NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2010 Toyota Prius. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
The breaking lights, skid lights and another light associated with breaks came out and I lost the ABS abilities, the hv battery is not charging while breaking. These lights comes out randomly. Very risky especially while breaking.
I was driving and all of the sudden lights came on, on the dashboard and when I started to slow down, I noticed the brakes were very "mushy" and barley worked. I then drove it directly to the dealership and on the way the lights went off, and brakes went back to normal. This is a very dangerous situation for anyone to be in and I don't know why NHTSA has not made this a mandatory recall for Toyota, I did find a recall # 13V235000 (which needs to be extended). The dealership said it would cost $3,000 to replace the Brake Booster Pump Assembly and Master Cylinder. This type of repair should be recalled, and NHTSA should get this resolved with Toyota ASAP.
My car malfunctioned causing me to lose control of the car and it crashed into 38 Woodcutters Lane first, and 33 Woodcutters Lane second.
Slip indicator symbol, Brake word, Brake symbol, and ABS word lit up while driving. Brake pedal had to be pushed further down to stop the car. No warning lights or issues before this incident. Toyota diagnosed as abnormal leak in accumulator and internal brake fluid leak, and quoted replacement of the brake booster assembly with master cylinder and the brake booster pump. There is no advance indication and the brake booster will not be available while driving. Toyota recalled selected vehicles. There are currently many reports online from vehicles excluded from the recall that are affected by the same brake booster malfunction and warning lights.
The airbag sensors for my passenger seat do not work. Regardless of if there is someone sitting in the passenger seat, buckled it, the system indicates that there is no one sitting in the seat and that they are not buckled in. This is of course a safety issue since the airbags would likely not go off even if someone was sitting in the seat. My vehicle is available for inspection upon request. They first appeared shortly after I purchased the vehicle from the last owner. The vehicle was lightly used and is very clean, and I have no reason to believe the passneger seat was abused in any way. My concern is this: this airbag sensor issue is a recall I have seen for other 2010 Toyota Priuses. I understand that in the systems, this recall does not show up for my car. However, I think it's interesting and worth looking into that I have the same make, model, and year, and my vehicle is having the exact same issues. This is an issue that was not triggered by any crash/collision, and I did not have anyone even sitting in my passenger seat prior to this issue, so it seems to be purely a system issue that I could not have prevented myself.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS and brake warning lights remained illuminated, and the brake pedal was firm while depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to immediately stop while depressing the brake pedal, causing the stopping distance to be extended. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Affected by the recall number 10V036000, the 2010 toyota prius is manufactured with a defective brake booster and master cylinder system which causes defect of the brake system, and causes my vehicle to often lose power in abs and randomly lose abs power braking, making brakes hard, and makes for longer stopping distance. This is a problem for many and obvious reasons on the road regarding safety. All vehicles should have optimal braking systems for the road, and should otherwise be repaired at no cost if the car is manufactured with defect. This has caused no accident for me yet but the abs has failed on many occasions. I have read at least 100 cases of this given vehicle under this recall being caused an accident with faulty brakes, and sometimes complete failure to stop which is extremely worrying. This recall excludes vin numbers past a certain date, yet the recall in question is certainly still affecting many cars, as capistrano toyota has also called for petition of toyota to repair at no cost for all affected vehicles. Yet all dealerships have denied my request and toyota has no formal coverage regarding the rest of the faulty vehicles they manufactured.
Hello on my 2010 Prius the ABS, Brake, Traction Control lights are all on lit up on my dashboard. Brakes are making loud noise when I stop the vehicle. I took the car into my local dealership service department. I’m being told that the brake booster and master cylinder needs to be repaired. This was a part that was put under an extended warranty with Toyota but now it’s no longer being covered by the warranty. So they want me to pay out of pocket to fix. I would like to report that they should honor the warranty agreement for my vehicle.
Brake system failure. ABS light / Brake Light / Traction Control light. There is a recall but expired. Code C1391 need to replace Brake Booster and Brake pump. Recall should have included my car. 1,500.00 plus parts only. recall should be extended.
