2010 Toyota Prius Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 140about this part
- Share
- 5%of 2,823 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,700miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 140 complaints about the engine of the 2010 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 2,823 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,700 miles. 3 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.
“My car completely shut down in traffic, engine, steering, transmission all quit and I was almost in a horrific accident as I could not control the car or get out of anyone's way. The check hybrid warning light was also on. It was towed and the garage said it was a software update that I was not made aware of that caused complete failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11076761, filed 2018-03, 110,000 miles“Our Prius has been losing power. It has 68k miles and we are the original owners. Driving at hwy speeds we noticed we have to push hard down on the gas just to get the car to maintain highway speeds. Hills are even worse. We are also still waiting on the parts to fix our headlights. Over the years I have changed the low beam bulbs at least 6 times! When are the parts coming?”
NHTSA complaint #11074952, filed 2018-02, 68,000 miles“Excessive use of oil began at 80,000 miles. Dealership said that it was normal for my model and if I kept an eye on it and kept oil in it everything would be ok. I do not get a warning light. One time I had to put over 3 quarts into it--no warning. I now check it every 800 miles and must put a quart of oil in about every 1000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10943974, filed 2017-01, 80,101 miles“My car's ABS, traction, and brake lights are on. I took it to two shops and they both said my car was recalled and to have the dealership fix it. The recall is on the breaks. The brake pedal is also not fully working, there is an abnormal leak of brake fluid pressure. Both auto service places said to demand for the dealership to take car of this because there is a class action lawsuit going on for this car with this exact problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11389148, filed 2021-01, 112,278 miles“As I was driving 55-65 MPH on the highway, the check hybrid system alert came on, and all of a sudden I lost power. I was able to make it home but going up hill it would not go faster than 35 MPH, and 40-50 MPH on flat ground. This happened on a busy highway where the average speed is 55-65 MPH”
NHTSA complaint #11281909, filed 2019-11, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029893Feb 13, 2026This 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 model…
- 11029892Feb 13, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- 10179763Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179759Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179758Aug 11, 2020TB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179719Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179715Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179714Aug 11, 2020TB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10178786Jul 17, 2020TSB: Some 2010 - 2015 model year Prius and 2012 - 2017 model year Prius V vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A94, P324E, P0A1A, and/or…
- 10164926Aug 30, 2019Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports of a rough idle and/or rattle noise from the transaxle at cold start due to a sticking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 2 | 33% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 6 | 20% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 12 | 13% |
| 2016 | 17 | 11% |
| 2015 | 8 | 5% |
| 2014 | 17 | 8% |
| 2013 | 37 | 9% |
| 2012 | 31 | 7% |
| 2011 | 47 | 9% |
| 2010 | 140 | 5% |
| 2009 | 19 | 4% |
| 2008 | 49 | 3% |
| 2007 | 37 | 2% |
| 2006 | 25 | 2% |
| 2005 | 15 | 1% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2010 Toyota Prius
1,945 complaintsVehicle speed control
287 complaintsElectrical system
192 complaintsExterior lighting
149 complaintsOther or unknown
148 complaintsAir bags
84 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
79 complaintsFuel system
71 complaintsElectronic stability control
58 complaintsBody and structure
35 complaintsEngine cooling
33 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
30 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2010 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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