Model year record

2012 Toyota Prius V

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 312 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V684000

Hybrid propulsion system

Component
Hybrid propulsion system
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
807,329
Reported to NHTSA
2018-10-04
Owners notified
2019-01-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V449000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Component
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
108,624
Reported to NHTSA
2015-07-15
Owners notified
2015-07-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V014000

Seats

Component
Seats
Manufacturer
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected
3,235
Reported to NHTSA
2013-01-16
Owners notified
2013-03-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes13868,000 mi
Engine37120,000 mi
Electrical system2268,000 mi
Unknown or other1568,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1516,004 mi
Steering1159,815 mi
Air bags923,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic8140,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)784,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking7173,943 mi
Power train78,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5111,000 mi
Exterior lighting355,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control3
Structure: body313,252 mi
Visibility/wiper3200 mi
Hybrid propulsion system2200,000 mi
Wheels213,252 mi
Back over prevention: warnings1173,943 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel13,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: inverter195,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling13,300 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights1107,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings1
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter133,634 mi
Seat belts1
Seats1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint131,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1160,000 mi
Service brakes, electric: solenoid/actuator1160,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1112,000 mi
Structure112,287 mi
Suspension13,300 mi

The 2011 model has 312 times as many complaints as this one. The 2013 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP23005Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.