Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Electric Vehicle Fuse May Fracture Limiting Power
- Summary
- 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.
Curtain Shield Air Bag Inflators May Crack
- Summary
- 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.
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (25)
25 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 25 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 12 | 48% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 12% |
| Engine | 2 | 8% |
| Power train | 2 | 8% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 8% |
| Electronic stability control | 1 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 4% |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 1 | 4% |
| Steering | 1 | 4% |
How 2012 compares with other Prius Plug-In Hybrid years
Best and worst Prius Plug-In Hybrid years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 6 | 1 |
| 2011 | 1 | 0 |
| 2012 | 25 | 2 |
| 2013 | 12 | 1 |
| 2014 | 13 | 1 |
| 2015 | 5 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 | 1 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 50 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $1,350
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 133 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 50 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · CVT | Front-Wheel Drive | 51 / 49 / 50 | $1,350 | 133 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrid for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid FAQ
How many recalls does the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 17V718000 (hybrid propulsion system), 16V487000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems?
Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (12), Unknown or other (4), Electrical system (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · CVT version at 51 city, 49 highway and 50 combined mpg.
How does the 2012 Prius Plug-In Hybrid compare with other years?
Among the 2010–2015 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model years at least five years old, the 2011 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2012 the most (25). The 2012 drew 25. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.