10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
10 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 3
Average Mileage:
45,536 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Toyota Prius v brakes problems

brakes problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2012 Toyota Prius v:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2012 Toyota Prius v Owner Comments (Page 3 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #61

Mar 242022

Prius v

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The brakes are not working (ABS) I have to pamp brake

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #60

Feb 222022

Prius v

  • 152,900 miles
.The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ABS, brake lights, and traction control warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle had exceeded the 150,000 warranty. The failure mileage was 152,900.

- Hawaiian Gardens, CA, USA

problem #59

Apr 142021

Prius v

  • 199,485 miles
Brake booster slowly failing.... when pressing brakes it doesn't smoothly hold pressure

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #58

Jul 072020

Prius v

  • 187,480 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine -engine have broken head gasket. Coolant reservoir started to drain. Coolant slowly leaks in internal combustion engine due to broken head gasket. Causing shaking engine because coolant cannot combust inside the engine. -also egr cooler was fully clogged by carbon that caused failure of carbon air circulation. Brake slowly failing brake actuator in the process. When pressing brakes, whining sound is present and brakes slowly fails to hold pressure in the system when brakes are applied. -brake system was fully inspected and no leaks were found and brake fluid holds in full level.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #57

Feb 172021

Prius v

  • 220,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the ABS warning light illuminated and the brake pedal failed to operate correctly. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder of the road, and depressed the brake pedal extremely hard for the vehicle to stop. The failure occurred intermittently. The vehicle was taken to bryan college station Toyota (728 N. earl rudder fwy, bryan, tx 77802, (979)776-0404) where it was diagnosed however, the mechanic was unable to duplicate the issue. The technician changed the oil and one week later the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed a second time and it was determined that the brake booster was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 220,000. The VIN was not avaiilable. ## VIN failed ## 2012 Toyota prius ##

- Lakes, TX, USA

problem #56

Jul 012020

Prius v

  • miles
The brakes booster and brake booster pump assembly is defective and needs to be recalled since it's a manufacturer issue.

- Kissimmee, FL, USA

problem #55

Nov 032020

Prius v

  • 123,674 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On 11/3/2020, several warning lights appeared on the dash. After researching the combination of lights and sounds from the brake pedal I determined that the brake actuator is failing. Per my research, continuing to operate the vehicle can result in a loss of braking assistance. Other Toyota prius models are covered under extended warranties (reference zjb), but the Prius V models, which use the same actuator, are not. An accident/incident has not yet occured, but this seems like a huge case of negligence on Toyota.

- Lumberton, MS, USA

problem #54

Oct 292020

Prius v

  • 179,000 miles
A recently purchased used Toyota Prius V which was owned by a dealer a matter of 2 months ago was sold to me and the ABS/brake actuator failure began. The vehicle is outside of the 150K/10yr warranty they want to cover, however is extremely dangerous and has already nearly caused me to be in an accident as the brake power massively fluctuates. I was driving on the highway at the 75mph from phoenix to tucson approx 120 miles. The light came on part way through and suddenly the brakes went from being sensitive and responsive to needing a lot of pressure applied to properly slow. When a diesel big rig swerved in front of me to avoid an obstacle that I would easily have been able to brake from typically, I was nearly slammed into the back end of him with very little power. The light flipped back off about time I made it to tucson, then when coming to a stop at a dangerous intersection on my way through city streets home crossing kolb and valencia (a site of many an accident), I nearly went into the intersection when the brake system suddenly cut out again. When I spoke to the local dealership this morning they told me this was a known problem but since it was out of warranty I'd have to cover 2500 to replace what is a known defect with this vehicle. That's [xxx] and dangerous. Redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Vail, AZ, USA

