Reliability

Toyota

Toyota Prius third-generation NiMH pack (2010-2015)

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) cells · 1.3 kWh · used in 1 model variant.

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Pack reference

Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) · 28 modules of 7.2 volts in series, mounted behind the rear seat; 90 lb
About the pack
Capacity
1.3 kWh
as published
Service life
8 yr
100k mi typical
Warranty floor
—
see OEM warranty book

Pack overview

ChemistryNickel-metal hydride (NiMH)
Cell supplierNot published
Cell formatNot published
Voltage (nominal)201.6 V
CoolingAir (ducts and fans)
Architecture28 modules of 7.2 volts in series, mounted behind the rear seat; 90 lb
Warranty 8 yr / 100k mi

Known issues

High
No NHTSA recall covers the battery pack itself. Three cover the inverter. NHTSA 14V-053 (February 2014) covers about 698,000 2010-2014 Prius cars whose inverter transistors may be damaged by high operating temperatures, which can put the car into a limp-home mode or shut the hybrid system down and stall it. Dealers update the software for the motor/generator and hybrid control ECUs, free of charge.
High
NHTSA 18V-684 (October 2018) covers certain 2010-2014 Prius and 2012-2014 Prius v vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down and the vehicle to stall while being driven. Dealers update the software free of charge, and NHTSA notes the update is needed even on cars updated under 14V-053 or 15V-449.
High
NHTSA 20V-369 (June 2020) covers certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius v vehicles not included in 18V-684, for the same inverter fault. Dealers update the hybrid system software, and repair or replace an inverter that has already failed, free of charge.
Medium
Toyota extended inverter coverage on these cars. Its ZE3 program covers the Intelligent Power Module in 2010-2014 Prius inverters for 15 years from first use with no mileage limit, and a 2022 class action settlement notice describes inverter coverage of 20 years with unlimited mileage on certain 2010-2015 Prius cars.
Low
Toyota's emergency response guide describes the pack as 28 sealed nickel-metal hydride modules of 7.2 volts each, connected in series for about 201.6 volts, weighing 90 pounds and mounted behind the rear seat. Toyota says the Prius v uses the same battery pack with a cooling duct under the rear seat.
Low
Toyota covered the hybrid battery for 8 years or 100,000 miles. In states that follow California emission rules the battery was covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles and other hybrid components for 15 years or 150,000 miles.

How this pack ages (industry context)

Industry fleet aggregates: 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs / 21 models (Geotab, 2026), and 95% range retention at 5 years on average across 30,000+ vehicles (Recurrent, 2026).

OEM warranty floor on this pack: 8 yr / 100k mi.

Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. Individual results vary materially with climate, charging behavior, and DC fast-charge frequency.

Vehicles using this pack

Battery-Related NHTSA Recalls

Recalls affecting battery, charging, electric propulsion, or thermal-event systems on vehicles using this pack, as of the last complaint-data run. Each campaign names the model generation it was filed against; the summary gives the model years covered.

20V369000 Jun 24, 2020 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

Consequence: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

Filed against: Toyota Prius 2010-2015

18V684000 Oct 4, 2018 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Filed against: Toyota Prius 2010-2015

17V718000 Nov 15, 2017 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.

Consequence: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.

Filed against: Toyota Prius 2010-2015

15V449000 Jul 15, 2015 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed against: Toyota Prius 2010-2015

14V053000 Feb 12, 2014 HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.

Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Filed against: Toyota Prius 2010-2015

For TWD editorial coverage of major recall campaigns, see /recalls/.

Frequently Asked Questions

What chemistry is the Toyota Prius third-generation NiMH pack (2010-2015)?

The Toyota Prius third-generation NiMH pack (2010-2015) uses Nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) chemistry. Toyota has not named a cell supplier for this pack. Cell format has not been disclosed. Pack architecture: 28 modules of 7.2 volts in series, mounted behind the rear seat; 90 lb.

What is the warranty on this pack?

8 years or 100,000 miles. Specific terms vary by year and trim; check the manufacturer's warranty booklet for the exact vehicle.

How much does this pack degrade over time?

Industry-wide fleet aggregates show roughly 2.3% average annual capacity loss across 22,700 EVs (Geotab, 2026), with about 95% range retention at five years on average across Recurrent's 30,000+ vehicle fleet (2026). Public per-pack degradation curves are not available for most models. The Toyota Prius third-generation NiMH pack (2010-2015) battery warranty runs 8 years / 100,000 miles, which is the OEM-guaranteed minimum within that period. Individual results vary with climate, charging habits, and DC fast-charging frequency.

Which vehicles use the Toyota Prius third-generation NiMH pack (2010-2015)?

Toyota Prius 2010-2015 (Prius liftback (NiMH). The Prius Plug-in Hybrid uses a 4.4 kWh lithium-ion pack and the Prius c a smaller 144-volt NiMH pack).

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