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The Toyota Prius is a fantastic used car purchase. The Prius has proven itself to be a reliable, affordable vehicle in the used market. Toyota, and the Prius, both win awards over and over again for reliability, durability, and quality. So why the alarm? Not so much an alarm as a heads up that some years have proven less troublesome than others. So why buy one of the years owners have had issues with?
Toyota Prius Excessive Oil Consumption Issue
The Toyota Prius has experienced a problem with excessive oil consumption. The problem generally manifests itself shortly after the 100K miles mark. Not a bad time for a problem to start if you owned the car new. However, if you are buying it used, why buy into a problem?
Here’s what one owner said at CarComplaints.com about the issue:
“My 2010 Prius was able to go 10,000 between oil changes without issue and then it suddenly started consuming oil excessively when it reached around 100,000 miles. I now get the oil changed every 5,000 miles, but I still have to add 4 quarts of oil in between oil changes. There are no puddles of oil anywhere to indicate a leak, and there's no black smoke coming from the exhaust to indicate it is burning. I'm not sure where the oil is going but is definitely not in the engine. I understand that older vehicles need to have the oil checked and topped off regularly, but going from 10,000 miles between oil changes to having to refill 4 quarts of oil after around 3,000 miles, it's ridiculous. There was supposedly a lawsuit about this, and I heard that Corolla and Camry had a similar issue and the engines were replaced under a recall. Please recall the Prius and fix this issue!”
Which Year Used Toyota Prius To Avoid - Engine Problems
Is that the type of car you want to buy? You can avoid it. The two years in which the Prius most commonly had the oil consumption problem were 2010 and 2011. CarComplaints brands both years of the Toyota Prius with the ‘Avoid Like the Plague” stamp of disapproval.
Toyota Prius Lighting Issue
Another problem that used Toyota Prius owners often report relates to lighting. The lights go out, are replaced, and then fail again. Here’s what one owner told CarComplaints: “The headlamp failure in this Prius has now occurred for the 6th time. The first two times were covered by warranty - all subsequent failures I had to pay the cost of replacement. This must be a design flaw and Toyota has not responded to the many complaints that they have received on this problem.”
Which Year Used Toyota Prius To Avoid - Headlight Problems
The years that owners of used Toyota Prius cars most commonly report the headlight issue are 2003 through 2012. However, the problem seems most common in the years 2008 and 2009.
Since the oil consumption and also the headlight issue overlap the 2010 and 2011 model years, we suggest that used Prius shoppers consider a purchase of one of these two years carefully before buying.
Do you own a Toyota Prius with either of these problems? If so, tell us in the comments below how you dealt with it and if there was a successful fix. You may save a fellow Prius owner some trouble.
John Goreham is a life-long car nut and recovering engineer. John's focus areas are technology, safety, and green vehicles. In the 1990s, he was part of a team that built a solar-electric vehicle from scratch. His was the role of battery thermal control designer. For 20 years he applied his engineering and sales talents in the high tech world and published numerous articles in technical journals such as Chemical Processing Magazine. In 2008 he retired from that career and dedicated himself to chasing his dream of being an auto writer. In addition to Torque News, John's work has appeared in print in dozens of American newspapers and he provides reviews to many vehicle shopping sites. You can follow John on Twitter, and connect with him at Linkedin.
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Comments
I have 2010 Prius and maybe
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In reply to I currently have a 2010 with by Rick (not verified)
I have 2010 Prius and maybe every 2-3 years I replaced some headlight bulbs. Nothing out of the normal for standard type headlights.
I have 195K miles on the vehicle and after oil changes and after a few thousand miles I'll have to add up to one quart of oil before the next 5000 mile oil change.
Many years ago I had a brand new VW that when brand new burned oil 10 times as much.
So can't say it's a big problem. I just xheck the oil every two weeks and add a little bit if necessary. Overall the car has been great transportation and reliable. I did have emissions mod update around 100k courtesy of Toyota. And I've changed other fluids a few times as normal maintenance. Still running the same HV batteries but changed the low voltage battery once in the trunk.
I run Michelin defender tires which handle well with the car.
I had some whining noise coming from my Sirius XM external receiver plugged into the aux input on the car but this whine noise went away when I plugged in a Verizon Hum tracking module. The car still has Toyota Connect tracking and emergency call button but because it works on 3G it will be discontinued in 2022. So my Guidepoint and hum units will be backup.
Overall my 2010 Prius has been a great car. And I like the second lower trunk under the normal trunk that Toyota now did away with.
Have 2008 Prius with 300000
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Have 2008 Prius with 300000 replaced headlights 2-3 times on each side change oil 5000 miles interval have to add 1 quart at 2500.
Small price for a 12 year old car. Trying to make 400000
Hu I am from Malta, after
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In reply to Have 2008 Prius with 300000 by Jim (not verified)
Hu I am from Malta, after 300kmiles how the performance of the battery, & how much the distance ( approximately) the car drives with battery alone . Thanks
I drive a 2011 Prius with 175
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I drive a 2011 Prius with 175,000 miles on odo
Have had since new. Zero oil consumption. Zero headlight issues. Zero issues to speak of.
