3 Reasons To Steer Clear Of A 2010-2013 Toyota Prius

I am so glad that we purchased our 2009 Toyota Prius. Someone later in 2009 was telling me that I should have waited for the 2010... that was obviously wrong advice.

Our car has been great; very few problems. No oil burning issues, no head gadget issues, no inverter problems..

After reading this article, I wonder WHY designers mess with something that is successful and working. This unfortunately happens to other cars all the time....

Seems like the best way to buy a car is wait a couple years to see if it's vetted.....

Hi Peter, just curious if you or anyone else has data on these issues for the Toyota Auris hybrid/Lexus Ct200h of similar years since they share the same hybrid system? For some reason it tends to be publicized as a Prius problem. I've heard inverter problems regarding the Auris hybrid, but no one seems to report on the CT200h, so I'm wondering if there's a lack of data there, or that they're not really exactly the same, with some tweaks by Toyota/Lexus?

Inverter warranty was extended to 15 years, I had mine done no charge. Efr hasn’t plugged for me either, and the head gasket issues were 2010/2011 for the most part

Mines a 2012 with 175k

Lack of accountability by Toyota is four. We have a pearl white 2010 Prius with catastrophic paint failure. All other Toyota models with this paint color were recalled. BUT NOT THE PRIUS. Why is this?

The issue is way worse than this article leads you to believe not to mention covers many more Prius Years and models. If you are immunocompromised this can be a HUGE health risk. As a matter of fact court papers just hit the court on Sept 22 Beetle vs Toyota for anyone interested. Toyota hid the issue so therefore there were never recalls on the HVAC system. I for one being deathly allergic to mold and immunocompromised with an elderly father who also drives the car I would have NEVER even considered the car. Toyota has potentially put many people in harm's way over profits. It's not like a faulty switch or electrical issue that can just be switched having no impact on ones health. This is a whole other level of corporate greed and negligence.

2012 156,000 tires and oil. Never been to shop. Best vehicle i have ever owned.

Your article is a total nonsense. As a taxi driver, most of our fleet consists of Prius and Prius v models 2012 - 2018. Prius that I drive has 426k miles and I am really squeezing everything I can out of it. No major issues to report. Average other taxi mileage is about 300k. Average engine replace for rebuild is $1,700 with labor included. In conclusion, Prius 2012-2018 is a God of hybrids!

The 2010s burn oil. If you dont know and you drive without oil you will blow a head gasket. They fixed the problem from 2013 on. The Third Gen Prius is the best and most reliable. I have 3 currently. 2011 (214k burns oil), 2013 (378k!!!! original everything does not burn oil), 2014 (330k does not burn oil in 15k mile intervals bt changes - original battery and engine). I have blown an engine of a 2010 with 320k miles. As long as you and the previous owner don't let the car run out of oil and overheat it will last forever.

I happen to disagree with you on your review of the Priuses, I own a 2010 Prius which has been nothing but a fantastic vehicle! It is a cherished member for it's reliability with really very little maintenance, even with 113,000 mi on it! All I have done is change the oil every 5,000 miles and put tires on it, and of course change the air filters. I have six friends with the same stretch of years in your review and all of them feel the same way I do about their Priuses! Shame on you for condemning our cars to the scrap heap!

I have a 2011 Prius bought new and has 247,000 miles. I do all tune upsHad local high school auto shop clean the EGR valve. I also had them replace the PCV valve which over time was stuck in the open position causing oil usage. Car runs great.

I had to replace my Inverter at 120k, the parts/labor were free because it was covered by a service bulletin up to 150k. Otherwise, it’s been a super solid vehicle.

I have an 09 prius. Swapped out the battery and the car runs fine but the red triangle is still on and the engine never shuts off. Still getting about 40 miles per gallon though.

Does this apply to the 2013 plugin?

I just picked a 10 up, replaced hybrid battery and I gotta clean egr tube but with 267k on it, it seems to be going good no signs of a head gasket issue

I own Prius 2010, and I have over 215 K. None of problems that were mentioned happened to me. The head light I had to replace 3 times, only one bulb at the time, other than that it's an awesome car!!!

I just sold my 2010 Prius that put up a red triangle and said hybrid problem. It had 321928 miles on it. All I ever did was change oil, brakes and headlights. A guy drove 6 hours to my place, handed me $2300 and we loaded it on his car dolly. That b as d ass car didn't owe me a dime. Good job Toyota.

I have a 2007 Prius with 48k miles, fuel it up once a year, but because I'm broke now haven't changed the oil or had it tuned up in 4-5 years, I've only replaced the 12v 2x... I've been in 2 accidents 2008 & 2013 and it's still running like new.

Based on what's happening with Gen 3, I feel I wouldn't be so fortunate as I've been with my white Gen 2 I wash every time before going out, which is about 1x every 20 days to only drive about 2 miles radius.

Toyotas are the frckn best!

This article listed two problems I have already experienced with my 2012 Prius V.
It was trouble free for the first 9 years, when I got to the 80,000 km mark. Since then the EGR valve assembly was replaced because of carbon builduy ($1,350 for new valve and labour) and last week my car lost power while driving (@ 84,000 km) and all the the dashboard warning lights lit up, but I was able to park it safely. Had to have it towed to the workshop. The Toyota dealer called me up the next day to tell me that the inverter had to be replaced and it would cost $5,500 to repair. So the author, Peter Neilson, is spot on, buyer beware!

I own a 2013 Prius..I have 150K miles on it.and have.never experienced any of this problems!

Purchased a 2013 and 6 months later the engine needs to be replaced. Could I replaced with 4th gen battery, since getting a used gen 3 might present the same problem? If is, so which year do you recommend?

230k miles on my 2010, only replacement parts were a pair of rear hubs, $90 and an hour to replace them. One was bad, so I just did them both. I replaced the traction battery around 215k miles, and the 12v battery after about 9 years.

This is overblown. My 2010 has 240k miles, the only maintenance has been regular oil changes. That car doesn't owe me a dime, if I jinx myself and it blows tomorrow it still will have been a stellar vehicle.

2010 Prius. Night mare starting at 24k miles. 3 weeks after an oil change there was barely any oil in car. Dealership and Toyota rep said they would stand behind the engine. Burned oil like crazy. Begged dealership for help. Plus the EGR system had to be replaced. I had them repair any and all warranty I could find. They finally told me to get over the promise they made. So I bought a Mazda after barely getting 94K on the Prius. I had bought 4 cars from that Toyota dealership and I will drive to the next town before buying anything from them. Yes take the advice in this article.

That's may have happened to that person. But I have a 2002 Prius with 241K, running excellent. A 2004 with 379K, and a 2010 with 354K. 2010 over 5 yes needed brakes, a/c pump, and an inverter pump once about 5 yrs ago. Nothing else. The 2004 was similar needed water pump, muffler a couple of cells in the main battery, a blower fan.
The 2002 is very little as well. Tires small Aux battery in the trunk, front brakes, a few battery cells in the big battery pack. All cars need something. Just got to shop an find the best deals to have repairs done. Or do most yourself and send only the bigger jobs out.

There are more reasons. Thieves like taking a Prius caty converter compared to a Volt. These caty converters are not cheap at the dealers. And the theft can happen again. Oil blow back is another problem with Prius according to Scotty the mechanic and he is in love with toyota

There was a select no. That had blow by. I believe that is in the 2010. The 1.8L. as far as catalytic converters. They are extremely expensive. But all sorts of vehicles are getting the converters stolen.
But this is some sort of ring on the recycle industry as Thieves don't need to give up there info to get money for the converters.

I have a 2010 and a 2013. Never had a single problem other than normal wear and tear.