2010 Toyota Prius Engine
Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.
Complaint Timeline
Chronological view of owner reports
I own a 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid 4 door sedan. I am the second owner of the vehicle. I purchased it in 2018 from a used car dealer. The vehicle ran well up until 2022 where a “check hybrid warning would appear on the dashboard along with a yellow triangle and service engine light would come on and the vehicle accelerator would not respond and the car would have to glide to the side of the parkway. This problem would happen when the car speed is between 60-70mph. It is very dangerous to lose power on the highway because many times there is no where to pull over. In 2024 I changed the water pump because the fault code on the cars built in diagnostic code read error “P216B” which is the cars electrical water pump signal. I researched it on google and a lot of 2010 Prius owners are complaining of the same thing. Also the changed water pump from April 2024 died again in January 2025. It is very scary that the cars accelerator pedal goes unresponsive and all the fault lights come on. My vehicle has 155,000 miles runs great and my family loves the 40mpg it gets. However, this stalling problem is being ignored by Toyota and could lead to a fatal car accident if not recalled by the manufacturer. To conclude, I would like for your office to possibly conduct an investigation with the 2010 toyota Prius hybrid for this ongoing problem that the company is ignoring. This is a serious issue and can possibly lead to a fatal accident. THANK YOU FOR HEARING MY COMPLAINT AGAINST TOYOTA.
At around 1000,000 miles my Toyota Prius started burning oil like crazy. The dealer did an oil consumption test and confirmed the problem. I had to have my engine rebuilt because the rings were not seating properly. I had to bear all costs even though this is clearly a manufacturing default.
The Gas Engine had internal destruction Cylinder broke and car became unusable at 158K miles despite being a Hybrid with al Toyota maintenance at Al hendrickson toyota of Coconut Creek, FL. This is Unacceptable and Demonstrate Internal Combustion Engine Failure that fortunately occurred near my house and NOT in the hiway. Please notify Toyota Motor Company because I had to buy a new car and we are SENIORS with limited budget. It is a severe Safety Concern.
Excessive Oil consumption, particularly with highway driving. I have had this car for about a year. I only noticed that the oil was nearly empty when the engine was shaking while idling at an intersection. No warning lights for oil pressure or level ever came on, it would occasionally "ding" for oil pressure, but barley long enough for me to even read what the warning was. By excessive, I mean VERY excessive. First oil change after only 3k, almost empty. Road trip, mainly highway only about 600 miles, nearly empty. If I top it off, I check it constantly. City driving (more electric) it may burn a quart every 1-2k miles, highway more. I had the EGR, manifold and plugs serviced/replaced, it improved slightly. I'm having more work done now, but after reading SO MANY similar complaints online, I find it hard to believe this isn't a recall. An engine sputtering and nearly dying while idling is not safe, especially with no warning lights on! I contacted Toyota, they said they had not recalls or Consumer Confidence programs for complaints of oil consumption and/or piston ring seat problems in these vehicles (seems to be the primary cause). I did see a class action for many other Toyota 4cyl engines due to excess oil consumption.
Engine is taking in coolant problem
Last year on September 13, 2021 I purchase a used 2010 Toyota Prius ( Vehicle VIN[XXX]) with 122414 miles on the Odometer, I got my oil changed on October 29, 2021 so I can keep track of when my oil is due. My odometer reading on oil change was 123,268. I drove 2806 miles, when I woke up on December 08, 2021 with no oil in my engine. I thought that was very strange so after adding a quart of oil My husband got for me. I took the vehicle back to the shop ( Good Year Tire & Rubber Company 1585- A Island Lane Fleming Island, FL 32003) I originally had my oil changed at, to have them check if there was some sort of leak. The odometer reading at that day/ service was 126,074. After a full inspection of the engine exterior componence, no leak was to be found. Then I decided to do some research only to find out that back in 2016 Toyota had a lawsuit against them for having manufacturer defects in the productions of engine between the years of 2006 - 2011. The manufacturer defect was the engine piston would eventually start having oil leaks into the engine causing engine excessive oil consumption. That same day I took my vehicle to the nearest Toyota dealership ( Coggin Toyota At the Avenues 11340 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL32256) for a engine oil consumption test to be serviced on my vehicle. This process takes place by filling oil to the full line marking it... confirming there is no leaks....sealing everything and I was to return after driving 1200 miles ( odometer reading at service was 126,094). upon returning the vehicle on December 30, 2021...My vehicle failed the engine oil consumption test because after driving 1221 miles my engine was low on oil by 1.5 quart. This kind of engine oil consumption not only causes my engine to deuterate in time, but also my vehicle diminishes in value. After it was established that my vehicle engine consumes oil / failed the engine oil consumption test. Toyota advised me to get a new engine that would cost me $6987.63 INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the engine had overheated and blown the head gasket. The engine was replaced, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,912,
VEHICLE AFTER AWHILE STARTS TO CONSUME OIL. IT'S RUNS OUT OF OIL VERY QUICKLY. THERE IS NO OIL LEAK.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of engine oil. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 220,000.