I would choose an early Prius over the plague any day
How Often do you change your
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In reply to I drive a 2011 Prius with 175 by Tim (not verified)
How Often do you change your oil? I keep reading people changing the Prius oil at 10,000 miles that seems like a lot of miles to wait for an oil change. Even if it's factory recommended I wish to go electric or hybrid and I'm really serious about the Prius.
Most new cars now recommend
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In reply to How Often do you change your by TBGood (not verified)
Most new cars now recommend 10k. They'll bring you into the dealer every 5 for tire rotations and to check, but beyond that 10k for oil changes, at least for the first 100k miles.
i have two Prius models a
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i have two Prius models a 2011 Prius 2 and a 2012 Prius V. I gave the 2011 to my son when i bought the 2012. The 2011 has 125000 miles on it and has been a wonderful car. The 2012 though is POS, Toyota recalled a million 2012 Prius for brake issues but excluded the Prius V. Low and behold after my batteries went out at 65,000 miles (fortunately covered by warranty) I started to get four different brake idiot lights coming up at 68,000 miles. I was told it would cost $4600 to repair and they wouldn't guarantee that it would'nt return. I traded it in from a BMW
My wife and I both have 2005
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My wife and I both have 2005 Prius'. I have 215k miles and she has 160k. Aside from the frequent tire changes and my car now using a quart of oil every few thousand miles (not the same for my wife's car, which possibly reflects my more aggressive driving style), the cars have been wonderful. At 210k, I needed a hybrid water pump and over the 15 years two starter batteries, one recent brake change and one headlight. Small prices to pay for cars that will likely go another 100k+ miles.
I have a 2010 Prius with 113k
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I have a 2010 Prius with 113k on it currently. To my knowledge I don't have the oil problem but now I feel like I need to check it. I did have the headlight problem but mine was covered under a recall that was done in the last two years that replaced the wiring harness for them and I haven't had an issue since. I would suggest anyone with the headlight issue look and see if their car is part of that recall. Even if not, those lights are very easy to replace yourself. I love this car and I'm driving it until it implodes.
Own a 2010 Prius. Have
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Own a 2010 Prius. Have replaced headlights multiple times. Burning a quart of oil about every 3 to 4 thousand miles. Car has 205,000 miles and is still going strong. Changed one front wheel bearing and have to replace one rear bearing. Biggest expense I've had was a fuel pump that failed around 180,000 miles. Love my car
I have a 2010 Prius with 98K
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I have a 2010 Prius with 98K miles and have never experienced a single problem. I get the oil changed every 10k miles and don't even bother to check the oil between oil changes. It's the most trouble free car I have ever owned. Odd that you say to avoid this model year.
I agree I am the original
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In reply to I have a 2010 Prius with 98K by michael mcgrady (not verified)
I agree I am the original owner of a 2010 Prius with 64146 miles almost completely NYC miles and horrible roads. Street parked since birth and hit with every element from snow to acid rain and never had a problem. Rain washed with dollar general car wash at least once a month even the paint holds up. Brother in-law even crashed it on the left side scrapped it on a wall and she still won't die. I even spent a month living out of the car running it overnight to stay warm and again still won't die. I since had the side damage repaired but man best $20 in gas I have ever spent I'll never get a Tesla ever or anything electric ever unless it's a hybrid Toyota.
Better start checking your
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In reply to I have a 2010 Prius with 98K by michael mcgrady (not verified)
Better start checking your oil one of these days you're going to find it it's so far down you might blow your engine I have a 2010 Prius with 238000 Miles mine Burns a quart of oil every thousand and it started it about a hundred k
My 2010 prius started burning
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In reply to Better start checking your by Dave N Noble (not verified)
My 2010 prius started burning oil @200k. Oil change, then when a little low, 20oz of acetone to clean the piston rings. Do that until you see the decrease in oil burning. I did change the cv valve as well.
I drive with my headlights on
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I drive with my headlights on day and night. I purchased a 2008 Prius new and the headlights burned out at about 40,000 miles. After going through a couple of sets of cheap China bulbs I purchased Sylvania bulbs. it's been over a hundred thousand miles and my Sylvania bulbs are still burning bright.
I had an 06 and 07 Prius’
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I had an 06 and 07 Prius’ that I bought used both with about 145,000 miles. They both started using oil around 200,000 miles. These take conventional oil and I started adding Lucas Oil treatment at each oil change and they went from a quart every 1000 miles to 1 qt between 5000 mile oil changes. Both cars are doing well and now have about 260,000 on each. My only real issue with these cars is the 07 has had three rear wheel bearings go out and the 06 had one replaced. One failure happened on a long 1400 mile trip and created a very dangerous driving experience. The mechanic couldn’t believe the wheel didn’t come off. Just have them checked when the tires are rotated. These cars are still in the family and I haven’t had any other issues. They are great cars.
