2012 TOYOTA PRIUS Complaints

I am having issues with my Toyota I was never contacted NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID: 18V684000. My car has failed numerous times.

Headlamp Lens Issue Vehicle Manufacturers Must Correct ISSUE 1. The increase in pedestrian-vehicular accidents and fatalities is, at times, related to the driver not seeing the person in time to stop. Not seeing a person in time may be related to poor street lighting or a decrease in front visibility caused by fogged headlamp lenses. Current nighttime traffic has a variety of vehicles operating with varying front light visibility. 2. For certain vehicles, the lens alone is replaceable. With other vehicle models, the entire front lamp must be replaced. The exorbitant cost of replacing the front lamp is causing some people to opt to drive with densely fogged front headlight lenses risking pedestrian safety. 3. Some car dealership offer a "defogging" cleaning service for greater visibility but does not guarantee to restore the car's front illumination to minimum required safety standards. Recommendation Require vehicle manufacturers to make front headlights with detachable lenses, or make the lenses fog proof. A replaceable lens is cost effective for all income individuals. Making lens replacement affordable may decrease the number of pedestrian-vehicular accidents and fatalities. Discussion The headlight lens of my car became increasingly fogged, overtime, decreasing night visibility ahead. The Toyota dealership offered a $300 cleaning service for both lenses or replacing the headlamp at about $300 each; $600. I opted for the cleaning. When completed, the headlight lens of my vehicle looking much less fogged. When I asked, the dealership told me that their cleaning service does not guarantee compliance with minimum front safety illumination for night driving. I was told that my car does not come with removable lenses. To ensure minimum safety front night visibility, I purchase new headlamps total costing about $300 each; I spent $900 because the $300 cleaning service was completed and not deductible. I contacted Toyota management and went up the chain of command

The Brake Booster or Actuator is failing, without any indication or warning lights on the dash alarming us to the problem. The car has been making weird sounds, but after being inspected, this, according to the Authorized Toyota Dealer, on December 22, 2022, is a life-threatening and very dangerous malfunction to myself and others around me when driving. This is the first hybrid car we have owned, and we thought the noises we had been hearing for a couple years was normal, because there were no warning lights coming on to tell us otherwise. The dealer did not want us to drive the car any further due to the danger of the problem. We asked the dealer to repair the problem without charge, but that request was denied by the Toyota Brand Engagement Center (Case 221222000587). The dealer is currently repairing the malfunction at a cost of approximately $2650 plus tax). We are highly disappointed with Toyota not repairing this known problem under a dealer recall.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake master cylinder and brake booster needed to be replaced; however, the dealer informed the contact that the repair was not covered under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving and the vehicle hesitated while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact slammed on the brake pedal and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 185,519.

The brakes on my 2012 Toyota Prius failed suddenly with little warning after starting the car, and when I began driving off in a busy Walmart parking. I was startled when I felt that the brakes did not seem to work, nearly causing me to collide with the car in front of me. I had to quickly depress the brake pedal to bring the car to a stop. The normal braking power was greatly reduced when I depressed the brake pedal, and I had to use more force to bring the vehicle to a stop. Only when I looked down did I see that some of the dashboard lights relating to the brake system stayed lit and not turn off like they normally do. These lights appear to be brake warning, ABS warning, and anti-skidding lights. The brake problem has been inspected and confirmed by both an independent service center as well as the Toyota dealer. The failed brake component was diagnosed as an abnormal leak in the accumulator, and the brake booster with master cylinder assembly requiring replacement, with the code #c1391. After having done some research, it appears that this exact brake problem seems to be afflicting many such generation Toyota Prius vehicles, and the manufacturer Toyota was aware of this problem existing in such vehicles.

The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed with excessive force; however, the brakes failed to respond as needed. The contact stated that five unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that the failure was reoccurring while driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where an outside technician diagnosed the failure as five unknown fault codes related to the brakes. The contact stated that the brake booster and actuator needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 211,000.

The car has been diagnosed by a Toyota dealership as having an internal leak in the Brake Booster and Accumulator, both are part of the brake system. Repair estimate of $3800 00 dlls. Currently i have 3 check lights on, Brake, ABS and Traction control. All controlled by the same module

Purchased 2012 Prius used. Replaced low beams and high beam headlights shortly after. Passenger side low beam is no longer working (bulb was replaced 3 months ago). Upon googling causes saw 2010-2011 Prius had a recall for recurrent headlight issues, the wiring harness was replaced in them. It seem the 2012 is having the same issue in the 8 pages of complaints on exterior lightning that I saw. Toyota should extend the fix to include 2012 Prius.

My prius got ABS, Brake, Traction light on when I was on traffic in the highway. Car lost brake power. Regenerative brake does not. It takes longer to stop the car. TOYOTA NEEDS TO FIX THIS. THE ABS MODULE IS GONNA FAIL AT SOME POINT. Dealership asks $5000 to fix. C1391

At 106K miles and after 10 years and 8 months in service (new vehicle bought in March 2012) Brake booster internal leak, code c1391. Brake light, ABS light and VSC light stay on. Can not drive it as the brake booster internal leak is making the brakes spongy and slow in response. Talked to Toyota and they said it is out of warranty and the deal is estimating $2000 plus for the repair. Miles on my cars 106K are way less than 150,000 allowed by Program Service bulletin ZJB (attached) but Toyota is denying repair coverage as the vehicle life is eight months more than 10 year limit since first use. Did not drive it much within the last two years because of working from home due to covid 19. Had it been driven more frequently the brake system failure would have happened way earlier as the internal leak (possible fatigue failure causing leak) should be more related to driven miles and brake system cycling of pressurizing and depressurizing than just being parked on the drive way. Would request if NHTSA could extend the duration of ZJB bulletin considering the fact that many drivers did not drive that much in the last two years due to working from home and this internal leakage failure can be related to fatigue loading of the hydraulic components and the number of fatigue cycle are directly proportional to the driven miles and not the life of the vehicle. Thanks