2009 Toyota Prius Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 60about this part
- Share
- 12%of 502 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 89,761miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 2009 Toyota Prius, 12% of the 502 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 89,761 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake makes very annoying noise.”
NHTSA complaint #11161023, filed 2018-12, 100,000 miles“Our Prius started making this noise recent... 4 seconds of spinning clicking, then quiet for 5 seconds then repeat. Happens while driving, while parked and I just went out there with my keys in my pocket and opened the door and it started making the noise when the engine starts...so does the rattling and knocking sounds. When I hit on brake, the brake booster makes very annoying noise.”
NHTSA complaint #11156702, filed 2018-12, 100,001 miles“My headlight passenger side keeps going out after a few seconds of turning on. This keeps me from driving at night. My computer controls on my dash board that works the AC. And displays the information about the car does not work. My ABS break light will not go off. This has affected my breaking system on my car. All of these items I have mentioned all occurred while I was driving the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11056249, filed 2017-12, 215,000 miles“Driving on a dark road I went from high beams to low and the entire lighting system went out. I was quick so cycled the headlight switch, everything came back on but the passenger headlight. Tried replacing the light bulb, it still wont work. I paid extra for these h I d headlights. Now I'm told 1000 dollars to fix them.”
NHTSA complaint #10649449, filed 2014-10, 122,000 miles“The rubber cover to the outside truck latch has melted completely in hot florida weather and has become gooey to the point of dripping onto my license plate. The truck is very difficult to open and sometimes I am unable to lock or open the car because the trunk is not all the way closed. This is a safety issue because if I needed to get into the trunk to get a spare tire I may not be able to. …”
NHTSA complaint #10629342, filed 2014-08, 102,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238157May 30, 2023TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered…
- 10213902May 31, 2022TSB: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
- 10182983Oct 12, 2020TT: Some customers may encounter Bluetooth® connectivity concerns such as: ?Difficulty to pair the phone. ?Intermittent Bluetooth® failure to connect to the vehicle when first…
- 10179764Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179720Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179703Aug 8, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 08, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179698Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10179602Aug 5, 2020TSB: Some 2003 ? 2020 model year Prius, Prius C, Prius V; 2006 ? 2019 model year Highlander Hybrid Vehicle; 2007 ? 2020 Camry Hybrid Vehicle; 2013 ? 2020 model year Avalon Hybrid…
- 10177773Jun 18, 2020TSB: Some 2004 ? 2020 model year Hybrid vehicles may exhibit an excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. The condition could…
- 10176284May 1, 2020TT: This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% |
| 2025 | 6 | 38% |
| 2024 | 4 | 15% |
| 2023 | 5 | 24% |
| 2022 | 6 | 25% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 2 | 14% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 11 | 12% |
| 2016 | 20 | 13% |
| 2015 | 27 | 16% |
| 2014 | 33 | 16% |
| 2013 | 52 | 13% |
| 2012 | 52 | 12% |
| 2011 | 68 | 13% |
| 2010 | 192 | 7% |
| 2009 | 60 | 12% |
| 2008 | 235 | 16% |
| 2007 | 248 | 12% |
| 2006 | 153 | 11% |
| 2005 | 178 | 17% |
| 2004 | 177 | 29% |
| 2003 | 13 | 13% |
| 2002 | 18 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Prius
199 complaintsExterior lighting
111 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsElectronic stability control
12 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2009 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology