Problems · by component

2010 Toyota Prius engine problems

140 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2010 Toyota Prius cite engine, 5% of all 2,823 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
140
5% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 25, 2025EngineODI 11638499
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 24, 2024EngineODI 11632271
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 12, 2024EngineODI 11630428
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 17, 2023EngineODI 11550360
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 3, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11505407
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 24, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11503318

Showing 6 of 140 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 4, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.