2010 Prius problematic?

I have a used 2010 with about 6500 on the odom. I've personally driven it about 1500 of those miles and have had NO problems with braking or ABS. That being said, the regenerative braking takes a little getting used to. The way I understand it is that if you press lightly on the brakes, the car is being slowed via the regenerative system...NOT the brakepads on the rotor. It's only when you brake more aggressively that the conventional brakes are applied.

As for the earlier models, all I can say is that I know someone with a 2008 who has had it for about 6 months with no issues...braking or otherwise.

 

Before Toyota released a TSB on it, the Gen III used to produce a scary feeling when braking over potholes where it feels like it accelerates momentarily (but doesn't really) while it switches from regen to friction braking. It's now been shortened to the Gen II's level and isn't as scary anymore, but there will always be people unfamiliar with the technology complaining about it. Don't be one of those ignorant people.

This is of course assuming you're not that GM exec "Marlow"

 

:welcome:
I think that the Prius has it's little flaws, but the reason that it ranks 16/25 in complaints is more driver related than car related. I'm not the biggest Prius cheerleader on the forum, but if you get a good used Prius (G2 or G3) then you'll have a fairly reliable and veery fuel efficient car---if you take time to get to know how to take advantage of it.
Spend $250 bucks and rent a G3 for a weekend. Hertz rents them.
There are (*) ah.....little quirks in the Prius driving experience that you'll want to explore fully before pulling the trigger on a G3 (2010 and up is Gen-III or 3rd Generation.) This won't help you out much with the G2----but it will give you a good baseline to compare the G2 with.
Either way....it's going to be faaaaaaaaar more reliable and cheap to own than any Saab. Sorry bout that if you're a fan of the Saab.
Low mileage, up-uptioned G3's (and G2's) are out there.

IMHO----the G3 is the 'better' car (for me, and only IMHO), but the G2 has a little better build quality. Drive both, and you'll see what I'm talking about.

Good Luck!

 

The complaints you read about here are only a very small sample of the extemely "satisfied" Prius owners, numbering in the millions, worldwide. I personally have three Prius, 2007, 2009 & my favorite one 2010. I have had no problems with any of them & feel that the majority of so called "complaints" are based on perceptions felt by users who are not use to driving a hybrid vehicle. You will be satisfied with any Gen. II or III Prius you decide upon, if only for the high mpg & low maintenance costs.

 

i feel like i have seen more complaints with th 10 than i saw with the 04 which was first year of gen II. but it seems most of them are about squeeks and rattles and dead 12v batteries than anything serious. it's very difficult to quantify but, it seems most people are very happy. all the best!

 

"Problematic" cars don't become best-sellers.

 

Welcome to PriusChat and best wishes as you research what car is best for you.

Like you, I researched extensively before buying my Prius. I heard/read all the same complaints, recalls, TSB, etc, but I bought anyways. I've never looked back, never regretted my decision and I'm absolutely in love with my Prius!

 

only the few instances reported here, but just like u/a, how can you judge it if you haven't experienced it and it isn't reproduceable?

 

That's pedal confusion, where the driver mistakes the gas pedal for the brake. Nobody has been able to prove unintended acceleration in the Prius. Better wait for the NASA report

 

Hey, didn't lottamoxie recently go from her old Saab to a new Prius? Maybe she can pipe in here about her experience in here to give you a bit of perspective.

One thing I can say about driving Prius vs other cars; If you're the type to just get in a car and drive without being concerned or aware whether you're driving a hybrid, then you might be initially disappointed because I can guarantee it will be a different experience. It won't go or stop like your previous car or any other non-hybrid on the road. As long as you're aware of that, and once you become acclimated to driving a hybrid, you'll have a great experience. I let my friend drive mine last night because I didnt' feel like driving at the moment. He got in and tried to drive it like he was driving his truck; floors the gas when taking off and no coasting to a stop sign or light - and yet complains it doesn't drive right? I should've switched from ECO to PWR mode!

 

opcorn:

The Troll call-out award goes to 32kcolors, congratulations.

 

I've experienced what feels like a momentary (VERY short) surge sometimes while braking. Usually manifests itself when going down a hill and feathering the break to get the regen but not the pads. Than sometimes I have to actually 'get on' the brake because a light changes or somebody in front of me is a bone head. Every once in awhile I feel a short push before it 'grabs'.

Never was sure what it was. It never makes me feel unsafe, and the car always stops with authority when required. But it is weird.

 

It's unfortunate that the OP's screenname is so similar to malorn, but now that evpv has posted, people better tread carefully!

 

Isn't the brake issue a typical us-(made)-problem?
It was written in lots of european newspapers that even the nasa found that out.
EU Prius don't seem to have that... ... so far.

 

The OP has raised many subjects, albeit indirectly. Please search for gigantic threads on some of these subjects. My thoughts:
1. I needed a new car, but the more I learned about the then-upcoming GenIII, the more determined I was to wait for it. Good decision, yours may vary.
2. Brakes: I knew about the regen->ABS transition before buying the car. As soon as I got mine, I found a downhill washboard and experienced it. I thought, "Huh, different." At no time was I duped into thinking there was acceleration. Since then a software fix has hastened the transition. No worries.
3. Widespread publicity has engendered "They'll pay me off if I complain" people to do just that--hence the skewed statistics. This is a litigious country.
4. Driving like another car: Mine does, recognizing that it is not a powerful beast, but a handsomely-engineered marvel.

 

What NASA report? So far as I am aware there is no NASA report being done on this issue.

NHTSA announced several investigations last March. U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces Major Investigations to Resolve Issue of Sudden Acceleration | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
None of these is a NASA report though for the NHTSA review of electronic throttle controls in Toyotas that they were going to getting help from some NASA engineers amongst other people

It is 6 months after the proposed completion date (Last summer)and I don't recall seeing a report or update from them. Have I missed something?

 

The LA Times has reported that a comprehensive report by NASA on the causes of SUA is expected early this year.

 

You might want to search for some statistics posted on PriusChat a while ago, indicating about 40% (???) fewer fatalities overall in the Prius than in the average car--I think that included experience with Gen III.
To me, that's the bottom line on safety.

Truthfully, I think the biggest Prius safety flaw is poor visibility to the rear, esp. on passenger side. If you are a more regular, instinctive user of right side mirror than I am, it probably won't bother you at all.

The Prius is, as some folks have said, a bit quirky, but hey, you are coming from a Saab, right? From everything I've heard about them (great but weird), you should do fine in a Prius.