2010 Toyota Prius problems
Owners have filed 3,487 complaints with NHTSA about the 2010 Toyota Prius. Brakes is the most reported problem area, at 58% of complaints. After that come cruise control (8%) and electrical system (6%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 3,487 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Brakes 58% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 255 and 22
- Injuries and deaths
- 111 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 7,000 miles 2,769 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 1,705 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 162 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 139 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 136 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 150 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 132 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 129 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 63 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 50 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 48 |
| 200k+ miles | 55 |
What the data shows
Among the 2,769 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 7,000 miles. For brakes specifically, the median reported mileage is about 5,000 miles (1,632 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 255 complaints mention a crash; 22 complaints mention a fire; 111 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2010 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 23 model years of the Toyota Prius with enough data (2,450 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 10 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl*the driver owned a 2010 toyota prius. The contact stated the driver crashed into another vehicle, at 35 MPH. As a result of the accident, the vehicle was destroyed and the rear passenger was killed due to a severe neck injury. The contact believed the head restraint was not positioned properly. The contact called the manufacturer, but received no response regarding the head restraint. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 03/15/11
Tl* the contact's brother owned a 2010 toyota prius. The contact stated her brother died in a head on crash. While he was driving at approximately 65MPH north bound, a truck waiting at a traffic light was rear ended by another truck pushing the truck into the contact's brother lane of traffic. The contact stated witnesses advised her that brakes failed on her brother's vehicle and he was not able to bring the vehicle to stop when he saw the truck approaching. The police report was not available.
I was on the freeway in traffic, going 60 MPH. There was road construction coming up ahead. I depressed the brake pedal and nothing happened. The car didn't slow down at all and I crashed into another vehicle. My car was manufactured when the 'voluntary safety recall' by toyota was supposed to address this, but I received no notification, nor did thousand oaks toyota, where I had the car serviced, communicate about it.
Tl*the contact owns a 2010 toyota prius. The contact was driving approximately between 50-55 MPH on a snow covered road surface, while braking the vehicle suddenly surged forward unexpectedly. The driver was unable to control the vehicle and crashed into a ditch. There were no injuries. A police report was filed for the incident and the vehicle was able to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for the front end damage.
ABS failed. Warning lights do not appear. Heard others have similar issue. Toyota will fix the ABS only if the warning lights appear. Warning lights appear only when car is not on completely. Brakes went out with no warning at all. Brakes went out with no warning while driving. Light bulb leaks moisture has since purchase. Light bulbs blow frequently.