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2012 Toyota Prius C Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Daniel Wilson

Complaint Summary

The 2012 Toyota Prius C has 83 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve service brakes and electrical system.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

8.3/ 10

Based on 83 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

SERVICE BRAKES

24 28.9%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 15.7%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8 9.6%

AIR BAGS

7 8.4%

ENGINE

5 6%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is SERVICE BRAKES, accounting for 28.9% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 17 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2012 Toyota Prius C

The 2012 Toyota Prius C has 83 owner complaints in this dataset. SERVICE BRAKES is the most common complaint category, representing about 29% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2012 Toyota Prius C are SERVICE BRAKES (24), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (13), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 52 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2012 Toyota Prius C?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2013 Prius C complaints2014 Prius C complaints2015 Prius C complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 17 of 17 systems

SERVICE BRAKES

24 Reports29% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED GENTLY AS THE CAR WAS APPROACHING A STOPPED CAR. THE PRIUS C THEN ACCELERATED, AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKES WERE FIRMLY APPLIED, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BUT NOT IN ENOUGH TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE PRIUS REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER, AND THE FRONT END OF THE PRIUS WAS DESTROYED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED AND WILL NEED TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR

5/28/2013

CAR IN FRONT SLOWED THEN STOPPED QUICKLY AS THE CAR AHEAD OF IT ATTEMPTED TO USE THE MIDDLE LANE IMPROPERLY (NOT A TURN LANE AT THAT TIME), NOT MOVING FULLY NOR QUICKLY INTO THE LANE. CAR IN FRONT STOPPED. APPLIED BRAKES IMMEDIATELY TO THE PRIUS C TO SLOW, THEN ADDED ONE RAPID PUMP, AND ULTIMATELY PUSHED THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR. THE PRIUS DID LITTLE MORE THAN SLOW (WITHOUT EVEN A JOLT FROM THE FIRM APPLICATION OF THE BRAKES), CAUSING A CRASH INTO THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT AND SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE ENTIRE FRONT END. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. *JS

4/11/2014

22 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

13 Reports16% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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. *TR

7/15/2013

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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). *TR

4/3/2016

11 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8 Reports10% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

BRAKE BOOSTER W/ MASTER ECM COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION -UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND PERFORMS ABS, ANTI SLIPPERY AND BRAKE PEDAL TO LOW. THE MALFUNCTION INCLUDES WARNING LIGHTS PANEL TO STAY ON.

1/19/2016

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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). *TR

4/3/2016

6 more complaints are available in this category.

AIR BAGS

7 Reports8% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE EXITING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,527. *TR

4/8/2013

THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED GENTLY AS THE CAR WAS APPROACHING A STOPPED CAR. THE PRIUS C THEN ACCELERATED, AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKES WERE FIRMLY APPLIED, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BUT NOT IN ENOUGH TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE PRIUS REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER, AND THE FRONT END OF THE PRIUS WAS DESTROYED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED AND WILL NEED TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR

5/28/2013

5 more complaints are available in this category.

ENGINE

5 Reports6% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

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. *TR

7/15/2013

PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL BLADDER CAUSING THE GAUGE TO READ INCORRECTLY. THE GAUGE GETS STUCK AT A QUARTER TANK AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU'RE OUT OF GAS. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, IT CAUSED THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO FAIL AND LOCKED THE CAR UP EVEN AFTER PUTTING GAS IN IT. HAS TO DO A MASTER RESET OF THE ENTIRE CAR TO GET IT TO START AGAIN.

4/11/2018

3 more complaints are available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

4 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A 18+ CAR ACCIDENT. TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH ALL TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE CAR DID STOP BEFORE IMPACT. DRIVER PRESSED HIMSELF TO THE SEAT WHILE SLAMMING ON BREAKS. A CAR SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE PRIUS WHICH SHOT THE PRIUS FORWARD, WEDGING IT BETWEEN THE 2 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT WITH THE CARS IT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. DRIVER FLEW FORWARD BREAKING BONES IN HIS FACE AND OBTAINED INJURIES TO A KNEE FROM IMPACTING THE CONSOLE, AND WHIPLASH. A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT OBTAINED A KNOT ON HEAD AND WHIPLASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BELT ELR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.

