2011 Toyota Prius problems

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The Toyota Prius (/ˈpriːəs/ PREE-əss) (Japanese: トヨタ・プリウス, Hepburn: Toyota Puriusu) is a compact/small family liftback (supermini/subcompact sedan until 2003) produced by Toyota. The Prius has a hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.

The Prius was developed by Toyota to be the "car for the 21st century"; it was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, first going on sale in Japan in 1997 at all four Toyota Japan dealership chains, and subsequently introduced worldwide in 2000.

In 2011, Toyota expanded the Prius family to include the Prius v, an MPV, and the Prius c, a subcompact hatchback. The production version of the Prius plug-in hybrid was released in 2012. The second generation of the plug-in variant, the Prius Prime, was released in the U.S. in November 2016. The Prius family totaled global cumulative sales of 6.1 million units in January 2017, representing 61% of the 10 million hybrids sold worldwide by Toyota since 1997. Toyota sells the Prius in over 90 markets, with Japan and the United States being its largest markets.

2011 Toyota Prius

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Common 2011 Toyota Prius problems

The Toyota Prius, known for its reliability and eco-friendly features, has had some common problems reported by owners, particularly for the 2011 model. This article will discuss these issues in detail based on the search results.

  • Excessive oil consumption: Some 2011 Prius units have been reported to burn through engine oil excessively, consuming as much as a quart per 1,000 miles. This issue can lead to the oil warning light illuminating, requiring drivers to pay special attention to their car's oil levels to prevent serious engine damage. The common fix for this problem is to replace the leaking timing cover gaskets, but some owners have had to replace their vehicles' engines entirely.
  • Faulty multi-function display: Models from 2001 to 2016, including the 2011 Prius, have been affected by this issue. The multi-function display can become unresponsive or stop working altogether, often due to a poorly soldered internal connection within the display's circuit board. This problem can be resolved by replacing the display or having it repaired by a shop specializing in this type of repair.
  • Engine issues: The 2011 Prius has been reported to experience a variety of engine-related problems, such as stalling, hesitation, blown head gasket, overheating, and engine failure. These issues can be severe and may require professional diagnosis and repair by a licensed mechanic.
  • Faulty headlights: Many Prius owners, particularly those with the 2008 model, have complained about their car's headlights going out while driving. This issue can be a severe safety hazard when night driving. Replacing the headlights or headlight assembly has not always fixed the problem, and some owners have had to resort to replacing the entire headlight assembly to resolve the issue.
  • Interior issues: Prius owners have reported various interior issues, such as rattling noises, malfunctioning seat heaters, and problems with the center console. These issues can be inconvenient and may require professional repair.

While the Toyota Prius is generally considered a reliable vehicle, these common problems reported by 2011 Prius owners highlight the importance of regular maintenance and inspection when purchasing a used car.

2011 Toyota Prius engine

Is 2011 a good year for Prius?

In sum, we think the 2011 Prius deserves to keep its status as the best all-around hybrid. With strong fuel economy, hatchback utility, a reasonable price and a feature list that can range from economy to luxury, the Prius earns its painted bulls-eye.

How many miles can a 2011 Toyota Prius last?

between 200,000 and 250,000 miles

With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong. As the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius has an established history of reliable service for more than two decades.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

Are there any recalls on a 2011 Prius?

Summary: 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.

Is 2011 a good year for Prius?

In sum, we think the 2011 Prius deserves to keep its status as the best all-around hybrid. With strong fuel economy, hatchback utility, a reasonable price and a feature list that can range from economy to luxury, the Prius earns its painted bulls-eye.

What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?

A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.

  • Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
  • Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
  • Unintended Acceleration. ...
  • Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
  • Prius Headlight Problems. ...
  • Prius Brake Defects. ...
  • Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.

How long will my 2011 Prius last?

between 200,000 and 250,000 miles

With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong. As the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, the Prius has an established history of reliable service for more than two decades.

Is Prius high maintenance?

It's important to note that while the maintenance costs for a Prius are generally lower, there are some maintenance tasks specific to hybrid vehicles that can be more costly. These include servicing the electric motors and battery, which may require specialized knowledge and equipment.

2011 Toyota Prius car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

  • Service brakes problems
  • Electrical system problems
  • Exterior lighting problems
  • Air bags problems
  • Engine problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2011 Toyota Prius vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 2011 Toyota Prius

The NHTSA has received 477 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2011 Toyota Prius. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2011 Toyota Prius vehicles.

