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The 2010 and 2011 model years of Toyota Prius are plagued with engine and light problems.

Toyota Prius, also known as the “Uber Car,” has been one of the biggest names in the automobile industry. Throughout its iconic journey, Prius has had rises and falls but ultimately, with its innovative approaches, it is regarded as one of the most revolutionary vehicles. The Prius has been the sweetheart for Hollywood stars like Cameron Diaz and Leonardo DiCaprio who drove them to portray an image of being environmentally friendly.

With that being said, every vehicle has its flaws and bad years, even the best-selling hybrid vehicle in America. So, it’s best to know everything about it before making a move and trying to buy one. Let’s get more into details and find out the worst model years for a Prius and what you can expect to get out of this vehicle.

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According to the CarComplaints website, even though the 2010 Toyota Prius holds the record for the most overall complaints, the 2011 model year is considered the worst Prius model year based on factors like repair costs and lower mileage malfunctions.

Engine problems are all over the 2011 Prius like a plague. This model year has an excessive oil consumption problem with a high repair cost, sitting averagely at around $3000. “When I took my car to Toyota, they knew exactly what the problem was and said they were seeing this problem more often. My engine is consuming oil at an unbelievably fast rate. I have my car maintained regularly, so it is not the upkeep. I just got my house repaired after Harvey, now this. The service people said it was the engine. I guess that means it was faulty from the beginning. Toyota needs to support its loyal customers. This is my third Prius, but my loyalty only goes so far.” Stated one Prius owner. Solutions to this problem seem to vary depending on the actual situation and state of the vehicle.

Additionally, the 2011 model year has a plethora of light problems. The headlights tend to stop working properly at relatively low mileages. This is not as pricey as the engine issues but frustrating as it happens relatively early and is dangerous if not taken care of.

The excessive oil consumption also dominates the 2010 Prius owner community. But the bigger problem for the 2010 Toyota Prius is the braking system issues. With nearly 2000 complaints on the NHTSA, this is a very hazardous issue to have as it can cause severe accidents.

The 2010 model has no shortage of expensive problems. This model has a paint peeling tendency, typically costing about $2500 to repaint the vehicle. Not as dangerous as the other problems, but definitely a troublemaker for your bank account.

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You can expect to squeeze 200,000 miles out of a Prius. If maintained religiously, there is the possibility of even surpassing the 300,000 miles mark. That’s a big if, and it all depends on how you perform the suggested car maintenance procedures. That way, you can expect at least 15 years of driving experience with a Toyota Prius.

Following are some of the most critical stages of maintaining a Prius, recommended by the company itself:

Based on RepairPal reports, the average annual maintenance cost on a Toyota Prius is $408, $118 lower than the average for midsize vehicles. Also, the probability of a repair being significant for a Prius is 11%, while the average for a midsize car is 12%.

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Toyota Prius is among the most frequently bought vehicles in history, providing great value and practical attributes. This Japanese-made vehicle has dominated the global market and continues to be relevant to this day. But there are always bumps in the road, and the Prius has a bunch of shaky production years on its resume.

When aiming to buy a used Toyota Prius, try to avoid the 2010 and 2011 model years, for they host numerous challenging problems. Also, make sure to inspect your vehicle of choice thoroughly with a skilled technician to avoid any potential dilemma.

Hamed is a literature student, writer, musician, and car enthusiast. His favorite topics to write about are cars, tech, and gaming. When he's not writing, he's either playing music or listening to it.