2010 Toyota Prius fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion problems

Related recalls

• Recall 18V684000Oct 4, 2018807,329 vehicles
  HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 14V053000Feb 12, 2014698,457 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

  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.

  Risk: 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.

What owners say

1. Filed Mar 6, 2026ARFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   For the last 14 years, a check engine light has been coming on telling me that I have a fuel canister emissions leak because the canister is cracked. In 2016 2.87 million Toyota Priuses were recalled with the fuel canister crack issue. For unknown reasons Toyota has refused to fix this dangerous issue and has told me that my car was NOT included in the recall. I do not believe Toyota is being honest in their continued denial of this dangerous issue and excluding my 2010…

   NHTSA complaint #11722506 · source
2. Filed Dec 2, 2025NCBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle jerked, and the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended while depressing the accelerator pedal. Additionally, the steering wheel seized, and the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over to the side of the road, opened the hood, and disconnected and reconnected the battery terminals to reboot the vehicle. The contact stated that a yellow triangle warning light and the check engine…

   NHTSA complaint #11702535 · source
3. Filed Jul 12, 2025ARFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   My 2010 Toyota Prius has had a charcoal fuel canister leak since day one. 2.9 million Prius cars were recalled and Toyota says my car is NOT included in the recall but has the same issue of the other Toyota Prius that were included? Check engine light has never gone off. Upon fueling a strong odor of gasoline is detected and I am very worried about the car catching fire. Toyota needs to be held accountable and forced to fix this safety related problem.

   NHTSA complaint #11673058 · source
4. Filed Jun 20, 2025120,000 miFLFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the message "Hybrid Malfunction" was displayed, and the vehicle lost motive power. The contact was able to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle was able to restart after detaching and reconnecting the rear battery. The vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was…

   NHTSA complaint #11668166 · source
5. Filed Nov 11, 2024VAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Check Hybrid System warning lights came on and I lost all ability to drive vehicle and had to coast to the side of the road.

   NHTSA complaint #11624521 · source
6. Filed May 10, 2024152,000 miILFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. The check engine warning light and the check hybrid warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The contact was unaware whether the vehicle was diagnosed. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The contact stated that after the vehicle was repaired the failure recurred. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11588140 · source
7. Filed Apr 7, 2024CAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

   Total malfunction at highway speeds. Very unsafe, the car completely shut off. This may have resulted in a highway fatality due to collision as the vehicle was in the fast lane. NTSA please do your due diligence and investigate the faulty, defective HYBRID system as I believe the faulty inverter recall is much more larger than the original recall

   NHTSA complaint #11581635 · source
8. Filed Feb 21, 2024148,469 miNYEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   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…

   NHTSA complaint #11573199 · source
9. Filed Jun 2, 2023WAFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionOther / Unknown

   Hybrid system shut down while driving. Cleared at deal ship twice. happened two more time. Dealership claims they were unable to recreate the issue.

   NHTSA complaint #11525105 · source
10. Filed Mar 19, 2023190,000 miFLBrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    I was driving in my neighboorhood and as I went up the wall bridge my acceleration stalled and my ABS light, Check engine light, and check hybrid system light came on simultaneously and started beeping. At the same time, I lost my braking ability completely. I had to swerve off to the grass in the hopes of not hitting turning traffic at the stop sign. Luckily, it stopped before doing any major damage to anything. Thankfully, I was close to home and was able to put it in my…

    NHTSA complaint #11512678 · source
11. Filed Feb 7, 2023CABrakesFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control

    The ABS, VSC/traction control, and brake system warning lights all came on at the same time in my 2010 Toyota Prius. I almost lost control of my car's braking ability. Afterwards, the hybrid system does not perform its regenerative braking/recharging any longer. And the cruise control mode doesn't work also. The DTC from the OBD2 port is C1391 - abnormal leak in the brake fluid accumulator. I found out that this issue is widespread among Gen 3 Priuses, but Toyota has not…

    NHTSA complaint #11506132 · source
12. Filed Sep 8, 2022387,000 miCATowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

    The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The contact stated that the power steering and power brakes failed. The contact stated that the "check hybrid system" and "check battery" warning lights were illuminated. The contact steered off the roadway safely; however, he was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and…

    NHTSA complaint #11483527 · source

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology