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    GREEN CHOICE

    Toyota Prius V

    EPA MPG: 42 mpg

    RECALL ALERT:
    There are 4 recalls on this vehicle. Learn More.

    Reliability

    Overall Reliability

    Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how used vehicles are holding up in 17 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical system.

    The 2012 Toyota Prius V has been recalled 4 times by NHTSA. View Recalls
    Most Common Trouble Spots
    Common Trouble Spot
    Common Trouble Spot

    Owner Reported Trouble Spots

    The Reliability score is based on our latest subscriber survey of 2012 Toyota Prius V owners. The owner comments describe problems respondents experienced with this vehicle.

    Steering And Suspension

    Shocks or struts, ball joints, tie rods, wheel bearings, alignment, steering linkage (includes rack and pinion), power steering (pumps and hoses, leaks), wheel balance, springs or torsion bars, bushings, electronic or air suspension.

    What Owners Say

    Alignment

    "2/22/24 Routine Service. All problems started After that: car bouncing, jiggling, jerking, rocking. Rechecked by Toyota dealer, say "no problem". Still have rough ride. Don't trust Toyota dealer. Afraid there's a structural issue that could cause a considerable problem."

    Anonymous, CA (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Shocks or struts

    "Just ware and tare."

    Anonymous, AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Steering wheel vibration

    "Steering wheel vibration made loud vibration when driving over very small bumps, train tracks, etc"

    Anonymous, NY (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Wheel bearings

    "Just ware and tare for both bearings and struts."

    Anonymous, AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Brakes

    Premature pad/rotor wear, pulsation or vibration, antilock system, parking brake, master cylinder, calipers, squeaking, brake failure, regenerative braking.

    What Owners Say

    Antilock braking system (ABS)

    "Sensor failed, required replacing the wheel bearing."

    Anonymous, IN (2012 Toyota Prius V Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    "During the summer 2023, the antilock braking system failed. We took the car to the dealer where we purchased it. They charged us $150 to diagnose the problem. Their repair estimate was $4,000. We were told that the manufacturer had recognized the problem and had extended the warranty to 10 years but our vehicle at that time was 11 years old and therefor was not covered. We asked them what alternatives were available and were told to just sell the car. We found a local mechanic who replaced the failed component with a "used" one and charged us $1000. it lasted about 2 weeks and failed. He replaced the unit again. This time the unit failed the next day. We gave up on him and are now driving the car "as is" with 5 warning lights on the dashboard. Up until last summer, we had been very satisfied with the car. It was the first time we had purchased a foreign made car."

    Anonymous A., AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V Three 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Calipers

    "After brake pad and rotor replacement (not sure if premature, forget whether front or rear), car dragged while driving and it was necessary to replace one of the calipers."

    Anonymous, NY (2012 Toyota Prius V Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Master cylinder

    "At 150,000 the master cylinder failed. A new master cylinder was only available from Toyota. It cost $1,200 just for a replacement master cylinder!"

    Anonymous A., CA (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Engine Major

    Engine rebuild or replacement, cylinder head, head gasket, turbocharger or supercharger, timing chain or belt.

    What Owners Say

    Engine rebuild or replacement

    "At 177000 miles the head gasket gave way and leaked coolant into the cylinders. This caused a complete failure of the engine. It cost over $10,000 to replace the engine."

    Anonymous A., CA (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Head gasket

    "whit the cost of replacing the head gasket and the value of the car with milage of 177K, makes the car not worth repairing. googling shows this is not an uncommon problem. Toyota should have recalled it."

    Anonymous A., MI (2012 Toyota Prius V Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Other major engine problem

    "first significant issue we had with the vehicle. Cost was just about $550 but it has over 140,000 miles."

    Anonymous, MN (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Noises And Leaks

    Squeaks, rattles, wind noises, seals and/or weather stripping, air and water leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Powertrain cooling leaks

    "Water Pump Worn out."

    Anonymous, OR (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Squeaks or rattles

    "Have had rattle at low speeds in the front for several years. Recently corrected with replacement of front heat shield."

    Anonymous, GA (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Electrical Accessories

    Cruise control, clock, warning lights, body control module, keyless entry, wiper motor or washer, tire pressure monitor, interior or exterior lights, horn, gauges, 12V power plug, USB ports, alarm or security system, remote engine start, heated or cooled seats, heated steering wheel, headlights, automatic headlights, automatic wipers, wireless charging pad.

    What Owners Say

    12V battery

    "Had issues with starting - replaced the battery in April 2024. Dealer indicated the expected life on these 12V batteries was 10 years and ours lasted 12 years."

    Anonymous, MN (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    "Replaced 12V battery myself."

    Anonymous, CO (2012 Toyota Prius V Three 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    In-car Electronics

    Infotainment system (audio, GPS, phone), rear entertainment system, backup or other camera/sensors, head-up display.

    What Owners Say

    External music device interface (e.g., smart phone, MP3 player)

    "Sirius/XM does not work anymore."

    Anonymous, CA (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)
    Phone pairing (e.g., Bluetooth)

    "Bluetooth is not current system and does not pair with Apple or Android phones."