HEAD GASKET WORN OUT AND LEAKS OIL WHEN UNDER PRESSURE (DRIVING) . *TR
UPON TURNING THE VEHICLE ON AND STARTING TO DRIVE, THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE THEN STARTS AND EXPERIENCES ABOUT 20 SECONDS OF MISFIRING TO THE POINT THE CAR IS WITHOUT SMOOTH POWER. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM. IF THE CAR WAS IN THE WRONG SITUATION WHEN IT HAPPENED IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE SAME THING WILL OCCASIONALLY HAPPEN WHEN PARKED AFTER WAITING FOR THE ENGINE TO START.
WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER CAUSING IT TO LOCSE SPEED QUICKLY. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF YOU ARE IN AN AREA WHERE IT IS HARD TO PULL OFF. IT WILL DRIVE 42MPH UNTIL THE BATTERY DIES. THIS IS MORE COMMON THAN MOST ISSUES WITH THIS MODEL. PLEASE MAKE TOYOTA REPLACE THE ENGINES IN THESE VEHICLES. "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM"
BAD RINGS IN THE MOTOR. MY DEALER SAID HE IS SEEING A LOT OF PRIUS'S LIKE THIS. HE THINKS TOYOTA WILL HAVE A RECALL ON THE PRIUS SOON. CAMRY AND RAV-4 HAS ALREADY BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS REASON. MY PRIUS JUST STARTED USING A LOT OF OIL @130,000. (1QT PER 1200 MILES) PLEASE ENFORCE A RECALL FOR CONSUMER PROTECTION.
EXSESIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. NEED TO ADD OIL ( 2 QUARTS OR MORE) BETWEEN OIL CHANGES
LOUD RATTLE, SHAKING IN MOTOR AREA. WAS FOUND TO BE A HEAD GASKET LEAK. USING A LOT OF ANTIFREEZE AND WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. WHILE IDLE OR IN MOTION AND WHILE GAS ENGINE IS RUNNING. STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND VERY SHORT, EG. FOR A SECOND OR TWO, THEN GOT LOUDER, MORE OFTEN AND LASTED LONGER. THIS CAR HAS 230,000 MILES. THIS SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING ON MY 2011 PRIUS WITH 128,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A COMMON PLACE WITH GEN 3 PRIUS CARS. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE EITHER ONE OF MY PRIUS CARS SAFELY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OUT OF A PARKING LOT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ORANGE (MASTER WARNING) AND A P-SYMBOL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO UMANSKY TOYOTA DEALER, (1357 RICHMOND RD, CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA 22911) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A CAUSE FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 51,788.
WHEN THE VEHICLE PASSED 100K MILES, IT START CONSUMING OIL EXCESSIVELY. NOW IT NEEDS A QUART EVERY 200 MILES. I FOUND OUT FROM THE NET THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA HAS NOT RESOLVED
MY 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS WAS IMPECCABLY MAINTAINED BY DESERT TOYOTA OF TUCSON, ALL SERVICE RECORDS KEPT. OIL WAS CHANGED EVERY 5,000 MILES RATHER THAN THE DEALER-RECOMMENDED 10,000. THIS WAS MY 4TH TOYOTA AND I EXPECTED IT, LIKE MY OTHER TOYOTAS, TO HAVE NO SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS FOR YEARS. BUT SUDDENLY IN 2017, WHEN THE ENGINE TURNED OVER 107,000 MILES (THUS MAKING IT OUT OF WARRANTY), I HAPPENED TO CHECK THE OIL (SEVERAL THOUSAND MILES BEFORE THE NEXT SERVICE WAS DUE) AND FOUND IT NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE DIPSTICK. IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I CHECKED IT BECAUSE I WAS ABLE TO ADD OIL AND SAVE THE ENGINE. THE CAR PERFORMED AS BEFORE, BUT CONTINUED TO BURN ABOUT A QUART OF MOTOR OIL EVERY 1000 TO 1500 MILES. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF EITHER SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST, OR OIL STAINS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. MY SERVICE PERSON AT DESERT MERELY SHRUGGED AND SAID THIS KIND OF THING HAPPENED OCCASIONALLY, OFFERED NO REMEDY OR CONTACT WITH THE TOYOTA REP. I BEGAN TO SEARCH THE INTERNET, FINDING THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THOUSANDS OF 2010 TOYOTA PRIUSES WITH THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE KEPT THE CAR ON THE ROAD BUT AM AWAITING A REIMBURSED REMEDY FROM TOYOTA, POSSIBLY THROUGH A CLASS ACTION SUIT. THIS OIL LEAKAGE POSES INCALCULABLE SAFETY RISKS TO THE ENVIRONMENT IN POLLUTION AND UNPREDICTABLE OCCURRENCES. TOYOTA OWNERS DO NOT EXPECT A $5000 ENGINE REPAIR ON A $25,000 CAR WITHIN 7 YEARS OF PURCHASE, NOR SHOULD THEY BE RESPONSIBLE FOR A TOYOTA DEFECT WHICH CONVENIENTLY OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS JUST OUT OF ENGJINE WARRANTY.
