2012 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 07/14/2026

31Engine complaints

7.4%Of all 419 complaints

#4Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How engine ranks on this vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES180 · 43%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM49 · 11.7%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING36 · 8.6%

ENGINE31 · 7.4%

Unspecified / other31 · 7.4%

Share of the 419 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2012 Toyota Prius overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AS THE MASTER WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED…”NHTSA complaint 10885590 — filed 07/18/2016

“STARTING IN SPRING 2013 AND CONTINUING DURING THE REST OF THE SPRING, SUMMER AND EARLY FALL IN THE HOTTEST MONTHS, AFTER PARKING MY PRIUS C…”NHTSA complaint 10775337 — filed 09/23/2015

“DRIVING THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH THE ENGINE STOPPED - WITH NO WARNING OF ANY KIND, THE AIR, DASH LIGHTS, RADIO, ETC ALL CONTINUED TO…”NHTSA complaint 10584747 — filed 04/24/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Toyota Prius have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2012 Toyota Prius: 31 of 419 complaints on file (7.4%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2012 Toyota Prius have in total?

419 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 45 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, 31 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.