10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
89,684 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2010 Toyota Prius engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 5 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #57

Mar 142017

Prius

  • 98,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2010 Toyota Prius failed an oil engine consumption test at 98,000 miles. It burned 3 quarts in 1,100 miles. Toyota has service bulletin issued in November 2016 to cover this car but inherently, it isn't covered. I have service records that this was happening in June 2015 at 82000 miles, before I bought the car in Sept 2016. Toyota will only cover half of $3000 cost of repair. Issue appears to be widespread, across many models from what I've read online and experienced in the dealership. Toyota's failure to address this situation when it has been happening for years is highly alarming, considering it affects a major part of the engine.

- Columbia, MO, USA

problem #56

Feb 012017

Prius

  • 78,000 miles
On picking up my Prius after routine maintenance, I was told that it was 3 quarts low in engine oil. I was stunned as I had had no warning of low oil pressure or loss of performance. The dealer is conducting an "oil consumption test" to measure how much oil will be consumed in 1200 miles. The estimated repair cost was $2000, but my husband who is very knowledgeable about engines doesn't believe the suggested repair will fix the problem. I have only recently become aware that this is a prevalent problem with late model Toyota, not just Prius. The customer service agent and the service tech we spoke with were cagey when asked how frequently they have seen this problem. I believe Toyota is very aware of the issue, but are willfully not addressing a remedy.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #55

Jul 012015

Prius

  • 80,101 miles
Excessive use of oil began at 80,000 miles. Dealership said that it was normal for my model and if I kept an eye on it and kept oil in it everything would be ok. I do not get a warning light. One time I had to put over 3 quarts into it--no warning. I now check it every 800 miles and must put a quart of oil in about every 1000 miles.

- Ellijay, GA, USA

problem #54

Jan 022017

Prius 4-cyl

  • 102,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption after having my oil changed at the dealership at 100K miles, I left on a cross-country trip. During the trip, the low oil pressure signal flashed on my dashboard. Upon pulling over and checking the oil, I found there was no oil in the engine at all. I added 4 quarts checking the level in increments with the dipstick, and continued. I had to add an additional quart of oil to the engine over the following week, until returning home. Upon returning, the dealership refused to accept any responsibility for the issue and informed me that I needed new pistons and rings. They did not inform me that this is a recurring issue with my generation of Prius and were quite firm that it was not their problem. There is not reason that a Toyota with 100,000 mile on it should randomly start burning excessive amounts of oil within a few thousand miles of an oil and filter change. All of the maintenance is performed at the dealership at the specified intervals, and I would expect that Toyota would stand behind a Toyota that is maintained per Toyota specifications.

- Savannah, GA, USA

problem #53

Aug 102015

Prius

  • 92,000 miles
At 92,000 miles my vehicle started to burn oil excessively, I made multiple trips to the dealership, they did multiple tesst and continued to maintain(per Toyota corporate) that I was within Toyota guidelines. This causes me to fill oil every 400-600 miles to be safe and I have found it completely devoid of oil many times.I understand from the dealership that some of the Prius models have also had this issue and have been showing up at the dealership but the company has refused to correct the problem. This has me concerned - there needs to be something done about this excessive oil consumption as my engine could completely cease at any time causing a massive safety hazard. I have all the records and formal complaint to Toyota on file. I have tried to work with them in good faith until now.

- Newhall, CA, USA

problem #52

Aug 012016

Prius

  • miles
My Toyota Prius has not been identified as one of the models in this class action law suit, but approximately four months ago, at 110,000 miles, my vehicle started to burn oil excessively, causing me to have to fill it every 1,200 miles. I take it in for maintenance to the same person at the same dealership since I have owned the car new. I was notified of this problem with the piston rings with the other Toyota models and that some of the Prius models have also had this issue. This has me very concerned that other owners have been left out of this suit. Considering there are millions of Prius owners that have stood behind Toyota and the Prius as the top hybrid on the market, there needs to be something done about this. Toyota oil consumption defect class action lawsuit is April lax, et al. V. Toyota motor corporation, et al., case no. 14-cv-01490, in the U.S. district court for the northern district of California.

- Sherman Oaks, CA, USA

problem #51

Nov 012016

Prius

  • 120,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Excessive oil consumption. This problem is identical to the hundreds I have read on the exact same vehicle. It is already well documented by owners.

- Canyon Lake, TX, USA

problem #50

Oct 112016

Prius

  • 161,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption. The car is consuming 1 quart of oil every 1,200 miles and has failed an oil consumption test performed by the dealer.

