2012 Toyota Prius C problems
Verdict · NHTSA data
One of the years to avoid
With 88 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 4.4 times the median Prius C year — the 2012 model ranks #1 of 8 Prius C years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 18 injuries in total across these filings.
Brakes leads the complaint categories with 26 reports (30% of the total).
88
NHTSA complaints
0
Recalls
2
Investigations
15
Crash-involved
2
Fires reported
18
Injuries
0
Deaths
—
NCAP overall
How does 2012 compare to other Prius C years?
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Prius C problems?
| Component | Complaints | Share | vs prior year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 26 | 30% | new |
| Electrical System | 18 | 20% | new |
| Other | 8 | 9% | new |
| Airbags | 7 | 8% | new |
| Engine | 5 | 6% | new |
| Seat Belts | 4 | 5% | new |
| Seats | 3 | 3% | new |
| Lighting | 3 | 3% | new |
| Speed Control | 3 | 3% | new |
| Transmission | 3 | 3% | new |
| Visibility & Wipers | 2 | 2% | new |
| Driver Assistance | 2 | 2% | new |
| Fuel System | 2 | 2% | new |
| Steering | 1 | 1% | new |
| Body & Structure | 1 | 1% | new |
Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA
Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.
“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…”
“THE CAR LOCK DOORS NO LONGER WORK AND MUST BE LOCKED AND UNLOCKED MANUALLY. WENT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND REPLACED REMOTE BATTERY TO NO END. NOW ATTEMPTING TO ISOLATE THE PART THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM WITH ALL FOUR DOORS. SAFETY IS AN ISSUE BECAUSE, IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, I WOULD NOT BE…”
“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.…”
“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…”
“ROUGH START AT COLD START WHEN CAR IS LEFT FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS. INTERMITTENT PROBLEM CANNOT BE DETERMINED AT DEALER DUE TO INFREQUENCY OF ISSUE, BUT HAPPENS MULTIPLE TIMES A MONTH. TOYOTA WAS UNABLE TO HELP ME AND SAYS THIS IS UNRELATED TO THE EXACT SAME ISSUE PLAGUING 2010-2013 PRIUS AND PRIUS…”
2012 Toyota Prius C — common questions
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius C reliable?
NHTSA data argues against it: 88 complaints put the 2012 model at #1 of 8 Prius C years. It is one of the Prius C years to avoid.
What are the most common 2012 Prius C problems?
According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (26 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints), other (8 complaints).
Does the 2012 Toyota Prius C have recalls?
No. NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Prius C.
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius C under NHTSA investigation?
NHTSA opened 2 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.
Which Toyota Prius C years should you avoid?
Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius C years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Prius C years belongs to 2019.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.