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2012 Toyota Prius electrical complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 52, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2012 Toyota Prius electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Feb 17, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · KY

Our 2012 Toyota Prius experienced brake failure due to the Accuator and Accumulator. I contacted Toyota Corporate office, which advised it is a known problem and had a customer support program that expired last year. The Toyota rep advised me to not drive the vehicle because of the brake failure and opened a ticket advising it is a known issue. After researching online, it is a very common issue. https://www.aboutautomobile.com/Consumer-Complaint/2010/Toyota/Prius/Brake

Filed Jan 23, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · IL · fire

The engine caught fire while sitting in my garage. I had driven it for a few hours doing deliveries for a store and parked it in my garage around 2:30pm. About 1.5 hours later, my wife was coming home and opened the garage door and saw smoke above the hood of my car and then a few seconds later it burst into flames. I believe that it was smouldering for a while and the gust of wind when the big garage door opened gave it the extra push to ignite. The car was bought used and had a front end accident prior to my purchasing it so the electrical system could have melted and started the fire but the inspector that Toyota sent did not give me any copy of his report. It is a 2012 model. I bought the car in 2014, and had it for about 5 years until this happened and completed burned up the car and all the contents of my garage. I had a T-Mobile Sync-up module in the OBD port and it recorded a drop in voltage from around 12 to 5 volts at the time of the fire which I believe was transferred to my phone when I was near it.

Filed Oct 14, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

My breakes failed when driving. I almost got in accident. Code C1391. Brake Actuaror Failure. car has 200,000 miles. Toyota is denying to repair the car. It is well known problem with that but still not fixing.

Filed Sep 12, 2022 · Electrical, Steering · MD

I was driving on highway & the vehicle stopped accelerating as I was pressing the gas. I put my hazards on & got to the side of the road. Then the eps light came on & the dash stopped showing the mph. The ac stopped blowing cold air & the windows were working slow. I turned car off then back on a couple of times then more lights came on. No lights were on prior to this & I haven’t had any problems w the vehicle before this. I just got this car & I feel like it has something to do with a recall but no one wants to take responsibility for the issue.

Filed Mar 13, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · GA

on the pasenger side front low beam light if the headlight does not sit correctly it melts the headlight housing and or the headlight is dimmer my damage wiring harness in past dealership blames owner feel like this is a part defect the heat from a bulb should not melt or damage housing assemblies damage was found during a new headlight install

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · NY

I brought the car to the Toyota dealer already 3 times for the same problem,now happened again,they told me the first time,nothing wrong with the car,and I paid them,the second time nothing wrong they said,the third time they said it’s the 12 v battery has to be replace it,I did replace it,but still the same problem I have,the HYBRID SYSTEM problems ,the Toyota company should fix it ,because it’s something very unsafe it’s happening with my car,please help me to resolve this problem….. the car drive but stop anytime,I almost have a very bad accident with my daughter ON board

Filed Feb 2, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · CA

Hi, I have a 2012 Toyota Prius with around 120k miles that is completely inoperable. A local Toyota dealership is charging $3400 to replace both computers, but the more I research the more apparent it becomes that this is directly linked with past issues that were never fully resolved during previous recall attempts. The following article describes the exact situation my car is in (https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-fi-prius-overheat-inverter-defect-20190414-story.html). When you combine that with the previous recalls back in 2014 & 2018, this quickly becomes a pattern. That pattern suggests that past software issues (1 & 2 below) were never fully resolved, and/or already caused premature damage to internal/computer components that then fail regardless. I spoke with the California Bureau of Automotive Repair who referred me to the federal safety agency. The agent I spoke with noted that because the Inverter wasn't actually replaced back in 2014 (Toyota only performed a software update), this part definitely could have been already damaged due to the software issues, which could then cause problems with the computers later on (which is what occurred). --- 1) the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 14V053000 - 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. 2) the federal safety agency CAMPAIGN ID: 18V684000 - 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. --- General: - Computers both failed, not currently available for inspection as they are being replaced - If this computer failure happens again later (while on the road - as it has for other consumer), it's very dangerous as the car essentially shuts down on the spot - Dealer is dismissing this due to the car's age - No previous warning lights or messages

Filed Nov 22, 2021 · Electrical · NY

I was Driving with my daughter as always,then the car put on the screen hybrid system problems and the car stop running…..I almost had an accident,I took the car to Toyota dealer and the charged me to fix it ,but the didn’t fix the problem,this is something that Toyota company should fix it before something bad happen while driving 😓

Filed Sep 9, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · 90,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while attempting to use the horn, the horn failed to operate as needed. The contact also stated that the front passenger’s air bag warning light illuminated and then turned off. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the clock spring failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the manufacturer communications regarding the clock spring assembly repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

There has been a safety recall on my vehicle for the years 2004-2009 models of the Toyota Prius, but my model year is 2012 and I have the exact same issue. 1) My check engine light comes on and off and it appears to be the hybrid electric water pump issue related to the coolant. The cap pops off and spills out. 2) When the light comes on, I am assuming the car is starting to overheat and is putting myself and my 3 year old daughter at risk as this is the primary car we use to transport her. We have just stop taking her out at all due to this issue. When the car overheats, I pull over and it can be risky as sometimes, I am on the highway or local streets. I do not want this issue to cause problems for other other drivers as well while I am trying to pull over where ever I am. 3) The problem as I stated above has been acknowledge by you and Toyota but just for 2004-2009 models. 4) The problem has not been inspected by Toyota, the police, or third party. I have been the only person checking the car and I am using a diagnostic check engine light tool to read the code and looking under the hood to find the coolant pump leaking and popped out just as indicated in the recall for other models. 5) Yes, the check engine light and high temperature light goes on and off. The issue first appeared around November of 2020.

