Owners filed 217 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the service brakes. It has been recalled 4 times.
When it fails
06870068,700 milesMedian miles at failure
135 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 0–10,000 miles.
What fails
Component
Reports
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Service Brakes
119
8
0
2
Engine
28
1
1
0
Electrical System
14
0
1
0
Steering
7
0
0
0
Vehicle Speed Control
6
3
0
0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
6
0
0
0
Air Bags
6
4
0
4
Unknown or Other
5
1
0
1
Electronic Stability Control (esc)
4
0
0
0
Visibility/Wiper
3
0
0
0
4 safety recalls
Part 573 reports
Hybrid Propulsion System18V684000
Filed Oct 4, 2018807,329 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Risk. If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter15V449000
Filed Jul 15, 2015108,624 vehiclesToyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.
Risk. The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights13E070000
Filed Dec 12, 2013409 vehiclesGenera Corporation
Defect. Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.
Risk. The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
Seats13V014000
Filed Jan 16, 20133,235 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc
Defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk. If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy. Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
What owners reported
Newest filings
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Sep 16, 2026187,000 milesFL
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, brake fluid was leaking from the vehicle. While driving over 45 MPH, the brake pedal became firm, requiring the driver to exert extra force while depressing the brake pedal; the brakes failed to respond as intended. Additionally, a burning and toxic odor was present during the failure. Multiple warning lights illuminated on the instrument cluster, including the ABS system, parking brake, brake malfunction, and electronic stability warning lights. In addition, the automotive brake system, brake pump, and pressure warning messages were displayed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed brake booster assembly after inspection. The dealer determined that the brake booster assembly needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with Customer Support Program: 20TE07. The contact was referred to the NHTSA Hotline by a lawyer, and the contact had found a class action lawsuit related to the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 187,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 9, 2026CA
2012 Toyota Prius v with 89,662 miles. Multiple brake warning lights illuminated, and the vehicle stored diagnostic trouble code C1391, “Abnormal Leak in Accumulator.” The brake booster/accumulator pump is also cycling about every 13 seconds, even when the brake pedal is not being applied. The vehicle and components are available for inspection. My safety concern is that this involves a critical braking-system component. When the warning lights are on, regenerative braking is disabled, and braking behavior changes. I am concerned that continued deterioration could reduce braking performance or result in loss of brake assist. The issue has not yet been formally diagnosed by a Toyota dealer. I scanned the vehicle with a diagnostic scan tool, which currently shows C1391. I also contacted my independent repair shop, which recommended that Toyota diagnose the vehicle because this code is associated with the brake booster/booster pump failure previously addressed by Toyota Customer Support Program 20TE07. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Toyota, police, insurance, or another manufacturer representative. A Toyota corporate case has been opened and escalated. There were no known brake warning lights before this incident. The problem first became apparent when multiple brake warning lights illuminated. Afterward, I noticed the brake booster pump cycling unusually often. Toyota previously identified C1391 as a qualifying code under 20TE07 for certain 2012–2014 Prius v brake bo
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 29, 2026NY
Brake actuator assembly failure on a vehicle with 99,818 miles. Whirring sound when braking followed by lighting of several brake alert lights on dash including PCS and ABS and others. The whirring noise has occured for several weeks, but the light indicators happened on 6/28/26. Toyota has an acknowledged Customer Support Program (20TE07) for this exact failure on this exact and Toyota declined to cover the repair. This vehicle is 14 years old but has well under 150k miles and Toyota will not honor claim though they clearly are aware of the safety hazard.
EngineFire
Filed Jun 28, 2026TN
Driving down the highway, the engine suddenly threw a rod, causing a terrible jolt, after which the engine burst into flames. There had been no warning lights.
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 21, 2026SC
The ABS system has failed. All brake related warning lights have appeared on the dash board and the ABS no longer works. The car will brake for now, but the pedal is mushy. The issue was diagnosed by a dealer. The diagnosis from the dealer, based on diagnostic trouble codes they did not provide, is that brake fluid is leaking in the master cylinder and brake booster. The recommendation is to have both the master cylinder and booster replaced. This vehicle has 143,000 miles on it. No accidents have occurred as a result of the brakes yet but how long before the brakes ultimately fail is unknown.