Known problem for Prius with limited manufacturer liability. My breaks started failing, I am being quoted at $4000 in repairs and labor. My car is 3 years older than the recall parameters but within mileage. Manufacturer won’t cover anymore since it’s past due
The brake booster assembly and brake booster pump have failed due to a vaccine leak internally in the brake booster. Failure of the brake booster can cause the vehicle to be more difficult to stop. Yes the failure codes have been reproduced. The vehicle falls “out of warranty” for a part that should last the life of the vehicle. Replacement of the part is quoted over 4,000 dollars. The abs light, brake light, and traction control lights.
Brake booster failed while driving. Warning light ABS, traction control and brake light lights up. Lost power brake. Car is hard to stop with the manual brake in the fail safe mode. with C1391 code logged. Toyota had an ZJB warranty extension but my car is not covered because the warning light did not show during the 10 year window. The brake booster fail appear common and should be cover by a recall instead of a warranty extension.
It is a known problem that Priuses manufactured from 2004 to 2015 have issues with the brake master cylinder and brake booster accumulator. When the vehicle computer recognizes an internal leak (ABS C1391) or other issue in the accumulator pump, it completely disables the regenerative braking system, which significantly reduces braking power. In my case, the problem is intermittent, and the vehicle computer will occasionally clear the code and operate normally. A slight whirring sound can still be heard (indicative of an internal leak), leading me to conclude that the part is still damaged, even when the code clears itself. This continues to affect my and my passengers' safety because the problem comes back with no warning while driving. Many times at highway speeds, the regenerative braking system will shut off while decelerating. This has caused scares and near-accidents. Imagine you are approaching stopped traffic while traveling 65 miles per hour. You press the brake to start slowing down, and while decelerating, the dashboard lights up and the brake pedal goes spongey. Now, you must slam the brake all the way into the firewall to engage the disks and pads exclusively. Aside from the imminent terror of hitting the car in front of you, now you are skidding on the brakes, worried the car behind you will crush the rear. Sooner or later this will cause somebody to get into an accident when a split-second decision cannot to be made quickly enough. The issue is well-known, and a warranty recall was issued, but it does not cover any vehicles over a certain age and mileage. It has been reproduced by my local mechanic and inspected by a Prius specialist, who both quote about $3800 to fully replace and recalibrate the failing parts. There were no indicators of this issue before it happened to my wife and I the first time on the highway. While I am grateful that nobody was injured, the situation could be completely different had the problem occurred just seconds later.
My ABS, break and anti-skid lights came on while my vehicle was parked. The ABS system shouldn't fail on a car. Many other 2010 Prius owners have reported the same problem. Toyota had break system recalls back in 2010 and 2013. I believe my car may should have been part of the recall, but was overlooked.
ABS pump booster failed. Hard to stop the vehicle. Almost had an incident. Trouble code C1391.
My brakes are not working effectively. They are not engaging as they are meant to.
Even though a related recall has already been performed 4 years ago, my vehicle is exhibiting the same brake safety symptoms: - 3 dashboard lights all illuminated: BRAKE, ABS, and traction control (anti-slip) - brake accumulator pump noise occurring at 5 second intervals - regenerative braking and ABS are non-functioning - error code C1391 appears via OBDII The above symptoms appeared two weeks ago (6/14/2023), and on 6/16 an independent service center that specializes in foreign vehicles (including Toyota) confirmed the symptoms and error code, and said that the vehicle is unsafe to drive due to impending brake system failure. Toyota dealer indicated newer brake system parts are available to address the issue, but would need to be installed at my cost. The symptoms appeared while driving the vehicle at freeway speeds commuting to/from work. The vehicle is available to be inspected, however, I have already scheduled a repair (at my cost) because we use it daily for work.
