The 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 521,917 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the service brakes. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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.
AIR BAGS16V4870002016-06-30482,002 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
SERVICE BRAKES
10
1crashes2injuries
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
4
1fires
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
ENGINE
2
POWER TRAIN
2
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
2
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2
1crashes2injuries
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
Total complaints31
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“1. The abs system failed upon inspection at a dealership. Specifically the abs accumulator and booster. 2. The abs system put us at risk by failing prematurely, and traction control and abs functions seemingly stopped working while driving on the road. 3. Yes, dealership confirmed the issue with a…”
“Today 05/25/2024 noticed a slight camber on the right rear wheel. Jacked up the car and removed the right rear to take a closer look and realized the rear axle/subframe was splitting in half along the weld point. If I hadn't caught this today and my daughter was driving it I'm confident she or…”
“Today 05/25/2024 noticed a slight camber on the right rear wheel. Jacked up the car and removed the right rear to take a closer look and realized the rear axle/subframe was splitting in half along the weld point. If I hadn't caught this today and my daughter was driving it I'm confident she or…”
“I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on february 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.”
“I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on february 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.”
“I was driving less than 55mph on freeway on february 5, 2024 when my vehicle went into an out of control spin, brakes did not seem to work and unable to control vehicle until hit center divider on freeway, spun 180 degrees and kept going back with no braking until hit center divider.”
“The contact owns a 2012 toyota prius plug-in hybrid. The contact stated that while driving down a winding road, the brake warning light and brake message suddenly activated and while depressing the brake pedal, the pedal extended to the floorboard and the vehicle would not immediately stop. The…”
“The contact owns a 2012 toyota prius plug-in hybrid. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, the stabili-trak, abs, and a several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated there were also audible alarms being sounded. The contact depressed the brake pedal and the…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP19004 Opened 2019-09-30 · closed 2021-01-21
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.