Owner complaint record
2010 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls: What Owners Report
This page shows the problems 2010 Toyota Prius owners reported to NHTSA, the federal agency that tracks car safety: 2,819 complaints sorted by system, the mileage they started at, the check engine codes owners named, and the recalls to check before you buy.
NHTSA owner complaints Checked Oct 2, 20262,819 complaints Federal file of Aug 25, 2026
Model year 2010
- 202515No page yet
- 202422No page yet
- 202319No page yet
- 202224No page yet
- 202014No page yet
- 201929No page yet
- 201836No page yet
- 201791No page yet
- 2016154No page yet
- 2015162No page yet
- 2014205No page yet
- 2013405No page yet
- 2012422No page yet
- 2011517No page yet
- 20102,819
, most of any Prius year
751 complaints, 27% of the total
half of the hydraulic braking reports that give a mileage came before this
48 mention an injury, 13 a fire
The hydraulic braking leads the 2010 Toyota Prius record at 27%, with braking system close behind. Of the hydraulic braking reports that give a mileage, half came before 3,000 miles. The costliest part on our cost list is the low beam bulb, $3.16 to $21 for the part alone.
It's a count of reports, not a failure rate. Use it to decide what to inspect before buying, not to grade the car.
Toyota recalled 2010 Priuses in February 2010 to update the antilock brake software, after owners reported brakes that seemed to let go over bumps. Most early brake complaints describe that.
2010 Toyota Prius overview
The 2010 Prius is a hybrid with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a CVT automatic, in front-wheel drive.
The 2011 drew 517, with braking system named most.
- Power
- 134 hp, engine and electric motor combined
- Torque
- 105 lb-ft at 4,000 rpm (engine alone)
- Gearbox
- CVT automatic
- Fuel
- Regular gasoline
- Injection
- Not direct
city / highway / combined mpg, EPA
Fuel economy from EPA fueleconomy.gov; power and torque from Toyota's 2010 Prius Product Information (pressroom, Wayback copy), read 3 Oct 2026.
Is the 2010 Toyota Prius reliable?
Owners filed more complaints about the 2010 Toyota Prius than about any other Prius year, and the hydraulic braking draws the largest share. The four checks below are what the federal record can say; none of them is a reliability score.
- 1st Compared with other Prius years 2,819 complaints, the most of 15 model years (next is 2011 with 517). By model year
- 27% The system named most Hydraulic braking, in 751 complaints. Half of the hydraulic braking reports that give a mileage came before 3,000 miles. Problems by system
- 10Recalls 10 recall campaigns cover the 2010 Toyota Prius. Recalls
- 183Crashes, injuries, fires 183 complaints mention a crash, 48 an injury and 13 a fire.
A complaint count is not a failure rate: the record doesn't say how many were sold, so a popular year draws more reports.
2010 Toyota Prius problems by system
Every complaint to NHTSA names the part of the car that gave the owner trouble, such as the engine or the steering. The cards below sort the 2,819 complaints about the 2010 Toyota Prius that way, largest first: open one to read what owners wrote, when it usually starts, and what to check.
Hydraulic braking 27% 751 complaints Brakes that let go over bumps, jerky stops
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What owners describe
My 2010 prius v has very jerky brakes sometimes when starting out. Causes all people in car to be jerked around. Many other prius 2010 owners report same problem. Toyota denies knowing about problem in spite of many complaints!
2010 Toyota prius, 4500 miles while braking, the car hit a set of flush railroad tracks. The bump of the tracks caused the braking system to feel like it stopped working, and I had to re-pump the brakes to get braking to re-engage. The car has had a couple more similar episodes of the brakes seeming to dis-engage.
CAAZWACARead 4 more owner reports+4
I have a 2010 Toyota prius (purchased in october 2009). I have noticed on several occasions the brakes momentarily don't work after going over a bump. I feel a lose of control of the car.
When my vehicle is first started in the morning the brakes grab suddenly. This occurs at least twice a week. I have owned the new car for 1.5 months. I have not taken the vehicle to the dealer.
1. Traffic came to a sudden stop so I hit the brakes. 2. Vehicle hit a pothole while I was trying to stop and the brakes felt like they released. I had to hit the brakes again in order to gain control of the vehicle and bring the car to a stop. 3. I was told by the dealership that nothing could be done.
While braking and coming to a stop at an intersection, and if there is a bump on the road, the auto continues to move forward, even if you depress the brake completely, the auto continues to move forward, about another 10 to 15 feet. This has happen numerous of times and dealer says they have no answer to the problem.
When it starts
Usually starts around 3,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 1,000 and 6,650.
What to do
Brake over a rough patch at low speed and feel for a lurch.
Our guide Brake Warning Light: What It Means and Is It Safe to Drive?More: ABS light on · Warped brake rotors
Braking system 21% 590 complaints Brake pump running, brake and ABS lights, code C1391
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What owners describe
The brake booster pump began running continuously when the vehicle was on. Warning lights on the dash indicated brake failure and anti-lock system failure. After I took the vehicle to a Toyota dealer, they determined that the brake master cylinder/anti-lock assembly had failed. The repair took two weeks and cost $3000.
Car seems to lurch forward before stopping when braking on a rough surface. This is an ongoing problem. Despite NHTSA notice that there is a software fix available for some 2010 priuses, Toyota maintains my car is not included in the batch that was to receive them. Update 9/15/15*cw updated 12/06/2017
FLCATXHIRead 4 more owner reports+4
Abs light came on. Diag code: c1391. Abnormal leak in accumulator. This problem is similar to a recall on prius 2010 for abs brake issue. However, Toyota said that my prius is not part of the recall. I would like to request Toyota to fix this problem for my prius 2010 so that I can safely drive this car.
The other day my brake light, traction, and abs light came on. Took it to the mechanic and they said it's code c1391 - abnormal leak in the accumilator, electrical issue, and I must go to the dealer. I've seen others complain about this. Shouldn't this be a recall?
Code c-1391 leak in brake accumulator.these should be a recall with Toyota putting a bad brake accumulator in prius model.I notice it was a secondary recall with this part.Toyota know this is a safety problem when this happen the car goes to manual breaking and you can lose control of the car.please look into this problem.
Regenerative brakes stopped working while driving in clear conditions on the highway at 60mph, abs, traction control, and brakes lights on dash illuminated. Almost crashed as brake pedal needed to be pressed really hard and almost to the floor to stop the car. Known issue and dealer refuses to fix the problem
When it starts
Usually starts around 92,800 miles. Half of owners reported it between 49,000 and 137,000.
What to do
Watch for the brake, ABS and traction lights at startup.
Our guide Brake Warning Light: What It Means and Is It Safe to Drive?More: ABS light on · Warped brake rotors
Electric braking 18% 502 complaints A lurch forward when braking on bumps
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What owners describe
The brakes on our 2010 Toyota prius momentarily stop working at low speeds on bumpy roads. The brakes stop working for only a second or two when braking on a bumpy road surface, the reengage. This has happened multiple times since we bought the car new in july 2009.
I drive a 2010 Toyota prius. I have found on multiple times (5-10), while braking, the car seems to accelerate for a brief period of time (1 second) then begin to brake. This only happens on bumpy roads. It has happened ever since I purchased the vehicle in oct 2009.
TXORTNMORead 4 more owner reports+4
2010 Toyota prius brake issues. When braking and the car hits a rough spot or pothole in the road the car does not brake well. In fact it lurches forward a few feet unexpectedly.
Often when I drive my 2010 Toyota prius over a manhole, metal grate, or other slippery surface it feels like the brakes momentarily stop working. This has happened on several occasions.
2010 Toyota prius - while braking car has occasionally lunged forward - seemingly when hitting an uneven section of road. Feels as if car suddenly hit a patch of ice -none present of course. More noticeable when turning. This has happened approximately 6 different times.
Care speeds up with breaks applied when the car hits a bump. The brakes also grab when backing up. Frequency: not often but it need to be corrected before someone gets hurt. Reported to Toyota. They have checked and found nothing wrong. There is not one date as it has happen several times over the last 7 months.
