ToyotaPrius2010Overview/toyota/prius/2010/base/

2010 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 Prius.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2010 Toyota Prius is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission using variable gear ratios, with Toyota specifying 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 API oil and EPA ratings of 51/48/50 mpg. Its service specifications and fuel-economy ratings are well-defined, though the model year also carries 10 recalls and 2,819 owner complaints, the leading concern being the Service Brakes, Hydraulic category. Within the 2000–2026 Prius complaint history, the 2010 model registers the highest volume of owner reports, which positions it as the most frequently cited model year in the archive and the natural starting point for any reliability assessment of the nameplate.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182010

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy51/48/50 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S46B24R · 325 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S46B24R · 325 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLEFTOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA6
Engine air filter1780137021
Spark plug9091901275
Battery2880037092
Front wiper blades8521247040 alt 8522275011
Thermostat1632637020 alt 1603137010
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Curb weight3042 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined51 / 48 / 50 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.7–10.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.70 sec — 2010 III Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2010III Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh9.70 sec17.30 sec134 hpFWD
2010I Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh9.80 sec17.30 sec134 hpFWD
2010IV Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.00 sec17.60 sec134 hpFWD
2010V Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.60 sec134 hpFWD
2010IV Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.60 sec17.90 sec134 hpFWD
2011III Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh9.70 sec17.30 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.20 sec17.60 sec134 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil, 80W-90 · GL-5 in the differential. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil80W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing12-16 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity.90-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity4.95 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS46B24R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance325 cca

Service checks

RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance0.3-100 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression89.5
Engine Oil Pressure8.7 psi @ Idle, 21 psi @ 2500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle42 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
345 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.45 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 30,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

In 2010 the Prius recorded 2,819 complaints, 10 recalls, 4 investigations and 387 TSBs, far exceeding the 2009 figures of 502 complaints, 6 recalls, 2 investigations and 225 TSBs. Compared with 2011, which saw 516 complaints, 6 recalls, 3 investigations and 385 TSBs, the 2010 complaint count is more than five times higher while recalls and investigations are also elevated. The spike places 2010 at the peak of a sharp upward‑then‑downward arc in the federal record for this generation, with complaints dropping again after 2011. The most frequent complaint areas in 2010 were Service Brakes, Hydraulic (719), Service Brakes (454), Service Brakes, Electric (439) and Vehicle Speed Control (170). Because the data show problem levels markedly above adjacent model years without specifying a root cause, a 2010 Prius is generally a less attractive purchase unless its price reflects the higher risk.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
387
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
4
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2,819
Owner complaints
183 involved a crash · 13 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2,819 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic719
Service Brakes454
Service Brakes, Electric439
Vehicle Speed Control170
Exterior Lighting102
Engine81
Electrical System58
Air Bags57

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 10 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V684000Hybrid Propulsion SystemReported 04/10/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of…

16V487000Air Bags:Side/WindowReported 30/06/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 387 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2010 Prius take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 51 city / 48 highway / 50 combined mpg.