Most common 2012 Toyota Prius c problems
Share of the 64 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius c complaints by model year
Best Prius c years: 2018, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2012 Toyota Prius c:
Pedestrian alert sounds
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.
Drivability, Service brake failure
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.
What 2012 Toyota Prius c owners say
Brakes all 26 →
Last week my 2012 Toyota Prius-C had four lights come on (ABS, Brake, Swerve, and one other). I took it to my local mechanic who informed me that it was my master cylinder brake that needed to be replaced and would cost me $3,300. This issue started roughly 10-12 months ago, when I heard my brakes making a noise that sounded very unusual, almost like a hydraulic issue. I learned that there was a Toyota initiated CSP. Toyota realized there was an issue with the 2012-2014 brake system that affected over 100,000 vehicles. Those affected by CSP's are supposedly notified by mail. Needless to say, I never received such notice. This aforementioned CSP expired in November 2022 that my car would have qualified for, had the problem been diagnosed prior. …
I was driving down the interstate with my cruise control on when all of a sudden the cruise control disabled and warning lights came up on my dash board. It still drove fine for several weeks. On Friday December 6th, I was going down the road and had to press the brake slightly for a car turning. When I pressed the brake, the car went into a spin. It spun a couple of rotations. Luckily I was on a wide part of the highway and no oncoming cars were approaching. Toyota had a recall for the same code and parts for the 2010 Prius but did not include the 2012 Prius. They just had an alert which I did not receive because the notice went to the former owner. However, I did take my car in for oil change and diagnostic but they did not tell me that there had been a problem with these parts. They want almost $4,000 to repair it. Why would they not include ALL vehicles with this same part. …
Electrical system
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle rapidly accelerated upon tapping the brake pedal and crashed into a brick storefront without warning. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. A bystander inside the store assisted the contact in exiting the vehicle. Law enforcement responded to the scene and administered a breathalyzer test, which returned negative for alcohol. A police report was filed, noting minor scratch damage to the storefront's concrete. The contact did not seek immediate medical attention; however, she sustained soreness in her upper arms and upper legs, as well as driving-related anxiety in a rental vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected and deemed a total loss by an insurance adjuster. …
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the message "Check Hybrid Status - Stop vehicle in Safe Place Immediately" was displayed. There were several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal power module transmitter and MG control computer inside the inverter assembly failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0A94 (DC/DC converter or inverter performance problem invertor assembly) was associated with the failure. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 98,015.
Air bags
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle rapidly accelerated upon tapping the brake pedal and crashed into a brick storefront without warning. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. A bystander inside the store assisted the contact in exiting the vehicle. Law enforcement responded to the scene and administered a breathalyzer test, which returned negative for alcohol. A police report was filed, noting minor scratch damage to the storefront's concrete. The contact did not seek immediate medical attention; however, she sustained soreness in her upper arms and upper legs, as well as driving-related anxiety in a rental vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected and deemed a total loss by an insurance adjuster. …
Car was involved in a 18+ car accident. Traveling at approx 55mph all traffic came to a sudden stop. The car did stop before impact. Driver pressed himself to the seat while slamming on breaks. A car slammed into the back of the Prius which shot the Prius forward, wedging it between the 2 vehicles in front of it. Upon impact with the cars it was slammed into the driver's seatbelt did not lock. Driver flew forward breaking bones in his face and obtained injuries to a knee from impacting the console, and whiplash. A child passenger in the back seat obtained a knot on head and whiplash. Air bags did not deploy. The belt elr did not engage. The car was deemed totaled.
2012 Toyota Prius c engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 53 / 46 / 50 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius c a good car?
Based on 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Prius c rates avoid: 2.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Prius c at the same age. It is one of the Prius c years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Toyota Prius c?
The brakes — 26 complaints, 41% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (15) and air bags (8).
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius c have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius c. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius c?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012 and 2013. See the full Toyota Prius c years comparison.
At what mileage do 2012 Toyota Prius c problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 46% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.