When it starts
Usually starts around 3,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 1,000 and 5,700.
What to do
Brake gently over a bump and feel for a push forward.
Throttle and speed control 10% 286 complaints Braking loss on potholes, sudden acceleration
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What owners describe
I have a 2010 Toyota prius, when I am trying to stop and hit a pothole, or manhole cover or the streets are wet, the car's brakes will disengage temporarily. It is scary and I've almost had a few accidents. Please look into this.
I own a 2010 Toyota prius that seem to loose braking power when I have the brake pedal pressed down and then hit a pothole or manhole cover. It happens all the time. When I took it into the dealer a few months ago they didn't find a problem, but it appears to be a common problem for this model.
TXNJRead 2 more owner reports+2
2010 Toyota prius accelerates when brake is pressed. The vehicle seems to jump forward depending on road conditions. It seems to be the anti lock brakes. The problem usually occurs 2 to 3 times a month.
2010 Toyota prius iii, purchased december 2009 from dch brunswick Toyota, north brunswick, nj 08902 I experienced atleast 3 different incidents of the following, sometimes at the same spot on a road - when braking, if a pothole or bump in the road is hit, the car seemingly jerks forward/accelerates for a split second.
When it starts
Usually starts around 4,300 miles. Half of owners reported it between 1,000 and 10,500.
What to do
Ask whether the brake software update was done.
Electrical system 6% 183 complaints Stalling with all power lost, Check Hybrid System
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What owners describe
2010 Toyota prius - when braking, if you hit a bump or pot hole in the road, the car lunges forward (accelerates). You have to really pay attention for this occurrence or you will rear end someone. I has happen about 5 times now. This seems to be a electronics issue not a pedal problem.
My 2010 prius stalled in traffic cutting off all power including emergency flashers. The vehicle would not restart for 8 minutes. I immediately took car to the dealer and reported my problem. I was told it was a software glitch which was immediately corrected.
NJCARead 2 more owner reports+2
While driving at ca. 20 mph a sudden jolt and clunk occurred and the car was stalled. Various dashboard lights came on, and the dash displayed "check hybrid system." towed to a Toyota dealer, the problem was stated to be a failed inverter-converter that needed to be replaced.
The other day my brake light, traction, and abs light came on. Took it to the mechanic and they said it's code c1391 - abnormal leak in the accumilator, electrical issue, and I must go to the dealer. I've seen others complain about this. Shouldn't this be a recall?
When it starts
Usually starts around 65,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 25,375 and 114,000.
What to do
Watch for a Check Hybrid System message on the test drive.
Our guide Car Shuts Off While Idling or Driving? Causes and What to DoExterior lighting 5% 145 complaints Low beams that burn out or look dim
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What owners describe
I repeatedly must replace my low head-beam lights in my 2010 prius. They have been going out at a rate of 2-4 times a year. I buy mid to high range quality bulbs and are very careful to keep the bulbs clean during installation. I notice there are many people with similar issues. How can we get this escalated to Toyota!
Was going 25 mph yesterday november 22, 2020 evening when 4 (brake, abs, traction & caution) lights came on dashboard. Pulled over the shoulder & turned ignition off. Restarted later & 4 lights still on. Following day, went to dealership & was told brake booster assembly need to be replaced due to internal fluid leak.
WVCARead 2 more owner reports+2
Is anyone looking into the headlight problem with the 2010 prius model v. I made a complaint to Toyota and nothing resulted. The low beams only extend about 40 feet, so that you can only safely travel about 30 mph with low beams or outrun your vision. There is a "curtain" effect. Obviously, one has to travel faster than 30 mph.
Low beam headlights on prius 2010 are very dim particularly for driving on dark country roads and they only project out a short way especially when going up a hill took to dealer who said they were ajusted correctly seems like a safety hazard high beam headlights are fine
When it starts
Usually starts around 65,000 miles. Half of owners reported it between 36,000 and 108,100.
What to do
Check both low beams with the car parked facing a wall.
What repairs cost on the 2010 Toyota Prius
Part prices for the problems 2010 Prius owners report most. They are shelf and mail-order prices for the part alone, so a shop bill adds labor and its own markup.
