2009 Toyota Prius
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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 PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 4 |
| 2001 | 165 |
| 2002 | 167 |
| 2003 | 99 |
| 2004 | 610 |
| 2005 | 1051 |
| 2006 | 1439 |
| 2007 | 2003 |
| 2008 | 1497 |
| 2009 | 502 |
| 2010 | 2819 |
| 2011 | 515 |
| 2012 | 419 |
| 2013 | 398 |
| 2014 | 202 |
| 2015 | 159 |
| 2016 | 154 |
| 2017 | 91 |
| 2018 | 35 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 23 |
| 2023 | 18 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 15 |
| 2026 | 5 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: exterior lighting — 109 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
Apparently a known issue with the HID lights coming on or off intermittently.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231218
The front lights and break lights sometimes turn off while I am driving. Both of the lights or one of them.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231031
16% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 80 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH ON A LIGHTLY SNOW COVERED ROAD SURFACE, THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN.
NHTSA ODI report, 20090223
13% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 67 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20180305
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, 20120716
13% of complaints: service brakes — 63 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow 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, 20120627
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, 20120416
11% of complaints: electrical system — 53 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20180104
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 FL
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. THES
Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed
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 VE
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 RECAL
Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed
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 built
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 cont
Campaign 12V537000 — check if this car was fixed
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. D
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 E
Campaign 12V536000 — check if this car was fixed
Intermediate Steering Shaft Separation
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, an
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 contac
Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed
Pedestrian alert sounds
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2009 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (109 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (67 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V537000 (steering) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V536000 (engine and engine cooling, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
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 "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Prius?
The most-reported component is exterior lighting, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Prius have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.