What's Wrong with the 1st Generation (2012–2015) Prius Plug-in?

Prius Plug-in owners have made 8 complaints about the 2012–2015 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 22nd out of 81 Toyota generations in overall reliability, with some electrical and engine concerns.

Common 2012-2015 Toyota Prius Plug-in Problems

Some of the worst issues 1st generation Prius Plug-in owners have to deal with.

  1. Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires

    Somewhere in the mid-2000's there was an industry-wide push by automakers to replace plastic and glass-based wiring insulation with a more eco-friendly soy-based coating. It's biodegradable, commendable, and a complete disaster for owners. …

    Continue reading article "Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires"

  2. What Are We Missing?

    We know there's more problems than this. Let us know which one you'd like to see us cover next.

    Continue

What Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

1st Generation (2012–2015) Prius Plug-in Key Numbers

  1. 4 model years

    Grouping all models by their year can reveal some baddies.

  2. 8 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  3. 22nd in reliability

    Overall reliability rank out of 81 eligible generations.

Recent 1st Generation (2012–2015) Prius Plug-in News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  2. When Toyota switched away from using plastic or glass-based inulation in favor of soy, it invited in some very unwelcome Toyota loyalisits.

    According to the plaintiff, she learned the hard way about the soy wiring when her Avalon wouldn't start and a look under the hood showed wires chewed, so she had the car towed to a dealer. Toyota told her rodents had caused the damage and it would be no problem to repair the problems as long as she could cough up $6,000 to cover the bill.

    The soy-based wiring is allegedly attracting in rodents, who love to chew it up and use it for nesting material. The lawsuit, Heidi Browder vs. Toyota Motor Corporation, et al. follows a similar lawsuit filed against Honda earlier this year.

    keep reading article "Lawsuit Says Toyota’s Use of Soy-Based Wiring is Attracting Rodent Damage"

  3. A new lawsuit has a suggestion for Toyota.

    Maybe it's time to start calling their plug-in hybrid the _Prius Plug-in-every-few-miles. A Toyota Prius Plug-In mileage lawsuit has been filed concerning a 2012 Prius Plug-In that allegedly gets only 8 miles on a single battery charge. Plaintiff Richard Rosenbaum says he purchased the 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In to save gas when driving 12 miles for work, then discovered the car wouldn't travel that far on a single battery charge.

    We all know EPA estimates and MPG numbers posted by manufacturers are best case scenarios, often conducted in labs. But a 40% reduction (8 miles vs advertised 13) is a tough pill to swallow. Especially when one of the primary reasons for buying the car was to get to your job, 12 miles away, on one electric charge.…

    keep reading article "A Prius Plug-in Mileage Lawsuit"

  5. The curtain shield airbags in your car have two chambers that are welded together.

    That weld keeps those chambers hugging and happy. The only problem is, someone did a really bad job welding 1.4 million Toyota vehicles worldwide. The bad welds are cracking and letting those chambers loosen their embrace in the Prius, Prius Plug-in, and Lexus CT 200h. If they pull too far apart and you get in an accident:…

    keep reading article "1.4 Million Cars Need Curtain Shield Airbag Fix"