2009 Toyota Prius
This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
- Complaints
- 502
- Recalls
- 6
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2009
Opened by NHTSA
41% of complaints
Complaints per year
2009: 502 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 165 |
| 2002 | 167 |
| 2003 | 99 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1,051 |
| 2006 | 1,439 |
| 2007 | 2,003 |
| 2008 | 1,497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2,824 |
| 2011 | 521 |
| 2012 | 424 |
| 2013 | 411 |
| 2014 | 208 |
| 2015 | 166 |
| 2016 | 155 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 37 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 24 |
| 2023 | 20 |
| 2024 | 27 |
| 2025 | 16 |
| 2026 | 6 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
41% · 206 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and electric.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while exiting a parking space, the brakes were applied and the vehicle did not respond. The vehicle instead accelerated while the contact had the brake depressed.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-06-27
I was approximately 8 or 9 car lengths from a vehicle that slammed on her brakes before hitting the car in front of her, so I stood up on my brakes at about 30 -35 MPH.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-16
Exterior lighting
22% · 111 reportsMost commonly citing headlights.
Show complaint excerpts
Apparently a known issue with the HID lights coming on or off intermittently.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-18
The front lights and break lights sometimes turn off while I am driving. Both of the lights or one of them.
NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-31
Vehicle speed control
14% · 71 reportsMost commonly citing accelerator pedal.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. While driving at 2 MPH and making a left turn, the vehicle accelerated independently and the contact lost control of the vehicle. As a result, the contact crashed into a garbage truck.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-03-05
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while the brakes were depressed the vehicle accelerated abnormally. The contact crashed into a post office building as a result.
NHTSA ODI report, 2012-07-16
Electrical system
12% · 60 reportsMost commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and starter assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly exploded and burst into flames without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was securely parked for six weeks while the contact was away.
NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-04
Power train
4% · 22 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and floor shift.
Safety timeline
6 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2009Complaint volume 502 complaints filed for this model year.
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2009-12-31Vehicle speed control09V388000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's…
Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.…
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2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims."
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010. Owners may contact…
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2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 Gulf States Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire selection and rims." These…
Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety…
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2012-12-20Steering12V537000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly…
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may…
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2013-01-17Engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system12V536000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011.…
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer…
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2013-02-21Defect petitionClosed 2020-04-08 Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
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2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…
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…
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
Buy-smart checklist
2009 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 206 reports on file for this year.
- Exterior lighting: 111 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 71 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 09V388000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
- Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
- Recall 12V537000 · Steering
- Recall 12V536000 · Engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system
- Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →FAQ
- Is the 2009 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Toyota Prius is rated "worse than typical".
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Prius?
- The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 41% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Prius have?
- 6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.