Sell your 2012 Toyota Prius v for cash

The 2012 Toyota Prius v is a wagon that came with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine. At 14 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2012 Toyota Prius v at a glance

Body styleMidsize Station Wagons
Engines1.8L 4-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy43 city / 39 highway / 41 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$1,650 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂217 grams per mile
Gross vehicle weight rating4,330 lb
Versions tested by EPA1 configuration
Age14 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 14 years old, most of a 2012 Prius v's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a wagon, it weighs less than a truck or SUV, so its value leans more on parts than on scrap weight. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Prius v. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the service brakes, typically around 68,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2012 Toyota Prius v recalls

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls covering the 2012 Toyota Prius v. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Hybrid Propulsion SystemOct 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V684000

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.

Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Hybrid Propulsion SystemJul 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V449000

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some…

Risk: 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.

SeatsJan 2013 · NHTSA campaign 13V014000

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…

Risk: 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

Common 2012 Prius v problems

Owners have filed 218 complaints about the 2012 Toyota Prius v with NHTSA. 19 reports involved a crash and 2 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 10 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Service Brakes124
  • Engine36
  • Electrical System22
  • Unknown or Other15
  • Vehicle Speed Control15
  • Steering11

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Service Brakes68,000 mi
  • Engine121,000 mi
  • Electrical System84,000 mi
  • Unknown or Other68,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control16,000 mi
  • Steering72,000 mi

2012 Toyota Prius v service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 496 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2012 Toyota Prius v. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Equipment59
  • Equipment55
  • Electrical System49
  • Equipment40
  • Structure30
  • Equipment26

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0119-15 Rev2

    OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsFeb 2026 · T-SB-0009-26

    This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicab

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2026 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2

    Some 2005 - 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to r

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsDec 2024 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2

    Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle o

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 1 defect investigation covering the 2012 Toyota Prius v.

Service Brakes, HydraulicDP23005 · opened Nov 2023, open

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied b

Selling a 2012 Prius v: questions

How much is a 2012 Toyota Prius v worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2012 Prius v that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2012 Prius vs that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2012 Prius v with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Toyota Prius v; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2012 Prius v?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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