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, accounting for 71% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Prius have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

2010 Toyota Prius

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2010 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-10-10

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: 2,824
Recalls: 10
Investigations: 4
Top problem: Service brakes

Complaints per year

2010: 2,824 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

71% · 2,018 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHINJURYDEATH

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, 2024-05-24

Car in two accidents over two years body was not properly welded back to the frame!

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-28

Also filed under Power train and suspension

Component failed: Brake actuator and accumulator on a 2010 Toyota Prius. It is available for inspection upon request.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-08-27

Vehicle speed control

10% · 287 reports

Most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Electrical system

7% · 194 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

5% · 150 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Show complaint excerpts

The low-beam headlight bulbs on my 2010 Toyota Prius keep burning out, about every [6 months or less]. Since I have owned the vehicle I have replaced them too many times to count, on both sides, but twice as often on the drivers side.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-10-06

Engine

5% · 140 reports

CRASHFIREINJURY

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 4 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

▮
2010Complaint volume 2,824 complaints filed for this model year.
I
2010-02-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2010-07-12 Braking Performance, Hybrid Vehicle
R

2010-03-03Service brakes, air10V039000 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…

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

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…

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2013-08-07Service brakes13V235000 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…

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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2014-03-21Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system14V053000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2016-10-17Air bags16V487000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
R

2019-01-22Hybrid propulsion system18V684000 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.

Check if this car was fixed →
I
2019-09-30Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-21 Brake Actuator Valve Wear
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2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
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2023-11-22Defect petitionOpen Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Buy-smart checklist

2010 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

Service brakes: 2,018 reports on file for this year.
Vehicle speed control: 287 reports on file for this year.
Electrical system: 194 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

Recall 10V039000 · Service brakes, air
Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
Recall 13V235000 · Service brakes
Recall 14V053000 · Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system
Recall 14V743000 · Seats
Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Recall 16V487000 · Air bags
Recall 18V684000 · Hybrid propulsion system

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

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, accounting for 71% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Prius have?: 10 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.

2010 Toyota Prius

Complaints per year

Known problem areas

Service brakes

Vehicle speed control

Electrical system

Exterior lighting

Engine

Safety timeline

Buy-smart checklist

Inspect

Verify these recalls were completed

Other years of this model

▲Best years3 years

■Worst years3 years

FAQ

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years