KnownCarProblems2009 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 502 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Prius, most often about the brakes (31% of complaints, typically around 18,000 miles). It is 8th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2009 Toyota Prius problems
Brakes
155 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock.
I own a 2009 Prius and I have noticed numerous times when I am driving at a slow rate of speed and I hit a bump, I lose control of the car for a split second. It seems the brakes lose traction. When this happens, I notice a orange light on the dash lights up for a second.
I wish to report a breaking problem with my 1999 Toyota Prius. This occured in about sept. 2009. I have a 2009 Toyota Prius that had about 18,000 miles on it at the time of this failure. I had just pulled out of a gas station (for gas only) when I got a number of warning lights on the dash board. (about 4 as I recall)…
Lights
111 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: headlights.
My driver side head light goes out at least once every time I drive with them on. It may go out several times before I arrive at my destination. I have to turn my lights off and then on again to have the light come on. It is very hard to see when the light is out and I have even been stopped by the police because I…
The hid headlights started to flicker and went off. Repeatedly happened. First the passenger side then the driver side. I had the hid headlights replaced two days ago. The passenger headlight was still dimmed, the driver's side seemed fine. Today, the driver's side went off again and won't turn back on. The passenger…
Speed control
71 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles. Parts named most often: accelerator pedal.
I noticed on my Toyota Prius 2009 takes about a second or two to actually brake. I noticed that even when I start braking slightly the car does slow down but I have to press harder (more than half way in) for the car to respond on braking.
2009 Toyota Prius issue: dealership: there has been no response/recommendation despite multiple voicemails and email dated 2/6/10 to [email] Toyota: awaiting response from Toyota case manager after two phone calls, once on 2/9/10 and one on 2/10/10. Summary: 1. I want to bring to your notice that I experienced a…
Electrical
60 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, starter assembly, 12v/24v/48v battery, propulsion system.
There has been no injuries or vehicle damage. I left off total repair cost because the repair shop has not finished solving the problem. In 2013 I started have having headlight problems and have it about three months since. I have replaced the headlight bulbs several times on both sides. One time the headlights would…
Complete shutdown of Prius automobile with no warning while in motion on a city street. Rolled to a stop in safe area. Nothing worked except emergency blinkers. No instrumentation or warning lights appeared. The car was locked in FWD park and could not be towed by flatbed tow truck as there is no override. Lift tow…
Service Brakes, Electric
44 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles.
I noticed on my Toyota Prius 2009 takes about a second or two to actually brake. I noticed that even when I start braking slightly the car does slow down but I have to press harder (more than half way in) for the car to respond on braking.
I have a 2009 Prius, purchased in march 2009. Several times my brakes have stopped working on rough surfaces and the surged forward. Each time I was attempting to stop for a traffic light. I would brake, the brakes would work, and then I would hit a rough patch in the road, the brakes would stop working, and the car…
Engine
26 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, engine.
When my 2009 Toyota Prius reached approximately 65,000 miles, the check engine light came on, and the error code was p1121, indicating a problem with the coolant control valve. I took the car to my local Toyota dealership, and their charge for replacing the part was $400. The mechanic who inspected the valve said it…
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the engine started to rev and vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. The vehicle was restarted after waiting a movement but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was awaiting a diagnosis. The…
Fuel system
24 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 20,500 miles.
I have written Toyota on several occasions and they have failed to respond. I own a 2009 Prius. First,navigation system is very poor and sends you to wrong addresses. On aug 17,2009,the fuel gauge was at one bar and a red triangle came on dash and car started pulling and dragging. I pulled off of the road on the…
I was sitting on a road in traffic with my car running but in park because I was waiting for a train to pass before proceeding. The car jumped forward when the vehicle changed fuel modes from the electric engine to the gas engine. I almost hit the person in front of me. When I contacted the dealership service…
Transmission
22 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline.
Loss of engine power in 2009 Toyota Prius. When accelerating into traffic in wet or low traction conditions every time one of the front wheels looses traction, the engine abruptly goes to idle for 3 seconds and the car severely decelerates. Only by removing your foot completely from the gas pedal and reapplying…
I was gliding into a commercial parking space with my foot off the accelerator in the second before I moved my foot onto the brake. Suddenly, the accelerator pushed down by itself, the car surged forward towards the truck in the space in front of mine. I slammed on the brake. End of incident. No mat was in the way. I…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2009 Toyota Prius recalls
Seats
Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Fix: Southeast toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on march 21, 2013. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota distributors, llc (set) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 tacoma, 4runner, camry, camry hybrid, prius, and rav4; model year 2009-2010 avalon, fj cruiser, and highlander hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year corolla, sienna and tundra; model year 2009-2013 highlander and venza; model year 2012 prius v; and model year 2010-2012 sequoia. During modification by set to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest dvd systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: The corroded coil wire may break and the water pump could stop. The corroded coil wire could cause a short circuit between coil wires and a possible open fuse, creating a stall-like condition of the hybrid system while the vehicle is being driven. This may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify its owners, and dealers will replace the electric water pump, free of charge. The recall began on january 17, 2013. Owners may contact their toyota dealer or the toyota customer experience center at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 prius vehicles manufactured august 6, 2003, through march 30, 2009 and fchv-adv vehicles manufactured december 12, 2008, through september 13, 2011. During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire. The coil wire may corrode at the scratched portion.
Steering: shaft sector
Risk: Over time, the splines may wear and eventually fail resulting in a loss of steering ability, increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the extension shaft and replace it if it is one with insufficient hardness, free of charge. The recall began during december 2012. Owners may contact their toyota dealer or the toyota customer experience center at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2009 prius vehicles manufactured august 5, 2003, through march 30, 2009. The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear. These splines may have been manufactured with an insufficient hardness.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact gulf states toyota at 713-580-3300.
Full defect summary
Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on may 27, 2010. Owners may contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Full defect summary
Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.
Speed control: accelerator pedal
Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal. These changes address the risk of pedal entrapment due to interference with the floor mat. Redesigned accelerator pedals will become available beginning in april 2010 and dealers will replace any modified pedal with the new pedal if desired. Also, dealers will replace any genuine toyota or lexus all-weather floor mats with redesigned all-weather mats, or repurchase the previous mats from owners who do
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Intermediate steering shaft separation
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a january 2013 defect petition requesting that it open an investigation on model year (my) 2004-2009 toyota prius vehicles to address a possible manufacturing safety defect related to the steering column intermediate shaft.during the defect petition evaluation, odi: 1.reviewed the petition and its enclosures; 2.reviewed the subject steering system layout; 3.examined the petition vehicle?s history, including its repair history; 4.reviewed and followed-up potentially related consumer complaints; 5.assessed safety recalls 06v-188 and 12v-537; and, 6.requested and examined complaint, claim, field report, service history, and warranty information
Questions about the 2009 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (155 complaints, typically around 18,000 miles); lights (111 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); speed control (71 complaints, typically around 10,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Prius have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from January 16, 2013 (seats). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2009 a bad year for the Toyota Prius?
- It is 8th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 502 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.