Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Toyota Prius problems

Owners filed 688 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Prius with NHTSA between Dec 2011 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (322).

Complaints
688
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
71
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
49
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes322
  2. Electrical system89
  3. Engine71
  4. Air bags43
  5. Exterior lighting42
  6. Visibility/wiper32
  7. Vehicle speed control31
  8. Power train31
  9. Structure28
  10. Steering24
  11. Electronic stability control (esc)18
  12. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  13. Fuel/propulsion system16
  14. Seat belts16

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
201238
201364
201447
201525
201634
201736
201853
201970
202034
202135
202266
202358
202453
202556
202618

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

322 reports24 crashes
“I own a 2012 Toyota Prius with approximately 132,000 miles. I first experienced problems with the braking system approximately one year ago, in 2025. The ABS, brake, and other warning lights began illuminating intermittently, and I experienced occasional hesitation in braking response. I was concerned enough about the vehicle's safety that I stopped driving it for an extended period. After recently returning the vehicle to service, the warning lights continued to appear intermittently, even when the brakes seemed to function normally. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle but could not retrieve a diagnostic code at that time. On November 1, 2026, an ABS diagnostic scan at O'Reilly Auto Parts confirmed trouble code C1391, "Abnormal Leak of Accumulator Pressure." The diagnostic report recommended replacement of the brake booster and master cylinder. Toyota previously acknowledged this brake booster problem through Customer Support Program ZJB, which covered certain 2010–2015 Prius vehicles with this defect. Despite my vehicle having fewer than 150,000 miles, Toyota informed me that the coverage period had expired and that no exceptions would be granted. I…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 1, 2026Service brakesODI 11775030

Electrical system

89 reports1 crash3 fires
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 187,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 227,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 10, 2026Electrical systemODI 11730416

Engine

71 reports1 crash1 fire
“Unknown. There were a multitude of codes that appeared on the diagnostics causing problems with engine. The temperature, brake, tire sensor lights are all on. The cruise control is not working. White smoke emitting from tail pipe and engine. Main engine coolant leaking. Car overheating rapidly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 6, 2026Vehicle speed control, Wheels, EngineODI 11748670

Air bags

43 reports33 crashes1 fire2 related recalls
“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. The air bags did not deploy. There was no warning light illuminated. After the impact, the front windshield slowly cracked. A Police report was filed. The contact and her husband were transported by ambulance to the hospital. The contact suffered a fractured sternum, five fractured ribs, a crushed left wrist, and two fractured bones in the left ankle. The contact's husband had a fractured neck and five fractured ribs. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and was declared a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 18, 2026Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11757721

Exterior lighting

42 reports1 crash
“Brake master control system failure with constant issues over 80k miles. Forward running lights control housing has not held a light fixture since day one and dealership wants to charge for light replacement. It’s a faulty part and burnt through the housing. Olathe Toyota refused to repair under warranty saying it was a customer issue but is clearly a safety problem. Irresponsible dealer management.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 15, 2024Exterior lighting, Service brakesODI 11572184

Visibility/wiper

32 reports
“The glass sunroof spontaneously exploded or imploded. There was a loud popping sound and I looked up at the sunroof, and it was shattered. glass started falling on me as I was driving on the highway. There have been many reported cases of this happening found online. https://topclassactions.com/lawsuit-settlements/lawsuit-news/toyota-owners-should-be-aware-of-reported-exploding-sunroof-risk/ It has not been inspected yet. no warning messages.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 10, 2023Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperODI 11526364
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.