2012 Toyota Prius Electrical System Problems
- 31
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 31 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 2 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- failure mileage · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 1–30k mi | 13 |
| 30–60k mi | 8 |
| 100–150k mi | 2 |
| 150–400k mi | 1 |
| 60–100k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. While driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle stalled and all the indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was towed to della toyota ([redacted], plattsburgh, ny 12901), but a diagnosis was not provided. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 18v684000 (hybrid…
ODI 11190834
Electrical System
Car horn stop working , if the steering will its turn half way either way it works , the car its not that old for electrical to do that
ODI 11182061
Electrical System
Horn stopped working in november 2018. Dealer tells me that there is an opening in the spiral cable which is causing horn not to work. Entire spiral cable needs to be replaced. This vehicle has had driver's airbag recalled once, maybe twice. Did spiral cable get damaged in one of these recalls? I know that there was a recall in earlier toyotas with same part, but not this year and model, wondering if there should be.
ODI 11171872
Electrical System · Power Train
My car will turn on, but it will not shift into drive or reverse until numerous attempts. I usually have to turn it on and off for about 10-15 times before it will allow my to shift into gear. The key fob will lock and unlock the car. The car will still turn on, ac will still come on, radio still works. The only thing that doesn't work on the first 10-15 tries is the sifting into gear. Priuschat forum talk about…
ODI 11099828
Electrical System
On my way home i suddenly saw a sign on the screen "check the hybrid system. Stop in a safe place". I pulled over, smelled smoke and saw smoke in the rear. I opened the trunk ans frightened by flame. I pulled things out and covered the flame with two big towels and succeeded in putting it out, although i got burned on my fingers. I called geico. They sent a towing car and it took my car to my apartment. When geico…
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 11076081
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated that nhtsa campaign number: 17v718000 (electrical system) exceeded a reasonable amount of time for repair. The contact received the recall notice in november of 2017. The dealer (thousand oaks toyota, [redacted], thousand oaks, ca 91362) stated that the part for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the part…
ODI 11145047
Electrical System
Both left and right low beam head light bulbs fail in 6 months of less
ODI 11099952
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated that rodents chewed through the air filter and wiring in the vehicle. The contact stated that this issue occurred three times. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed that the air filter and wiring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer stated that it was an outdoor issue and provided no further…
ODI 11030474
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. While driving various speeds, both the front driver and passenger side low beam headlights failed to illuminate without warning. The contact stated that the failure occurred twice in the past. The vehicle was scheduled to be taken to the dealer and had not been diagnosed. The manufacturer advised the contact to have the vehicle diagnosed and stated that he would be…
ODI 10986122
Body · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated that while parked, there were rodents entering the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated that the cabin air filter did not have a mesh grill which was allowing the rodents to enter through a hole in the cabin air filter then into the glove compartment console and into the interior of the vehicle. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that…
ODI 10959845
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
Door locking mechanism, security issue, vehicle will not lock due to faulty lock actuator--- may effect other actuators. Vehicle stationary and on start up for motion.
ODI 10896159
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Unknown Or Other
My prius was just fine then one day it stalled while i was driving in the middle of the free way. I took my vehicle in to elmore toyota in westminster, ca, they found it had a failed inverter and it was still covered under warranty. It took 2 weeks for them to fix it, but when they returned my car, the slip indicator was now on and would not turn off. They claim it was like that prior to the failed inverter, this…
ODI 11155888
Air Bags · Electrical System · Hybrid Propulsion System
Tl* the contact owned a 2012 toyota prius. While driving 60 mph, the engine stalled. Various warning lights illuminated and a beeping noise was present. The contact's vehicle coasted to a stop and was rear ended by another vehicle. A police report was filed. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries to the forearm that required medical attention. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The vin…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10838647
Electrical System
Over the last nine months i have had to replace the bulbs in my 2012 toyota prius 6 times. When i brought it to the dealer they stated that it was because i was not using toyota certified bulb and i paid over $150 to have them inspect the headlights and replace the bulbs. After i had the certified bulbs installed, a bulb went out again. When i returned to the dealer, i was told that i needed new wiring for a cost in…
ODI 10733546
Electrical System
Tl*the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle stalled and all of the warning lights illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle restarted but was not able to move forward or reverse. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The contact was aware of nhtsa campaign number: 14v053000 (electrical system,…
ODI 10682480
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Service Brakes
I went to start my prius v. After it was started, a number of the warning lights came on including the abs and stability control. I was stunned since i had my 30000 mile check up in may with no problems. When i took it to the dealer for repair, the dealer determined that rodents had eaten through a number of the electrical systems because of the soy based wiring. (i understand now that it's "biogradable soy based…
ODI 10650709
Electrical System · Engine · Power Train
After toyota power management software recall installed "power management upgrade" software in my car i immediately experienced serious problems with my ignition /start of hybrid/gasoline engine. After pressing ignition, i had to wait 15 to 20 minutes and press start button on/off repeatedly until the gasoline engine ignite but hybrid failed to start. It is not normal because a prius hybrid engine starts first not…
ODI 10875560
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
When the headlights are on, the speedometer does not display when the dashboard lights are dimmed. All other displays dim, but the speed of the car is no longer displayed. *tr
ODI 10567969
Electrical System · Engine · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius hybrid. The contact stated that the automatic startup engaged independently with a loud clunking noise. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician was unable to duplicate the problem. The vehicle was also diagnosed by a different dealer who refused to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The vehicle had not been…
ODI 10561351
Electrical System
When our neighbor with a 2013 prius key fab enters our 2011 prius it disables the ignition. It will sometimes allow the car to start by touching our key fab to the ignition button however if engine stops, like at a stop light, it will disable the ignition again not allowing you to start the car unless you put your key fab up to the start button again. The dealer knew about the situation and agreed it is a safety…
ODI 10593237
Electrical System
Bought car on 1/23/13 and drove home. Next day got a call they forgot to give us access key so drove 27 miles to dealership and smoke on dashboard. Pulled into service and sales manager got in car drove around and said all is fine. Came home an odometer showed 564 miles after i drove 27 there and 27 back. The car had 156 night we bought it the day before. We are old and disabled and do not drive often. Odometer now…
ODI 10498374
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
While driving at night, all lights, especially red in color, which are viewed from front windshield, appear as three distinct images. The source light, then a distinct shadowed light above and below the source. This safety issue is extremely compounded when driving at night in high traffic situations where there are hundrends of tailights in front of me. All those lights are essentially trippled causing confusion…
ODI 10490622
Electrical System · Equipment
Navagation screen, when sun hits the screen from right direction the screen can act like a very bright mirror and blind driver without warning. *tr
ODI 10477328
Electrical System · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Driving 70 mph car began to go into high rpm, then accelerated to 74 from 70 mph. I tried to decrease speed then vehicle shut off got a long beep and message on display "check hybrid system, pull over immediately" all lights on dash were indicating failures. Coasted to safety with 5 passengers in vehicle across traffic at 9:30 pm to shoulder. Tried to restart several times then vehicle went into high rpm then engine…
ODI 10474289
Electrical System · Power Train
Car becomes immobile - will not shift into reverse or drive. Computer keeps sending the message to put it in park and depress brake, but once that is done, any attempt to shift into reverse or drive triggers the message, endlessly. The problem is apparently intermittent. Occurred for two hours yesterday, after occurring to a lesser extent in preceding days (in the days preceding the total breakdown, i was able to…
ODI 10469781