet. So, if you are considering this car, proceed with caution. It is frustrating for sure!
Brannon Schmitt 2024-06-25
Hi there! Just wanted to share an update on my car. Unfortunately, I've noticed that my gas mileage has decreased from an average of 42 miles per gallon to 36 miles per gallon now that I've hit 85,000 miles. I'm driving the same distance on the same roads, so it's a bit concerning. Additionally, I've had to take my car to the dealership three times in the last 6 months. The first time was to have a grill placed over the intake/outtake pipe to keep mice out of the car, and the other two times were because the engine stopped working and the battery was low. The first time it took a while to fix, but luckily it was an easy fix and I had my car back the same day. Unfortunately, it's back in the dealership for the same problem now. I'm feeling a bit frustrated about this issue, but I'm hopeful that it will be resolved soon. Thanks for listening!
Domenico Kemmer 2024-04-25
Hello! We purchased this car brand new from the dealer and have had all the maintenance done there. From the beginning, it made a squeaking noise when it was cold and starting. It took a few visits until they finally upgraded the brakes (when they were almost due anyway) and that fixed it. The car now has 136K miles on it. Around 6 months ago, at 120K miles, the car suddenly started using a lot of oil - like 1 qt per 1,000 miles. We took it to the dealer and told them about this, but they said that it is a normal consumption rate!? They also said that they had never heard of a Prius oil consumption issue. Really?! Just google it. They wanted to perform an oil consumption test - which we did. Surprisingly, the dealer said
Darian Koss 2024-03-19
In 2012, my husband and I purchased a brand new Prius v for $27,000. We drove it for 8 years and it had just 94,000 miles on it. In July of 2020, I had to take it in for service at the dealer and unfortunately, I found out that it had a cracked engine head. At only 94,000 miles, I needed a new engine which cost $6,000 on a car worth $9,000. Despite always having it serviced regularly with oil changes, tire rotations, and brake replacements, my Prius v had this unexpected issue. Sadly, my husband passed away in October of 2019 and my Prius v was supposed to last another 100,000 miles. However, I had to purchase a new car and ended up trading in my Prius for a 2021 Toyota Corolla. I hope to have better luck with this car. I wanted to share my experience to warn anyone thinking about purchasing a used Prius v. Beware, as you too may be in for an unpleasant and expensive surprise.