2009 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2009 Toyota Prius has 502 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 80, ranking 5th worst of 21 model years and rated Avoid. Brakes account for 42% of complaints with a median failure mileage of 16,000, and six recall campaigns cover steering, fuel system, and accelerator pedal issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 502
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 64
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 27
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 45 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 27 / 2
Top 2009 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes210 (42%)
- Electrical System159 (32%)
- Engine97 (19%)
- Other27 (5%)
- Fuel System24 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain22 (4%)
- Structure & Body21 (4%)
- Airbags17 (3%)
- Steering13 (3%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires7 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Brakes fail to respond or offer no resistance when the pedal is pressed, sometimes at low speeds while parking.
- Vehicle continues to accelerate or fails to decelerate even with the brake pedal depressed, leading to low-speed collisions with curbs, walls, or other vehicles.
- Airbags fail to deploy during a rear-end crash despite impact severe enough to cause vehicle damage.
- Engine surges forward unexpectedly while owners are braking at intersections or parking, sometimes causing chain-reaction crashes.
- Transmission or powertrain suddenly propels the vehicle forward while parking, resulting in impacts with nearby objects or vehicles.
2009 Toyota Prius recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Structure & Body3,235 vehicles
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
- NHTSA 12V537000Nov 14, 2012Steering669,705 vehicles
Steering:gear box:shaft sector
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 5, 2003, through March 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during December 2012. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 12V536000Nov 14, 2012Fuel System350,662 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2003, through March 30, 2009 and FCHV-adv vehicles manufactured December 12, 2008, through September 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on January 17, 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
2009 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 48 MPG
- Highway
- 45 MPG
- Combined
- 46 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,400
- 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.
2009 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2009 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Compared with other Prius model years, 2009 ranks 5th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 80 and 502 complaints, and it carries an Avoid verdict.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2009 Toyota Prius?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 42% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 16,000 and 24 related crashes.
- Does the 2009 Toyota Prius have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists six recall campaigns for the 2009 Prius, covering structure/body, steering, fuel system, and an accelerator pedal entrapment issue; none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2009 Prius compare to other Prius years?
- Its complaint index of 80 is worse than 2011-2025 model years but slightly better than 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010, which have complaint indexes of 85, 95, 90, and 100.