8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,920
Average Mileage:
110,350 miles
Total Complaints:
137 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (92 reports)
  2. replace engine (14 reports)
  3. partial engine rebuild, pistons, gaskets, rings (11 reports)
  4. dealership said it's normal (6 reports)
  5. rebuild engine (5 reports)
  6. partial rebuild of pistons, gaskets, and rings (4 reports)
2010 Toyota Prius engine problems

engine problem

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2010 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #137

Dec 082021

Prius Hybrid

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,315 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption

Last year on September 13, 2021 I purchase a used 2010 Toyota Prius with 122,414 miles on the Odometer, I got my oil changed on October 29,2021 so I can keep track of when my oil is due. My odometer reading on oil change was 123,268. I drove 2806 miles, when I woke up on December 08, 2021 with no oil in my engine. I thought that was very strange so after adding a quart of oil my husband got for me.

I took the vehicle back to the shop ( Good Year Tire & Rubber Company 1585- A Island Lane Fleming Island, FL 32003) I originally had my oil changed at, to have them check if there was some sort of leak. The odometer reading at that day/ service was 126,074. After a full inspection of the engine exterior components, no leak was to be found. Then I decided to do some research only to find out that back in 2016 Toyota had a lawsuit against them for having manufacturer defects in the productions of engine between the years of 2006 - 2011.

The manufacturer defect was the engine piston would eventually start having oil leaks into the engine causing engine excessive oil consumption. That same day I took my vehicle to the nearest Toyota dealership ( Coggin Toyota At the Avenues 11340 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL32256) for a engine oil consumption test to be serviced on my vehicle. This process takes place by filling oil to the full line marking it... confirming there is no leaks....sealing everything and I was to return after driving 1200 miles ( odometer reading at service was 126,094). upon returning the vehicle on December 30, 2021...My vehicle failed the engine oil consumption test because after driving 1221 miles my engine was low on oil by 1.5 quart. This kind of engine oil consumption not only causes my engine to deteriorate in time, but also my vehicle diminishes in value. After it was established that my vehicle engine consumes oil / failed the engine oil consumption test. Toyota advised me to get a new engine that would cost me $6987.63 in repairs out of my pocket or to replace the piston in the engine, the repair estimate was $5064.05 before taxes and shop supplies.

When I asked Toyota about the extended warranty due to oil consumption that was to the replacement of the piston. This extended warranty was issued back in 2016 after there was a big lawsuit against Toyota .... It stated that if a vehicle that failed a oil consumption test, Toyota would cover the repair of changing out the piston in the engine as well as a up to 3 day car rental during repairs and services. This warranty was extended for up to ten years or up to 150,000 miles. which ever comes first. My vehicle has less then 130,000 and its not 2026 ... but the extended warranty was only issued for some vehicles between 2006-2011. And only the ones that had a 2AZ-FE engine.

My vehicle was manufactured with a 2ZR-FE engine. I Have found much research of complaints of people who have my engine a 2ZR-FE with the same engine problems. I saved posts from mechanics that worked at Toyota that mentioned a bulletin was posted on ToyotaNation.com that my type of engine, the 2ZR-FE engine was having engine oil consumption defect. I reached out to the manager ( Michael Adkins) at the dealership of Coggin Toyota at the Avenues11340 Philips Hwy Jacksonville FL32256 to request Toyota to out of good will extend the warranty to cover the repairs on my vehicle but my request was denied. I also requested a print out/ paperwork of the original submission of the goodwill warranty repair request and a copy of the denial response/ letter but Michael Adkins refused to provide me with that information.

I then asked him to at least let me know why they refused to cover the repairs.... Michael informed me that they denied my request because I am a new owner of the vehicle and I should go back to the dealership (Gettel Nissan of Sarasota FL) the vehicle was purchased from to request them to cover the cost of repairs. In my mind I was thinking what does me being a new owner of the vehicle or the dealership I purchased it from have anything to do with that fact that Toyota manufactured engines with poor quality parts ( piston) and now my vehicle engine is consuming oil. I have also called and spoken with Blake in management on January 4, 2022 at 1:45 pm (recorded line) and with Jay in management on January 7, 2022 at 5:34pm ( recorded line) at Toyota Corporate office to ask if they can help in any way. All I was asking Toyota to do was take responsibility for there manufacture mistake and fix it. But management informed me that my vehicle was not covered under the extended warranty and there is nothing that can be done.

