2010 Toyota Prius Other / unspecified Problems

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and disconnected and reconnected the battery terminals to reboot the vehicle. The contact stated that a yellow triangle warning light and the check engine warning light were illuminated. The message "Check Hybrid System" was displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the vehicle failed to exceed 65 MPH while driving. The ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone and O'Reilly's; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer. The contact was informed that the failure might be an ABS system failure. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The contact stated that the failure first occurred years ago, and the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11702535

Incident

Oct 11, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Hybrid Malfunction" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart after detaching and reconnecting the rear battery. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11668166

Incident

Jun 20, 2025

Mileage

120,000 mi

The rear axle beam broke off near the passenger side rear wheel. The wheel flops around and the vehicle is totally unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11614013

Incident

Sep 11, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the check hybrid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was unaware whether the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. The contact stated that the vehicle had not been repaired as the recall repair stated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 152,000.

NHTSA ID

11588140

Incident

Apr 1, 2024

Mileage

152,000 mi

I had begun to notice a slight shimmy at highway speed for a few days, but it wasn't pronounced enough to cause concern, especially since the weather was very windy and already subjecting the car to heavy crosswinds. On Monday, [XXX], the shimmy became suddenly more pronounced, so I pulled off the highway ([XXX]) and parallel-parked on street in Cambridge, MA. While parking, I heard a loud creaking and grinding sound, and the car no longer responded to steering inputs. I exited the car and noticed the rear driver's side wheel protruding at a strange angle from the wheel well. I called AAA and the tow truck driver discovered that, behind the wheel, where the wheel meets the rear axle, the arm had rusted clean through. In other words, the wheel had completely fallen off, and was being held to the car only by the brake line. I was towed to a mechanic in Salem, MA. Both the Salem mechanic and the AAA tow truck driver said that they had never seen anything like this in all the years they'd been servicing cars. I told them that the car had never been in a flood or otherwise involved in the kind of extraordinary event that would cause more than typical rust exposure. Had the wheel come off at highway speed, I could have been seriously injured or killed. The issue did not seem to have been caused by driver/owner oversight or normal wear and tear. It seems highly unusual and potentially indicative of a defect or manufacturing error. I hope other 2010 Prius owners are aware of the vehicle's susceptibility to this issue. And I would like Toyota to take some responsibility for the high cost of repair. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11588095

Incident

Apr 29, 2024

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60-65 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and went into LIMP Mode. The coolant temperature and several unknown warning lights were illuminated, and the message "Check Hybrid System" was displayed. The contact pulled to the side of the road, where he disconnected and reconnected the battery to reset the Hybrid system. The contact was able to drive to the residence; however, the failure recurred. The contact used an OBD reader to retrieve diagnostic test code: P261B. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,469.

NHTSA ID

11573199

Incident

Feb 12, 2024

Mileage

148,469 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to hesitate. The ABS and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that there was brake message displayed. During the failure the brake pedal had to be depressed twice before the vehicle responded. The vehicle was taken to the local Service Center who diagnosed that power brake booster and master cylinder needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle did not qualify for the Extended Warranty related to the failure. The local dealer was not yet contacted. The failure mileage was 135,000.

NHTSA ID

11509442

Incident

May 1, 2012

Mileage

135,000 mi

I was driving my 2010 Toyota Prius and my car started beeping when I was driving when I tried to slow down the car was not able to stop the breaking system ABS started displaying and my car started to beep and it won’t stop beeping. I did take my car to the dealer for a recalled inspection after my car broke down and I was no longer able to drive for my own safety. After I took the car to Downey Toyota for hybrid recall they didn’t tell me anything but on the document they gave me it did state that the ABS was a problem. Now my car is still not able to be used because of my own safety concerns since the vehicle won’t break when I put the brake pedal and a none stop beeping sound that won’t stop at all.

NHTSA ID

11494890

Incident

Jul 1, 2022

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and power brakes failed. The contact stated that the "check hybrid system" and "check battery" warning lights were illuminated. The contact steered off the roadway safely; however, he was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 387,000.

NHTSA ID

11483527

Incident

Sep 4, 2022

Mileage

387,000 mi

Low pitched rumbling sound from front wheel well when car is moving between 5-25 mph.

NHTSA ID

11434933

Incident

Aug 5, 2019

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the vehicle lost motive power. The contact stated the check hybrid system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was towed to her residence. The vehicle was pushed to an independent mechanic nearby her residence however, the mechanic was unable to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 282,000.

