Worst 2009 Toyota Prius Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Headlight/Taillight Failures
Hydraulic Brakes
Unintended Acceleration
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2009 Toyota Prius.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 109 | 1 | — | 85,321 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 80 | 9 | — | 18,377 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 67 | 24 | — | 21,617 mi | |
| Brakes | 60 | 6 | 1 | 126,885 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 53 | 2 | 4 | 89,033 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 44 | 7 | — | 12,614 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 19 | 1 | — | 85,452 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 15 | — | — | 54,856 mi | |
| Traction Control System | 15 | 1 | — | 12,745 mi | |
| Airbags | 14 | 11 | — | 75,398 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 14 | 1 | — | 15,485 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 13 | 3 | — | 67,027 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 12 | — | — | 44,273 mi | |
| Body Structure | 12 | 6 | — | 81,135 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module | 11 | 1 | — | 4,591 mi | |
| Fuel System | 8 | — | 1 | 80,295 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 7 | 4 | — | 5,360 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 10,158 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 5 | 2 | — | 48,909 mi | |
| Instrument Cluster | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:Accelerator Pedal | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Headlights | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Floor Shift | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Prius. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2009 Toyota Prius
5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~1,448,437 vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Other Toyota Prius Years
2009 Toyota Prius — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2009 Toyota Prius reliable?
What are common problems with the 2009 Toyota Prius?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2009 Toyota Prius?
How safe is the 2009 Toyota Prius?
Does the 2009 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2009 Toyota Prius?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Prius reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2009 Toyota Prius
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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