My research has found that just because my engine has a different name 2ZR-FE because it is smaller in size HP etc. then the 2AZ-FE and sure maybe some aspects of it are a bit different but for the most part both engines where made in the same Shimoyama plant. So I would only assume that some of the parts used to manufacture both of these engines between the years of 2006-2011 may have been used some of the same parts/ kind of parts in manufacturing both engines, Unless Toyota can prove that each engine( the whole engine every tiny piece) was used with completely different parts, and that none of the parts that where used to manufacture the 2AZ-FE engine where also used to manufacture the 2ZR-FE including the piston..... between the years of 2006-2011. It is rather unfair that Toyota would only extend a warranty on one type of engine, the 2AZ-FE engine that was manufactured during the production of the new found oil consumption defect but not issue an extended warranty on any other engines like the 2ZR-FE if the engines are also having an oil consumption defect especially if both engines were manufactured in the same year frame at the same plant. My research has also found that 154 engine complaints have been filed for a 2010 Toyota Prius on carcomplaints.com and 451 engine complaints have been filed for the 2010 Toyota Prius on the NHTSA. I do not know how many more complaints need to be filed before Toyota is finally held responsible for there mistakes. Down below I have attached a number of links and photos that confirm my research. There even is a photo / link that shows some link addresses that have been removed if you try opening them but I guess those links show that the article was related to my vehicle engine type.

3ZR-FE/FAE 2.0L Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability

Excessive Oil Consumption on 2AZ-FE Engine LSC ZE7

Judge Won't Transfer Toyota Oil Consumption Defect Class Action Lawsuit

Attention all 1.8L (2ZR-FE) owners

https://classactionsreporter.com/toyota-excess-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit/

http://www.toyotaproblems.com/excessive-oil-consumption/

2ZR-FE/FAE/FXE 1.8L Engine - In-Depth Look at Design and Reliability

Toyota ZR engine - Wikipedia

https://www.classaction.com/toyota-oil-consumption-defect/

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2016/MC-10132912-9999.pdf

https://attachments.priuschat.com/attachment-files/2018/08/151698_TSB-1.pdf

https://priuschat.com/threads/tsb-on-excessive-oil-consumption-for-2zr-fxe-engine.198649/

Corolla 2010 Oil Consumption - Corolland: the Toyota Corolla Forums

- Anna B., Jacksonville, FL, US

problem #136

Apr 012020

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

Vehicle oil consumption is way over the top. If I drive it often it will use a couple quarts a month. No leaking.

- tangie10, Ridgecrest, Ca, US

problem #135

Jan 012017

Prius IV 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 120,000 miles

An engine should not need oil every 1000 miles - the rings must be very loose.

- Troy L., Kansas City, MO, US

problem #134

Apr 042016

Prius Limited

  • Automatic transmission
  • 101,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Have to add a quart of oil every 2 fill ups or about 1000 miles.

- Denis K., Freeville, NY, US

problem #133

Sep 142021

Prius IV 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 230,070 miles

I purchased a used 2010 1.8L Toyota Prius with 109,000 miles in 2013. It was well maintained and didn't use oil.

At about 150,000 miles it was using about 3 quarts between oil changes. It gradually got worse and when it approached 200,000 miles it was using a quart every 1,000 miles. It now has 230,000 miles and uses 1 quart every 400 miles.

There are no detectable leaks and there is no smoke coming from the exhaust system. The garage floor is clean and the car appears to otherwise function normally. It doesn't make sense. It seems there is nothing a person can do outside of getting a new engine. This is an obvious design/manufacturing issue that should be recalled. Toyota knows this and knows it is a systemic problem affecting many other of their models.

Sorry, Toyota. You should stand up and do what is right. Toyota always seemed to be the preferable brand. A leader in the industry. Apparently that was just an image many of us were led to believe.

BTW. Where is the media on this? I will forever avoid Toyota in the future.

- Ken B., Grand Rapids, MI, US

problem #132

Oct 252019

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200,000 miles

I bought the Prius used 4 years ago. It has always burned oil. It began hopping down the road. I took it to Toyota, who reported the oil extremely low and told me I needed a new engine for $4998.00. I had refilled the oil a month before and always checked it between oil changes, because it burned oil. It had never burned that much before. I drive about 500 miles per week and have never had a Toyota fail at 200K miles before.

