How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Toyota Prius?

NHTSA lists 43 engine complaints for the 2012 Prius, which is 10% of the 423 total complaints filed for that model year.

Is there a recall for the 2012 Prius engine problems?

No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints described by 2012 Prius owners.

What do owners describe most often with the 2012 Prius engine?

Owners most often describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed and the hybrid system shutting down unexpectedly at highway speed, sometimes with the brakes failing to respond.

At what mileage do these engine problems typically appear?

The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Prius is 37,765 miles, though some incidents were reported at much lower mileage.

Were there crashes or injuries linked to these engine complaints?

NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area for the 2012 Prius includes 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries.

2012 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 43 engine complaints for the 2012 Toyota Prius, 10% of that year's 423 total complaints. Owners most often described sudden unintended acceleration at low speed and unexpected engine or hybrid-system shutdown at highway speed. No related recall is listed for this issue.

Engine complaints: 43; 10% of 423
Crashes reported: 8
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 8
Median mileage: 37,765 mi
Related recalls: 0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

Owners report the vehicle suddenly accelerating on its own while parking or moving at low speed, in several cases crashing into objects or other vehicles.
Some describe the brake pedal traveling to the floor with no response while the engine was surging, preventing the car from slowing down.
Several complaints describe the hybrid system shutting down without warning at highway speeds near 65-70 mph, with a dashboard message telling the driver to pull over immediately.
One owner reported the engine catching fire while the car was parked in a garage, hours after being driven.
A few owners noted warning lights across the dashboard and an inability to shift into drive, reverse, park, or neutral after the malfunction occurred.

When 2012 Toyota Prius engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 24, 2012, latest Jul 6, 2026.

43 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Jul 2026; peak Sep 2013 (3).

Engine recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Prius model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

2010435 (16%)
201178 (15%)
201243 (10%)
201357 (14%)
201431 (15%)
201514 (8%)
201629 (19%)
201725 (27%)
20188 (22%)
201910 (33%)
20202 (14%)
20213 (50%)
20224 (17%)
20230 (0%)
20242 (8%)
20251 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many engine complaints does NHTSA have for the 2012 Toyota Prius?: NHTSA lists 43 engine complaints for the 2012 Prius, which is 10% of the 423 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Prius engine problems?: No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the engine complaints described by 2012 Prius owners.
What do owners describe most often with the 2012 Prius engine?: Owners most often describe sudden unintended acceleration at low speed and the hybrid system shutting down unexpectedly at highway speed, sometimes with the brakes failing to respond.
At what mileage do these engine problems typically appear?: The median mileage at failure for engine complaints on the 2012 Prius is 37,765 miles, though some incidents were reported at much lower mileage.
Were there crashes or injuries linked to these engine complaints?: NHTSA data tied to this engine complaint area for the 2012 Prius includes 8 crashes, 1 fire, and 8 injuries.