2012 Toyota Prius XW30

Overview

Engines

1.8L hybrid, 1.8L plug-in hybrid

On record

4 warnings, 3 recalls

What changed for 2012

Refresh

• Refreshed: new headlights, taillights and front bumper, Entune, and a warning sound for pedestrians. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid was added. A published reference

Compare 2012 with 2011

Rare and special

• Clearwater Blue Metallic

Colors

• Clearwater Blue Metallic An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare8W1, 2012–2015
• Sea Glass Pearl781, 2012–2015
• Nautical Blue Metallic8S6, 2012–2015
• Super White040, 2010–2015
• Blizzard Pearl070, 2010–2015

Sources: Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Dark Gray (Cloth) Edmunds, Misty Gray (Cloth) Edmunds, Bisque (Cloth) Edmunds

Rare colors and interiors

• Rare

  Clearwater Blue Metallic Color

  Prius Plug-in Hybrid only An owners' registry (unofficial)

Specs

Badges

• Prius Plug-in Hybrid: 1.8L plug-in hybrid, Front-wheel drive A published reference

Engines

• 1.8L hybrid 2ZR-FXE A published reference

  Atkinson-cycle engine of 98 hp and 105 lb-ft; 134 hp with the motors

• 1.8L plug-in hybrid 2ZR-FXE A published reference

  With a 4.4 kWh lithium-ion battery; the EPA rated 11 miles of blended electric driving, 6 on electricity alone · 2012–2015

Transmissions

• Planetary power-split (eCVT) A published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Trims

• Two Edmunds, a published reference
• Three Edmunds, a published reference
• Four Edmunds, a published reference
• Five Edmunds, a published reference
• Plug-in (2012–2015) A published reference
• Plug-in Advanced (2012–2015) A published reference

Also in the generation, years not known: One Edmunds, Navigation package A published reference, Solar Roof package A published reference, Advanced Technology package A published reference, Plus Performance package A published reference

Figures for the whole 3rd gen

• Battery: Nickel-metal hydride, 1.3 kWh A published reference
• Economy: EPA 51 mpg city, 48 highway and 50 combined Toyota, a published reference
• Drag coefficient: 0.25 Toyota

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Oil burning 2010–2014

  Check: Ask how much oil it uses between changes, check the level on the dipstick, and ask whether Toyota's piston and ring repair was done.

  Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0169-16 fixes oil burning in the 1.8-liter engine of 2010–2014 cars with new pistons and rings, under the powertrain warranty of five years or 60,000 miles, which has ended. On CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, 137 owners of the 2010 report it at about 110,350 miles on average, and 14 of them had the engine replaced. Toyota, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Brake booster and pump All years

  Check: Watch for brake warning lights when starting and on a test drive, and ask whether the brake booster or its pump was replaced.

  Toyota's program ZJB extended cover for the brake booster and its pump, whose faults light the brake warning lamps, to ten years or 150,000 miles, so on a car first sold more than ten years ago it has ended. Toyota also recalled 2010 cars for brakes that could feel inconsistent after the ABS worked, and some for nitrogen leaking into the brake fluid. Toyota, NHTSA

• Clogged EGR valve All years

  Check: Listen for a rough idle or a rattle on a cold start, and have the codes read for P0401.

  Toyota's program ZF3 covered sticking EGR valves on 2010–2012 cars for ten years or 150,000 miles, which has ended. Jalopnik says the 3rd gen's EGR system can clog past 100,000 miles, causing misfires, and that head gaskets can leak. Toyota, Jalopnik

• Inverter shutting down All years

  Check: Ask whether recalls 14V053000 and 18V684000 were done, and on a 2013 to 2015 car 20V369000 too, and watch for warning lights.

  Toyota recalled 2010–2014 cars twice for the power module inside the inverter, which could put the car in limp mode or shut the hybrid system down while driving, and 2013–2015 cars not covered by the second recall. NHTSA

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2010–2014 Recall 18V684000

  Too much voltage in the power module inside the inverter may shut down the hybrid system, and the car can stall while driving. The software update is needed even on cars updated under 14V053000. NHTSA

• 2010–2012 Recall 16V487000

  A weld in the curtain airbag inflator may crack, throwing parts of the inflator into the cabin. NHTSA

• 2010–2014 Recall 14V053000

  Transistors in the power module inside the inverter can be damaged by heat, putting the car in a limp mode with warning lights, or shutting down the hybrid system. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  Rated by its owners 2012

  One source so far

  On Edmunds, an unofficial source, the 2012's 68 owners' reviews average 4.4 of 5. Owners' reports (unofficial)

• Avoid

  2010–2012

  Less sought after

  SlashGear says to avoid the 2010, 2011 and 2012, citing oil use, headlights, brakes and ten recalls on the 2010. CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, counts 327 complaints for the 2010, the most of any Prius year, and names the 2011 the worst year. Jalopnik ranks the 3rd gen last of five for reliability. SlashGear, Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.

Warranty when new