2010 Toyota Prius Toyota Prius 2010

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2010 Toyota Prius repairs by problem area

Engine (19%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (1%)

Brakes and Traction Control (11%)

Suspension and Steering (9%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (36%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (13%)

Other (10%)

Chart based on 523 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2010 Toyota Prius.

2010 Toyota Prius engine repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (10%)

$500 - $999 (7%)

$100 - $499 (30%)

< $100 (52%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 91 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2010 Toyota Prius

Engine not specified

220000 mi

US $450
Replaced spark plugs and coils 
230000 mi

US $1050
Water pump fan disintegrated and failed 

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2010 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatch

98-horsepower 1.8L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD

50000 mi

US $300
Water Pump Failure 
128000 mi

US $2286
Replaced inverter 
80816 mi

US $279
Dealer read code for "failing water pump" and quoted $890 for the repair, which I declined. I ordered the OEM water pump from RockAuto.com - $252 plus overnight shipping. Repair required removal of air intake (6 bolts), draining coolant, and five bolts for the water pump. Two hours total, going slowly and carefully, with no previous experience with this engine. I guess I chose the wrong career - I didn't know my time was so valuable! (saved $300+ per hour) 
132000 mi This was a recall to remedy a sticking EGR valve. My car didn't fail the test, but the shop was kind enough to do the upgrade anyway since I had heard the sound once or twice in the past. 
146000 mi

US $54
The oil pressure sending unit was leaking oil. It was enough oil that I was fortunate enough to see oil drops on my driveway when I got home. The issue must have started that day as there was very little oil missing (as noted by the oil level on the dipstick.) The part was purchased immediately and installed after by me. Luckily it was pretty straightforward and I had the tools and time. 
96000 mi Hybrid/engine/brake warning light, limp mode, hybrid system not operational. Covered under tsb0036-16. Lots of inverter parts replaced, seems it's related to IPM intelligent power module. 
72400 mi REPLACED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER O-RING, WHICH WAS BEGINNING TO SEEP OIL BELOW HEAD GASKET 
101000 mi Transistors for power inverter burned out 
58000 mi The air regulator flap mnalfunctioned 
90000 mi The invertor for the hybrid electric motor failed. Third time for this vehicle. 
290000 mi

US $1700
Blown head gasket 
350000 mi

US $205
Engine overheat at high power only. Replaced Electric engine water pump. 
145700 mi Oil consumption of 1.5qt every 5,000 miles. Toyota states it's not a problem until consumption is 1 qt every 1500 miles. With oil change intervals of 10,000 miles I see this as an issue. Toyota will not repair under extended warranty. 
228000 mi Hybrid System power inverter failure. Toyota replaced the inverter under the 15 year / unlimited miles warranty extension for inverter. Very happy with Toyota for covering this repair on a car with over 228,000 miles. I plan to drive it for another 200k. 
116000 mi Misfire, replaced spark plugs. 
147000 mi

US $850
Fuel problem. EGR valve clogged. No reason this car should have an EGR valve. 
81000 mi Fuel mixture sensor (O2 sensor) 
120000 mi

US $30
Heat shields under the car were loose resulting in rattle. Dealer quoted $500 for parts and labor. Tire store said only needed tightening and did the job for $30 
170000 mi

US $2400
Transistor Kit Power Module for Hybrid system overheated and was replaced. Check Engine light turn on. The hybrid system no longer ran due to this issue. 
181000 mi

US $1500
Hybrid system Manifold assembly replaced EGR valve caused too much air to enter engine 
109000 mi

US $150
Oil was very low. Needed to get it towed and topped up. Confirmed that there is a leak, possibly in the engine block. They recommended replacing the gasket, but it would cost thousands. 
218 mi

US $50
Knocking on startup, misfire, replaced Spark plugs none a [another attempt to repair knocking on startup] 
220000 mi

US $100
Knocking on starkup, misfires, rough running. Replaced Coils Packs and cleaned ERG cooler, EGR, and related piping. 
165 mi

US $800
EGR, intake cleaning. Oil catch can, transmission service. Preventative maintenance. The 2010 Prius has head gasket issues usually caused by clogged EGR system. 
159000 mi

US $1500
replaced head gasket 
127000 mi

US $300
Charcoal canister error, replaced, error came back. 
201000 mi

US $925
Remove, clean and reinstall EGR valve, EGR Cooler, EGR Pipe, intake manifold, all new gaskets. Cooler and pipe were totally clogged, cleaned to good as new. Also changed spark plugs and PCV valve while car was torn open 
134000 mi