For halogen headlamps: H11 bulbs from Sylvania up to Hella, with Wagner between them.
Check H11 bulbsPrices on this page are our own research, not the store’s, and store prices change daily.
Prices read on RockAuto on Oct 2, 2026, for the parts listed as fitting this car; regular stock only, closeouts left out.
Check engine codes owners report
62 owners name C1391 (a Toyota-specific code) in their complaints, the code named most for this car.
Complaints whose text names the code, one count per complaint. Tap a code to read our guide; grey codes have no guide yet.
When problems show up on the odometer
Electric braking complaints start earliest, typically around 3,000 miles. Braking system complaints start latest, around 92,800 miles.
Dot: typical mileage. Bar: the middle half of reports. From the mileage owners wrote on the form.
Toyota Prius complaints by model year
2010 has the most complaints of any Prius year. No other Prius year has the hydraulic braking on top.
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2010 has the most complaints of any Prius year. No other Prius year has the hydraulic braking on top.
When owners filed
Complaints about the 2010 Toyota Prius have kept arriving since 2009, with peaks in 2010 and 2016. A peak often follows a recall or a news story, not a new fault.
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2010 Toyota Prius recalls
10 recall campaigns cover the 2010 Toyota Prius. A recall list is by model year; whether one car had the work done is in its VIN record.
2010 Toyota Prius crash tests and investigations
NHTSA has no overall star rating on file for the 2010 Toyota Prius. Its defect office has opened four investigations into three problems that cover this model year.
Safety equipment NHTSA recommends
Optional means some trims have it and some don’t. Check the car you are looking at.
Federal investigations
Before you buy a used 2010 Toyota Prius
These checks follow what 2010 Prius owners reported most: brakes that seem to let go over bumps, then brake pump and warning light faults. Ask for the service history by VIN, because it shows whether the brake and hybrid recalls were done.
- 1Brake over a rough patch
A brief loss of braking over bumps is the top complaint.
- 2Watch the brake and ABS lights
Owners name code C1391, a brake accumulator leak, more than any other.
- 3Ask for the brake software record
Toyota's 2010 recall updated the antilock brake software by VIN.
- 4Watch for Check Hybrid System
Some electrical complaints describe the car shutting down with that message.
- 5Run the VIN for open recalls
Only the VIN says if this car got the recall repairs.
Oil and service for the 2010 Toyota Prius
This is what Toyota's manual and maintenance guide say the 2010 Prius needs: which oil to use and how much, the fluids for the transmission and the cooling system, and when each job is due. Toyota sets fixed miles and months for each job, and the car has an oil reminder light that you reset after each oil change.
- Engine oil
- 0W-20
- Oil capacity, with filter
- 4.4 US quarts
- Transmission fluid
- Toyota Genuine ATF WS
- Coolant
- Toyota Super Long Life Coolant
Service schedule
From the Toyota 2010 Prius Owner's Manual and Toyota 2010 Prius Warranty & Maintenance Guide, read Oct 2, 2026. Normal schedule.
Common questions
What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Prius?
Owners name the hydraulic braking most (751 complaints), then braking system (590) and electric braking (502).
Is 2010 a good year for the Toyota Prius?
The complaint record can't grade a car, but it shows what to check: the hydraulic braking complaints that lead this year, the mileage they start at, and whether the recall repairs were done.
Was there a recall on the 2010 Toyota Prius?
Yes. NHTSA lists 10 recall campaigns for the 2010 Toyota Prius: hybrid propulsion system (2), airbags (2), seats (2), brakes (2), equipment (2). A dealer can tell from the VIN whether one car got the repairs.
At what mileage do 2010 Toyota Prius problems start?
Electric braking complaints start earliest, around 3,000 miles. Braking system complaints come later, around 92,800 miles.
Which Prius years have the most and fewest complaints?
The 2010 and 2011 model years have the most in the file, and the 2020 and 2025 the fewest, though newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
What the complaint record can't tell you
Sources
Show all 6 sources
Owner quotes are changed from all capitals to normal case only. Counts by system and year cover vehicles with at least 10 complaints.