1/5/2016

I WAS STOPPED AT A GREEN LIGHT THE CAR IN FRONT ME TURNED LEFT AN ONCOMING CAR SWERVED TO MISS THEM, THEN OVERCORRECTED AND HIT ME. HIT ME ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE, THEY HIT ME WITH SO MUCH FORCE THEY MOVED MY CAR ALMOST 6 FEET SIDEWAYS. NONE OF THE MY AIRBAGS WENT OFF AND MY SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK. I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH SUCH FORCE I HAD THE TOYOTA SYMBOL IMPRINTED ON MY CHEST FOR A DAY. (I WAS WEARING 3 LAYERS A JACKET AND 2 SHIRTS).WHY DID NONE OF THE SAFETY FEATURES WORK? IT WAS IF I WASN'T WEARING A SEATBELT, BUT I DO HAVE HE BRUISES ACROSS MY HIPS SAYING I WAS.

1/23/2017

2 more complaints are available in this category.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

4 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

BRAKE BOOSTER W/ MASTER ECM COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION -UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND PERFORMS ABS, ANTI SLIPPERY AND BRAKE PEDAL TO LOW. THE MALFUNCTION INCLUDES WARNING LIGHTS PANEL TO STAY ON.

1/19/2016

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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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). *TR

4/3/2016

2 more complaints are available in this category.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND TRAFFIC, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE SURGE. I DID REPORT THIS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED, ORR TOYOTA, SEARCY, ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME TO TELL THEM IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

9/12/2014

AS I WAS PULLING INTO A SPACE IN FRONT OF MY SCHOOL, AND HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, GOING LESS THAN FIVE MILES PER HOUR, THE CAR SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT GREAT SPEED, CRASHING INTO A STAIRWELL AND STAIR RAILING. THE CAR ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED UP AND SPED AHEAD; THEN I WENT TO PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE CAR REVVED AGAIN, AND SLAMMED FURTHER INTO THE RAILING. I WAS ALONE IN THE CAR, BUT NOW MY INSURANCE IS TRYING TO CLAIM "MY FAULT", WHEN THE CAR ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT BEING STUCK, ETC. ISSUE. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATION WITH PRIOR REGULAR TOYOTA PRIUS YEAR MODELS. I AM STILL AWAITING AN INSURANCE INSPECTION ETC. THE REPAIR ESTIMATE HASN'T BEGUN.

9/19/2017

1 more complaint is available in this category.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

2012 PRIUS C BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FILLED WITH WATER AND FAIL - TRUE SAFETY HAZARD - NO RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA BUT THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ON USER SITES.

6/15/2016

THE LOW BEAM HEAD LIGHTS BOTH FAIL WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. THE ROAD WENT TO TOTAL DARKNESS. I FEEL LUCKY THE HIGH BEAMS WERE STILL WORKING. I HAVE TAKEN THE PRIUS C TO THE SHOP AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY ON DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS HAVE MELTED. THE WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED.

12/20/2018

1 more complaint is available in this category.

POWER TRAIN

3 Reports4% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

FROM DATE OF PURCHASE, VEHICLE PERFORMED UNPREDICTABLY. TRANSITIONING FROM ELECTRIC TO MOTOR WAS ROUGH AND NOTICEABLE. AT 600 MILES, A SIGNIFICANT IMPACT WAS FELT DURING TRANSITION. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR AND VEHICLE WENT THROUGH STOP SIGN AT LOW SPEED. ROUTE 44 TOYOTA INSISTED I NEEDED TO GET USED TO ELECTRONIC BRAKES. TOYOTA INSISTED BRAKES WORKED AS PRESCRIBED. RECENTLY, A AAA DRIVER DISCOVERED THE GROUND WIRE ON THE BATTERY WAS LOOSE. THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED AND THE VEHICLE NOW FUNCTIONS AS DESCRIBED, THE HILL HOLD FUNCTIONS AS DESCRIBED. NHTSA DID AN INSPECTION IN RESPONSE TO A DEFECT PETITION - VEHICLE DID NOT PERFORM AS DESCRIBED IN THE FEDERAL REGISTER. BRAKE PEDAL IS NOW HIGH, AS IT WAS INITIALLY. THIS VEHICLE WAS SENT FROM THE FACTORY WITH A LOOSE BATTERY GROUND AND IT WAS COVERED UP BY EVERYONE FROM TOYOTA, DEALERSHIPS TO NHTSA WHEN THE CORRECTION WAS SIMPLE. TOYOTA DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.

