MYRModel Year Report

2011 Toyota Prius

◆ Worse than typical
2011 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-08-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Prius Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2011 highlighted. 2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1051 complaints 2006: 1439 complaints 2007: 2003 complaints 2008: 1497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2819 complaints 2011: 515 complaints 2011 2012: 419 complaints 2012 2013: 398 complaints 2014: 202 complaints 2015: 159 complaints 2016: 154 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 35 complaints 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 23 complaints 2023: 18 complaints 2024: 22 complaints 2024 2025: 15 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2011: 515 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051051
20061439
20072003
20081497
2009502
20102819
2011515
2012419
2013398
2014202
2015159
2016154
201791
201835
201928
202014
20216
202223
202318
202422
202515
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES 50%

50% of complaints: service brakes — 259 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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, 20180711

Brake booster and brake booster pump assembly are faulty and failing. Brakes are still functioning, but will ultimately fail without warning, from what I have read. This is highly dangerous for myself and other motorists.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230918

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 61 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 20181024

Brake booster and brake booster pump assembly are faulty and failing. Brakes are still functioning, but will ultimately fail without warning, from what I have read. This is highly dangerous for myself and other motorists.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230918

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 9%

9% of complaints: exterior lighting — 48 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 46 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
AIR BAGS 9%

9% of complaints: air bags — 45 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
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, 20250806

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, 20120327

PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM RAHAL TOYOTA, [XXX] ON 07/02/2011. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 03/2011.

NHTSA ODI report, 20110719

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2011 — complaint volume: 515
R 20130321 — air bags, 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, an

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 contac

Campaign 13V014000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140321 — electrical system, hybrid propulsion system

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.

Campaign 14V053000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

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.

Campaign 14V743000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160714 — seats

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.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161017 — air bags

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.

Campaign 16V487000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190122 — hybrid propulsion system

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.

Campaign 18V684000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20190930 — DP (closed 20210121)

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

I 20231122 — DP (open)

Brake Actuator Valve Wear

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2011 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (259 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (61 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 13V014000 (air bags, seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V053000 (electrical system, hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V743000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V396000 (seats) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 16V487000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2018 ▲ 2017 ▲ 2003

WORST YEARS

■ 2010 ■ 2007 ■ 2008

See all years ranked →

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 50% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2011 Toyota Prius have?

6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.