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

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2012 Toyota Prius V 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: 4
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 615
Latest campaign: Oct 4, 2018

Recall summary by component4

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Hybrid propulsion system	2	Oct 4, 2018	18V684000 15V449000
Exterior lighting	1	Dec 12, 2013	13E070000
Air bags	1	Jan 16, 2013	13V014000

Safety recalls4

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. Campaign NHTSA 18V684000 · Oct 4, 2018
Jul 15, 201515V449000	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 15V449000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 15V449000 · Jul 15, 2015
Dec 12, 201313E070000	Exterior lighting: tail lights The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 13E070000 What's wrong 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 13E070000 · Dec 12, 2013
Jan 16, 201313V014000	Air bags: frontal sensor/control module-inactive 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… DetailsHide details for campaign 13V014000 What's wrong 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. 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. 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. Campaign NHTSA 13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013

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).

Buying a used 2012 Toyota Prius V? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component615

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

615Complaints filed

62Involving a crash

4Involving a fire

41Injuries reported · 3 deaths

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Service brakes	312	51	23	0	9
Electrical system	73	12	1	3	2
Engine	66	11	1	2	0
Unknown or other	44	7	3	0	3
Exterior lighting	39	6	1	0	0
Air bags	35	6	26	0	19
Visibility/wiper	31	5	0	0	1
Power train	28	5	5	0	2
Structure	27	4	11	0	10
Vehicle speed control	27	4	13	0	9
Steering	24	4	3	0	3
Hydraulic	18	3	1	0	0
Electronic stability control (ESC)	14	2	1	0	0
Fuel/propulsion system	13	2	0	0	0
Seat belts	12	2	7	0	8

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.

Latest reports

Service brakes
“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.”
Filed 09/24/2026 · ODI 11766722
Service brakes
“The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle.”
Filed 09/16/2026 · ODI 11764638
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…”
Filed 09/09/2026 · ODI 11763226

Other Toyota Prius V model years

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2012 Toyota Prius V recall questions

How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius V have?

NHTSA lists 4 safety recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Prius V. 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 V recalls for?

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

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

Service brakes is the most-reported component, named in 312 complaints out of 615 filed with NHTSA (51%). Across all complaints, owners reported 62 crashs and 4 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

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

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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