2012 Toyota Prius v: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Toyota Prius v: 3 recalls, 218 owner complaints and up to 41 mpg combined.
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Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seats, Airbags Vehicle recall #13V014000 · 2013 · 3,235 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
Hybrid system Vehicle recall #15V449000 · 2015 · 108,624 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: 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.
Hybrid system Vehicle recall #18V684000 · 2018 · 807,329 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #13E070000 · 2013 · 409 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 2 mention a fire, 10 injuries and 3 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (124): the most common themes are warning light on (37), noise or vibration (20).
- Engine (36): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (7), excess oil use (5).
- Electrical (24): the most common themes are warning light on (8), stalls / loses power (7), electrical failure (3).
- Speed control / throttle (15): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (3), sudden acceleration (2).
The 2012 Toyota Prius v has 218 owner complaints, ranking #1 of 8 Prius v model years for complaints (3.6× the average Prius v year). Complaints peaked in 2019 (30 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 8 years old, at a median of 69,023 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (1 complaints, 0 recalls), 2013 (125 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl hybrid | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 43 | 39 | 41 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Toyota Prius v have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius v, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Prius v problems?
Owners have filed 218 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (124), engine (36), electrical (24).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Prius v get?
EPA ratings run up to 41 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic (variable gear ratios)), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Toyota Prius v repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.