NHTSA ID

11418572

Incident

May 24, 2021

Mileage

282,000 mi

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start up. The contact stated that the hybrid system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an unknown dealer where it was diagnosed with the inverter needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid propulsion system) for which the VIN was included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ID

11418493

Incident

Apr 27, 2021

Mileage

133,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ATTEMPT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO ROLL FORWARD WHILE THE PEDAL WAS STILL DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRACTION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 209,000.

NHTSA ID

11397540

Incident

Feb 8, 2021

Mileage

209,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED OCCASIONALLY. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11360298

Incident

Aug 1, 2020

Mileage

120,000 mi

THE CAR I HAVE 3 DASH LIGHTS WE PULL THE CODE THROUGH COMPUTER IT WAS C13 91. THAT MEANS THE CAR HAVE AN ACTUATOR IT'S NOT WORKING SO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE ABS LIGHT TRACTION LIGHT THE BRAKE LIGHT ARE ON ALL THE TIME . SOMETIME THEY GO OFF AND SOMETIMES THEY TURN BACK ON USUALLY IT'S MORE ON TIME THAN OFF TIME. I DID RESEARCH AND FIND OUT VERY COMMON WITH 2010-2015 PRIUS MODEL WENT TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AT RIVERDALE WEST SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS NO HELP. IT'S A KNOWN PROBLEM THEY AGREE BUT MY CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD OR 150000 MILES OVER SO NO WARRANTY PLEASE HELP I AM A POOR UBER DRIVER 4 DAUGHTER AND WIFE I AM THE ONLY BIRD FEEDER [XXX] IS MY CELL AND [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11315907

Incident

Mar 3, 2020

Mileage

230,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS SHOOK AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANTHER VEHICLE, WHICH THEN CAUSED THE OTHER VEHICLE TO CRASH HEAD ON INTO A MEDIAN. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME, AWAITING AN INVESTIGATION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ID

11270517

Incident

Oct 9, 2019

Mileage

120,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF REDLANDS (LOCATED AT 921 NEW YORK ST, REDLANDS, CA 92374, (909) 793-0300) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS INOPERABLE, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) ON FEBRUARY 27, 2019; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ID

11196686

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

200,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN, IT SHOOK, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE PRESSURE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS TO ILLUMINATE. ALSO, THE HORN FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SOUTH BAY TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 18416 S WESTERN AVE, GARDENA, CA 90248, (310) 323-7800), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO AUTONATION TOYOTA CERRITOS (LOCATED AT 18700 STUDEBAKER RD, CERRITOS, CA 90703, (562) 802-4000), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEES. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID

11171844

Incident

Jan 13, 2016

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STEVENS CREEK TOYOTA (4202 STEVENS CREEK BLVD, SAN JOSE, CA 95129, (408) 984-1234) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11164643

Incident

Oct 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND SMOKE EMITTED THROUGH THE VENTS OF THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) AND WENT TO TOYOTA OF DOWNTOWN LA (LOCATED AT 1901 S FIGUEROA ST, LOS ANGELES, CA 90007, (213) 354-9999) WITHOUT THE VEHICLE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,400.

NHTSA ID

11152617

Incident

Oct 4, 2018

Mileage

97,400 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO TOYOTA OF GREENVILLE LOCATED AT 2686 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS AN IPM FAILURE AND THE INVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) HOWEVER THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 132,000.

NHTSA ID

11056741

Incident

Dec 22, 2017

Mileage

132,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKE, AIR BAG, AND TRACTION CONTROL WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY, THE VEHICLE ENGAGED. THE CONTACT CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT ABOUT A RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT CALLED AL HENDRICKSON TOYOTA AT 954-972-1100 AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V235000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11048640

Incident

Nov 21, 2017

Mileage

70,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FRIED THE INVERTER AND SHUT DOWN THE ENTIRE SYSTEM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SOFTWARE WAS AN ONGOING ISSUE AND OVERHEATED THE INVERTER, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF AND THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. UPDATED 01/04/17*LJ THE CONSUMER REQUESTED A RESPONSE AND/OR STATUS REPORT. UPDATED 7/7/17*JS *TR

NHTSA ID

10907999

Incident

Feb 11, 2016

Mileage

65,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SKIPPED, JERKED, AND HESITATED TO RESPOND. ALSO, THE ABS AND TRACTION WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY ACCUMULATOR WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V235000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ID

10904298

Incident

Aug 14, 2016

Mileage

141,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED TO THE FLOORBOARD TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE PRESSURE ACCUMULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V235000 (SERVICE BRAKES). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10888414

Incident

Jul 23, 2016

Mileage

75,000 mi