What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius?

Brakes lead the complaint list with 212 complaints. Electrical system follows with 55 and exterior lighting with 37.

Does the 2012 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes. The by-year data shows 7 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Toyota Prius?

See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2012 Toyota Prius a reliable car?

Complaint counts are one signal. The 2012 model has 449 complaints and 7 recalls. See the by-year comparison section to compare it with nearby years.

2012 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints does the 2012 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA has 449 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 449 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Prius^[1]. The same year also has 7 recalls on record^[2].

449owner complaints^[1]

7recalls^[2]

48MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups that show up most in the NHTSA reports, biggest first.

Brakes. 212 complaints name the brakes group^[5]. Owners describe a pedal that feels like it drops or locks, a car that does not slow down as expected, and groaning or grinding sounds after the car sits overnight.
Electrical System. 55 complaints name the electrical system group^[6]. In the stories we read, owners describe phone pairing that will not work, a car that refuses to shift, warning messages that fill the display, and a screen that throws glare.
Exterior Lighting. 37 complaints name the exterior lighting group^[7]. Owners describe night driving where bright lights look doubled or tripled, which makes distances hard to judge.
Unknown Or Other. 35 complaints fall in the unknown or other group^[8]. These do not fit a single part.
Engine. 34 complaints name the engine group^[9]. Owners describe the car shutting down while moving with a warning on the dash, a loud clunk at startup, and a stale smell from the vents.
Air Bags. 28 complaints name the air bags group^[10].
Visibility/Wiper. 28 complaints name the visibility and wiper group^[11].
Structure. 23 complaints name the structure group^[12].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Prius is necessarily included.

Hybrid Propulsion System (18V684), October 2018. About 807,329 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Hybrid Propulsion System (17V718), November 2017. About 39,915 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Air Bags › Side/Window (16V487), June 2016. About 482,002 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater/Cooler (16V396), June 2016. About 7,749 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter (14V053), February 2014. About 698,457 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]
Equipment › Other › Labels (13V123), April 2013. About 7,525 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury.^[18]
Seats (13V014), January 2013. About 3,235 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[19]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[3]	49 / 46 / 48	$1,400
Prius Plug-in Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity^[20]	51 / 49 / 50	n/a

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
5 HB FWD^[4]	5	4	5	4	12.1%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2012 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[21]	82 hp
2012 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[22]	98 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
PRIUS 4DR LIFTBACK PREMIUM/TOURING/NAV^[23]	176 in	69 in	58 in	107 in	3,042 lb
PRIUS C 4DR HATCHBACK/TECHNOLOGY^[24]	157 in	67 in	57 in	100 in	2,502 lb
PRIUS V 4DR HATCHBACK^[25]	182 in	70 in	62 in	109 in	3,274 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Prius model year. The 2012 is highlighted^[2].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	165	3
2002	167	2
2003	99	1
2004	610	6
2005	1,051	6
2006	1,439	6
2007	2,003	4
2008	1,497	4
2009	502	6
2010	2,829	10
2011	522	6
2012	449	7
2013	426	4
2014	222	4
2015	171	2
2016	155	5
2017	91	3
2018	37	1
2019	30	3
2020	14	0
2021	6	0
2022	24	1
2023	21	4
2024	27	4
2025	18	2
2026	10	1

NHTSA's counts for the Prius show 449 complaints and 7 recalls for 2012^[2]. Among the 27 model years listed, 18 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 8 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2010 (2,829)^[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2012 Prius?

The 2012 Prius draws 449 complaints on file with NHTSA^[1]. Brakes are the biggest group by a wide margin at 212 complaints^[5]. Electrical issues come next with 55 complaints^[6]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many cars were sold. Check the recalls section and the by-year comparison on this page before you decide, and have any car inspected before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Toyota Prius?: Brakes lead the complaint list with 212 complaints^[5]. Electrical system follows with 55^[6] and exterior lighting with 37^[7].
Does the 2012 Toyota Prius have recalls?: Yes. The by-year data shows 7 recalls^[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
How many complaints does the 2012 Toyota Prius have?: NHTSA has 449 owner complaints on file^[1].
What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Toyota Prius?: See the fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius a reliable car?: Complaint counts are one signal. The 2012 model has 449 complaints^[1] and 7 recalls^[2]. See the by-year comparison section to compare it with nearby years.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Prius

2007 2,003 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 1,497 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2012 this page
2013 426 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 222 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 171 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 155 complaints, 5 recalls
2017 91 complaints, 3 recalls
2025 18 complaints, 2 recalls
2026 10 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Toyota Prius

Other Toyota models from 2012

2012 Toyota Avalon 30 complaints, 4 recalls
2012 Toyota Camry 645 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 Toyota Sienna 247 complaints, 9 recalls
2012 Toyota Yaris 35 complaints, 5 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2012: midsize cars

2012 Nissan Maxima 107 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Nissan Sentra 180 complaints, 0 recalls
2012 Subaru Legacy/Outback 384 complaints, 16 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Passat 484 complaints, 11 recalls
2012 Acura TL 130 complaints, 3 recalls
2012 Audi A6 60 complaints, 8 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 449 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Toyota Prius (47 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 35 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Prius model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 49 city / 46 highway / 48 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 12.1%. NHTSA vehicle records
212 complaints name the brakes component group (16 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,755). NHTSA vehicle records
55 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
37 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,625). NHTSA vehicle records
35 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,500). NHTSA vehicle records
34 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,000). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the air bags component group (23 crashes, 0 fires, 17 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,500). NHTSA vehicle records
28 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 700). NHTSA vehicle records
23 complaints name the structure component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 15,707). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V684, filed October 4, 2018: Hybrid Propulsion System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V718, filed November 15, 2017: Hybrid Propulsion System. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V487, filed June 30, 2016: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V396, filed June 2, 2016: Seats › Front Assembly › Seat Heater / Cooler. NHTSA recall database
Recall 14V053, filed February 12, 2014: Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V123, filed April 9, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
Recall 13V014, filed January 16, 2013: Seats. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Prius Plug-in Hybrid, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular Gas and Electricity: 50 MPGe combined, 540 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 82 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2012 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 98 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS 4DR LIFTBACK PREMIUM/TOURING/NAV: length 176 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 107 in, curb weight 3,042 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS C 4DR HATCHBACK/TECHNOLOGY: length 157 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,502 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS V 4DR HATCHBACK: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,274 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2012 Toyota Prius: problems, recalls and fuel economy