Representative model. Photo: MercurySable99, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Toyota Prius recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2012 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 7
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 712
Latest campaign: Oct 4, 2018

Recall summary by component7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Hybrid propulsion system	3	Oct 4, 2018	18V684000 17V718000 14V053000
Air bags	2	Jun 30, 2016	16V487000 13V014000
Seats	1	Jun 2, 2016	16V396000
Equipment	1	Apr 9, 2013	13V123000

Safety recalls7

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Oct 4, 2018Latest campaign


Oct 4, 201818V684000	Hybrid propulsion system If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 18V684000 What's wrong 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. 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. Filed under Prius Campaign NHTSA 18V684000 · Oct 4, 2018
Nov 15, 201717V718000	Hybrid propulsion system The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. DetailsHide details for campaign 17V718000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Prius Plug-In Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 17V718000 · Nov 15, 2017
Jun 30, 201616V487000	Air bags: side/window 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. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V487000 What's wrong 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. Remedy 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. Filed under Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid Campaign NHTSA 16V487000 · Jun 30, 2016
Jun 2, 201616V396000	Seats: front assembly seat heater/cooler If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. DetailsHide details for campaign 16V396000 What's wrong Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed. Risk If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Remedy SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B. Filed under Prius Campaign NHTSA 16V396000 · Jun 2, 2016
Feb 12, 201414V053000	Hybrid propulsion system: inverter The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V053000 What's wrong Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance. 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. Remedy Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Filed under Prius Campaign NHTSA 14V053000 · Feb 12, 2014
Apr 9, 201313V123000	Equipment: other labels An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. DetailsHide details for campaign 13V123000 What's wrong Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims." Risk An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage. Remedy Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859. Filed under Prius Campaign NHTSA 13V123000 · Apr 9, 2013

Merged from NHTSA model names: Prius, Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Not every vehicle of a model year is affected by every campaign.

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Owner complaints by component712

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

712Complaints filed

72Involving a crash

5Involving a fire

51Injuries reported · 2 deaths

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Service brakes	355	50	26	0	11
Electrical system	92	13	1	3	2
Engine	73	10	1	1	0
Unknown or other	58	8	6	1	4
Air bags	43	6	33	1	28
Exterior lighting	43	6	1	0	0
Vehicle speed control	33	5	16	0	11
Power train	33	5	5	0	2
Visibility/wiper	32	4	0	0	1
Structure	28	4	12	0	12
Steering	25	4	3	0	3
Electronic stability control (ESC)	19	3	1	0	0
Hydraulic	18	3	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	16	2	0	0	0
Seat belts	16	2	10	1	13

19 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number, merged from NHTSA model names Prius, Prius Plug-In.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“When I started my car this morning, the red BRAKE light, ABS warning light and anti-slip light were all illuminated. The car does still stop but the brakes are very spongy and there's a clicking noise under the hood.”
Filed 10/01/2026 · ODI 11768222
Service brakes
“1. My Brake booster failed/malfunctioned. I had to get it repaired/replaced by Toyota so it might be with the dealership or thrown out by now. 2.”
Filed 09/18/2026 · ODI 11765387
Air bags
“The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle and t-boned the front passenger's side door of the vehicle.”
Filed 08/18/2026 · ODI 11757721

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2012 Toyota Prius recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius have?

NHTSA lists 7 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Prius. The most recent, 18V684000 (reported October 4, 2018), concerns hybrid propulsion system. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2012 Toyota Prius recalls for?

The largest group is hybrid propulsion system, with 3 campaigns. Others: air bags (2), seats (1), equipment (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Toyota Prius?

Service brakes is the most-reported component, named in 355 complaints out of 712 filed with NHTSA (50%). Across all complaints, owners reported 72 crashs and 5 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2012 Toyota Prius?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Toyota recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Toyota dealer.

Check a specific Toyota by VIN

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