My 2004 Prius has two
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My 2004 Prius has two problems. The lights started burning out at about 180,000 miles. I have to have them replaced a lot now. My son began putting in the cheaper headlights. That is bad, because they do not broadcast out enough to give me good front headlight vision. That is a safety issue for me. Wish Toyota had an alert signal that warned when lights go out. One day I was stopped by a cop after a headlight burned out. He said none of my cars lights were working, not a one, they had all burned out! 2 months earlier I had gone in for an oil change, and all my lights were checked and working. Driving without lights cost me a $300 ticket, plus $600 more for lost points and 3 years of increased car insurance costs = $900! Another problem, right from the beginning, is the acceleration from a break situation on wet or icy conditions. The road condition reader hiccups and spins in this weather setting, it's very disconcerting. I would not trust this car in rainy or snowy conditions. Fortunately I live in dry sunny CA, so I do not experience this problem often. But, when I do, it gives me great anxiety.
Sounds like that assWhole cop
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In reply to My 2004 Prius has two by Libby (not verified)
Sounds like that assWhole cop needed to hit his quota.
You state two seperate
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You state two seperate problems with one complaint each. Dumb. I have 2 Prius', 2007 and 2012. No problems...EVER. Get real. Prius' are some the best cars built on the planet....all years.
I own a 2009 Prius and Ive
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I own a 2009 Prius and Ive had it since 2010 and 160K miles later, My Perseus, my prius' name, has had a good life. I've experienced the headlight issue and that's it. If anyone has a suggestion on the headlight situation, I'm all ears. I've had to replace my lights at least 6 times in the past 2 years!
I owned a 2007 Prius which
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I owned a 2007 Prius which developed a serious oil consumption issue after 100k miles. I started adding Bar's Leaks engine oil additive. It seemed to start reducing the consumption, but unfortunately the car was totaled a few months later, so I wasn't able to determine how fully effective the additive could be. Great car, and it saved my life in the accident. Give Bar's Leaks a try.
I owmed 2010 pruis and it ran
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I owmed 2010 pruis and it ran fine till 50k then I had to add a quart every 1000 mile, it was so annoying , finally I recked the car and lost it for ever.
I will not buy any pruis anymore, my prefrred vehicle now is Honda accord.
I had a 2001 corolla and have
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I had a 2001 corolla and have still 2006 Prius both had and have the Oil consumption issue no permanent resolution just keep topping the oil and the 2006 Prius also has the heat lamp issue no mechanic has been able to give a permanent resolution. I just turn it On and Off and it will be Ok anywhere from 30 mins to 2 hours other than that my 2006 Prius with. 200k plus miles purrs like a kitten and runs like a Cheetah.
Another common issue is with
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Another common issue is with 2007 and 2011 Prius model is the MFD(Multi function display). The touch screen loose its capabilities and no amount of press the screen will budge. Had to replace the MFD in 2007 and change the digitizer screen over the LCD panel.
I owned a 2006, 2009 and 2010
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I owned a 2006, 2009 and 2010. 2006 had no issues, got hit and it was totalled. The 2009 was using oil at 200k traded it in on the 2010. Nothing but issues with the 2010. Hybrid battery had to be replaced four times, head gasket blew and I just junked it. Done with Prius' now.
I have a 2007 prius that I
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I have a 2007 prius that I bought new. It was a great car with absolutely no problems until about the 90k mark and then the oil consumption issue happened. Currently the other problem at about 105k is the catalytic converter which I assumed was from burning oil. I have to add 4 quarts in between 5k mile oil changes. Still, it is the best car I have ever owned.
My 2012 Prius had three
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My 2012 Prius had three headlights burn out within a year and so I just went out and bought an aftermarket LED headlight system and have never had a problem since. Headlights would have been like 55 watts and these LEDs only take 35 watts.
I bought a used 2007, from a
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I bought a used 2007, from a friend with low mileage in 2012 or 2013. It's now over 105K, only problems I've had are the battery fails in an odd way, when driving up a parking ramp. It has happened twice.
It's frightening, with the siren going, & all lights flashing. I believe that it is the accessory battery, which was recently replaced. Once I turn the car off, the lights go off quickly. The mechanics have no answer.
I just made a purchase of an Insight as my main car. I love this Prius though!
I would suggest avoiding a
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I would suggest avoiding a 2010 Prius - besides the above problems the brake actuator/booster is a "voluntary" recall by Toyota for up to 150,000 miles.(My car has 153,000). So I have to pay over $2000 for that, then the part that Toyota has to replace it won't work with your master cylinder, so you have to replace that - another $1000.Luckily the dealer is helping me a little with labor, but the Toyota will do nothing.
2013 still has the light
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2013 still has the light issues (my ex-husband owned a 2010 and there has been zero improvement that I can tell between those years). I replaced the passenger headlight yesterday for the second time this year. I have been through easily twice as many headlights in the five years I have owned this car as I did in the 16 years that I owned my Civic.