US $65
Oil Change 
143000 mi NiMH Hybrid battery stopped working, entire pack was replaced under warranty by Toyota. 150k mi warranty in California, less in other states. 
138000 mi

US $2600
Major oil leak. 
67875 mi

US $329
Fuel injection service 
139000 mi

US $1500
Excessive oil use starting at 135000 miles. $1500-$2000 quote to repair. Currently 1qt every 1200 miles. Decided not to repair. 
210000 mi

US $200
Oil pump sensor was bleeding oil. They wanted 500-2000 at the local toyota dealer (corwin) got it done for $200. When I got it there was a problem with the rings the dealer said it wasn't covered that would cost 5000 they said. I've been using Lucas oil extender and having been burning as much oil 
160000 mi

US $760
EGR Valve replacement. Part $365.Labor $471. 
146000 mi

US $100
Check engine light came on. Engine idled very rough, especially when cold. 
158000 mi

US $1658
Tune up and intake manifold change 
100000 mi

US $50
Oil leak detected. Oil was leaking through the timing chain cover. Repaired under extended warranty. 
107452 mi

US $200
Water pump failed. Part replaced with Aisin water pump. 
175000 mi

US $150
EGR replaced. 
65720 mi

C $1750
Started losing oil last August. Checked over, compression test to confirm. Put in new block. Freak thing and not normal at all. Probably should have changed oil more often than every 10000 km. 
127000 mi Intelligent Power Module failure. 
66000 mi Complete system failure, every light lit up on dash, no regen braking. Dealer said they are replacing most of the braking system including master cylinder, etc. Have Toyota extended warranty, told it would cost over $4500 otherwise. 
80000 mi

US $70
Car sounds like a truck when starting up. Brought it to the dealer in Downey. Dealer refused to follow Toyota Service Bulletin explaining the problem. Told me it expired at end of April. So did NOTHING. 
44000 mi

US $400
Hybrid drive problem. Battery (on warranty) and inverter replaced 
93700 mi

US $350
Prius is burning oil. 1qt per 500 miles 
98000 mi Burning oil. 
17000 mi When engine started, it sounded like rocks were in it. Problem has been reported by other 2010 Prius owners (see youtube videos). 
3600 mi Piece of bottom shield came loose, was hanging down to the ground, attached at the front and hanging down behind - front right side, ~12 inches long, 4-5 inches wide. They resecured it with clips. 
79500 mi

US $168
Part of the splash shield broke due to a clip falling off at some point. They had to replace the front right fender (wheel well) lining. $120 parts and $40 labor. 
56000 mi Motor mount replaced under T-SB-0204-11 to fix vibration. The new motor mount seems to have made things worse instead of better. 
83000 mi The new motor mount actually made the vibration a little worse, but never tried to get it fixed because the new mount was the fix. 
82000 mi Replaced VVTI Gear for $2800 (Extended Warranty covered 100%). But noticed large amount of carbon deposits. My mileage has dropped to 32mpg from my previous average of 55-58. 
126000 mi

US $200
Hybrid battery died. $11k to repair. I was out of warranty but Toyota stepped up and paid all but 2900 of it as a courtesy gesture after I bitched to corp for a few days. 
32300 mi Water pump Emissions valve 
35200 mi

US $98
Exhaust rattling. 3 Welded piped brackets near catalytic converts cracked and fell off making it rattle. Told to have it fixed somewhere else as dealer can only replace entire exhaust system for $2300. 
91000 mi

US $30
Catalytic Converter bracket weld came loose making a exhaust rattle. Secured with a coat hanger 
48360 mi

C $180
Intake manifold replacement (vehicle failed to start in cold weather) 
53060 mi Hybrid system (check hybrid system error came on). Dealer could not localize problem. Possibilities included the battery fan and high humidity in the battery compartment. No repairs made and problem has not recurred. 
65720 mi

C $600
Diagnose Check engine light. O2 sensor indicated, and replacement recommended. Check engine light has not recurred, so have not replaced sensor. Replace O2 sensor 
75000 mi

US $20
Poor mileage, so replaced PCV valve. Valve is located under intake manifold, so replacement requires working above and below engine 
101000 mi