The braking system developed a leak in the accumulator causing the whole braking system to fail and turn the abs light on in the car as it leaked brake fluid into the brake booster from the master cylinder
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the ABS warning light and two other unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the brake pedal went to the floorboard while depressed. Additionally, the contact stated that while self-inspecting the vehicle, he became aware that there was no brake fluid in the brake fluid reservoir. The contact stated that when the vehicle was self-inspected for a second time that same day, the brake fluid was full. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact of an unknown recall for the brake booster. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
To submit a claim to the NHTSA regarding my 2010 Toyota Prius (VIN [XXX] ), I wish to highlight a concerning issue with the brake booster, actuator, and brake booster pump assemblies. This malfunction has the potential to lead to brake failures, posing a significant risk of collisions with other vehicles. The presence of a diagnostic trouble code (C1391) and the illumination of ABS, traction control, and exclamation symbol lights, coupled with an audible whirring sound during braking, underscore the confirmed nature of this problem. This whirring sound initially emerged a year ago, accompanied by temporary dashboard light activation, which eventually subsided, while the whirring sound has persisted. Toyota has initiated an extended warranty program labeled (ZJB), encompassing a span of 10 years from the initial usage date or until 150,000 miles are reached, whichever comes first. Regrettably, my vehicle's mileage has exceeded 182,000 miles over the stipulated 150,000-mile threshold, and its age surpasses 13 years, rendering it ineligible for inclusion in this program. The actions of Toyota appear to prioritize financial gains over the well-being and security of countless drivers and passengers who are potentially endangered by these defective brakes. Their stance is exemplified by the reluctance to offer a comprehensive solution. I find myself compelled to bear the burden of approximately $3,000 in brake-related expenses at dealerships—an unjust imposition on consumers, given Toyota's distribution of flawed components that jeopardize safety and lives. Toyota's response has been inadequate, limited to extending warranties and performing repairs solely on vehicles that have already experienced brake failures. This approach neglects the prevention of potential injuries or fatalities that could be averted through proactive measures, such as issuing a full-scale recall. In light of these circumstances, I am seeking redress through the app INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I took my vehicle to my mechanic at my independent service center because I experienced shaking/significant vibrating at 60 mph. I had also experienced a loud noise that only lasted about 2 miles. He found that the right rear brake unit, specifically the caliper, had seized. I contacted Toyota of America because there was no brake warning light to alert us of this situation. I received a call back from David from Sloane Toyota in Glenside, PA, who confirmed that the caliper seizing would not cause the brake warning light to appear. He also indicated that the caliper is not something that is routinely checked as part of state inspection, or the regular maintenance schedule. I am deeply concerned that this mechanical failure of the brake unit could have resulted in death(s). I request that Toyota vehicle owners and mechanics be alerted to this, specifically the fact that the brake warning light does not alert a driver of this brake part failure. Further, I request that an inspection of the calipers be included in the routine maintenance schedule and annual state inspection. Thank you for the work that you do to keep us safe!
There was some kickback or resistance when engaging the brake to start the car. When the car turned on, the brake light, ABS light, and traction control light lit up. I took the car to Toyota service, they stated that the brake booster pump was defective and needs replacement. I see that there is not an open recall for this vehicle, however there was a recall #13V235000 that was sent out in 2013 with the exact same issue for 2010 Toyota Prius. We bought the car as a certified Pre Own in 2015, so we did not get this notification. I am trying to figure out why this car does not fall under the recall category? Thank you.
Brake system failure. ABS light / Brake Light / Traction Control light. Low mileage car. Likely the last Hybrid I would buy. $4000 to fix. Almost what I paid for the vehicle. There is a recall but expired. Should be by mileage not time!
Hybrid system shut down while driving. Cleared at deal ship twice. happened two more time. Dealership claims they were unable to recreate the issue.
Almost caused a major accident. Brakes failed with no warning!
Took my car to Toyota dealership to get remedy J0V NHSTA recall ID NO. 18V684 Fixed. Dealership has refused to work on recall and has told me I need to pay out of pocket for repair because my car does not fall into certain codes yet it’s a specific recall that needs to be done on my vehicle
2010 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO PAINT ISSUES ON VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED BECAUSE OF THE ORIGINAL PAINT PROBLEMS, "A CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM IS PROVIDED BY TOYOTA FOR VEHICLES WITH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY BLIZZARD PEARL PAINT. IF THE CONDITION IS VERIFIED THE SPECIFIC PANEL AFFECTED WILL BE REPAIRED."