problem #53

Jul 112020

Prius v

  • 113,000 miles
The ABS brake pump experienced an "internal failure" at mileage of 113K. There is a customer service notice that covers 2012 Toyota prius and prius plug in for the same issue regardless of mileage until 2019, and then up to 150K miles after that. However, my 2012 Prius V was not covered. This ABS brake pump just suddenly failed, there weren't any leading indicators. Toyota knows it supplied defective parts for the ABS brake pump. There is already a lawsuit of other 2012 Prius V owners complaining of the same. However, Toyota has not corrected their service notice. They won't release the details of how they can justify coverage to all other 2012 prius, and prius plug-in, but not Prius V. the repair is significant ~ $3,500. Also, last year my engine block was cracked and needed to be replaced. Thankfully, this happened ~ 80K miles, so it was still under extended warranty. But this failure was surprising for a Toyota. I had wondered why I had to change the oil more quickly than the recommended 10K, I would change it every 5-7K, or at least have it checked. It seems they have the same issues with their 2020 rav 4S. I'm surprised they haven't fixed an issue from a 2012 vehicle yet by 2020.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #52

Aug 132020

Prius v

  • 42,800 miles
TL-

- Edinburg, TX, USA

problem #51

Jul 032020

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My ABS actuator has completely failed. I was getting code C1391 when I first had the problem diagnosed and recently it finished failing completely. I was on the highway when it did and I severely lost brake pressure and almost got in a car accident because of it. This issue was recalled on regular prius hatchbacks but because the Prius V's ABS pump system is slightly different to compensate for the different weight of the Prius V, the Prius V doest fall under the extended warranty to have the issue fixed even though it is the exact same issue that the regular prius' have been having which they extended the warranty on. Im extremely frustrated because I have called my dealership as well as the Toyota helpline to report this and they say that theres nothing they can do for me and that my car is just not covered under the extended warranty because the warranty didnt apply to Prius V's even though its the same part having the same issue. I've been quoted $4,000 to have this fixed and I can't afford that right now.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #50

Jun 062020

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 135,000 miles
The master brake cylinder broke down on my car. The warning lights finally came on however the issue was noticeable before that as the car braking at low speeds created slight stuttering stops when coming to the end of a complete stop plus more importantly, we noticed braking was getting more difficult at certain times. This issue is creating a cost of over $3000 to repair. Numerous others experienced this same issue with the previous prius model (gen 3) and Toyota acknowledged it and extended the warranty to those models but nothing seemed to been have corrected with the Prius V.

- Cerritos, CA, USA

problem #49

Jun 122020

Prius v 4-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
The actuator has been making noise for the past year. I took it to the dealer about Feb 2019 and since my warranty had just expired the dealer would not fix. And today it's been worse. Every time I am at a stop it makes tons of noise.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #48

Mar 092020

Prius v

  • 150,000 miles
1)intermittent regen braking failure causing brakes to become more difficult to press thus harder to stop the car in a timely manner. Usually when there is stop and go driving will the regenerative braking fail. 2) clogged egr valve causing a loud engine knock resulting in a blown head gasket.

- Ocala, FL, USA

problem #47

Apr 302019

Prius v

  • 93,108 miles
Brake light/tsc light on dash was on. There appeared to be no difference in drive-ability, but there was a humming noise present at idle and 20-30 mph. Took car to dealer 4/30/2019 for check. Coggins Toyota in jacksonville, fl determined the cause was a, abnormal leak in the accumulator. They replaced the brake booster/master cylinder assembly. After the new equipment was installed, the technician noticed the new pump assembly had excessive noise and vibration internally so another replacement part was ordered. New pump assembly brake booster was installed and car was put back in service 5/19/2019. Total cost of this service was $2,745.11. We later learned that a customer support program csp zjb was issued by Toyota for 'certain" 2010 phd prius, "certain" 2011-2015 prius, and "certain" 2012-2015 phv prius. As per the csp zjb mailing to our relative who also owns a prius, the problem was "with the brake booster and brake booster pump assemblies". according to dianne, customer service rep with Toyota, these vehicles included in the csp zjb were produced between October 2010 to November 2015 and included some 946,100 vehicles. My vehicle was not included in this program as the VIN number did not match the affected vehicles. However, we had the same problem with our vehicle that the program was initiated to include. Upon submitting a request for reimbursement from Toyota for the cost associated with repairs, it was rejected. We believe the problem for which the service program was initiated is the same problem we experienced and our vehicle VIN should be added by Toyota to the list of affected vehicles so that it becomes eligible for expense reimbursement.

