KNOWN FAULTS · Toyota

Known faults for the Toyota Prius (III).

2009–2015 · Hybrid / Plug-in hybrid

Sources are not verified in real time and no entry confirms that your car is affected.

4 known faults with sources

Engines: 1.8 Hybrid (Hybrid) · Prius Plug-in (Plug-in hybrid)

Applies if: The Prius Plug-in uses the same 1.8 hybrid engine (2ZR-FXE).

Clogged EGR and head gasket on the 1.8 hybrid (2ZR-FXE)Engine

Engine / equipment: 1.8 hybrid (2ZR-FXE): Prius III, Prius+ and Auris hybrid
Period mentioned: Approx. 2010–2015
Symptoms: Knocking or rattling on cold start, misfires (P0301–P0304), coolant loss and, eventually, a damaged head gasket.
Possible cause described: The EGR cooler and passages clog with soot; uneven gas distribution causes knock and misfires that end up damaging the head gasket. Toyota issued a technical bulletin (T-SB-0116-15) for the 2010–2015 Prius.
Check for the garage: Read the misfire codes, watch the coolant level and clean the EGR cooler, valve and manifold preventively; if coolant is lost with no visible leak, run a combustion-gas test.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.8 Hybrid (Hybrid) · Prius Plug-in (Plug-in hybrid)

Clogged hybrid battery cooling fan and filterHigh-voltage battery

Engine / equipment: Hybrid battery cooled with cabin air (intake next to the rear seat): Prius, Yaris, Auris, Corolla, C-HR, RAV4, Camry and others
Period mentioned: 2003 onwards
Symptoms: Hybrid battery cooling maintenance message, warning light with codes P0A80 or P0A7F, a noisy fan and less electric assistance; if ignored, the battery ages faster.
Possible cause described: Dust, pet hair or dirt block the filter and fan that cool the battery; so do objects covering the intake. Toyota USA issued bulletin T-SB-0074-20 (2003–2020 Prius and Camry, Corolla, Highlander, RAV4 and Mirai hybrids up to 2020) and recommends cleaning the filter every 5,000 miles (about 8,000 km).
Check for the garage: Clean or replace the filter and clean the fan before condemning the battery; keep the intake grille clear. At the garage, read the codes and, if needed, install the software Toyota specifies.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.8 Hybrid (Hybrid) · Prius Plug-in (Plug-in hybrid)

Applies if: Weak points of this model from inspections, breakdown statistics and recalls; anything specific to one engine is stated in the sheet.

Applies if: The Plug-in shares body and engine with the Prius III, but the guide does not cover it separately: confirm by VIN.

Curtain airbag, rusty discs and battery on the Prius IIIKnown weak points

Engine / equipment: Toyota Prius III (ZVW30 / ZVW35)
Period mentioned: 2009–2016
Symptoms: Rusty brake discs (little used because of regenerative braking), shock absorbers worn from about 200,000 km, a high-voltage battery that discharges (isolated cases in 2010 and 2011) and squeaks and easily scratched interior plastics.
Possible cause described: Cracks in a weld of the curtain airbag’s gas generator (built 2010–2012) could fire it for no reason and throw out parts: worldwide recall. Battery discharge can only be fixed by a Toyota garage.
Check for the garage: Check the airbag recall by VIN; brake hard now and then to clean the discs and check them at every service; have the hybrid battery’s condition checked.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Engines: 1.8 Hybrid (Hybrid)

Prius inverter coolant pumpElectric powertrain

Engine / equipment: Hybrid inverter cooling circuit
Period mentioned: 2003–2015
Symptoms: Hybrid-system warning, a fan that keeps running with the car off and a risk of the inverter overheating.
Possible cause described: The electric pump of the inverter circuit can fail; without circulation, the inverter and transmission overheat. Using a coolant other than specified can clog the passages.
Check for the garage: Check the inverter reservoir level and whether the coolant circulates, read the codes and test the pump before condemning the inverter; ask Toyota about campaigns for the VIN.
Cost cited in the source: No verified estimate; ask the garage for a quote.A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.