My Prius 2010 has thrown the ABS, Traction, and Brake HUD lights all together. I took it to an Autozone and scanned the code to get the C1391: Abnormal Leak of ACC PRESS error. Many Prius 2010 have this issue, I'm sure I'll need to replace the actuator and/or accumulator and I know that will cost a good bit, i hope Toyota could help us fix it.
Brakes take longer to apply with weird noise. There is a weird sound. Brakes are fine not worn. Mechanic says bad abs actuators which should not have failed since should last life of car. There was a recall on this but my car not in the vin search not sure why. All problems described in that recall is what I am experiencing.
I was driving and all of the sudden lights came on, on the dashboard and when I started to slow down I noticed the brakes were very "mushy" and barley worked. I then drove it directly to the dealership and on the way the lights went off, and brakes went back to normal. This is a very dangerous situation for anyone to be in and I don't know why NHTSA has not made this a mandatory recall for Toyota, I know why Toyota does not recall $$. They are now making $$ on parts and their dealers are making $$ on this service. I did not find a specific recall on the NHTSA website but I did find a recall # that I will be looking into in more depth. That recall number is 13V235000. The dealership said it would cost $3,000 to replace the Brake Booster Pump Assembly and Master Cylinder. If I were someone with very little funds to get this repaired then I would drive the car as my only source of transportation. This type of repair should be recalled and NHTSA should get this resolved with Toyota ASAP.
The break booster started making a noise and my car should have fallen into the range of the previous recall for the exact part. I cant afford to change it so I continue to drive it and all of sudden the breaks are so hard to push and a constant buzz is going off! Autozone confirmed it was the break booster ans abs then a private shop did also
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.
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 driveway safely. The check engine light then cut itself off, but my brakes remained completely nonfunctional. If this had happened on the highway or a busy road I'm sure it would’ve been much worse.
Thank you
Nothing wrong with it
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, there was an abnormal sound coming from the front driver’s side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the traction control, brakes, the Pre-Collision System (PCS), and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the brake actuator and the brake booster to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the TSB: POL1803, however the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
ABS system displayed airbag symbol displayed brake symbol displayed seat belts light flashing airbag system showing off. Toyota dealership is aware of the problem with the ABS system along with the items mentioned. accident could have been avoided contact if the ABS system was working. Airbags did not deploy. Advise Toyota corporation on 27 February 2023 file number 230-227-00 2210 in regards to the ABS they were also advised of the airbag symbol displayed in the seat belt fasten flashing on driver side when an individual is seated in the car and buckled in. Vehicle has not been inspected yet however on Monday 6th of March it will be inspected by copart, by the direction of the USAA insurance company.
ABS brake booster failure. Vehicle with approximately 140,000 miles. Previous safety notice expired that covered 10 years or 150,000 miles
There's existing problem right now in my vehicle that braking is less responsive and also the ABS, EMG brake lamps and Traction control lights are on the whole time on my dashboard. I took it to the mechanic and he found out that Theres a problem with the Brake Booster Pump Assembly which developed a crack inside the accumulator housing. As result nitrogen gas could leak into the brake fluid and gradually cause a loss of power assist. Under certain circumstances, this could affect stopping distance and increase the risk of a crash.
ABS system and traction control lost. ABS booster pump and master brake cylinder broke down. They should be life long parts. Brakes lost its function on highway and was pretty dangerous. ABS light, traction control light and brake light on. Dealer refused to change on their own.
Purchased new a 2010 Toyota Prius third generation level 4 in July of 2009. Hybrid battery pack failed just after 150,000 warranty lapsed at 155,000 miles. January 2023 floods in Merced, CA damaged one of blocks in Hybrid battery pack driving through waters at 191000 miles on odometer. This threw DTC POA 080 'Check Hybrid System' message. The following month February 2023 at 191500 miles I notice loud cooling fan for hybrid battery operating for the first time ever! Fan is located in rear seat behind front passenger. Air vent is clearly visible. I believe defective fan led to overheating of hybrid battery premature failure at 155,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while his wife was driving 40 MPH, the traction control, ABS, brake warning light, and other unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact's wife was able to drive to her residence. The contact stated that he was an independent mechanic and he had diagnosed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V235000 (Service Brakes) however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was towed to the dealer but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 192,000.