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 11, 2026TN
ABS, brake, and traction control lights, all illuminated at once on the dashboard. Inspection found DTC C1391 indicating the accumulator is leaking or failing to hold pressure correctly. We are advised that the braking system performance will decline, eventually failing. An very expensive repair is required and Toyota apparently has a shortage of the parts required. We cannot drive the vehicle given the potential of braking failure and cannot get it repaired in a timely manner for lack of Toyota parts.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 2, 2026140,000 milesCA
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake master cylinder was constantly cycling. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. Most recently, while the vehicle was turned off, the brake master cylinder was cycling. The contact stated that while the keys were in his hands and standing several feet away from the vehicle, the brakes started cycling. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 11, 2025MA
The power assist braking system failed while I was driving in the rain. I was approaching a stoplight and I had to push down a lot harder and farther than I typically have to in order to stop. Luckily I was not going that fast and there were no cars ahead of me, but I stopped beyond where I had intended at a busy intersection. No warning lamps or messages had been illuminated prior to this happening. After the failure, the Brake system, ABS, and SLIP indicator lights were on and remained on when the car was restarted. An independent service center used a scan tool and found code C1391 stored in memory, indicating that the brake booster is unable to hold pressure due to an internal leak. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, police or insurance, but can be available upon request.
Service Brakes
Filed Dec 9, 2025AL
I bought this car over a week ago for a good price, performed fine until I’m driving it home on the interstate and some abs/brake lights came on the dash. I enter my city and notice the brakes aren’t performing as tight as they were during the test drive. A few days later I take it to a local dealership to get it looked at. The brake actuator and pump had gone bad, causing this issue. It cost almost $5,000 to fix there, I couldn’t afford it so I had to only pay the $185 for the diagnostic. It’s an on and off thing, sometimes the lights go away and it brakes as it should, but most of the time the lights are on and the brakes don’t work as they should. I fear one day the brakes may eventually give out on me and cause an accident. I am available for inspection.
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 8, 2025CA
After 13 years and 112,000 the brake booster and brake booster pump went out on my car. Toyota extended the warranty to 10 years because of this issue. Now just outside of the 10 yr mark my car has this issue and Toyota will not cover it. This is a huge expense and also a major issue with this year and model of car.
Service Brakes
Filed Sep 12, 2025CA
I have a Prius v 2012, and the lights for abs turned on and when I checked on internet Toyota was repairing the part for 150k miles and 10 years but this is a safety feature my car is now at 149922, And while I was on road suddenly the signs came up and I the brakes were hard, and this is a problem for my safety and for others too since It doesn’t brake well
Service Brakes
Filed Jun 23, 2025VA
While driving on the interstate I went to slow down to merge and my brakes failed. The following warning lights came on: Master Warning Light (yellow), Brake System Warning Light, Brake System warning light (red), ABS Warning Light, and the Slip Indicator light. My vehicle was towed to a Toyota Dealership and after running a diagnostic test, they confirmed that it was the "Break booster with accumulator c1391 stored internal leak of accumulator and need immediate attention" which they quoted at $4,295.68 to fix. After researching the issue saw A Customer Support Program 20TE07 was issued taking responsibility for the faulty Brake Booster Pump Assembly however only covered the repair for a two-year period and only if it was one of the identified diagnostic trouble codes listed in the CSP issued by Toyota but expired in Feb 2022. The code pulled from my vehicle 3 days ago was listed in this document, but the coverage only covers until Feb 2022. This is not a normal wear and tear issue, it is a faulty part that Toyota identified as a life and death safety concern but refuses to do anything about because mine didn't show an issue within their 2-year CSP timeframe. Toyota identified that there are roughly 118,950 2012-2014 model year prius V with a production period of late September 2010 to mid-November 2014 vehicles that this faulty part affects along with everyone else on the road with these vehicles as it causes failure of the brake booster pump assembly, which leads to a loss
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 12, 2025FL
The contact owns a 2012 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the service brakes warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed failures with the brake booster assembly and brake booster pump assembly. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to Customer Satisfaction Program: 21TE01. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was unknown.
