What year Toyota Prius V should I avoid?

The 2012 and 2013 Toyota Prius V are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 86, mostly tied to brake complaints (63% and 56% of reports).

Is the 2012 Toyota Prius V reliable?

Compared to other Prius V years, 2012 has the highest complaint index in the lineup, with 217 complaints, 19 crashes, and 3 recall campaigns, largely centered on brakes.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Prius V?

Across all model years, brakes are the top issue, accounting for 267 of 477 total complaints, or 56%.

Which Toyota Prius V model years are the safest bets?

The 2017 and 2015 model years have the lowest complaint index scores among years with meaningful data, at 29 and 43, with verdicts of Good.

Does the Toyota Prius V have brake recalls?

NHTSA lists five recall campaigns across the 2011-2018 Prius V range, with the 2012 and 2013 years each carrying multiple recalls tied to the fuel system and hybrid inverter.

Toyota Prius V Best and Worst Years (2011–2018)

The 2012 and 2013 Toyota Prius V are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 86, both driven by brakes (63% and 56% of complaints). The 2017 and 2015 model years score lowest (29 and 43) and are the strongest choices among Prius V years.

Avoid 2012 Avoid 2013

Model years: 8; 2011–2018
NHTSA complaints: 477
Recall campaigns: 5
Crashes reported: 45
Fires reported: 8
Top problem area: Brakes

Prius V Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Toyota Prius V problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2011	No verdict	0	1	0	0	0	Electrical System	—	—
2012	Avoid	100	217	19	2	3	Brakes	41	—
2013	Avoid	86	124	9	1	2	Brakes	41	5★
2014	Caution	71	82	5	4	4	Brakes	41	5★
2015	Good	43	24	3	0	2	Brakes	41	—
2016	Caution	57	16	6	0	1	Engine	41	—
2017	Good	29	12	3	0	1	Electrical System	41	—
2018	No verdict	14	1	0	1	0	Brakes	—	—

Prius V years to avoid: what went wrong

2012 Toyota Prius V Index 100 · 217 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2012 Prius V leads the model in complaints, with a complaint index of 100 and 217 total complaints. Brakes account for 63% of issues, with owners describing brake pedals that go soft or momentarily disengage over bumps, at a median mileage of 79,500 miles. Engine problems (23%) and electrical issues (12%) followed, including reports of dashboard smoke and smart key frequency problems. NHTSA recorded 19 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries, and 3 deaths for this year. Three recall campaigns apply, covering the hybrid inverter assembly, fuel system software, and occupant detection sensors.

2012 brakes problems →2012 engine problems →2012 electrical system problems →

2013 Toyota Prius V Index 86 · 124 complaints · 2 recalls

The 2013 Prius V carries a complaint index of 86, the second-highest in the lineup, with 124 total complaints. Brakes make up 56% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 72,000 miles; owners described brake pedals sinking to the floor during low-speed maneuvers. Electrical system issues (18%) and engine problems (16%) were also reported, including sudden deceleration events. NHTSA logged 9 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries for this year. Two recall campaigns cover the hybrid inverter assembly and related software updates.

2013 brakes problems →2013 electrical system problems →2013 engine problems →

Most common Toyota Prius V problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.

Brakes267 (56%)
Engine101 (21%)
Electrical System75 (16%)
Other47 (10%)
Fuel System36 (8%)
Transmission & Powertrain22 (5%)
Airbags20 (4%)
Structure & Body18 (4%)
Steering14 (3%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires12 (3%)

Frequently asked questions

What year Toyota Prius V should I avoid?: The 2012 and 2013 Toyota Prius V are the years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 100 and 86, mostly tied to brake complaints (63% and 56% of reports).
Is the 2012 Toyota Prius V reliable?: Compared to other Prius V years, 2012 has the highest complaint index in the lineup, with 217 complaints, 19 crashes, and 3 recall campaigns, largely centered on brakes.
What is the most common problem with the Toyota Prius V?: Across all model years, brakes are the top issue, accounting for 267 of 477 total complaints, or 56%.
Which Toyota Prius V model years are the safest bets?: The 2017 and 2015 model years have the lowest complaint index scores among years with meaningful data, at 29 and 43, with verdicts of Good.
Does the Toyota Prius V have brake recalls?: NHTSA lists five recall campaigns across the 2011-2018 Prius V range, with the 2012 and 2013 years each carrying multiple recalls tied to the fuel system and hybrid inverter.