Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2011 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power temporarily. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued driving; however, the vehicle was operating on gasoline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer determined that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The contact declined to pay for the repair and advised the dealer to perform the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to acknowledge the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH downhill, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. …
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.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds or starting the vehicle, the check hybrid system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into a Safe Mode. There was no option to place the vehicle in neutral or drive. The vehicle would start but failed to move. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Population System). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were error codes related to the battery and hybrid system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the inverter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.
I was driving my car at over 70 mph on a highway, no check engine, no issues, just had oil changed when check hybrid system alert came on with check engine light. I started to change lanes to get to shoulder when my car just died, completely. It died in the middle of the highway merging with another major road, so I was stuck between 2 lanes of 70mph traffic on either side. The time to react to the sudden warning to my car dying was less than 2 minutes. I quickly called 911 to ask for help and was told someone had already reported my breakdown as well because my car had died in a horribly dangerous area. I was very lucky that a state trooper came quickly and blocked off my car until it could be towed for repair. I was told that I need a new Hybrid Battery. …
Hybrid system shut down. DC power converter shutting down. Car shut down on me in middle of road almost caused a crash. There was a recall in 2018 but I never received a notice and now as of 2023 there are no active recalls.
Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle lost power without warning. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree and a cement barrier. The air bag failed to deploy. The vehicle was restarted and was able to be driven to the contact's residence. The contact sustained back, neck, and chest injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was later deemed destroyed. The contact stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided a case number. The approximate failure mileage was 72,000.
I was making a left turn at a very busy los angeles intersection and during needed acceleration to turn, the Prius lost power for a full second and then power came back slowly and I barely made it through the intersection, a t bone collision was imminent, and I missed getting hit by inches. All the warning lights on the dash illuminated and I was frazzled. The hybrid battery was 2/3 rds full at the time. There have been other instances where the car lost power for brief moments when the hybrid battery was low and didnt think anything of it at the time. The mpg has remained below 40 and after hybrid failure, around 26. Also, I had a gen 2 Prius and the catalytic converter went bad around 150,000. California punishes consumers by not allowing after market cats and forces them to buy OEM at an extreme mark up. …
In motion while accelerating past a slower car. Heard and felt a pronounced thump and lost engine power on busy local thoroughfare. Moved to a turn lane and stopped. Multiple dashboard lights and "check hybrid system" on LED display. Power off car, and back on twice and got the same error on display. Found that car could move on EV power and I got it into a safer location at an adjacent parking lot. Had vehicle towed to repair facility. As a driver this was disconcerting as I could not clearly determine if the car was at all driveable. If a driver were to stop immediately in the same situation they would be on the roadway. If I had not pressed on the accelerator pedal after powering on the car again I would not have known I could move the car to a safer location. …
While driving at ca freeway speed (65mph) the car goes limp. The accelerator fails to work and even flooring the vehicle makes no difference. At this point the speed of the vehicle decreases and I have to immediately pull to the shoulder. The "check hybrid system" alert shows on the dash and also electric power steering and check engine light. This issue has been going on for the past year and I have taken it to several Toyota dealerships with no resolve. I have spent a total of $4500 without Toyota of vallejo or the now bankrupt Toyota of fairfield solving the issue. This is a life threatening issue and happened several times with children in the vehicle. Show in video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ca5hjrsnfsg
Related recalls
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2011 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 4% of the model year's 521 complaints. The component named most often is inverter (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Prius fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 18V-684 (hybrid propulsion system, Oct 4, 2018). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2011 Toyota Prius fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 116,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.