MYRModel Year Report

2011 Toyota Prius

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
521
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2011

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

53% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2011: 521 complaints 2011 521 2012: 424 complaints 2013: 411 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints
2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2006 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2011: 521 complaints 2011 521 2012: 424 complaints 2013: 411 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2014 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2018 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2006 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2010 2011: 521 complaints 2011 521 2012: 424 complaints 2012 2013: 411 complaints 2014: 208 complaints 2014 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2018 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2011: 521 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051,051
20061,439
20072,003
20081,497
2009502
20102,824
2011521
2012424
2013411
2014208
2015166
2016155
201791
201837
201930
202014
20216
202224
202320
202427
202516
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

53% · 277 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-14

My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward when I hit a pothole while braking. This caused a crash when the car was only a couple years old when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it lunged forward into the back of a car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-07-11

2011 Toyota Prius with approximately 134,000 miles. The brake actuator/master cylinder has been diagnosed as malfunctioning and failing to maintain hydraulic pressure.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-30

Electrical system

13% · 68 reports

Most commonly citing instrument cluster/panel and software.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-10-24

Also filed under Hybrid propulsion system

Exterior lighting

9% · 48 reports
FIRE

Engine

9% · 47 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Coolant leak into the engine, confirmed by the Toyota servicing center. This may be a common problem with the Toyota Prius, causing early engine failure from a design defect.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-22

Air bags

9% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing driver clockspring/spiral cassette.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in an intersection, a Ford F-150 vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-08-06

Tl* the contact owned a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact was driving 8 MPH when another vehicle crashed into the contact's vehicle on the passenger side door.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-27

Also filed under Seat belts

Purchased a new 2011 Toyota Prius from rahal Toyota, [xxx] on 07/02/2011. Car was manufactured in 03/2011.

NHTSA ODI report, 2011-07-19

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2011Complaint volume 521 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    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. Owners may…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2014-03-21Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system14V053000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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...

    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. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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,...

    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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2016-10-17Air bags16V487000 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.

    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. Owners may contact Toyota Customer Service Department at 1-800-331-4331.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2019-01-22Hybrid propulsion system18V684000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles.

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2019-09-30Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-21 Brake Actuator Valve Wear
  9. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  10. I
    2023-11-22Defect petitionOpen Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Buy-smart checklist

2011 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 277 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 68 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 48 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 14V053000 · Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system
  • Recall 14V743000 · Seats
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
  • Recall 16V487000 · Air bags
  • Recall 18V684000 · Hybrid propulsion system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2011 Toyota Prius reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2011 Toyota Prius is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Prius?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 53% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Prius have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.