2010 Toyota Prius engine problems

Filed Jan 25, 2025 · Engine · NY

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.

Filed Dec 24, 2024 · Engine · MN

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.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Engine · FL

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.

Filed Feb 21, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · 148,469 miles · NY

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Oct 17, 2023 · Engine · WI

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

Car slows down to a stop when driving on the freeway. With no power to accelerate, it makes it hard to get to the side of the road to be towed. Been to the dealer twice to address the problem, and was told that if I don't pay $200, that there is nothing they can do. Then when I did pay the money for evaluation, they told me the problem could be one of several things that would start the never-ending process of repairs that will keep me paying until they solve it. I would think that with a $200 code reading, that the dealers software could narrow it down to the exact repair needed. I mentioned to the dealer about the JOV update I had done earlier to the car, but dealer refuses to recognize that there is a recall on my vehicle, and that I needed to pay money(that I don't have) to do anything. My check hybrid system light and orange triangle comes on when the car dies

Filed Jan 24, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CA

I was driving home from work when all the warning light all came on at once. The car suddenly stopped accelerating and the “check hybrid system” was showing on my dash. I was lucky enough to be going down hill so I can make it to a shoulder to get off the road. Tried troubleshooting everything but to no avail and needed to get towed because the Prius would not move at all. Haven’t got the vehicle checked yet because the vehicle will not move and can only be moved if towed.

Filed Sep 18, 2022 · Engine · CA

Engine is taking in coolant problem

Filed Jul 21, 2022 · Electrical, Engine · WA

2010 Prius started up in the garage 3 hours after being shut down. I am certain the car was NOT still running while we unloaded groceries from hatchback and left the garage. * Nothing was retrieved from the front seat so no accidental start could have occurred. * My son "heard it start" almost 3 hours after the vehicle had been shut off while in another room near the garage. * I heard nothing from the upstairs. * The Prius key fob was nowhere near the vicinity of the vehicle at the time it started nor was any person. In fact, both key fobs were upstairs and only the currently used 1 had a battery and was stored inside a tin so as to always know where it was. *Toyota executives were made aware of incident but essentially denied the Toyota could start without the key fob: "Toyota is not aware for any possible way for the vehicle to be started without the key."

Filed Mar 25, 2022 · Brakes, Engine · CA

A number of things have failed on this car. 1. The hybrid battery pack system shut down and warned that I needed to see a mechanic. My mechanic diagnosed that the hybrid invert was defective and causing the battery pack to fail. 2. When braking at both low and high speeds, the car increasingly struggles to come to a stop. When applying foot pressure, you can hear the pump winding - this occurs while at rest as well as when trying to slow the car down. There are times when applying the brake that the floor pedal will lock and cause the car to skid while barely reducing the speed of the car. I have had multiple near accident incidences as a result and put myself and others at risk. 3. The car ferociously vibrates every morning - discovered that the head gasket has failed prematurely and due to the car overcompensating for the failing hybrid battery that is being impacted by the failing hybrid inverter. All problems have been reproduced and diagnosed at independent service centers. Multiple codes, warning lights and messages have alerted me to engine and battery issues - all of which appeared after the various issues and failures.