2024-10-25

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-01
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU3B0
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
  • Summary: The low-beam headlamps on thousands of 2011 Toyota Priuses were burning out very prematurely (a matter of weeks, not months). Toyota Corporate said they created a customer support program to replace the headlight wiring harness free of charge, but this program ended in 2019. I believe that Toyota should be compelled to issue a recall to replace the wiring harnesses on all 2011 Toyota Priuses, because working headlights are a critical component of a safely traveling vehicle. The cost of replacing the wiring harness is more than $700, a real dent in a working family's budget. For now, we are replacing the burned-out bulbs. However, we believe a recall initiated by NHTSA is warranted in this case.
2024-10-21

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-19
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU1B0
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while her husband was driving approximately 40-50 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal failed to go back to the normal position and remained stuck. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's husband depressed the brake pedal, and the engine revved significantly. The driver was able to pull to the side of the road. The driver turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle responded as needed. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 119,000.
2024-10-15

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-10-14
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU3B5
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The brake booster has failed. I was driving, and the ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights suddenly came on. The brakes felt less powerful. I drove the car Broadway Toyota in Portland, Oregon for maintenance. I was told that the system has failed, and while this is a known issue. It is not currently covered. I was also told that the car is not safe to drive. Toyota had a "Customer Support Program" to cover this issue. However, the program expired on Oct. 8th, 2021. Had I known, I would have brought it in prior to the expiration date. This seems like a recall issue. In Toyota's paperwork for the Customer Support Program, it states that Toyota is aware of "certain internal malfunctions of the Brake Booster Assembly"!
2024-10-07

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-17
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU2B5
  • Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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.
2024-10-01

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-29
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU5B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I was driving on a surface street at about 40 miles an hour and then the brakes suddenly don't work. You have to press on the brakes very hard to make them stop. All the safety warning lights were lit up on the dash. Took the car into the Toyota dealership and they said that there was a brake booster and pump customer support program but it's now expired so they won't fix it for free. The brake booster part is about $2000. I contacted Toyota Customer Service and asked them when they sent the notices out for this. They looked up our vin number and said that the notice was sent to the previous owner, since we bought the vehicle used from a Toyota dealer. Spoke to a Toyota supervisor from customer service and told them we never were notified to fix the brake booster. The supervisor said they will not pay for the repair. I think this should be a safety recall and Toyota needs to repair these parts. It's very dangerous to drive the car when the brakes fail to stop.
2024-09-30

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-30
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU8B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake booster has failed. I'm told this is a known issue but no recall has been issued
2024-09-13

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-12
  • VIN: JTDKN3DUXB5
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: To whom it may consern, I avoided a situation that could have been a very serious or deadly accident when my vehicle had unusual issue with the vehicle breaking system while driving on the freeway today [XXX]. The vehicle would not stop while pressing on the break pedal and I was able to quickly maneuver the vehicle on the shoulder of the freeway and was able to avoid a deadly crash. Looked on the dash and noticed that ABS, Break, and Traction Control lights all lit up. I was scared for my life and the safety of others around me. The vehicle was towed to my residence since it happened around 10:30pm California time. Quickly did some researched online for any recall on nhtsa.gov website but unsuccessful with any recall regarding the breaking system. I also found out that it is a common problem that other owners have been/experienced with the same vehicle year, make and model. I would greatly appreciate for any information I can gather in order to assist me on how I can get Toyota to look into this issue for the safety of myself and others. It was a very scary scenario that could have been a tragic one that I found myself into. Looking for a prompt response to address this issue. Thank you! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-09-08

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-09-07
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU9B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Symptoms: The vehicle exhibits a constant and repetitive noise when the brake pedal is pressed. Additionally, multiple warning lights are illuminated on the dashboard, including the red brake light, yellow ABS light, yellow traction control light, and tire pressure light. Suspected Cause: The issue appears to be related to the brake actuator or accumulator. This may be associated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) C1391, indicating an abnormal leak in the accumulator. This problem causes the brake booster pump to run continuously to maintain pressure, leading to the warning lights and noise. Safety Concerns: The malfunctioning brake system components could compromise the vehicle's braking performance and overall safety. Purchase Details: The vehicle was purchased recently from a dealership, and the issue was not present at the time of purchase.
2024-08-17

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-14
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU5B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: On our 2011 Toyota Prius there is a complete loss of breaking. The ABS, TCS, and brake lights all came on at one but went off after a few minutes. A few days later the entire system failed when the car was started and now there is no breaks at all on the car. A few months before we took the car to the dealership complaining about a noise when hitting the breaks and was told it was normal and to ignore it. It looks like Toyota knows about this issue and opened a customer care repair program but it expired in 2022 and was not advertised at all so the only way someone would know about it would be if they had an issue. Currently in order to fix the problem we are looking at around $3000 in parts and labor. Looking at other websites including this one the issues appears to be widespread.
2024-08-12

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-11
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU4B5
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: I was driving the vehicle around 55 mph when a check hybrid system warning popped up. About 30 seconds later the vehicle went from being in drive to B (brake mode) and the vehicle began to slow at a rapid pace with no warning. Could potentially cause an accident as this occurred with very little warning.
2024-08-06

