2012 Toyota Prius C recalls and problems

The 2012 Toyota Prius C has 0 recalls and 65 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is service brakes.

How the 2012 compares
Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Highest complaint count among 7 Prius C model years — the most of any year.

0recalls
65complaints
9crashes
1fires
9injuries
54,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

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0 recalls

No recall campaigns on file.

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2013: 5 complaints20132014: 6 complaints2015: 1 complaints20152016: 7 complaints72017: 4 complaints20172018: 7 complaints2019: 6 complaints20192020: 3 complaints2021: 4 complaints20212022: 4 complaints2023: 5 complaints20232024: 3 complaints2025: 6 complaints20252026: 4 complaints20264

NHTSA investigations

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Summary

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

Drivability, Service brake failure

DP13002 · opened Mar 18, 2013 · closed Jul 25, 2014
Summary

On January 3, 2013, NHTSA received a letter (ODI No. 10487746) from Ms. Jessie A. Powell petitioning the agency to investigate drivability and braking concerns in the subject vehicle.The petition expressed two concerns: 1. The first software problem was when the vehicle shifted from battery to motor and caused such impact, I initially believed the vehicle had been struck in the rear.2. The next more alarming problem was NO BRAKES. The brake pedal traveled to the floor and a dashboard warning light flashed.This symptom occurred twice, leading to the vehicle being towed to the dealership, the second time in the dealership parking lot after diagnostics of the first incident.After a test drive and vehicle inspection, no actionable problem was found within the petitioner?s vehicle.The braking concern reported turned out to be normal vehicle operation.The petitioner identified other complaints of poor braking performance and low brake pedal received by NHTSA concerning Prius models. Broader review of the consumer complaints reported for all variants of the subject vehicle showed no indication that either the reported jolting sensation or the brake performance concerns reported are occurring in this vehicle population at a level that would require investigative action by NHTSA.The following recalls by Toyota were to address many of these complaints in Prius variants. Neither of these recalls is applicable to Ms. Powell?s 2012 Prius C: 1. Recall 10V-039 March 5, 2010 - 2010 Prius, Le…

2012 vs. other Toyota Prius C years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2012. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2012 Toyota Prius C have recalls?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Prius C. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.

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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention service brakes (26), electrical system (15), air bags (8). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.