US $50
Broken spring inside the oil filter canister, I think. 
168000 mi Reprogrammed the hybrid system 
52700 mi Hybrid system hesitation during extreme heat after parked for several hours (hot battery pack). Possible protection mode, but wanted to be sure. Dealer attempted reproduction, then told it was normal, and discouraged "battery mode use". 
70000 mi Hybrid system sluggish, not using battery power when battery hot. Battery gets hot easily. 
82000 mi Hybrid performance poor when battery is above 45°C. Battery easily heats to or above this temp during normal use. Car sluggish in this state and has poor fuel economy. 
82000 mi Poor fuel economy when hybrid battery hot. Battery easily gets heated and takes a while to cool, partially due to heat soak, partially due to not cabin. 20% drop in FE. 
34720 mi oxygen and fuel / air sensor replaced 
179000 mi

US $500
Engine set P003 code after rough start on cokd soak. Intake manifold and EGR gasket replaced per TSB. Asked for help on price due to TSB, declined due to miles on car. 
259000 mi

US $150
Timing chain tensioner oil seal failure. Replaced seal. 
305000 mi

US $99
Hybrid battery failure. Elected to not repair the car. Sold it and bought new. 
161180 mi

A $316
Code P0335 Drive shaft sensor 
239940 mi

A $217
Car was staggering on take off. Dealer removed and cleaned injectors. 
24000 mi Check engine light came on. Dealer installed software update. 
126060 mi

C $130
P2A00 check engine code. Defective front oxygen sensor 89467-28090. Replaced it. Problem solved. 
142000 mi

US $300
Oil Filter Cover broken. Apparently tightened too much during previous oil change. 
202000 mi Engine skipping. Unknown problem. No issue found by rapair shop. Went away before picking up from shop. 
240000 mi

US $270
Car has started rough intermittently with no warning lights for about a year. Engine light came on, code for Cylinder 4 ignition coil. Replaced. 
242000 mi After previous attempted repair, engine continued starting rough. Engine light came on. Took back to shop and codes showed for Cylinder 3 and 2 ignition coils. Cylinder 3 coil replaced. Was sent home over the weekend. Engine light and rough start returned. Returned to shop where it was determined cylinder 2 has a leak allowing coolant to settle in cylinder when vehicle is off. Exact location not determined. Due to age of vehicle, engine replacement recommended. Decided not to complete repair due to cost. 
90000 mi intake manifold changed under warranty 
60760 mi Traction battery capacity was reduced significantly 
39000 mi Replace inverter 
81000 mi

US $8
Oil level was low. No detectable leak. Repaired PCV valve and will need to bring car back in a month for them to look. Update: oil still a little low, but will just monitor for now. 
57040 mi Hybrid battery needed changing - was changed for free under extended guarentee 
230300 mi

US $160
Oil leaking from timing chain tensioner. Replaced timing chain tensioner and re-sealed (had to leave car overnight at the dealer to allow time for the sealant to cure. Free loaner car. 
267000 mi

US $594
EGR valve and heat exchanger were plugged with oil deposits. Dealer replaced EGR valve and attempted cleaning the EGR heat exchanger with solvent, but eventually had to replace it. 
87000 mi Cylinder 3 misfire. Dealer cleared code and it did not come back on. Engine, battery and system checked out OK. 
109000 mi

US $72
Engine light flashed, car fails to start on occasion. Dealership found no code stored and no issue. 12V Battery tested ok. 
29600 mi The oil trap door fell off. Toyota initially refused to pay for it, but I argued that it's not the fault of the owner (the oil is maintained by the dealer). They ultimately replaced the Oil Trap Door that would've cost $350. 
117000 mi

US $203
Replace oil pan gasket 

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2010 Toyota Prius 4dr Hatch

5000 mi My car failed its emission inspection. I took it to the dealer and was told I needed to drive it on at least 3 trips of at least 75 miles each to "reset" the computer. 
10000 mi I haven't actually taken it to be repaired yet; my impression is that the car jumps forward at times when I hit the brakes. It happens intermittently, not constantly. 
US $3000 The car just wouldn't start. I had it towed to the dealer and they said it needed a new inverter, for $3,000+. I was appalled, but it was cheaper than buying a new car. 
109120 mi

$450
Check Engine lit up and car stalled on Motorway. Towed to garage. After verification, electrician found out that sensors needed cleaning. No parts change required. 

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2010 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2010 Toyota Prius problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.