My 2010 Toyota Prius (JTDKN3DU3A1307523) had the ABS/brake warning/traction control (VSC) lights come on at the same time and I lost a significant portion of my braking ability, while driving. I was able to pull into a shop. The mechanic connected a code reader to the OBD II port and found the code DTC C1391. It is a failure with the ABS booster pump assembly and accumulator. I called Toyota corporate line and they said there was an expired Customer Support Bulletin, which I did not receive mail alert for, and that it is not a recall, and that the customer is on the hook for replacement of the failed component. They repeatedly told me it was not under recall, even though internet forums all mention it as a recall campaign. I called auto shops in my area (specializing in Toyota and Japanese makes) and they all did not want to perform the repair as they found it too complicated to do, and told me Toyota has a recall campaign and advised I call Toyota corporate to get serviced.
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
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 made this officially a recall campaign, but classifies it as a "customer support bulletin." But the issue is dangerous enough that it should be a recall item. I moved homes in fall of 2018, and Toyota says it mailed out a letter about this brake issue and resulting campaign, but I never received the letter. I was totally unaware that this was a safety issue, that Toyota acknowledged it, and that this safety issue with an ongoing "recall" campaign with an expiration date. Toyota denies that this is a recall issue, and will not provide this service. I would like for NHTSA to reopen and investigate this issue, and make Toyota issue a general recall campaign to resolve this dangerous safety problem with the car.
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.
The driver airbag deployed without an accident while driving in the highway. The airbag deployment caused near control lost of the car. I was lucky to not have any other cars near me so I managed to get the car safely out of the highway. The airbag deployment was scary and caused me not able to see through the windshield due to the gas from the airbag.
I had just gotten back in my car from a quick store trip. My prius turned on like normal but soon after when I was driving different kind of warning lights turned on. My steering was affected ,the car slowed down considerably to the point I was almost rear-ended. The triangle of death, check engine, brake and steering lights all came on with the check hybrid system warning. Before this i had no prior issues with my car. I had it checked by an independent mechanic who states it is the inverter that caused this
The braking system malfunction and it's available for inspection upon request. I was almost get into accident when I was driving around 65mph on I-495 because of the fail brake issue Upon online research, it turns out this is a common safety problem on the 2010 prius and toyota only issue extended warranty but not recall. the ABS light, slip Indicator light and brake system light all come on at the same time before I experienced the brake system failed
My 2010 Toyota Prius seemed to have a faulty ABS actuator/ boaster pump for years but I did not know it until recently. For years the car would display the abs, traction controls, and brake light for 50 miles and then go away but the most recent time it did not go off. The actuator continuously runs and you can hear it consistently buzz every 5-10 seconds. The brake pedal require a lot more force in order for the car to slow down and the car jumps forward when depressing the brakes suddenly. In the past the brake would require much more force but after a few miles on the road the light would go off and the car would seem to function as normal, but most recently as of last week the light would not go off and the brakes require a lot of force still after doing almost 400 miles. I had 2 near misses once almost hitting another car during a rainy day and another missing a stop sign by almost half a car length. I took my car to the dealership and they stated that the error code is showing a faulty abs actuator but the rep told me it should still be fine to drive if I do not want to pay the out of pocket cost and get it fixed immediately. This is a major safety concern for me and my family and even though I been servicing my car for year at the Toyota dealership it was never brought to my attention. Only recently when I had the near misses and had my mechanic run test on it did I realize. I then took my car to Toyota for routine maintenance and it was confirmed that the abs actuator/boaster pump was faulty, yet they offer no remedy and they never even notified me of this faulty OEM issue until I brought it to their attention. The dealership said my VIN did not qualify for any recall or customer satisfaction proposal (CSP) and that if I wish to fix the brakes/actuator issue it would be an out of pocket cost of a few thousand dollars. This is unacceptable and action needs to be taken immediately to recall and rectify this before innocent lives are lost due to brake failure.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026