2010 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems
NHTSA lists 1,967 brake complaints for the 2010 Toyota Prius, 70% of all complaints filed for the year, tied to 124 crashes and 32 injuries. Two recalls address the ABS control unit and the brake booster pump assembly.
- Brakes complaints
- 1,967
- 70% of 2,822 complaints
- All complaints this year
- 2,822
- Crashes reported
- 124
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 32
- Median mileage
- 5,000 mi
- Related recalls
- 2
Typical brake symptoms owners report
- Owners report a noticeable lag before the brakes engage, especially right after taking delivery of a new car.
- Several describe the brakes momentarily failing to respond on rough or uneven road surfaces, then working again once the road smooths out.
- Some report the brake pedal sinking toward the floor before the brakes finally catch, sometimes after multiple repeat episodes.
- Drivers describe a sensation of the car surging or skipping forward while braking downhill or over bumps like manholes and speed bumps.
- Some report the brakes locking unexpectedly at low speed on snow or wet pavement, causing loss of control.
- A few describe brakes 'sticking' or releasing unexpectedly while the foot remains on the pedal, including while in reverse.
When 2010 Toyota Prius brake complaints were filed
First complaint Aug 24, 2009, latest Sep 13, 2026.
Brakes recalls for the 2010 Toyota Prius
- NHTSA 13V235000Jun 5, 2013Brakes87,060 vehicles
Service brakes
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Prius vehicles manufactured March 31, 2009, through October 9, 2009; and model year 2010 Lexus HS250h vehicles manufactured June 19, 2009, through October 9, 2009. Nitrogen gas from a component of the brake booster pump assembly could leak into the brake fluid.
Risk: As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected brake booster pump assemblies. The recall began on August 7, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
- NHTSA 10V039000Feb 9, 2010Brakes148,549 vehicles
Service brakes, air:antilock:control unit/module
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 toyota prius and lexus hs250h passenger vehicles. Customers have experienced inconsistent brake feel after ABS actuation during slow and steady application of the brakes on rough or slick road surfaces. Stopping distances may be increased compared with a customer's expectation for a given pedal force.
Risk: Vehicle stopping distances may increase relative to a customer's expectation increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will rewrite the programming of the ABS control unit free of charge. The safety recall began on march 3, 2010, and is expected to be completed in late march 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331 and lexus at 1-800-255-3987.
Brakes complaints by Prius model year
Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the 2010 Toyota Prius have a brake recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two brake-related recalls for the 2010 Prius: campaign 10V039000 for reprogramming the ABS control unit, and campaign 13V235000 for replacing the brake booster pump assembly.
- How many brake complaints does the 2010 Prius have?
- NHTSA has logged 1,967 brake complaints for the 2010 Prius, which is 70% of the 2,822 total complaints filed for that model year.
- At what mileage do 2010 Prius brake problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure across these brake complaints is 5,000 miles, indicating the issue often appeared early in ownership.
- Were there crashes linked to the 2010 Prius brake issue?
- NHTSA data shows 124 crashes and 32 injuries associated with brake complaints for the 2010 Prius.
- Is the 2010 Prius brake share higher than other Prius years?
- Yes. The 70% brake-complaint share for 2010 is the highest of any Prius model year in this dataset, compared to 28% in 2005 and 59% in 2013.