2010 Toyota PRIUS: complaints, problems and recalls

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING OVER LARGE AND SMALL SPEED BUMPS THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK FOR SERIOUS INJURY AND CRASH WERE INCREASED. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,000. UPDATED 09/14/09 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ON 6 SEPARATE OCCASIONS , WITH 2 DIFFERENT DRIVERS, SUDDEN, BRIEF AND UNEXPLAINED ENGINE ACCELERATION WAS EXPERIENCED WHEN A BUMP WAS HIT IN THE ROAD WHILE APPLYIN…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281512 at NHTSA ↗

TL*THE CONTACT TEST DROVE A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM A AUTHORIZED DEALER. HE STATES THAT HE WAS WEARING POLARIZED SUNGLASSES. HE HAD EXTREME DIFFICULTY READING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER AND SPEEDOMETER GAUGE WHICH EXHIBITED DIM LIGHTING. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. BL UPDATED 10/09/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS A DASHBOARD DISPLAY JUST BELOW THE WINDSHIELD THAT REPORTS THE SPEED, FUEL LEVEL AND OTHER OPERATING INFORMATION. THE DISPLAY IS A REFLECTED IMAGE OF A VACUUM-FLUORESCENT DISPLAY INSIDE THE DASH. UNFORT…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10281885 at NHTSA ↗

2010 TOYOTA PRIUS STEERING WHEEL HAS A PLACE WHERE RINGS CAN SNAG CAUSING AN OVER OR UNDER TURN SITUATION. TOYOTA SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT REPLACING THE PART THAT CAUSES THIS LOCK UP WOULD NOT HELP THE PROBLEM. ONE TIME OCCURRENCE FOR ME BUT WAS VERY SCARY AT THE TIME. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10281983 at NHTSA ↗

ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ON CLEAN, DRY ROAD SURFACES, MY 2010 PRIUS SUDDENLY AND BRIEFLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING AFTER I DROVE OVER MINOR BUMPS AND, ONE 1 OCCASION, A MANHOLE COVER, WHILE BRAKING. THE SENSATION WAS THAT OF THE ENGINE SUDDENLY SURGING AND ACCELERATING. I WAS FORTUNATELY ABLE TO APPLY HARDER PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, REGAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND AVOIDED CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I SPOKE WITH A TOYOTA FIELD TECHNICAL SPECIALIST TODAY WHO TOLD ME THAT THE MECHANICS OF THE CAR ARE SUCH THAT I…

Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10284961 at NHTSA ↗

AFTER PUSHING THE POWER BUTTON AND THEN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK TO EITHER DRIVE OR REVERSE, THE VEHICLE LUNGES AND I HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKE, WHICH MAKES THE VEHICLE JERK. SOMETIMES THE GASOLINE ENGINE STARTS BEFORE I SHIFT INTO GEAR SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. THIS PROCESS IS REPEATED OVER SEVERAL TIMES FOR A MINUTE OR SO, THEN IT CORRECTS ITSELF. I AM JUST INCHING ALONG LUNGING, BRAKING, JERKING... THIS HAS OCCURRED ABOUT TEN TIMES OVER THE EIGHT WEEKS AND 2540 MILES SINCE PURCHASED AUGUST LL, 2009. TOOK TO DEALER, ON SEPT. 29, 2009; THEY KEPT…

Owner-reported narrative. 25 miles reported. Look up ODI 10287144 at NHTSA ↗

PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE 2010 PRIUS AND ITS' BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE BRAKING ON A WET PAVEMENT, GOING DOWN HILL OR BRAKING WHEN THE CAR GOES OVER AN UNEVEN OR BUMPY SERVICE, THE CAR ACCELERATES OR LURCHES FORWARD. FORTUNATELY, I WAS A SAFE DISTANCE FROM OTHER CARS OR COULD HAVE HIT SOMETHING WITH THIS SURGE EFFECT. THE CAR ONLY HAS 400 MILES AND THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 4 TIMES, THE MOST RECENT TODAY ON A HILL WITH WET PAVEMENT AS THE CAR WAS HEADING DOWN HILL. THE BRAKE WAS GENTLY DEPRESSED AND THE CAR SURGED FORWARD. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 440 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288715 at NHTSA ↗

MY NEW 2010 PRIUS ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN AS I WAS BRAKING AND SLOWLY APPROACHING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THAT WAS STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT QUITE SOME DISTANCE AWAY. MY CAR HAD ALMOST COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE REVVED ON IT'S OWN AS MY FOOT WAS STILL ON THE BRAKE. I HAD TO PRESS DOWN SO HARD ON THE BREAK TO KEEP IT FROM SURGING FORWARD THAT THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE CAR'S REV WENT DOWN ON IT'S OWN AND ALL WAS BACK TO NORMAL AND HADN'T HAPPENED AGAIN SINCE. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY KEPT IT FOR TWO …

Owner-reported narrative. 2,575 miles reported. Look up ODI 10288966 at NHTSA ↗

I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS AND LEFT THE DEALER ON OCTOBER 23, 2009. I HAD TO STOP SHORT AT ONE OF THE STOPLIGHTS ON THE WAY HOME AND NOTICED A DISTURBING LAG BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGED. HOURS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MAJOR HIGHWAY WHEN TRAFFIC STOPPED SUDDENLY AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. I REAR-ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND MODESTLY DAMAGED THE CAR I HIT AND SEVERELY DAMAGED MY NEW PRIUS. FORTUNATELY NOONE WAS HURT. MY SIX YEAR OLD SON WAS IN THE BACK SEAT. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 10 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289744 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

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.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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.

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

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.

Reported: 2010-02-09 (February 9, 2010)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2013-01-16 (January 16, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2013-06-05 (June 5, 2013)

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.

Consequence: 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.

Reported: 2014-02-12 (February 12, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2014-11-19 (November 19, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2016-06-02 (June 2, 2016)

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.

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

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.

Reported: 2016-06-30 (June 30, 2016)

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

Reported: 2018-10-04 (October 4, 2018)

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.

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

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.