2012 Toyota Prius v
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 135 of 216 complaints (63%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | vs. 2012 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 1,500 | 1,500 | 1,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 41 | 41 | 41 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 43 / 39 | 43 / 39 | 43 / 39 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 217 | 216 | 217 | |
| Complaints filed | 216 | 124 | 82 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 19 | 9 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 4 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 8 | 1 | |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius v have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2012 Toyota Prius v?
Brakes: 135 of 216 NHTSA complaints (63%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Toyota Prius v get?
EPA rates it 41 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Toyota Prius v?
EPA estimates $1,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (1)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Station Wagons | 43 mpg | 39 mpg | 41 mpg | $1,500 | 217 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 135 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Steering | 11 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 8 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 20 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 1 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM · Campaign 18V684000 · Oct 5, 2018
Defect: 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 stall while being driven.
Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER · Campaign 15V449000 · Jul 15, 2015
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS · Campaign 13E070000 · Dec 26, 2013
Defect: Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. 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.
Consequence: The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE; SEATS · Campaign 13V014000 · Jan 17, 2013
Defect: 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 year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. 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.
Consequence: 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 deployment.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.