Model year
2012 Toyota Prius
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 424 complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 25 complaints under PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SERVICE BRAKES (184), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (49), EXTERIOR LIGHTING (36). NHTSA lists 3 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA overall stars for rated variants run from 4 to 5. EPA rates it 48–50 mpg combined and 29 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $1,350–$1,400, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 165 complaints
- 2002 167 complaints
- 2003 99 complaints
- 2004 610 complaints
- 2005 1,051 complaints
- 2006 1,439 complaints
- 2007 2,003 complaints
- 2008 1,497 complaints
- 2009 502 complaints
- 2010 2,823 complaints
- 2011 521 complaints
- 2012 424 complaints
- 2013 414 complaints
- 2014 210 complaints
- 2015 166 complaints
- 2016 155 complaints
- 2017 91 complaints
- 2018 37 complaints
- 2019 30 complaints
- 2020 14 complaints
- 2021 6 complaints
- 2022 24 complaints
- 2023 21 complaints
- 2024 27 complaints
- 2025 16 complaints
- 2026 6 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
18V684000 · Oct 4, 2018
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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…
16V487000 · Jun 30, 2016
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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…
16V396000 · Jun 2, 2016
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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…
14V053000 · Feb 12, 2014
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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…
13V123000 · Apr 9, 2013
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
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…
13V014000 · Jan 16, 2013
SEATS; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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…
Complaints
424 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 46, fire flag on 2, injury field 33, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID | 2 | 25 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP19004 | Brake Actuator Valve Wear · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST | Sep 30, 2019 | Jan 21, 2021 |
| DP22005 | Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM | Jan 27, 2023 | Aug 7, 2023 |
| DP23005 | Brake Actuator Valve Wear · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST | Nov 22, 2023 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 HB FWD | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.121 | NHTSA photo |
| Plug-In 5 HB FWD | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 · possibility 0.124 | NHTSA photo |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius · 1.8L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 49 | 46 | 48 | — | — | $1,400 |
| Prius Plug-in Hybrid · 1.8L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid | 51 | 49 | 50 | 29.0 | 540 | $1,350 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Toyota Prius at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.