The Lemon Index
2008
20102nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
254 owner complaints, first 3 years 46 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Mazda3 892009 Volkswagen Jetta 4382009 Chevrolet Cobalt 370
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2009 Toyota Prius
- Headlights94 complaintsmostly at 56,000–100,000 miles (90,000–161,000 km)
- Engine stalling12 complaintsmostly at 17,000–66,000 miles (27,000–106,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 502 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2009 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 20,000 miles (6,400–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 215 complaints, of all 254 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 13V014000 (airbags), 12V537000 (steering) and 12V536000 (engine) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Toyota sent dealers 225 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to drive, and other…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 254 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 4K to 20K miles (6K to 32K km) on the car (215 of all 254 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2009 Toyota Prius. Consumer states extraordinary experience with brake/acceleration problems.
2009 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 10321938
More owner reports
When I go over a railroad track or large bumps the braking system of my Prius stops operating for a moment.
NHTSA complaint 10307864
I own a 2009 Toyota Prius and am experiencing the same problem with braking that the 2010 Prius' are having. When braking on an uneven or bumpy surface, it seems like there is a momentary pause or hesitation.
NHTSA complaint 10306107
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 16.5M views · 2004–2009 Toyota Prius
What owners say one repair costs on YouTube
- Batteryone repair, as owners say it$2,000most $800–$5,000 · 6 videos▶ Hear it
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical2.2M views
Toyota Prius Key Remote Battery Replacement 2004 - 2009 - DIYKey Fob Rob · 725K views · 16 videos - Gauges, lights & wiring1.1M views
Fastest Fix For 2nd Gen Prius No Dash Lights ProblemAmazing Unboxing And Reviews · 441K views · 7 videos - Brakes & ABS846K views
2004-2009 Prius ABS Actuator ReplacementMr.Electric · 296K views · 9 videos - Oil changes & service456K views
Toyota Prius Secret service menu 2004-2009 Check codes!Auto Quest · 124K views · 7 videos
Show 4 more
- Heat, A/C & blend door441K views
Toyota Prius A/C Charging. How to charge Air conditioner on Toyota Prius 2004 - 2009World Mechanics · 268K views · 6 videos - Cooling system415K views
How to Replace Inverter Water Pump 2004-2009 Toyota PriusTRQ · 117K views · 6 videos - Steering & suspension238K views
How to Replace Prius Rear Struts/Shocks - Gen 2 (2004-09)More Pi · 78K views · 5 videos - Transmission & shifter209K views
Toyota Prius '07 P Lock Transmission 07 Prius quick fixMaverick Channel · 145K views · 3 videos
Before you buy, watch
Top 5 Problems Toyota Prius Hybrid 2nd Generation 2004-20091A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 140K views
2nd Gen Prius: The BIG Problems You NEED To Know About (And NO ONE Talks About Them)Drew's Garage · 124K views
Easy Free fix // touch screen not working on Toyota Prius// 2nd Gen Prius Common problemsDiMasha · 82K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2009 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 225 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Multiple warning lights illuminated, vehicle not shifting from park to drive, and other…
- Accelerator pedal sensor assembly information regarding the inspection, removal, and…
- Instrument panel illuminates with malfunction of abs/vsc, mil on and brake warning lights,…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Airbags · recall issued 2013
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk…
- Steering · recall issued 2012
The affected vehicles have a steering intermediate extension shaft assembly built with metal splines that complete the connection from the steering wheel to the steering gear.
- Engine · recall issued 2012
During manufacturing, a scratch may have occurred inside of the electrically driven water pump at the coil wire.
Show all 6 recalls
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- Speed control · recall issued 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedIntermediate steering shaft separation2013–2020
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.5L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2009" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Toyota Prius reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about twice the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 226; 100 is average, lower is better). The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2009 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (37%), speed control (23%) and brakes (electric) (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Prius have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Toyota Prius get?
46 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2009 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 4,000 and 20,000 miles (6,400–32,000 km) (the middle half of the 215 complaints, of all 254 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2009 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2009 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 6% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2009 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Toyota Prius have?
1.5L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works