Model year record

2010 Toyota Prius

10 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 3,567 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V684000

Hybrid propulsion system

Component: Hybrid propulsion system
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 807,329
Reported to NHTSA: 2018-10-04
Owners notified: 2019-01-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V487000

Air bags: side/window

Component: Air bags: side/window
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 482,002
Reported to NHTSA: 2016-06-30
Owners notified: 2016-10-17

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 16V396000

Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

Component: Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected: 7,749
Reported to NHTSA: 2016-06-02
Owners notified: 2016-07-14

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V743000

Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

Component: Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected: 3,233
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-11-19
Owners notified: 2015-01-29

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V053000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Component: Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 698,457
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-02-12
Owners notified: 2014-03-21

Defect description

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V235000

Service brakes

Component: Service brakes
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected: 87,060
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-06-05
Owners notified: 2013-08-07

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 13V014000

Seats

Component: Seats
Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
Vehicles affected: 3,235
Reported to NHTSA: 2013-01-16
Owners notified: 2013-03-21

Defect description

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

Safety risk

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. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

Manufacturer remedy

Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V039000

Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module

Component: Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module
Manufacturer: TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 148,549
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-02-09
Owners notified: 2010-03-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

VEHICLE STOPPING DISTANCES MAY INCREASE RELATIVE TO A CUSTOMER'S EXPECTATION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V036000

Equipment: other: labels

Component: Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer: SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS, LLC
Vehicles affected: 153,418
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-02-03
Owners notified: 2010-05-27

Defect description

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Safety risk

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V035000

Equipment: other: labels

Component: Equipment: other: labels
Manufacturer: GULF STATES TOYOTA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 271,417
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-02-03
Owners notified: 2010-05-27

Defect description

GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Safety risk

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic	754	3,000 mi
Service brakes	636	93,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	502	3,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	286	4,220 mi
Electrical system	188	68,000 mi
Exterior lighting	145	65,000 mi
Engine	141	101,400 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	122	3,000 mi
Unknown or other	114	73,500 mi
Air bags	85	57,200 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	63	116,373 mi
Power train	61	36,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	58	33,145 mi
Traction control system	40	3,000 mi
Steering	30	31,634 mi
Structure: body	28	35,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	26	18,135 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking	20	134,000 mi
Service brakes, air	20	4,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	17	3,500 mi
Wheels	17	25,350 mi
Hybrid propulsion system	16	120,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter	16	72,000 mi
Seat belts	15	9,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	15	4,500 mi
Tires	15	17,000 mi
Equipment	10	4,600 mi
Suspension	8	49,000 mi
Visibility/wiper	8	57,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	7	136,000 mi
Visibility	7	3,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	6	23,618 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	6	8,500 mi
Fuel system, other	6	10,000 mi
Parking brake	6	5,600 mi
Structure	6	23,002 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	5	5,200 mi
Seats	5	29,300 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	4	2,156 mi
Forward collision avoidance: warnings	4	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	4	94,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	3	75,000 mi
Power train: driveline	3	3,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	3	1,433 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	2	100 mi
Interior lighting	2	39,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module	2	100 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	2	194,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	2	79,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver clockspring/spiral cassette	1	88,680 mi
Air bags: on-off switch assembly	1	—
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification	1	—
Back over prevention: warnings: external/pedestrian alert	1	—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables	1	10,000 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	1	1,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	150 mi
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)	1	10 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting: brake lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch	1	400 mi
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	86,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock	1	1,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	—
Steering: column	1	17,000 mi
Structure: body: door	1	5,300 mi
Structure: body: door: handle: exterior	1	—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	1	70,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	1,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: air suspension system: springs/bags	1	—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems	1	37,012 mi
Tires: valve	1	32,979 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	3,500 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: interior	1	—

The 2009 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2011 model has 5 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP23005Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.