2009 Toyota Prius Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 5%of 502 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,250miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the fuel system of the 2009 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 502 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I pulled up to the gas pump and could not put gas in my car. It had a little gas in it, but the pump cut off before I could get started. The car has had a problem with the bladder since its inception. I can never fill up the tank. The dealer wants me to pay an elaborate amount to get it fixed. I went out on the internet and other people are having the same problem with not being able to fill up their tank.”
NHTSA complaint #10494704, filed 2013-01, 50,000 miles“A year ago, upon taking off from a stop my car began to stall. I drive two blocks it continues to putt along and stall, then after less than a mile it starts to run as normal. I take my car in to be told it is out of gas, which it did not indicate low fuel, it had over a quarter of a tank. I insist they continue to check my car over days of them driving it, after a week they experience something similar and replace my junction box. Since then I've replace the water pump, taken my car in for a steering recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597789, filed 2014-06, 85,000 miles“Unable to add any gas to the fuel tank even when tank is near empty. Gas just spurts back out of the filler neck. Over time we have learned that this is temperature related. At or near freezing temperatures and colder it becomes impossible at times to add any gas to the tank. The only way to add fuel is to get the car to a warmer location and let it sit for a few hours. We have detailed records documenting several instances where we could add no fuel and many instances where a near empty tank will take only 1-2 gallons. …”
NHTSA complaint #10582965, filed 2014-04, 49,000 miles“While driving a 2009 Toyota Prius at 50-55 MPH on a single lane highway outside of prescott az, the drive system suddenly shut down and no response was felt when depressing the accelerator pedal. Lots of indicators came on and my wife was able to steer the car to the side of the road where there was just sufficient room for following traffic to go past. After spending a few minutes going through the owner's manual and finding no easy answer to explain this condition, we tried and were able to re-start the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10341031, filed 2010-07, 18,500 miles“My 2009 Toyota Prius has had occasional bursts of energy and jolts forward on is own. Luckily I was in park each time it happened. I wasn't even pushing the gas pedal. It was a very sudden thing, I had no warning. It's definitely not a floor mat issue. Now I'm afraid to drive it. The last time this happened was approximately a month ago, I asked if there was recall for my car, and the dealer said no. What's making me worry now is the story on the news about a runaway Prius. I thank you in advance for anything you can do to help.”
NHTSA complaint #10318324, filed 2010-03, 8,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2021 | 2 | 33% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 12 | 13% |
| 2016 | 6 | 4% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 5 | 2% |
| 2013 | 16 | 4% |
| 2012 | 11 | 3% |
| 2011 | 11 | 2% |
| 2010 | 71 | 3% |
| 2009 | 24 | 5% |
| 2008 | 55 | 4% |
| 2007 | 28 | 1% |
| 2006 | 20 | 1% |
| 2005 | 28 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 2% |
| 2003 | 4 | 4% |
| 2002 | 5 | 3% |
| 2001 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2009 Toyota Prius
199 complaintsExterior lighting
111 complaintsVehicle speed control
71 complaintsElectrical system
60 complaintsOther or unknown
36 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 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