MYRModel Year Report

2010 Toyota Prius

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2010 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints 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.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Prius Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2010 highlighted. 2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1051 complaints 2006: 1439 complaints 2007: 2003 complaints 2008: 1497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2819 complaints 2010 2011: 515 complaints 2012: 419 complaints 2012 2013: 398 complaints 2014: 202 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 154 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 23 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 22 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2010: 2819 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051051
20061439
20072003
20081497
2009502
20102819
2011515
2012419
2013398
2014202
2015159
2016154
201791
201835
201928
202014
20216
202223
202318
202422
202515
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 27%

27% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 751 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION I HIT A POTHOLE & THE CAR SUDDENLY QUIT BRAKING AND REQUIRED ME TO DO EVASIVE DRIVING MANEUVERS TO ASSURE I DID NOT HIT THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME OR THE LIGHT POLE AT THE INTERSECTION.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120412

I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPACE. TURNED RIGHT INTO SPACE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED, STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, AND BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND!.THE CAR SPED OVER THE CURBING AND HIT THE LEFT FRONT FENDER OF THE TRUCK IN THE NEXT SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20120412

I WAS UNABLE TO SLOW DOWN GOING INTO AN INTERSECTION AT A REASONABLE RATE OF SPEED. WHILE I WAS NOT ACCELERATING, WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES THE CAR DID NOT SLOW DOWN AS I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091125

SERVICE BRAKES 21%

21% of complaints: service brakes — 590 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My car accelerated significantly on its own while I was pulling into a parking stall in a private parking lot. It caused my vehicle to jump a curb and accelerate up a dirt divider and push over a bush that was planted in the dirt divider.

NHTSA ODI report, 20240524

CAR IN TWO ACCIDENTS OVER TWO YEARS BODY WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED BACK TO THE FRAME!

NHTSA ODI report, 20171228

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC 18%

18% of complaints: service brakes, electric — 502 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

BOUGHT NEW CAR LESS THAN 10 DAYS. DROVE 10-15 MPH IN DOWNTOWN LA FOLLOWING A CAR. THOUGHT IT WAS ME SINCE CAR WAS NEW BUT I STEP ON BRAKE BUT IT DIDN'T RESPOND QUICKLY ENOUGH..RESULT...REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20100108

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 10%

10% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 286 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: electrical system — 183 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2010 — complaint volume: 2819
I 20100203 — PE (closed 20100712)

Braking Performance, Hybrid Vehicle

R 20100303 — service brakes, air

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEXUS HS250H PASSENGER VEHICLES. CUSTOMERS HAVE EXPERIENCED INCONSISTENT BRAKE FEEL AFTER ABS ACTUATION DURING SLOW AND STEADY APPLICATION

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REWRITE THE PROGRAMMING OF THE ABS CONTROL UNIT FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2010, AND IS EXPECTED TO BE COMPLETED IN LATE MARCH 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA A

Campaign 10V039000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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

R 20100527 — equipment

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

R 20130321 — air bags, seats

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

R 20130807 — service brakes

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake booster pump assemblies. The recall began on August 7, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 13V235000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140321 — electrical system, hybrid propulsion system

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge.

Campaign 14V053000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161017 — air bags

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331.

Campaign 16V487000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190122 — hybrid propulsion system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019.

Campaign 18V684000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190930 — DP (closed 20210121)

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

I 20231122 — DP (open)

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2010 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (751 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (590 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes, electric issues (502 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 10V039000 (service brakes, air) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V235000 (service brakes) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V487000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2007 ■ 2008 ■ 2006

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2010 Toyota Prius reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2010 Toyota Prius is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Prius?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic, accounting for 27% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Prius have?

10 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.