2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
50/100
#4 most-complained of 7 Prius Plug-in Hybrid years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a Complaint Index of 50 and ranks 4th worst of 7 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 6 complaints, 1 recall, and Brakes as the top problem area at 50% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 6
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 50
- 51 city / 48 hwy
Top 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes3 (50%)
- Engine2 (33%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Fuel System1 (17%)
- Other1 (17%)
What owners report
- Owners report the vehicle unexpectedly moved backward while shifting from reverse to drive, even while standing on the brake pedal.
- One brake-related incident led to a crash into a neighboring yard after the vehicle spun out of control.
- A separate report referenced a recall notice about a shutdown risk affecting 2010-2014 Prius models.
- Electrical system concerns were tied to a crash in the sample complaints, though mileage at failure was not recorded.
2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V487000Jun 30, 2016Airbags482,002 vehicles
Air bags:side/window
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.
Risk: If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is Toyota G0U, and Lexus GLJ.
2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 51 MPG
- Highway
- 48 MPG
- Combined
- 50 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2010 compared with other Prius Plug-in Hybrid years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid reliable?
- NHTSA data gives it a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 7 model years with data. Brakes are the top reported problem area, making up 50% of complaints.
- What is the median mileage when problems occur on the 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid?
- Across all reported issues, the median mileage at failure is 110,000 miles. Brake complaints show a median of 96,500 miles, and engine complaints show 92,000 miles.
- Does the 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists one recall, campaign 16V487000, covering a curtain shield airbag weld issue. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2010 Prius Plug-in Hybrid compare to other years?
- It ranks 4th worst of 7 years by Complaint Index (50), better than 2012 (100, Avoid) and 2014 (83, Avoid), but worse than 2015 (17, Best).