- Mamie R., Holt, MI, US

problem #131

Jun 012016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have to add two quarts about every 2 -3 weeks. There is often excessive smoke in the exhaust.

- Michael M., Boulder Creek, US

problem #130

Mar 122019

Prius III

  • Automatic transmission
  • 155,000 miles

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!

- Jaime F., Belleville, MI, US

problem #129

Jul 012017

Prius IV 1.8L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 120,000 miles

I have a 2010 Prius with 200,000 miles. It burns 1 quart of oil every 1000 miles. For my car, the oil light came on because it ran out of oil between dealership scheduled oil changes around 120k. So I start adding oil between oil changes. Then the engine started to shutter and run bad around 150k miles. Dealer said I need a new air intake manifold $800 repair. What I discovered is, when they begin to burn a lot of oil, probably from bad rings, the oil combines with soot and clogs up small ports in the air intake manifold. You can clean this manifold and the car runs great again, for about 10k miles until the ports clog again and your engine runs bad again. I changed the PCV valve, but oil consumption continues. I installed an oil-catch-can and it appears I only have to clean the air intake every 20k miles, a great improvement. I cleaned the ERG cooler also, which was completely clogged at 180k miles. That's how I deal with it. Add some oil every gas tank fill-up, clean the air intake manifold every 20k (with catch can installed), empty the oil-catch-can every 500 miles. Car runs great and it must. I still owe $7000 on this car that I got from Toyota Dealer. This car needs to last 3 more years and make it to 330k before it's paid off. I'm stuck with this lemon. As an Uber driver, I drive 45k a year with over 24,000 people through my car now, I'm ashamed to say what a crummy deal I got with this car. They ask me about my car all the time. I certainly cannot afford another car. Toyota really let me down. The dealership did not make it clear they burn oil at anytime, even after I complained about oil consumption. They did a test, told me it was fine. Next thing I know my oil light is on in between their oil changes. They did not say to add oil between oil changes EVER. Just "It's fine." Ya, it says in the manual it's acceptable if it burns oil, but I did not think I needed to check the oil between my dealerships oil changes. Wrong.

- Robert B., Columbia, US

problem #128

Mar 162017

Prius Prius IV Model 1.8L 4 cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 127,498 miles

2010 Toyota Prius is burning over 1qt engine oil per 1200 miles. That means, using Toyota's recommended oil change interval, you have to add 10 quarts of oil between oil changes!!! And that's in an engine that only gets filled with 4.4 quarts of oil during oil and oil filter changes.

Toyota headquarters and Toyota dealerships claim this is perfectly normal. They likely knew there would be a problem, because the manual claims that burning up to 1 qt every 600 miles is normal. That's nonsense and unacceptable, and a huge environmental waste.

The only way to get action out of Toyota is to file a lawsuit; otherwise, they just stick their heads in the sand and deny there is an obvious problem. The days of being able to recommend Toyota are obviously over.

- priusoilburner, California, US

problem #127

Nov 062018

Prius 1.8L 4 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,368 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My husband is a mechanic and checks my fluids, especially when taking long trips. He noticed my consumption of oil is in need to report. So I did with the dealership. They recommend for $1967.42 they would disassembled the engine and check pistons and rings. This price is only for dissemble only not additional labor to re-install engine. I said, no thank you. So my husband said, just check the oil stick every week and if low just add oil.

Well, my vehicle just had its manifold EGR ports cleaned out for under 400.00 dollars because of it burning the oil... I have 145,000 miles now and is very concerned for the future of my Prius... Not sure what to do yet, but researching my options for the coming year. I don't want this to become a constant dry well of pouring my money into just to get better gas mileage. I would rather have a reliable car with less gas mileage and know my car is healthy and not consuming so much oil and clogging up the manifold EGR ports again. I've done my part on keeping it updated and checked by the dealership and taking care of it.

Thank you for telling me your complaints knowing I am not alone on this issue. I can see by every bodies complaint that the dealership will not address this major problem or will Toyota. Well maybe it's time to look at the Hondas....

- Shelli M., Holtwood, PA, US

problem #126

Jan 202019

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

Out of warranty. Class action settlement did nothing for me. I would have never bought the car if I'd known the engine would only last 135K miles. I own 4 Toyota's and will never buy another one. This is a design problem affecting multiple models and years.Toyota knows about this and refuses to assume any responsibility. It's a poor way to do business and since I influence and decide corporate purchases for a billion dollar company, my company will not purchase Toyota products.

