2010 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2010 Toyota Prius has a Complaint Index of 100, the highest of all 21 model years tracked, and ranks worst overall (rank 1). Brakes account for 70% of its 2,822 complaints, with a median failure mileage of only 5,000, and it carries 10 recalls, so it's rated Avoid relative to other Prius years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 100/100
- #1 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 2,822
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 10
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 183
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 13
- Injuries
- 65
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 50
- 51 city / 48 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 65 / 2
Top 2010 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes1,967 (70%)
- Engine453 (16%)
- Electrical System307 (11%)
- Other122 (4%)
- Fuel System99 (4%)
- Airbags84 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain79 (3%)
- Structure & Body40 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires38 (1%)
- Steering30 (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 quickly during slow-speed stops, causing rear-end collisions with the vehicle ahead.
- Owners describe a noticeable delay or lag before the brakes engage after pressing the pedal.
- Some drivers report the brake pedal extends toward the floor before finally responding a few seconds later.
- On downhill or uneven surfaces, the car reportedly surges or skips forward while the driver is braking, rather than slowing down.
- Several complaints describe the vehicle failing to slow through an intersection despite continuous brake pedal pressure, leading to crashes.
2010 Toyota Prius recalls
10 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V684000Oct 4, 2018Fuel System807,329 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
- 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.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
2010 Toyota Prius 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 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Compared to other Prius model years, the 2010 ranks worst, with a Complaint Index of 100 and rank 1 of all years tracked. It has the highest complaint volume (2,822) and 10 recalls, mostly tied to braking.
- What is the main problem with the 2010 Prius?
- Brakes are the top problem area, making up 70% of complaints (1,967 total), with a median failure mileage of just 5,000 miles and 124 related crashes.
- Does the 2010 Prius have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 10V039000 covers inconsistent brake feel after ABS actuation, and a separate recall (13V235000) addresses nitrogen gas issues in the brake booster pump assembly.
- Is the 2010 Prius better or worse than other years?
- It is worse. Its Complaint Index of 100 is the highest among all 21 Prius model years, while years like 2018, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 rate Best with indexes at or below 20.
- How many recalls does the 2010 Prius have?
- NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 Prius, covering brakes, fuel system, airbags, and structure/body, with none classified as do-not-drive.