Is the 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID reliable?

The 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID has 8 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: excellent. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?

Top problems: BRAKES (3 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (1 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID is approximately $1,366/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID has 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 18. The most common issue is brakes problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: the brake system abs not works. the car was in motion on the street when the system abs stopped working and the warning lights in dashboard. the brake pedal is lowered unexpectedly and the car continues non-stop until the pedal is repeatedly depressed again. diagnostic in dealer toyota , kend. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

4 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 6)

BRAKES

3 complaints

38%

• THE BRAKE SYSTEM ABS NOT WORKS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET WHEN THE SYSTEM ABS STOPPED WORKING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWERED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CAR CONTINUES NON-STOP UNTIL THE PEDAL IS REPEATEDLY DEPRESSED AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC IN DEALER TOYOTA , KEND
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND DROVE INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL EVEN WITH THE CONTA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“THE BRAKE SYSTEM ABS NOT WORKS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET WHEN THE SYSTEM ABS STOPPED WORKING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWERED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CAR CONTINUES NON-STOP UNTIL THE PEDAL IS REPEATEDLY DEPRESSED AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC IN DEALER TOYOTA , KEND”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (1)

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW30/06/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.

Risk: If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is Toyota G0U, and Lexus GLJ.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2010 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,366

Full coverage / month

$114

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1366

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2010 PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 8 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: THE BRAKE SYSTEM ABS NOT WORKS. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE STREET WHEN THE SYSTEM ABS STOPPED WORKING AND THE WARNING LIGHTS IN DASHBOARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS LOWERED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE CAR CONTINUES NON-STOP UNTIL THE PEDAL IS REPEATEDLY DEPRESSED AGAIN. DIAGNOSTIC IN DEALER TOYOTA , KEND
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (MORE THEN A QUART EVERY 800 MILES)
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THIS RECALL NO LONGER APPEARS ON YOUR WEBSITE: 2010-2014 PRIUS RECALL HTTPS://WWW.CONSUMERREPORTS.ORG/CRO/NEWS/2014/02/TOYOTA-RECALLS-1-9-MILLION-PRIUS-HYBRIDS-FOR-SHUTDOWN-RISK/INDEX.HTM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO SWITCH THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BACKWARDS AND DROVE INTO A NEIGHBOR'S YARD. THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL EVEN WITH THE CONTA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)