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2012 Toyota Prius c Four

The 2012 Toyota Prius c Four is a 73-hp 1.5-liter inline-4 with an electronically controlled cvt and front-wheel drive. It starts at $23,230 MSRP and is rated at 50 mpg combined.

It makes 73 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 82 lb-ft of torque at 4000 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 53 mpg city and 46 mpg highway (50 mpg combined).

The Prius c measures 157.3 inches long on a 100.4-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 2,500 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeHatchback
PowertrainHybrid
Price
MSRP$23,230 ($32,882 *)
MSRP with Destination$23,990 ($33,958 *)
Destination Charge$760
Engine
Engine Type1.5L (1NZ-FXE) Atkinson-cycle DOHC 16-valve VVT-i Inline-4 Hybrid
Displacement1.5 L
Horsepower73 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque82 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC, VVT-i
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-Wheel Drive (FWD)
Transmission
TransmissionElectronically Controlled CVT (eCVT)
Fuel Economy
City53 MPG
Highway46 MPG
Combined50 MPG
Recommended FuelRegular Unleaded (87 octane)
Tank Capacity9.5 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionIndependent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear SuspensionTorsion beam
Brakes
Front Brake DiscVentilated disc, 10.0 in. rotor
Rear Brake DiscDrum, 9.0 in.
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front16-in. alloy
Wheels Rear16-in. alloy
Tires FrontP195/50R16
Tires RearP195/50R16
Dimensions & Weight
Length157.3 in
Width66.7 in
Height56.9 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Cargo Volume17.1 ft³
Curb Weight2,500 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear37 in
Legroom Front41.7 in
Legroom Rear35 in
Shoulder Room Front52.3 in
Shoulder Room Rear51.7 in
Hip Room Front51 in
Hip Room Rear50.8 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall ★★★★★
Frontal crash ★★★★★
Side crash ★★★★★
Rollover ★★★★★ (12.1 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD

Recalls

6 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota PRIUS. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Oct 4, 2018 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 18V684000

Jun 30, 2016 · AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

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.

NHTSA campaign 16V487000

Jun 2, 2016 · SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.

NHTSA campaign 16V396000

Feb 12, 2014 · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.

Consequence: 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 both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

NHTSA campaign 14V053000

Apr 9, 2013 · EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011 Toyota 4Runner, 2010-2013 Toyota Tacoma, 2011-2012 Toyota Sienna, 2012 Toyota Prius, 2013 Scion FR-S, 2011 Scion XD, 2011 Scion XB, and 2012 Scion TC vehicles. These vehicles were sold with labels that were outside the allowable one percent of accuracy of actual weight added. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) Number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

Consequence: An inaccurate label could lead to owners overloading their vehicles and tires. An overloaded vehicle can result in a tire failure which may result in a vehicle crash, personal injury, or property damage.

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed. The recall began on May 28, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

NHTSA campaign 13V123000

Jan 16, 2013 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 13V014000

687 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota PRIUS

Owner Complaints

687 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Toyota PRIUS (71 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 39 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Service Brakes343
Electrical System89
Engine71
Unknown Or Other54
Air Bags43
Exterior Lighting42
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Oct 1, 2026 · Service Brakes
“When I started my car this morning, the red BRAKE light, ABS warning light and anti-slip light were all illuminated. The car does still stop but the brakes are very spongy and there's a clicking noise…”
Sep 18, 2026 · Service Brakes
“1. My Brake booster failed/malfunctioned. I had to get it repaired/replaced by Toyota so it might be with the dealership or thrown out by now. 2. I had to take it in because I had an incident where I…”
Aug 18, 2026 · Air Bags Crash 2 injuries
“The contact owned a 2012 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while making a left turn at 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the vehicle and t-boned the front passenger's side door of the vehicle…”
Jul 17, 2026 · Service Brakes
“Brake lights icons stay on mechanic at Toyota dealership state need new brak master cylinder and booster”
Jul 17, 2026 · Service Brakes
“Brake warning lights on, buzzing sound every 10 seconds. Likely a known actuator and master cylinder issue”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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