- Cecil C., oceanside, US

problem #125

Jan 012017

Prius

  • CVT transmission
  • 190,000 miles

There is an obvious problem with the 2010 Prius and its oil consumption. What's the point to saving fuel if you are just burning through oil at a rate of a quart every 600 miles.

- Chip D., Tuckahoe, NJ, US

problem #124

Dec 012016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

It is painful and scary because you never know when the engine oil is burned out and will cause engine failure while driving.

- Shengli W., Windsor, ON, Canada

problem #123

Dec 302015

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

Call Toyota Corporate and they said there was nothing they could do since it was past it's normal warranty, nothing about my extended warranty that would have covered it.

- Garry G., Decatur, IL, US

problem #122

Jun 132017

Prius III

  • CVT transmission
  • 200,625 miles

So as an avid Prius Lover I found it had to publicize this issue. My car has used at least 1 quart of oil per Thousand miles driven for at least the past 18 months. Now we are to the 1 quart of oil consumption per every 300 to 500 miles. Toyota says if it happens before 36,000 miles of use they would deal with it. Now it is sorry Charley! In addition there is a cylinder 3 misfire code that re occurs. Now @ 286,000 miles. As a point of reference My 2001 Prius accompanied me on 345,000 miles and even at that age only used only 1 quart per 5,000 miles.

- John M., Spencer, NY, US

problem #121

Jun 062014

Prius Level 2 1.6L

  • CVT transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Excessive oil consumption, quart every 500 to 750 miles!

- David C., New London, US

problem #120

Jan 012018

Prius

  • CVT transmission
  • 103,000 miles

My 2nd largest complaint on the 2010 Prius... First (which might be related) is a extremely loud knocking noise on cold start; I am aware it is normal for cars to start rough when it’s really cold - but never would I expect my Prius to sound like a Mack truck starting up. So now we’re just over the 100k mile warranty and BAM the car starts drinking oil... in the beginning I got the empty light (and dry dip stick) so I filled her up and took it in right away to make sure someone didn’t leave a filter loose. Everything checked out, so I asked them to do everything possible to clean the engine; ran me a few hundred bucks.

Get home and less than 4K miles later the light came on again - dip stick dry Again! Back to the dealership we go. “Oh we’ve been noticing this a lot sir, but to be honest it’s acceptable to burn 1.5 quarts of oil per 1k miles”... I now keep oil in the back of the car and check the dip stick frequently like one of my old beater cars.

Used to love Toyota, came from a family of Toyota owners and I love technology - so the Prius has always been a vehicle I wanted to own; prior to these two major issues I was still going to purchase another Prius in the future because every car company is going to have bugs in a new generation first year model. My opinion of Toyota has now drastically changed and I no longer plan on purchasing this brand. I know other owners experiencing the same issue with newer models, and to have a company tell me 1.5 quarts of oil is acceptable to burn every 1k miles is just ridiculous. BUYERS BEWARE!!!!

- Warren B., Saint Robert, MO, US

problem #119

Mar 012016

Prius

  • CVT transmission
  • 147,000 miles

I took this into the dealer when I noticed the oil level was down after 1500 miles. They ran their "test" and said it was normal to lose a quart in that number of miles...have NEVER had this happen on any other car with much higher mileage (have a VW Touareg with 270k miles and it doesn't consume even 1/4 quart in 8kmiles!!). Concerned about both the pollution from the burned oil...and the impact this is having on the catalytic converter.

- Kevin K., Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States

problem #118

Dec 012016

Prius 2 4

  • CVT transmission
  • 110,000 miles

The Prius burning through one quart every 1000-1200 miles is a pain-in-the-ass. My elderly mother uses this car as primary for driver Dad and herself to doctor's appointments etc. As savvy as Mom is about stuff, her hands are so fragile that the act of lifting the hood ( heavy for my Mom) and then trying to twist the oil cap off, harder still, and what about the plastic cover? If she has to add oil she will have to use a funnel..more fine-motor-skill which is hard on her hands; she is not strong enough to remove the plastic cover so access to the oil fill-hole is difficult which is why she is forced to use a funnel. The local three Toyota service departments are pleading ignorance to the second warranty fix.

- Quentin D., Jemison, US

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