2009 Toyota Prius Electronic stability control Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 2%of 502 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2009 Toyota Prius, 2% of the 502 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2009 Toyota Prius and when the vehicle encounters a pot hole or any rough road service, it jumps ahead and there is a delay when I attempt to brake. On the dashboard the icy roadway indicataor appears at these times. This siituation has been ongoing since I purchased the vehicle in april 2009”
NHTSA complaint #10307034, filed 2010-02, 500 miles“The problem with the Prius is the enhanced vsc, not the brakes! I have been reading about the braking problem in the Toyota Prius and they all seem to occur under rough or slippery driving conditions. I own a 2009 Prius and the same thing happens but it seems to be a problem with the enhanced vehicle stability control (vsc). Please look into the enhanced vsc for the problem because I don't think it's the brakes.”
NHTSA complaint #10307952, filed 2010-02, 12,000 miles“As I was driving my 2009 Toyota Prius on the service road of I-30 in dallas around 25 MPH after previously taking off from a red light, my vehicle's warning lights all turned on and started to beep and I could not brake or really steer. My vehicle...I almost hit the vehicle in front of me. Somehow I was able to turn right into a parking lot and somehow press on the brakes strong in enough to make the car stop. I feared for safety and the safety others as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10555959, filed 2013-12, 110,000 miles“2009 Prius - on two occasion recently when I went to make a right turn my steering froze and the engine died. I almost hit a car. I have had it into piercy Toyota on two occasion and they still have not found anything. I am afraid to drive the car. It only ha 3000 miles on it. They have been nice, but no results. If the car is doing this now and they cannot find it what happens next. Not satisfied with there answer. I need your help.”
NHTSA complaint #10328238, filed 2010-04, 2,900 miles“Every day I encounter a large pot hole on my way to work. It is about 20 feet from a stop sign, so at this point I am already driving slow and braking. However, when the one wheel dips into the hole, the yellow traction system light comes on, and I feel what could be a slight loss in braking, as if the car is coasting for a split second (versus braking/slowing) or perhaps accelerating forward. The car/system recovers as soon as all wheels pass the pothole. …”
NHTSA complaint #10306741, filed 2010-02, 100 milesElectronic stability control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 8 | 4% |
| 2013 | 7 | 2% |
| 2012 | 7 | 2% |
| 2011 | 16 | 3% |
| 2010 | 58 | 2% |
| 2009 | 12 | 2% |
| 2008 | 43 | 3% |
| 2007 | 34 | 2% |
| 2006 | 15 | 1% |
| 2005 | 20 | 2% |
| 2004 | 8 | 1% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Prius
199 complaintsExterior lighting
111 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsEngine
19 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsSteering
13 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 31, 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