Used 2010 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews
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2010 Toyota Prius Money Pit
No-More-Priuses, 02/11/2023
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought a used 2010 Prius in 2019 (110K mi). Had it thoroughly checked out by an independent mechanic before buying. The shop gave it two thumbs up so I bought. Almost immediately, I noticed the car was struggling to accelerate but assumed this was just a consequence of it being a hybrid. But over the next five years, the sluggishness would get progressively worse, eventually turning into shaking at low speeds. Within a year of buying the car, the hybrid system failed. Two different Toyota dealerships warned me against using used batteries I could get online. I went ahead and had the local dealership put in a new battery. After taxes, about $4K. Most I've ever spent on ANY car maintenance ever. But I reasoned this was a good financial decision because I'd get, I expected, at least another 100K miles out of the car. Just routine maintenance for the next few years--the Toyota dealership scheduled maintenance, fluid changes, new tires, smaller battery replaced... All a lot more expensive than a non-hybrid vehicle, though... This week the dread "Check Engine" light came on. I'm now getting back from a local Toyota dealership. They found a P0401 error code. Their estimate to fix? Nearly $2K. $6K (+ routine maintenance costs) in just four years? Toyota certified mechanic told me today that I'll have to replace head gaskets "very soon"--another nearly $2K. What gives? I work from home and drive the car only a few miles a week--running errands like getting groceries... I have now spent more on a Prius' repairs than I spent on repairs for a '88 Camry, a '95 Accord, and an '10 M4 over their COMBINED ownership-lifespans. And now I'm expected to pony up another $4K? I'll be getting rid of this money pit as soon as possible and steering clear of these super high-tech cars moving forward. They're great deals for dealerships because we lowly plebes are less likely to be able to fix them. I'll either trade the car in, full disclosure on check-engine problem, for something very simple, reliable and economical OR I'll junk the car and join the growing community of car-share/car-rental people who work from home and need vehicles rarely. My parents both had Toyotas (Corolla, Camry) that, other than routine maintenance (oil change...) NEVER required major investments. My first car out of college was my grandmother's "retired" '95 Honda Accord--a tank then NEVER failed. I wrongly assumed a Prius would give me the same experience. Now I'm reading online about certain years of Toyota Prius that have exorbitant failure rates and repair costs. Of course, the 2010 Prius is among these. :(
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Great car!
Yooper Birrski, 03/03/2022
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The only negative to the car is how low it is to the ground and thus getting into and out of it. And while my wife enjoys it immensely, I find the driver's seat uncomfortable for long trips (an hour or more). Otherwise, it is an economical car to operate and handles well!
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2010 Toyota Prius for sale near you
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- II Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,450102 mi away
- II Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $8,995110 mi away
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Very Reliable, Fuel Efficient
Erick , 01/16/2021
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Amazing car for its reliability and fuel efficiency. High mileage doesn't seem to make any difference, it remains reliable and fuel efficient at 149 000 miles. It's also comfortable, roomy and offers high tech features. Best car I've ever had, and I've owned Volvo, Honda, Mazda, Opel, Audi, Ford, Pontiac etc
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Very Dependable And Uses Half The Gas
Edkolb5, 11/19/2017
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Prius - had a 2005 that was totaled in an accident with nearly 300k miles and still had no significant repairs - so expected similar with the 2010 and was not disappointed. Pros - Great mileage getting up to 60 mpg with cautious driving, consistent 45 mpg driving fast. No repair bills for engine, transmission, etc, in 5 years, just maintenance - brake pads, headlamps, etc. Can carry lots of items as hatchback. Still original starter battery and battery pack, good front wheel drive traction. Negative - Acceleration sufficient for interstate and on ramps, but not a fast car.
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My Prius still surges even after 'fix'
Betsyr, 06/03/2010
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought my Prius with high hopes, but soon the surges started. After the fix I was sure the surges would go away. They have not and I am having them more now. I understand that Toyota maintains that it is 'normal' to have that feeling of loss of brakes, but it's unacceptable. I take my foot off the gas way before an intersection and drive roads where I know the bumps. It works for the most part, but what will happen when I am on a 45 mph road and am cut off by someone on uneven surface! A wreck! A check on NHTSA shows that we are not the only people still having this problem! We want to trade-in but will lose 12k if we do. Lose money or possibly have a wreck - neither option is good.