2010 Toyota Prius Recalls, Problems & Safety Rating

10 safety recalls on file

The 2010 Toyota Prius has 10 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.

Owners have filed 2,823 complaints with NHTSA, including 183 crashes, 13 fires, 65 injuries.

The most-reported problem area is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (892 reports).

10Recalls
2,823Owner complaints
183Crashes reported
n/aNHTSA safety rating
Is the repair still open on your Prius?

A recall covers specific vehicles. Your VIN shows whether yours still needs the free repair.

2010 Toyota Prius recalls

Prius Hybrid System Can Shut Off While Driving, Raising Crash Risk

Recall 18V684Oct 4, 2018807,329 vehicles affected

Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter can cause the hybrid propulsion system to shut down unexpectedly, which may stall the vehicle while it is being driven.

Side curtain airbag inflator may eject into cabin

Recall 16V487Jun 30, 2016482,002 vehicles affected

A weld in the curtain shield airbag inflator can crack, which may cause one or both parts of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.

Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire

Recall 16V396Jun 2, 20167,749 vehicles affected

Certain vehicles were equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters that have a copper strand heating element.

Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler

Recall 14V743Nov 19, 20143,233 vehicles affected

Electrical System:Software; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Recall 14V053Feb 12, 2014698,457 vehicles affected

Service Brakes

Recall 13V235Jun 5, 201387,060 vehicles affected

Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive; Seats

Recall 13V014Jan 16, 20133,235 vehicles affected

Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Control Unit/Module

Recall 10V039Feb 9, 2010148,549 vehicles affected

Equipment:Other:Labels

Recall 10V035Feb 3, 2010271,417 vehicles affected

Equipment:Other:Labels

Recall 10V036Feb 3, 2010153,418 vehicles affected

Most common 2010 Toyota Prius problems

Problem areas named in the 2,823 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic892
Service Brakes593
Service Brakes, Electric502
Vehicle Speed Control287
Electrical System194
Exterior Lighting150
Engine140
Unknown Or Other108
Air Bags86
Power Train79

What owners report

2026-10-06, Exterior Lighting
The low-beam headlight bulbs on my 2010 Toyota Prius keep burning out, about every [6 months or less]. Since I have owned the vehicle I have replaced them too many times to count, on both sides, but twice as often on the drivers side. The most recent failure was on XXX, my driver low beam failed while I was driving at night on a county highway in heavy rain. Visibility was already poor, and I was stopped by law enforcement because of the burned-out headlight. I was given a warning to get it fxed. Warnings from the police has happened twice in the last couple years. This is a known problem on 2010-2011 Prius models. Toyota acknowledged it in a technical service bulletin and addressed it unde
2026-09-13, Service Brakes
Subject: Vehicle Safety Defect Complaint / Request for Investigation Review Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius VIN: [XXX] Component: Electronic Brake Booster / Pressure Accumulator Assembly Dear Administrator, I am writing to formally report a critical safety defect in my 2010 Toyota Prius regarding the electronic brake booster and accumulator pump assembly. This component exhibits classic failure symptoms—specifically a distinct puffing, ticking, and pressure-loss noise directly from the brake pedal mechanism—which points to internal nitrogen or hydraulic pressure leakage. This component was previously the subject of Toyota’s Customer Support Program / Safety Recall (Campaign ZJB / D0H) due t
2026-08-27, Service Brakes
Component failed: Brake actuator and accumulator on a 2010 Toyota Prius. It is available for inspection upon request. Safety: ABS, traction, and brake lights turned on suddenly in the middle of rush-hour traffic, followed by a spongey, hard-to-press pedal. Braking distance and efficiency was greatly impacted, and driving to a safe turn-out was extremely dangerous as I feared the brakes would give out entirely at any moment. The problem has been reproduced and confirmed by a dealership. UNKNOWN. Requested an inspection by the manufacturer but their "Customer Support Program" for the brake actuator and accumulator expired 10 years after the car's production date. After speaking to both the
2026-08-25, Service Brakes
To Whom It May Concern, I am writing to formally complain about the way Toyota has handled the problems with my 2010 Toyota Prius and my repeated requests for assistance. I have been a loyal Toyota customer and have purchased two new Toyota vehicles because I trusted Toyota's quality and expected good customer service. Unfortunately, after years of contacting Toyota, I have repeatedly been given the runaround without receiving a meaningful resolution. I am now facing a serious and expensive brake system problem. The vehicle requires replacement of the brake booster with master cylinder and the brake booster vacuum pump, with an estimated repair cost of approximately $4,000. This is a majo
2026-06-04, Service Brakes
ABS light came on 6 months ago as well as ((!)) light. As soon as those lights came on, the brakes had an increased stopping distance and it became harder to get the car to come to a complete stop. I have seen a few Prius owners in my area also having the same problem with their Prius. For my car, the ABS light would come on, then turn off for 300 or so miles, then turn back on and stay on for about 300 miles. That has lasted for 6 months. I had almost gotten in an accident yesterday after getting brake lines fixed for 4th time, and we determine the actuator and accumulator are both bad. I have also seen a lot of Prius owners with the same code. Where I am at, my shop is quoting me $2300 f

2010 Toyota Prius questions

Does the 2010 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls for the 2010 Toyota Prius: Prius Hybrid System Can Shut Off While Driving, Raising Crash Risk; Side curtain airbag inflator may eject into cabin; Aftermarket Seat Heaters May Short Circuit and Cause Fire; Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler; Electrical System:Software; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

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

Based on 2,823 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (892), Service Brakes (593), Service Brakes, Electric (502).

How do I check if a recall on my 2010 Toyota Prius has been fixed?

Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.

Other Toyota Prius years

Other 2010 Toyota models