Cheap to run, but check the brakes and hybrid recalls
Half of 2012 Prius complaints are about the brake booster pump and actuator, which can fail with warning lights and weak braking. Inverter recalls also apply. Buy one only with recall records and, ideally, booster repair receipts.
Updated November 2026 · based on 713 owner complaints and 6 recalls
301 2.6x the Prius average
6 free to fix at a dealer
Every Prius year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2012 Prius
Top problems and what they cost
Brake booster and actuator failure
The brake booster pump or actuator fails, bringing on ABS, traction and brake warnings and a weaker pedal.
Fix: Booster pump and accumulator $1,500 to $3,000 at a dealer.
Brakes
Hybrid system warnings
Inverter faults can shut the hybrid system down. Recalls 14V053 and 18V684 cover them.
Fix: Free under recall.
Hybrid system
Head gasket and oil use
At high mileage, some engines burn oil or leak coolant from the head gasket.
Fix: Head gasket $1,800 to $2,800.
Engine
Recalls
If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for ...
An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2012 Toyota Prius
- Confirm both hybrid recalls (14V053, 18V684) show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2012 Prius has 6 recalls on record, listed below.
- Check for ABS, brake or traction warning lights after start.Warning lights should come on briefly at start and then go out. One that stays on means the car has stored a fault, and a parts store can read the code for free.92 of the 713 owner complaints about the 2012 Prius involve the electrical system (13%).
- Ask for receipts for any brake booster replacement.The brake booster makes the pedal easy to press. A pedal that goes hard, sinks or a hissing sound means the assist is failing, so stopping takes much more effort.Owners filed 138 complaints about brake actuator and braking problems on the 2012 Prius, one of the worst years for it.
- Check the coolant level and look for oil smoke.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.73 of the 713 owner complaints about the 2012 Prius involve the engine and cooling system (10%).
Questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius reliable?
Cheap to run, but check the brakes and hybrid recalls. Half of 2012 Prius complaints are about the brake booster pump and actuator, which can fail with warning lights and weak braking. Inverter recalls also apply. Buy one only with recall records and, ideally, booster repair receipts.
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius have?
6 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Prius problems?
Brake booster and actuator failure; Hybrid system warnings; Head gasket and oil use.
Crash rating shown for the 2012 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.