- Jacksonville, FL, USA

problem #46

Mar 172020

Prius v

  • 117,000 miles
This complaint is for a 2012 Prius V that I've notified my local dealer and Toyota about a possible safety issue relating to the brake booster. The Prius V is currently not included in the zjb customer support program and I believe it should be. Brake pedal feels very firm and inconsistent and much harder to activate the brakes. There is constant (every few seconds) brake booster actuation/whirring consistent with symptoms of a leaking/defective brake booster per my local dealer. Warning lights for brake, ABS, stability control, and tire pressure are on.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #45

Dec 242019

Prius v

  • 99,350 miles
Brought car in for recall J0V00D and immediately afterwards the ABS, traction-control, brake light came on. The lights went on and off and then stayed on. Went back to dealer and was told it needed a $3800 repair. Was told that certain VIN numbers were affected, but not my VIN#. not sure how this is possible since I am reading all over the internet that this is a problem on this year car also? I was driving on highway us 19 in clearwater, when this all happened.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #44

Jan 022020

Prius v

  • 122,000 miles
Unlike other 2011-2015 Toyota prius vehicles the Prius V is not covered under Toyota's csp-zjb customer support program. My 2012 Prius V has all the indications of this brake booster and pump problem... multiple lights on the dash (brake, ABS, pcs..... on; codes C1252 & C1256; and brake boost pump running every 6-8 seconds plus a brake pedal that you can push to the floor in 4-5 seconds. In hard braking I've had to pump the brake pedal to get stopped. It's my wife's car but she will not drive it anymore. Took the car to a Toyota dealer who was aware of this problem and started to have it fixed at their expense until he put the VIN # in his computer. His estimate was $2500+ to have the problem fixed after I paid to have the problem diagnosed even though he knew what the problem was. I declined and called Toyota customer service which was a waste of time...sorry, your car is out of warranty and your car does not have a problem we will cover. On the net, there are multiple Prius V owners with the same problem that started in 2008. Until someone with a bigger stick (NHTSA), Toyota is saying there isnot a problem with the Prius V brakes.

- Blairsville, GA, USA

problem #43

Dec 262019

Prius v

  • 5 miles
While driving the brakes went out. I brought the car to Toyota and they said the brake booster is defective and needs to be replaced the price to do so is about $3,000 they also said they don't know why this happened as in some cases you never have to replace a brake booster nor master cylinder

- Hollywood, FL, USA

problem #42

Jan 182020

Prius v

  • 68,000 miles
2012 Prius V 68,000 miles on vehicle brake issues from the time car was purchased new from a Toyota dealer. History... when braking and going over rough surface or bump, the brakes would seem to momentarily disengage and then reengage after the surface smoothed. The car seemed to lunge or skip forward and take longer to stop. Alerted the dealership, they checked and said everything was fine. This has continued throughout my ownership of this vehicle. Recently during an emergency stopping action on a freeway, my prius was the 3rd car in a 3 car accident. The 1st car for some reason, slowed drastically, and was rear ended by the car in front of me. I felt I was at a good distance behind the car in front of me and I reacted and fully depressed the brakes and felt this car continue to roll and contact the car in front. The brakes did finally take hold, but I felt a hesitation which lengthened the stopping distance. I have researched and found there are dozens of reported issues with the hybrid's brake systems in both prius models as well as some reported issues with Lexus hybrids. I wonder how many other incidents have occurred with the millions of prius vehicles that have not been reported. There seems to be issues with the computerized/mechanical braking integration and possible issues with the actuator.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

Read the next 20 complaints »

Not what you are looking for?