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHER SPEEDS THAN 40 MPH, MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AND CHECK MY HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT IS TURNED ON. WHEN IT TURNED ON, I WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE, HOWEVER I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER, AND RESTART MY CAR. I HAVE RECENTLY COME IN TO GET A SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR THE FACTORY RECALL RELATED TO THE ISSUE. HOWEVER MY INVERTER HAS BEEN DAMAGED AS WELL. ON THIS WEBSITE IT STATES IF MY INVERTER IS DAMAGED RELATED TO THE RECALL, IT WILL BE REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. HOWEVER THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME FOR DIAGNOSTIC, AND REQUESTED PAYMENT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF MY INVERTER. I ALSO HAVE GIVEN TOYOTA A CALL AS WELL, THEY HAVE STATED THAT THE RECALL ONLY WILL CONSIST OF A SOFTWARE UPDATE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET ANYONE FROM TOYOTA TO HELP ME WITH MY REPAIR OF MY INVERTER THUS FAR.
TOOK PRIUS IN FOR COIL REPLACEMENT AND WAS TOLD THE COOLING FAN WAS FAILING AND THERE WAS A LEAK FROM THE WATER PUMP. COOLANT LEVEL WAS NOT TO THE LOW POINT AT ANYTIME AND WAS CHECKED AND REFILLED IF NOT FULL, THE TEMP WARNING HAS NOT COME ON. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT A HEAD GASKET IS BLOWN AND THAT I NEED A NEW ENGINE. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN AT 200K AND HAS HAD ALL ROUTINE MAINTENCE AND RECALLS COMPLETED.
DRIVING WITH CRUSE CONTROL SET AT 72 MPH, DRIVING ON 4 LANE INTERSTATE. MASTER WARNING LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE FOLLOWING WARNINGS "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" & "CHECK PCS SYSTEM", ALL DASH LIGHTS LIT UP. ENGINE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY AND RESULTED IN NO POWER WHEN PUSHING GAS PEDAL. STEERING WAS NOT COMPROMISED. WAS ABLE TO CROSS 3 LANES ON THE INTERSTATE TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER AND THE CAR DECELERATING RAPIDLY, AGAIN WITH NO PRIOR WARNING OF ANY ISSUES. TURNED CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, WAS ABLE TO DRIVE APPROX. 25 FEET BEFORE THE ENGINE SHUT OFF UNEXPECTEDLY AGAIN LEADING TO A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER. BREAKING AND STEERING WERE AFFECTED AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR.
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION LED TO ENGINE FAILURE AND REPLACEMENT COST OF APPROXIMATELY $5000.00 ALSO EXCESSIVE OIL COST TO CONSTANTLY FILL OIL OVER THE YEARS. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW. AND GOT STUCK WITH IT AS I WAS GOING THROUGH DIVORCE AND NOT WORKING IT WAS UNFORTUNATELY CHEAPER TO PAY FOR A USED ENGINE REPLACEMENT THROUGH TOYOTA. I HAVE SAVED ALL RECEIPTS IN HOPES OF RECUPERATING MONEY IN THE FUTURE
HAD TO REPLACE MY HEAD GASKET
EXCESS OIL CONSUMPTION, USED 2 QUARTS OF OIL BEFORE NEXT OIL CHANGE, TOYOTA'S DON'T CONSUME OIL THE WAY THIS CAR DOES , I'VE NEVER OWNED A CAR WITH THIS PROBLEM USING SO MUCH OIL. THE BURNT OIL IS GOING TO EVENTUALLY BUILD UP CAUSING MORE ISSUES IN THE COMBUSTION CHAMBERS AND SMOG DEVICES .
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER SAFELY. THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE TURNED THE OFF AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS WERE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO PENSKE TOYOTA OF COVINA (1800 E GARVEY AVE S, WEST COVINA, CA 91791, (626) 859-7400) TO BE REPAIRED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
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Quick Summary
The 2010 Toyota Prius has 99 Engine complaints on file. 2 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.