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Brakes, Driver assistance · TX

I have never received a recall mail regarding the car. I used an insurance tracking plugin, and all the problems started.pcs error message on my dashboard, due to a leak in brake booster they said. My dealership will not tell me it's a recall, made it seem like they helped me instead of charging as high as $4000. I was not given a loaner car for the 4days they had my car, and did not get any refunds for the rental car I got

Filed Mar 22, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 91,000 miles · NY

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 (32 della dr, 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

Filed Feb 22, 2019 · Electrical · 179,180 miles · CA

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

Filed Jan 24, 2019 · Electrical · VT

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.

Filed Dec 4, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 125,000 miles · CA

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 was false, my car was running perfect. They then wanted to charge me nearly $1k to fix a problem I did not have prior to failed inverter. I feel the situation was connected but they refuse to cover it.

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · Electrical · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 toyota prius. The contact stated that the federal safety agency 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, 2401 thousand oaks blvd, thousand oaks, ca 91362) stated that the part for the repair was not available. The manufacturer was also contacted and confirmed that the part was unavailable. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Jun 5, 2018 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · CA

Both left and right low beam head light bulbs fail in 6 months of less

Filed Jun 4, 2018 · Electrical, Transmission · NC

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 this issue a lot. They all have similar stories with the same details as mine. It takes me about 5-7 min to get my car started. Once I finally get the car in gear, no issues pop up for the rest of the drive. All of this started about within the last month for me.

Filed Mar 3, 2018 · Electrical · 2 miles · MD · fire · 1 injury

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 took my car to a collision center, they said it is total loss after inspecting it. I claimed it to toyota. They inspected it, but said that there was no evidence that the car had electrical or mechanical defect. I did nothing but driving the car, but it caught fire. Whose responsibility is that? I believe the producer should take the responsibility but they do not. Where can I be compensated for the loss?

Filed Sep 29, 2017 · Electrical · CO

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 assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed May 17, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 107,000 miles · WV

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 responsible for any repairs under case number: 170517007. The failure mileage was 107,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2017 · Body, Electrical · 40,000 miles · FL

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 the wires were soy based causing the attraction of rodents to the hood of the vehicle however the vehicle was not taken for an inspection. An independent mechanic was also contacted who confirmed that the cabin air filter did not have a mesh grill which resulted in the rodents entering through a hole into the cabin air filter then entering into the glove compartment console accessing the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was then taken to a mechanic where a hardware cloth grill was installed on the cabin air filter. The vehicle was repaired and rodents were no longer entering the vehicle. In addition, the contact was required to clean the feces remaining in the interior of the vehicle utilizing a mask, gloves, and disinfectant and in order to avoid contact with a virus from the feces, the contact was advised not to vacuum let the virus become airborne. The contact was concerned that the rat feces in the vehicle could result in a fatal disease in the event a child would ride in the vehicle and accidentally eat the feces. The contact was concerned that if rodents entered though the air conditioning unit and defecated inside, activating the air condition unit if there was feces, a virus could become airborne. The manufacturer was notified of the failure then informed the contact that the failure was not covered under warranty and that the failure was an outside influence which was not their responsibility. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · KY

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.

Filed Jun 21, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 14,000 miles · CA

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 the gasoline engine. Toyota has disabled some important functions in its power management recall software update that affects the hybrid engine performance and failure to start. I drive my prius 3-4 times a month and I did not have any problem before the recall software upgrade because prius owners manual clearly says that the battery with be disconnected by battery saving function when your car is parked for long time, several days, weeks. In fact, when your car is parked for just days, toyota power management software (recall) is draining the car battery and reconfiguring the relays to power up the gasoline engine. Toyota owners manual clearly states that when you are parked, "power management software disconnects the auxiliary battery from the hybrid system." however, after the recall, not only auxiliary battery is not disconnected but there are lots of "activity" in hybrid engine that drains the batteries. I called the toyota service and they now say you have to keep the car on a charger all the time when parked for several days. Of course , it is a huge safety problem to keep the car on a charger all the time when parked for days because the battery is housed in the cabin and the ventilation does not exist unless you park your car outdoors. At the same time toyota recommends keeping the car on a charger , it also warns of explosion caused by charging the batteries in a garage.

Filed Feb 26, 2016 · Airbags, Electrical · 45,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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 was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.......updated 04/01/16 *bf *js consumer stated there have been previous stalls which there have been recalls. Updated 6/7/18

Filed Jul 13, 2015 · Electrical · 57,421 miles · NY

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 excess of $250.00. The technician stated that tsb-0204-12 was issued for for 2010-11 prius for this problem and that the 2012 prius have the exact same wiring harness, but that toyota was not going to fix that problem for teh 2012 models and that I would have to absorb the cost myself.

Filed Feb 10, 2015 · Electrical · 53,000 miles · UT

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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 53,000.

Filed Oct 28, 2014 · Brakes, Driver assistance · 33,200 miles · FL

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 wiring insulation.) I generally park my car at only two locations - my home and my work. I had never seen any rodents of any type! I can't imagine what would have happened if one of the wires to the engine, or airbags, or any system for that matter separated while I was driving. Apparently, toyota is aware of this problem but is trying to downplay it! I was told it's not a warranty item. My car requires two new wiring harnesses, the alarm wiring, and the airbag harness plus other repairs.

Filed May 21, 2014 · Electrical · 12,000 miles · NC

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 hazard but said toyota will not fix the problem.

Filed Mar 8, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · CA

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.

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