- Hutchinson, KS, USA

problem #49

Aug 092016

Prius

  • 123,363 miles
Toyota refuses to provide any documentation or tsb explaining why 2010- 4 cyl. (2zrfxe) sc20hr11 90919-01253 was superseded by sc16hr11 90919-01275 spark plug

- Fresno, CA, USA

problem #48

Apr 202016

Prius

  • 95,188 miles
Oil warning system came on 4-20-16. Oil change not due for another 1000 miles. Garage changed oil at 95188 miles. Less than 4 months later on Aug. 9,2016, oil warning system came on. I watched as 3 quarts of oil were added at mileage 99712, 4524 miles later. Prius is using 1 quart of oil for every 1500 miles.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #47

Aug 132016

Prius

  • 80,063 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Over the past three weeks I have noticed the check major system light flickering when turning to the left or right or coming to a sudden stop. I took my car in for the 80,000 mile check and told the service technician what I had seen. He told me he could tell me what the issue was without looking at the car. He said the car was burning excessive oil, the issue has been reported to Toyota and he would file a case with them for me. He also told me the cost was about $3000 to fix the problem, that I may or may not hear back from Toyota about this. When they finished servicing my car the technician told me they had added extra oil to top it off. This is the first Toyota I have owned. I bought it new and have never had an issue with it. I have taken it in for every maintenance check. I was disappointed that Toyota knows about this issue and has done nothing to notify owners of the issue.

- Stanley, NC, USA

problem #46

Feb 242016

Prius

  • 93,000 miles
Excess oil consumption at 93,000 miles. The Toyota dealer has told me that it will cost $13,000 to replace the engine and that is my only option.

- Richland, WA, USA

problem #45

May 042016

Prius

  • 110,000 miles
Used 2 qts of oil for every 1500 miles. There are no leaking of oil found under engine

- Sterling, VA, USA

problem #44

Jun 022016

Prius

  • 170,000 miles
I have had our pruis for a while now and I loved the car. Now the car is a nightmare and a danger. The engine is burning oil at an alarming rate and couldn't figure out why. We are having to put oil in it every couple of days. It did stall once, so I checked everything I could and then noticed there was hardly any oil on dip stick after change oil a couple of days before. The dealership doesn't tell you anything about the hazardous or recalls for the car. They just tell you to get another oil change. Its recommended every 3,000-5,000 miles but every 1,000 miles is ridiculous plus extremely expensive if you add it up. We cant afford to have the engine rebuilt either. Toyota needs to do something about this problem. I cant believe they know of the problem and don't care about their customers' safety. I also read some other complaints and issues with the oil burning off causing harmful gases. My wife was back and forth to the doctor for throat issues. I believe it was the car all long, hundreds in doctor bills for their lack of humanity. So here we go again, another visit to the dealership. I want this problem fixed by Toyota. We might have to take legal action.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #43

May 132016

Prius

  • 89,000 miles
2010 Toyota Prius suddenly lost power while driving at speed. My wife was able to pull over, and after a few minutes the car again appeared to be operating normally. This has now happened twice while driving on an interstate. After the first occurrence the Toyota dealership said they could find no computer codes that indicated any problem. Now it's six months later, and the same thing happened again.

- Dryden, NY, USA

problem #42

May 012015

Prius

  • miles
The engine is burning oil at an alarming rate: Over a quart in less than 1200 miles. The problem began before the odometer turned 100,000 miles.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #41

Jan 152015

Prius

  • 78,000 miles
The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Prius. While driving 45 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to be pulled over. The vehicle was restarted and resumed normal operation. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 78,000.

- Vero Beach, FL, USA

problem #40

Feb 102016

Prius

  • 116,000 miles
Car is burning excessive amounts of oil. Dealer told me (over phone) that triangle was from taking corners too fast (dealer has since said this was inaccurate info). Oil change for life (every 10K miles) at dealer and no one has ever notified me that car is using oil. 6,000 miles after last oil change, over 3 1/2 quarts of oil used. I nearly locked up the engine. Car is not leaking oil. Car sometimes smells of oil after starting. Toyota has extended warranty for certain models for this same problem, but not for Prius. My car has 117,000 miles and this problem has been going on for at least the last 25,000 miles (based upon orange warning triangle). According to dealer, problem is with rings (which is the recall for other Toyota cars). Also, according to dealer, this is a real problem for other Prius owners with 100,000+ miles. I consider this very dangerous to safe operation of vehicle and fumes from burnt oil.

- Frederick, MD, USA

problem #39

Dec 012015

Prius

  • 76,000 miles
Burning oil issue. Front head light short circuit or burned out. Leather seat separated twice.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

problem #38

Jan 142016

Prius

  • 60,000 miles
I along with an alarming amount of others have experienced the 2010 Prius begin to burn oil at an alarmingly high rate around 60-80K miles. This is accompanied with an emission into the cabin of noxious fumes during high oil burn rate (heavier acceleration) moments. We have all been told by the dealerships that this is "normal". this has led to burning over a quart of oil every 1000 miles, headaches from the fumes, and now I have found out there is substantial soot buildup in the engine resulting from the oil burning requiring very costly repairs. Toyota refuses to do anything to help or even acknowledge the costly issue.

- Latexo, TX, USA

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