1/17/2019

TRANSAXLE IS FAILING AFTER 100K MILES OF NORMAL DRIVING AND MAINTENANCE. SPOKE WITH BOTH A TOYOTA DEALER AND TRANSMISSION SHOP WHO SAID THE CVT FAILURE ON THIS MODEL YEAR AND THE FOLLOWING SEVERAL IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON OCCURRENCE. THIS IS A $5000+ REPAIR FAIRLY EARLY IN THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP SAID THIS WAS DUE TO POOR INITIAL DESIGN.

12/19/2019

1 more complaint is available in this category.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND TRAFFIC, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE SURGE. I DID REPORT THIS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED, ORR TOYOTA, SEARCY, ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME TO TELL THEM IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR

9/12/2014

PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL BLADDER CAUSING THE GAUGE TO READ INCORRECTLY. THE GAUGE GETS STUCK AT A QUARTER TANK AND BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, YOU'RE OUT OF GAS. ONCE THIS HAPPENED, IT CAUSED THE HYBRID SYSTEM TO FAIL AND LOCKED THE CAR UP EVEN AFTER PUTTING GAS IN IT. HAS TO DO A MASTER RESET OF THE ENTIRE CAR TO GET IT TO START AGAIN.

4/11/2018

SEATS

2 Reports2% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

METAL COMING THRU RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. *TR

10/15/2014

THE PRIUS C IS MADE IN JAPAN. THEY ARE COATING THE WIRING AND SEAT FOAM WITH SOYBEAN OIL AND PEANUT OIL. MICE ARE NOW EATING THE WIRING AND SEAT FOAM AND ANY ELECTRICAL OR RUBBER PARTS IN THE PRIUS C

7/14/2016

STRUCTURE:BODY

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED GENTLY AS THE CAR WAS APPROACHING A STOPPED CAR. THE PRIUS C THEN ACCELERATED, AT WHICH TIME THE BRAKES WERE FIRMLY APPLIED, THE ABS SYSTEM ENGAGED, BUT NOT IN ENOUGH TIME FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE PRIUS REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT, ALL AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED CAUSING INJURY TO THE DRIVER, AND THE FRONT END OF THE PRIUS WAS DESTROYED. IT CANNOT BE FIXED AND WILL NEED TO BE SCRAPPED. *TR

5/28/2013

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE REAR WINDSHIELD SHATTERED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36,000. *TR

7/18/2013

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

WINDSHIELD WAS CHIPPED BY SOME DEBRIS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY GOING ABOUT 55 MPH, THE SIZE WAS HALF A CENTIMETER, IF THAT. THE NEXT MORNING IT TURNED INTO A 6 INCH CRACK AND HAS GROWN EVEN BIGGER IN THE PAST COUPLE WEEKS TO WHERE IT HAS COME TO BLOCK MY VISION. OTHER CARS THAT I HAVE OWNED HAD CHIPS IN THE WINDSHIELD, BUT NEVER DEVELOPED INTO A CRACK. I AM THINKING THE WINDSHIELD IS TOO, TOO, THIN FOR IT TO BE PRACTICAL FOR A VEHICLE TRAVELING HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AMONG OTHER OWNERS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN, IF THE DEBRIS IS A LITTLE LARGER, WILL THE WINDSHIELD PREVENT PENETRATION INTO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER COMPARTMENT SO AS NO ONE WILL BE HARMED DUE TO A THIN WINDSHIELD? *TR

10/9/2013

STEERING

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

INNER LEFT TIE ROD LOOSE, REVEALED WHEN ANNUAL INSPECTION CONDUCTED. TOYOTA HAS NO PART NUMBER FOR THE INNER TIE ROD (EST PRICE $30.00) SO MUST PURCHASE ENTIRE STEERING ASSEMBLY (PART COST = $1,000; LABOR ABOUT THE SAME).

12/23/2019

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

1 Report1% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

My brakes gave out while driving with my infant child luckily I was almost home and made it without hitting anyone or seriously hurting myself and my child. Had car diagnosed error code c1256. Local dealership won’t repair because I “missed “ recall and my car has salvage title. I cannot afford to fix on my own and I’m shaking as I drive with my child to work everyday praying to get there in one piece because I have to work…

1/2/2022

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius C?

The most reported complaint category for the 2012 Toyota Prius C is SERVICE BRAKES, with 24 owner reports. That is about 29% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

Are complaints about the 2012 Toyota Prius C a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 52 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2012 Toyota Prius C?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2012 Toyota Prius C severe?

52 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Toyota Prius C: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
83
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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