    Anonymous, CA (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Paint And Trim

    Paint (fading, chalking, peeling, or cracking), loose interior or exterior trim or moldings, rust.

    What Owners Say

    Loose exterior trim or moldings

    "I hit a bag of leaves and front bumber came off. Cant get it right. Thank goodness for duct tape!"

    Anonymous, AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Body Hardware

    Windows, locks and latches, doors or sliding doors, tailgate, trunk or hatch, mirrors, seat controls (power or manual), seat belts, sunroof, convertible top, glass defect.

    What Owners Say

    Tailgate, hatch or trunk

    "Rubber gasket around hatch loose. Front bummer came off when I hit a bag of leaves"

    Anonymous, AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Exhaust

    Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Other/unsure

    "Tire sensor"

    Anonymous, FL (2012 Toyota Prius V Five 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Engine Minor

    Accessory belts and pulleys, engine computer, engine mounts, engine knock or ping, fuel leaks, oil leaks.

    What Owners Say

    Oil leaks

    "The timing belt gasket leaked; replacing it required pulling the engine. A $5 part and $2500 labor."

    Anonymous, IN (2012 Toyota Prius V Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    EV Battery

    What Owners Say

    Electric/hybrid battery pack replacement

    "Over the past 12 months, prior to replacement, fuel mileage slowly decreased, to a about a 20% reduction from when the car was new. Then, a few months ago, the instrument warning lights came on, indicating a hybrid battery failure. The car was still running OK, and the battery was still taking a charge, just not performing as well as it should. The car was 10 years old, although well maintained and not driven extensively. But 10 years in the desert was about all that we could expect, being time rather than use, causing degradation of the battery. The cost to replace the battery pack came to about $3,500. After replacement, the cars mileage rose back to nearly the range it had when new. The only difference being that the current set of tires, while performing very well, have a much higher rolling resistance than either the factory originals or other replacements available that more closely match performance characteristics of the originals."

    Anonymous, AZ (2012 Toyota Prius V Two 1.8-L 4 Cyl hybrid)

    Climate System

    AC compressor, blower (fan) motor, condenser, evaporator, heater system, automatic climate system, electrical failure, refrigerant leakage.

    Fuel System/Emissions

    Sensors (O₂, or oxygen, sensor), emission-control devices (includes EGR), fuel-injection system, fuel gauge/sender, fuel pump, problems filling up the tank.

    Drive System

    Driveshaft or axle, CV joint, differential, transfer case, four-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive components, driveline vibration, electrical failure, traction control, electronic stability control.

    Transmission Major

    Transmission rebuild or replacement, torque converter, premature clutch replacement.

    Transmission Minor

    Gear selector and linkage, transmission computer, transmission sensor or solenoid, clutch adjustment, rough shifting, slipping transmission, leaks.

    Engine Cooling

    Radiator, cooling fan, water pump, thermostat, antifreeze leaks, overheating.

    Engine Electrical

    Alternator, starter, hybrid battery replacement, hybrid battery related systems, regular battery, battery cables, engine harness, coil, ignition switch, electronic ignition, spark plugs and wires failure, auto stop/start.

    2012 Sedans & Hatchbacks Reliability

    This Car
    vs. Similar Cars

    Toyota vs. Other New Car Brands Reliability

    Reliability History
    * Redesign year
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    Overall Reliability Verdict

    NA
    POTENTIAL TROUBLE SPOTS
    Powertrain
    NA
    Electric Motor
    NA
    EV Battery
    NA
    Engine Major
    NA
    Engine Minor
    NA
    Engine Cooling
    NA
    Engine Electrical
    NA
    Transmission Major
    NA
    Transmission Minor
    NA
    Drive System
    NA
    Fuel System/Emissions
    NA
    Exhaust
    NA
    Steering and Suspension
    NA
    Brakes
    NA
    Climate System
    NA
    Build Quality
    NA
    Electrical Accessories
    NA
    Body Hardware
    NA
    Paint/Trim
    NA
    Noises/Leaks
    NA
    In-car Electronics
    NA
    Reliability indicates how models have performed in the past, providing the basis for predicting how the vehicles will hold up in the year ahead. These charts provide the most comprehensive reliability information available to consumers. Based on information received from our latest subscriber survey for over 300,000 vehicles, our reliability history charts give you a rundown on how 2000 through 2024 vehicles are holding up in 20 potential trouble spots, ranging from the engine, transmission, electric motor, EV charging, and brakes to power equipment and the electrical accessories. NA indicates that we did not receive a large enough sample size to provide data for a specific year. An X indicates that the vehicle was not manufactured for a specific year.
    Recalls
    PROVIDED BY
    HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
    Oct 04, 2018
    If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 18V684000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 807329
    HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
    Jul 15, 2015
    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.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 15V449000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 108624
    EXTERIOR LIGHTING
    Dec 12, 2013
    The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 13E070000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 409
    AIR BAGS, SEATS
    Jan 16, 2013
    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.
    Summary:
    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.
    What should you do:
    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.
    For more information:
    Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
    NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID Number: 13V014000
    Potential Number of Units Affected: 3235
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