EGR cooler clogging → head gasket
usually 150,000–250,000 km · High risk
Signs: Rattle on start, coolant loss (esp. 2010–2015)
Fix: Clean EGR proactively at ~150,000 km
€300–3,000
Common faults, service intervals and costs
Toyota Prius III
2009–2015 · Toyota Prius 3
1
engines covered
3
known faults
63,127
roadworthiness tests in the statistics
15
official recalls
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
The Toyota Prius III was built from 2009 to 2015.
For this generation we cover 1 engines and 3 known faults, each with the mileage range where it usually appears.
The most expensive known risk is Hybrid battery ageing: it usually appears at 250,000–350,000 km and costs €1,500–3,500 to fix.
In UK roadworthiness tests in 2024, at 250+ thousand km this model most often failed on: lights, wipers and visibility (20.7 %), suspension (7.8 %), tyres and wheels (6.4 %). It fails less often than average on: brakes, suspension, steering, tyres and wheels, body and corrosion, exhaust, emissions and leaks.
Engines
| Engine | Fuel | Timing drive | Oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 Hybrid (2ZR-FXE) | Hybrid | Chain | 0W-20 · API SN / ILSAC GF-5 · ~4.2 L · every 15,000 km |
Faults by engine
1.8 Hybrid (2ZR-FXE)
Inverter coolant pump
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Hybrid system warning
Fix: Replace pump
€250–500
Hybrid battery ageing
usually 250,000–350,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Fuel economy drops, battery warning
Fix: Recondition or replace
€1,500–3,500
Scheduled service
Intervals and typical prices for the 1.8 Hybrid (2ZR-FXE) engine. Other engines differ in oil, timing drive and some filters; the app gives the exact plan.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Inverter coolantHybrid system | every 160,000 km or every 120 months | €80–160 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Hybrid battery cooling filter cleanHybrid system | every 30,000 km | €0–40 |
| Hybrid transaxle fluidTransmission | every 100,000 km | €80–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Brake pads (regen-assisted)Brakes | usually at 80,000–160,000 km | €60–150 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Roadworthiness tests by mileage
Share of tests in the United Kingdom (DVSA MOT, 2024) that this model failed because of each system. Bold red means more often and green less often than an average car of the same age and mileage. Sample: 63,127 tests.
| thousand km | 0–50 | 50–100 | 100–150 | 150–200 | 200–250 | 250+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 2.0 % | 3.0 % | 4.4 % | 5.7 % | 5.6 % | 5.3 % |
| Suspension | 2.5 % | 3.4 % | 4.2 % | 5.4 % | 5.9 % | 7.8 % |
| Steering | 0.0 % | 0.2 % | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.7 % | 1.3 % |
| Tyres and wheels | 3.7 % | 4.2 % | 4.9 % | 5.8 % | 6.1 % | 6.4 % |
| Lights, wipers and visibility | 8.6 % | 10.9 % | 15.0 % | 17.8 % | 18.8 % | 20.7 % |
| Body and corrosion | 0.4 % | 0.5 % | 0.7 % | 1.1 % | 1.0 % | 1.3 % |
| Exhaust, emissions and leaks | 0.3 % | 0.4 % | 0.4 % | 0.7 % | 1.3 % | 2.0 % |
Owner complaints in the US
Which systems owners reported to the US agency NHTSA and at what mileage. Complaints are not confirmed faults and some relate to recalls. Sample: 4,388 complaints.
Official recalls
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (15). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
- Other Under certain circumstances the hybrid unit may shut down and cause loss of motive power27/07/2020 · R/2020/190
- Seat belt Improper assembly of the electrical contacts in the driver's seat belt reminder switch09/03/2020 · R/2020/025
- Airbag Incorrectly installed covers could prevent the seat-mounted side airbag from deploying04/11/2019 · R/2019/333
- Other Vehicle may not enter failsafe driving mode as intended in response to certain hybrid system faults14/01/2019 · R/2018/293
- Fire risk Engine wire harness connected to hybrid vehicle power control unit could contact cover01/10/2018 · R/2018/240
- Lights The electric vehicle (EV) fuse may malfunction04/12/2017 · R/2017/309
- Airbag Airbag may incorrectly deploy28/11/2016 · R/2016/213
- Brakes / ABS / ESP Parking brake may fail21/11/2016 · R/2016/237
The other recalls (7) are listed in the app.
Other generations
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 07/10/2026