CarModelProblems.com

2010 Toyota Prius Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/13/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic — runs 9.4× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
2,819Complaints
10Recalls
183Crashes
13Fires
65Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes, Hydraulic (26.6% of complaints) — is covered by 2 NHTSA recall campaigns.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints here are 9.4× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes, Hydraulic751 · 26.6%RecalledRecall 13V235000 · Recall 10V039000
Service Brakes590 · 20.9%RecalledRecall 13V235000 · Recall 10V039000
Service Brakes, Electric502 · 17.8%RecalledRecall 13V235000 · Recall 10V039000
Vehicle Speed Control286 · 10.1%No official action
Electrical System183 · 6.5%Investigation closedDP22005 → recall 22V063000
Exterior Lighting145 · 5.1%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES590 · 20.9%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING145 · 5.1%
ENGINE140 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE122 · 4.3%
Unspecified / other108 · 3.8%
AIR BAGS83 · 2.9%

Percentages are the share of the 2,819 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 10 campaigns

Hybrid Propulsion System

NHTSA campaign 18V684000 · 2018 · reported 10/04/2018

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:side/window

NHTSA campaign 16V487000 · 2016 · reported 06/30/2016

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014

Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

NHTSA campaign 14V053000 · 2014 · reported 02/12/2014

The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 2013 · reported 01/16/2013

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes

NHTSA campaign 13V235000 · 2013 · reported 06/05/2013

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/module

NHTSA campaign 10V039000 · 2010 · reported 02/09/2010

VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“I HAD MY NEW TOYOTA PRIUS ABOUT 4 DAYS. ON SATURDAY MORNING, 1/23/10, I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS ICE, BUT WHEN…”NHTSA complaint 10303892 — filed 02/02/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
“WHEN BACKING UP THE 2010 PRIUS, THE BRAKES GRAB. I RELEASE THE BRAKE PEDAL AND REAPPLY AND EACH TIME THE BRAKES GRAB.”NHTSA complaint 10303847 — filed 02/02/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
“WHILE BRAKING IF I HIT POTHOLES THE CAR SPEEDS UP FROM LOSS OF BRAKING ACTION EVEN THOU I AM STILL PUSHING ON THE BRAKE PEDAL…”NHTSA complaint 10303746 — filed 02/01/2010 · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

7920121401562014130157201612717520188112520201049320227468202463142026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2010 Toyota Prius?

Service brakes, hydraulic issues are the most-reported category, cited in 751 of 2,819 NHTSA complaints (26.6%), followed by service brakes (590), service brakes, electric (502), vehicle speed control (286). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2010 Toyota Prius have?

2,819 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/13/2026. Of those, 183 involved a crash, 13 involved a fire, and 65 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 2010 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes — 10 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V684000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2010 Toyota Prius's reported problems?

3 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/13/2026.