Most common 2011 Toyota Prius problems
Share of the 521 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius complaints by model year
Best Prius years: 2021, 2020, 2018. Years to avoid: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006, 2008. Compare all years →
2011 Toyota Prius recalls (6)
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019.
Air bags › Side/window
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Toyota Prius, 2010 and 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, and 2011-2012 Lexus CT200h vehicles. A weld in the curtain shield air bag inflator may crack causing one or both portions of the inflator to eject into the passenger cabin.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install retention brackets to the curtain shield air bags, free of charge. The recall began on October 17, 2016.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.
Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.
Electrical system › Software
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.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge.
Seats
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…
Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 3 possible defects involving the 2011 Toyota Prius:
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights.
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s).
What 2011 Toyota Prius owners say
Brakes all 277 →
I am filing this complaint to report an active, severe safety defect involving a sudden, un-warned loss of power braking assist due to a failing factory brake actuator/booster pump assembly. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact internal hydraulic seal failure, pressure drop, and audible hissing/sipping sound outlined in Toyota's prior technical service bulletins. Because the onboard ECU computer only triggers warning lights once a complete, catastrophic failure threshold is met, the system is currently masking the defect from the dashboard. However, the physical hardware is actively failing, requiring the high-pressure pump to run constantly to maintain braking pressure. This component failure dramatically increases stopping distances and presents an immediate, unreasonable risk of a crash. …
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving 50 MPH on the highway, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond. The contact depressed the brake pedal harder and the vehicle almost came to a complete stop. The ABS warning light, the brake warning light, and the traction control warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she exited the highway and was able to continue to drive by slightly depressing the brake pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that there was an internal malfunction of the brake booster and the brake booster assembly pump. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact contacted the manufacturer and inquired about assistance with repairing the vehicle under an unknown customer satisfaction program. …
Electrical system all 68 →
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 145,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 227,000. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone and was informed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that it was not a new failure and that there was a possibility that the dealer may have removed the check engine light prior to the sale.
Engine & cooling all 52 →
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor and then heard an abnormal explosion. The contact observed black smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled off the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact lifted the hood and saw flames coming from under the engine. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact called an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that when the engine was lifted out of the engine compartment, there was a hole in the engine block. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. …
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
2011 Toyota Prius engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 49 / 46 / 48 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Toyota Prius a good car?
Based on 521 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Prius rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Prius at the same age. It is one of the Prius years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2011 Toyota Prius?
The brakes — 277 complaints, 53% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › abs warning light. Next are the electrical system (68) and engine & cooling (52).
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Prius have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2011 Toyota Prius, the most recent from October 4, 2018 (hybrid propulsion system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2021, 2020 and 2018. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2011, 2010, 2007, 2006 and 2008. See the full Toyota Prius years comparison.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Prius problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 76,000 miles; 34% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.