YearToAvoid

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

100/100

#1 most-complained of 7 Prius Plug-in Hybrid years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid ranks worst of 7 model years, with a Complaint Index of 100 and 25 NHTSA complaints. Brakes account for 52% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 130,000 miles, and the model carries 2 recalls.

Complaints
25
Recalls
2
Crashes / fires
1 / 1
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
50
51 city / 49 hwy

Top 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Brakes13 (52%)
  2. Electrical System4 (16%)
  3. Engine4 (16%)
  4. Other4 (16%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain2 (8%)
  6. Fuel System1 (4%)
  7. Steering1 (4%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (4%)

What owners report

  • Anti-lock brakes reportedly fail to engage during hard stops, sometimes causing loss of control and collisions with barriers.
  • ABS accumulator and booster components reportedly fail, disabling traction control and ABS functions while driving.
  • Owners describe the brake booster pump pressurizing frequently and dashboard error lights appearing along with reduced brake response near 140,000 to 150,000 miles.
  • Engine oil reportedly migrates into the intake manifold, fouling the throttle body and clogging the EGR system, which owners link to overheating risk.
  • Door lock actuators reportedly fail one at a time, leaving only one door able to unlock and raising the risk of being locked out.
  • Owners report sudden loss of power and stalling events that dealers were unable to replicate or diagnose.
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid complaints: complaints filed per month3Dec 2016Jan 2018Jul 2018Jan 2020Nov 2022Oct 2023Aug 2024
30 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2016 to Aug 2024; peak Jan 2018 (3).

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid recalls

2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 17V718000Nov 15, 2017Fuel System39,915 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

    Risk: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.

  2. NHTSA 16V487000Jun 30, 2016Airbags482,002 vehicles

    Air bags:side/window

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.

    Risk: 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.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is Toyota G0U, and Lexus GLJ.

2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost

City
51 MPG
Highway
49 MPG
Combined
50 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$1,300
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular Gas and Electricity
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2012 compared with other Prius Plug-in Hybrid years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)02550751002010201120122013201420152025
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2010Caution506150
2011No verdict01048
2012Avoid10025250
2013Caution6712150
2014Avoid8313150

All Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid a bad year?
Among the 7 Prius Plug-in Hybrid model years with data, 2012 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and a verdict of Avoid relative to other years of this model.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
Brakes are the top problem area, making up 52% of the 25 NHTSA complaints, with a median failure mileage of 130,000 miles.
Does the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid: one for a fuel system EV fuse that may fracture, and one for a curtain shield airbag weld issue.
How does the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid compare to other years?
The 2012 model's Complaint Index of 100 is higher than the 2015 model's index of 17, which is rated Best, and higher than the 2010 (50) and 2013 (67) models, both rated Caution.
What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
EPA rates the 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid at 50 mpg combined (51 city/49 highway), with an annual fuel cost of $1,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.