2012 Toyota Prius C: engine stalls while driving

Filed Sep 10, 2021 · Electrical · CA

I was driving with my 10 year old son on local city streets. I was approaching a busy intersection while going approximately 35 miles when my car just turned off with an error message about the hybrid system failing. I stopped the car and put it in park while trying to turn the car back on, but I kept getting the same hybrid system error message. While the stoplight was red, I got my son out of the car and over to the sidewalk because this was a dangerous situation where anyone not paying attention could've slammed into my stalled car (see picture of black Toyota Prius). I called AAA to get it towed. About 20 minutes later, a cop car pulled up to block my stalled car and then got it pushed to the side of the road (picture attached) because of how dangerous it was sitting there blocking traffic at a major intersection. My car was taken to Cabe Toyota dealership where they diagnosed it with a failed IPM card, which would cost around $4,000 to replace. I did a simple Google search and found that 80,000 Prius from 2012 - 2014 have been recalled for this EXACT reason. There have also been class action lawsuits surrounding this IPM failure due to its extreme safety risks to anyone inside a car that will just die in the middle of driving it, especially when their fail-safe system does not get triggered with this particular IPM failure. As of right now, the car is available for inspection because it's still at Cabe Toyota. The invoice shows that the IPM card needs to be replaced. There were NOT any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms prior to the car shutting off while driving it. It had been running just fine.

Filed Jan 8, 2021 · Electrical · 126,000 miles · OR

2012 prius c sudden inverter failure caused car to stall on busy street, putting driver at serious risk. Car is well maintained newer model with moderately low mileage and no prior issues. Car is no longer operable until inverter is replaced. Toyota has had prior lawsuits, complaints and recalls due to inverter failure. My specific VIN was not included in recall, but same incident occurred as described in recall bulletins posted by toyota and complaints on website. Toyota refuses to include my VIN under recall.

Filed Dec 22, 2019 · 90,000 miles · CO

My 2012 prius c with 90,000 miles began to lose power/speed driving when check hybrid system warning suddenly came on tonight. It was unresponsive to the gas peddle, even at full throttle. Did not allow enough time to pull to the side of a busy road before it lost all ability to drive, leaving me stalled near intersection. A stranger helped push my car off the main road until aaa sent a tow truck. Had this occurred one mile later, I would've stalled on the 25 southbound freeway going from lone tree to denver at a very busy time in the evening without warning (scary thought). Upon arriving home with the towed vehicle, I attempted to start the engine again, but it would not start. Turned off the ignition, removed keys, but a low sound I've never continued for several minutes. After that, the car was completely dead. Dashboard won't light up, no working horn, power locks, windows, alarm. I now have no functioning vehicle and have no idea what caused my car to lose power while driving.

Filed Sep 12, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 107,931 miles · FL

Takata recall from the date of purchase, vehicle performed unpredictably. I took my car to the toyota dealership and they found that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. When I drive 45 MPH, the vehicle will stall and all indicator illuminate on the instrument panel. In the middle of the road, the car will stall. Toyota does not stand by their product. My car goes completely dead. Every warning light turns on and its blinking.

Filed Apr 3, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 500 miles · AZ

When in the high 80s+ outside, my 2012 prius c, bought new, has not started from in a stopped position, with all the warning lights on the dashboard activating &, many times, the hybrid system shutting down while I'm trying to exit a driveway or garage, city street or parking the vehicle, creating a sudden stall & leaving me in the path of oncoming traffic. Took to dealership many times & they insist my car can't be doing what it's doing because they see no codes & ignore my screenshots, pics & video. When I ask them why my car has same "symptoms" as others of the same make, model & year, their reply is that my specific car has not been recalled. They will not even look to see if there are problems with the sensor, inverter or software. My car has only 8700 miles on it. I am afraid to drive it cause I have no clue what it's going to do & the dealership is unconcerned. It seems neither the federal safety agency nor toyota gives a [xxx] about safety. I think the issue is the software in the electronic controls of the car, with current settings that could create heat in some of the transistors. 2012 toyota prius electrical system: software, hybrid propulsion system: inverter the federal safety agency campaign #14v053000. Summary: in the affected vehicles, the intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel ...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. Just cause my specific car was not included in the recall doesn't mean it shouldn't have been when it is doing the exact same thing that the other recalled cars are doing. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jul 15, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 5,240 miles · VA

My 2012 toyota prius c four model (purchased new in august, 2012) with approximately 5,200 original miles experienced a loss of power and total failure (engine stalled right after the hybrid motor warning light appeared) of the 2012 toyota prius c hybrid inverter engine due to an electrical panel defect while exiting I 495 in alexandria, virginia on the late evening of july 6, 2013. Toyota corporate (1‑800‑331‑4331) opened case file # 1307101143 and our local toyota dealership in alexandria, va. Was very helpful and proactive in replacing the entire hybrid inverter motor component on the 2012 prius c under factory warranty and at no charge to me as the original owner of the vehicle. Toyota corporate also advised me that they are unaware of any recalls or other reported problems with the 2012 toyota prius c hybrid inverter motor so our situation was, hopefully, an anomaly.