I'm getting a used Prius and usually steer away from first year models, but the 2010 is more in my price range. Any 2010-specific reliability issues that were fixed in the later years? Maybe I should suck it up and get a 2011. If I do buy a 2010 it would probably be a Toyota Certified. I plan on keeping this car well past 200k.
2010's are fine. maybe a few more squeaks in the plastic interior, and some bad 12v batteries. i wouldn't worry about it, the important things haven't changed. all the best!
I don't think there is much different. A 2010 should have 2 brake recalls done on it. One they need to check the booster pump tank or whatever it was, and there was a software update for the brakes. But nothing to worry about. Just make sure both of the brake recalls were done. I have 70,000 miles and have paid a total of $3.00 for the little tiny headlight bulb. That is the only thing I had to fix and pay for so far besides maint and I set of tires. That's good in my mind.
If you have a choice, don't buy 2010 Prius made in 2009. Go for one made toward the end of 2010 if possible. There were some minor improvements. However, 2010 prius is not bad for the first year of production. I know what I'm talking about. I was crazy to buy 2003 corolla and 2006 RAV4, both first years, and had lots of problems with them that were corrected in later years.
Yeah, I feel like a lot of improvements were made during the first 6 months or so of the 2010 Prius; there's probably more difference between an early 2010 and a late 2010 than there is between a 2010 and a 2011. Toyota doesn't wait for a new model year to fix things that need fixing. As noted above, there are 2 brake recalls on the 2010 - neither of which applies to my 2010, which was manufactured in January of 2010. There are some TSBs for minor things that do apply (engine knocking at startup in cold weather, the oil access flap tends to break off with too much bending), but nothing that should prevent you from buying a 2010.
I bought a 2010 prius about 10 months ago. It's been perfect so far. Looks and feels like a brand new vehicle.
I bought a 2010 Prius that is a former rental at 41,000 miles Oct 2011. I'm at about 101,000 miles and only replaced the front left wheel bearing assembly. iPhone ?
I have a 2010 built in 09. So far I have done normal fluids, filters and tires. Right rear wheel bearing, removed and cleaned the EGR tubes on the intake manifold and replaced the 12v battery. The battery didn't die, but started to show lower voltage so I changed it before getting stuck. I replaced the oil filter container thing, it became damaged over time. The lens on my map light broke at about 20k.
I have the 2010 and it has past 51 months with no repairs. Other than those mentioned by others, there aren't anything you should worry about. With close to 96000 km on the odometer, it is still on its original brake pads and rotors. However, it is pretty much close to its end of life now. So expect to replace the brake components if it is close to that reading. I would also make sure the plastic chassis cover under the front engine is intact (as the flap to access the oil filter breaks easily and cost a few hundred to replace.) I also just replaced the original 12v battery last week with an Optima Yellow which costs USD200 but $300+ from Canadian Toyota dealer for OEM.
I bought my 2010 Prius in June 2009 -- so definitely an early model. Other than routine maintenance + the two recalls (I wasn't having any problems, but had the work done since it was at Toyota's expense), the only thing I've had to do is change one of the tires. That was probably due to a road hazard causing the hole, not a problem with the original tire itself. Used Fix-a-Flat and was working fine until I went out of town a few days later and this time tire wouldn't stay inflated. It was replaced. But I should issue the disclaimer that I'm a low mileage user -- 31K miles so far in 4.5 years -- compared to some other people.
Our 2010 was built in summer of 2009. Apart from dead 12 volt at the outset (due to sitting on lot I think) no problems. Added: It's the first car we've had that consumes zero oil between changes. So far, only a bit over 40000 kms on the odo.
Early 2010 (bought in March)... not a single issue, just regular oil changes every 10K. It has 90K miles on the odometer. Everything is like new...
I have a 2010, but purchased it new from the dealer in early 2011, with 14 miles on it. Now, three years later and 95,000 miles on it, I have not had one single problem with it the entire time. It's an amazing car.
I have 72k miles on my 2010 and just replaced my right rear bearing as well. Also got new rotors in the back and pads all around. Everything else has been great. iPhone ?
My 2009 gen3 faults have been documented at length and I'm only at 80,000 miles now. To borrow one of Clarksons quotes "I'd avoid an early gen3 like you'd avoid unprotected sex with an Ethiopian male prostitute!" Seriously.
My 2010 right rear bearing went on mine too. Mine burns oil. A quart every 3000 miles. Goes out the tailpipe from what I can tell from the soot back there. Started at 100K. I'm at 181K. Knocks bad during start up on cold wet days intermittently. Doesn't throw codes. Took it to the dealer and since there's no codes they won't perform the TSB. I clean out the intake manifold every year or two to keep it from hesitating. No other problems.
