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2,819 owners have filed defect reports on this one. That's not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns on file.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced.
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Something weird happens when I am braking. As I am slowing and braking evenly, there is a very brief surge like I hit the accelerator, but my foot is no where near the accelerator. It feels like the brakes are not working at all for a brief moment. It seems to happen when I…
I have a 2010 prius. I have noticed that when I go over uneven ground (like potholes or bumps) or slick surfaces (especially train tracks and sewer covers) my brakes don't seem to work. It feels like I am not in control of my car, and for 2-3 seconds the car is not braking…
In my 2010 Toyota prius, as I'm braking on a rough surface, it feels as though the car accelerates for a split second. It happened most recently on 12/22 as I was coming to a stoplight on a road with patches of snow/ice debris in cambridge, ma. It has occurred maybe 5 times…
On November 25, 2025, at approximately 11:45 p.m., our 2010 Toyota Prius experienced a braking system malfunction during normal operation. The brake pedal required significantly increased effort and the vehicle exhibited reduced braking performance, indicating a loss of brake…
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Vehicle stopping distances may increase relative to a customer's expectation increasing the risk of a crash.
As nitrogen is released into the brake fluid, the brake pedal may have reduced hydraulic pressure. Under certain circumstances, this condition could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. DP23005 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 5.8 out of 10 based on 2,819 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Toyota Prius has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
On the NHTSA data, the 2010 Toyota Prius is one to avoid unless a specific vehicle proves otherwise. The data says walk unless this exact vehicle has documented proof the brakes was repaired or replaced. The record behind that call: 1 fatality report and 101 crash-related complaints on the brakes; Cruise-control: 216 complaints, classified severe; Reliability score 5.8/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 1,799 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.
The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 2,819 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.