There are no safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius C, but owners have filed 65 complaints with NHTSA.
2012 Toyota Prius C problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Service Brakes | 26 | |
| Electrical System | 15 | |
| Air Bags | 8 | |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | |
| Engine | 5 | |
| Seat Belts | 4 | |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 4 | |
| Power Train | 4 | |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 3 | |
| Seats | 3 | |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | |
Most reported parts
- Structure › Body — 1
- Visibility › Windshield — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 1
- Forward Collision Avoidance › Adaptive Cruise Control — 1
- Electrical System › Propulsion System › Inverter — 1
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 54,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2012 Toyota Prius C complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Air Bags · at 165,000 miles · reported Oct 13, 2026
The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle rapidly accelerated upon tapping the brake pedal and crashed into a brick storefront without warning. The air bags failed to deploy upon impact. A bystander inside the store assisted the contact in exiting the vehicle. Law enforcement responded to the scene and administered a breathalyzer test, which returned negative for alcohol. A police report was filed, noting minor scratch damage to the storefront's concrete. The contact did not seek immediate medical attention; however, she sustained…
Electrical System · at 98,015 miles · reported Mar 5, 2026
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving 20 MPH, the message "Check Hybrid Status - Stop vehicle in Safe Place Immediately" was displayed. There were several warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with an internal power module transmitter and MG control computer inside the inverter assembly failures. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact called an independent mechanic, and DTC: P0A94 (DC/DC converter or inverter performance problem invertor assembly) was associated with the failure. The manufacturer…
Service Brakes · reported Jan 21, 2026
While driving 65 mph on the expressway on January 12th, 2026 under cruise control, I tapped my brakes to slow down. My brake warning light came on, along with the ABS warning light, and the anti-swerve warning light. Cruise control no longer worked, and my brakes were noticeably hard to apply. I immediately had the vehicle computer checked and the issue is a leaking brake booster component, a faulty part known by Toyota to fail prematurely with this and other Prius models. No recall was issued however. The car is now unsafe to drive until a ~$4000 repair is done, according to my service…
Service Brakes · reported Dec 29, 2025
Brakes went soft with little braking power. Traced the fault code to a faulty braking actuator; toyota says this is past the coverage date for the recall.
Service Brakes · reported Aug 18, 2025
I own a 2012 Toyota Prius C with approximately 156,578 miles. The vehicle has been diagnosed with C1391 â Abnormal Leak in Accumulator, which causes the brake actuator to lose hydraulic pressure. This results in frequent buzzing from the actuator pump, illuminated warning lights (BRAKE, ABS, Traction Control), and loss of ABS and stability control. The condition increases stopping distance and creates a serious safety hazard. Toyota previously acknowledged this exact defect under Customer Support Program CSP 21TE01, which covered brake booster and pump assemblies for certain Prius and Prius…
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2012 Toyota Prius C have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius C as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Toyota Prius C?
Owners report service brakes problems most often (26 reports), followed by electrical system (15). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 54,000 miles.
Are Toyota recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.