On 10-17-24 these warning lights came on: 1. Pre-collision System 2. Hybrid System 3. Airbag 4. Safety Connect red light And Intermittently: 1. Slip Indicator 2. Brake System Cruise control would not set, and displayed "E3". ------- Component failed: Dealer determined that the driver's side door harness had been chewed by a rat that had entered the under dash area "somehow". They said it couldn't be repaired but must be replaced. My insurance deductible was $500 and they paid the balance of the $1,387.06 bill. (I have retained the harness, which could have been repaired by splicing the two wires connecting to the driver's side airbag collision sensor. The labor to splice the wires would have been less than an hour.) ------ Safety: The chewed wire apparently disabled the Airbag, Pre Collision, Emergency Automatic Braking, Seatbelt Pre-Tensioning, ABS, and Stability Systems. ----- The dealer confirmed the problem. ----- My insurance adjuster did inspect the harness. ----- I placed electronic rat traps in the vehicle, which killed three rats. ========= NEXT ========= ALL THE SAME WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON A FEW MONTHS LATER! I didn't throw more money at the Dealer, and took off the panels to inspect the wiring myself. There was damage to the passenger side door harness wires. I removed the harness and ordered a $60 used replacement on Ebay. While waiting for delivery, I researched rat damage to Toyota wires, and how rats could possibly enter the interior of the car. I discovered th
Service Brakes
Filed Feb 17, 2025FL
My wife was driving home and four dashboard error lights illuminated (Brakes, ABS, SLIP and a yellow light_) The brakes suddenly "went soft" (in her words), and it freaked her out. I now learn that I need to have the brake master cylinder and a booster pump assembly replaced at a cost of over $4,000. Ouch!
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 30, 2025TX
While driving suddenly the ABS and vehicle traction lights came on and the car became very slippery, was unable to stop without an excessive amount of space between the car in front of me and me. While looking at the car, I realized the actuator brake booster pump. I then found multiple websites and forums dedicated to people with the same problem ( brakes suddenly not functioning correctly while driving) with the same model car as I have, and there was a service bulletin that shows Toyota acknowledged there was a problem ( and a fix) but with the date of the bulletin and the date it was to be fixed within, it was near impossible to actually have it fixed. My car has 87,000 miles and the brake system is dangerous
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 21, 2025CA
Brake booster pump assembly. Toyota has sent a notice of extended warranty for this vehicle which has expired. Without repair, the brakes will loose compression and stop working.
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2025AZ
Anti lock brake malfunction. Code c1391 leak in brake accumulator. This seems to be a common code for brake issues with Prius. The cost to repair is significant, more than the value of the car. This is a certain safety issue that needs to be addressed. This is clearly a Hazzard and will cost lives to those who cannot afford the cost of repair.
Service Brakes
Filed Jan 17, 2025CA
The issue is my brakes failed on me all of a sudden. My abs light, traction control light, and brake light came on out of nowhere. Suddenly didn't have brake pressure. Had to pump the brakes a few times before the car would stop. Luckily I didn't hit anything or anyone. I brought the car to Prius specialist and they diagnosed it saying it was the ABS Actuator Pump Assembly and Master Cylinder. They said it is quite common in the 3rd generation of Prius'. I contacted Toyota North America and they said they had a recall on the parts but it ended Dec 31st, 2021. I bought the car in 2022 unknowingly. Was quoted around $4000 to repair it parts and labor. This is a safety issue that should not be limited to time. Luckily I was not on a Freeway or anywhere where I could have done damage. This issue is a hazard to myself and other people on the road. Toyota needs to resolve this.
Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 2024IN
I write to add my voice to the litany of complaints in support of NHTSA investigation DP23005. While on an road trip recently the ABS, Traction Control, and Brake warning lights all came on. The brake felt squishy and didn't seem to be functioning as confidently as before. I altered my driving (giving plenty of distance, lowering my speed) so that in the event the brakes quit working I would have an exit strategy. I took it to my Independent Service Center as soon as possible who found the code C1391 and diagnosed the need to replace the master cylinder / booster assembly for several thousand dollars. Of course I must do this in order to remain safe but this is clearly a safety issue that could have been catastrophic. Meanwhile I am out of a car for several weeks until the part arrives and out of at least $2000 as quoted by my mechanic ($1640 for the part). The car only has 146,500 miles on it so otherwise would have plenty of life left in it. I'm filing this complaint to add my voice to the open petition and toward the NHTSA's investigation in strong support of holding Toyota responsible for PREVENTING injury and death through a proper recall, as well as against burdening the car owner with the costs of making up for Toyota's negligence on this issue. At the least they need to cover the cost of these necessary safety repairs when they are warned by the lights and reinstate their warranty extension for this issue
Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.
Most recent recall on file: Oct 4, 2018. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.