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-04-28
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU4B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: On April 28, 2024 I was driving when my brakes became squishy and my ABS warning light, red brakes warning light, and traction control light came on. I was very fortunate to be close to my destination and only traveling under 25mph. Roughly a week later it was driven approximately 150ft (on private property) and the brakes were very unresponsive. The car was never accelerated past 3mph for that move. The loss of braking was sudden and happened without any prior warnings. Had I been on a high traffic, high speed road, I believe it likely that this would have resulted in a catastrophic accident. The Master Cylinder Actuator Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly failed. This was confirmed with OBD and a Snap-On Solus Ultra scanner. Both parts have been removed and are available for inspection upon request. They have not been inspected by anyone. I did contact Toyota about the braking issue and they did not express any interest in the issue or inspecting the failed parts. To make my Prius road safe and legal, I needed to replace the Master Cylinder Actuator Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly. These parts were bought from Toyota, who has so far profited from my car's brake failure.
2024-08-01

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-08-01
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU0B5
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: For the past 2 years I've had issues with the ABS, Traction, and Brake lights coming off and on on my dashboard of my 2011 Toyota Prius. Mechanics have replaced various things but have never been able to find the exact problem because the car doesn't either give any codes or it gives codes that don't really say what the exact problem is. I took it to a dealership again today, because not only are those 3 lights on but now the car is beeping continuously, and the dealership told me it was going to be over $5800 to fix the car, that's replacing the brake booster pump and the brake master cylinder, but the only code the car is showing is C1239, no other codes, C1239 is for the rear speed sensor LH. Every time I've had a mechanic/dealership look at the car, they can't find the exact issue and after replacing some parts, they tell me it could be the brake booster pump and the brake master cylinder, when I called toyota corporate about the warranty stuff to cover those being replaced because of the faulty issues that have apparently been acknowledged by toyota, toyota refuses to have the warranty work done, telling me that my car no longer qualifies for that warranty work, although I've never received anything from them talking about this issue in the past. I'm told now the beeping is those two items have completely failed and the car is now unsafe to drive, but it's the only vehicle I have to get to work, etc. The lights will come and go, but stay on more steady now with the beeping sound. Toyota should help to cover this, since they know it's a known defect!
2024-07-17

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-01
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU7B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: No incident, 3️ Light started recently, traction control, ABS, and Brake light, 07/15/2024. Big O tire did oil change, inspection, claims brake are ok, warning ️ lights comes on and off intermittently, causes brakes when on to become soft pedal when stopping, I consider a defect of workmanship by Toyota on this 3011 model possibly others l. Thank you for your time
2024-07-17

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-12
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU9B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the traction control, ABS, and brake lights were illuminated. The contact stated that when the brake pedal was depressed, the contact heard air coming from the brake pedal. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a failed brake booster pump assembly. The contact was informed that the brake booster pump assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The contact was informed that there was an unknown Customer Satisfaction Program with a similar failure description however, the contact was informed that the repair was not covered under the program. The contact was advised to contact the NHTSA Hotline to report the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 74,000.
2024-07-16

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-08
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU6B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake actuator failure on the freeway warning lights started beeping had trouble coming to a stop no brake pressure had to swerve to emergency lane. From my understanding there’s a brake actuator recall took it into Toyota my claim was denied .
2024-07-03

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-07-03
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU0B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: As is the case with I am sure thousands of Toyota Prius owners, the brake actuator in my 2011 Prius has failed. The car has approximately 128,000 miles, but given that it is a 2011, the car is outside the Toyota 10 Year/150,000 warranty extension. The deals wants $3,200 to repair. This part should last the life of the vehicle and I am asking NHTSA to help individuals such my myself and force Toyota to make the necessary repair free of charge due to the severe consequences to this part failing.
2024-06-13

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-06-11
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU9B0
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Driving yesterday on residential street, I gently applied my brakes to stop for a red light. The brakes did not stop the car; pumping the brakes did not help. Dashboard illuminated skidding car diagram, and BRAKE light went on. I took my foot off the gas, rode somewhat on the shoulder, and slowly found a place to park the car. Had to have it towed. No prior warning that the brakes would fail. Dealership advised it was a leak in the brake booster pump or actuator. Later learned that there had been a class action lawsuit dealing with this issue. Also that Toyota had extended the warranty when this happened frequently. I never got a recall notice about this. My car is a 2011 Prius with 59,000 miles. The extended warranty only went to 10 years, and mine is 11 years old, but I haven't seen anyone else in the chat boxes who had such a low mileage as mine. Thankfully neither I nor anyone was injured. But this is definitely a major safety issue and a very expensive repair. Over $3,000. What recourse do I have?
2024-05-15

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-05-13
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU2B1
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, there was an abnormal beeping sound heard. The contact stated that several warning lights were illuminated. While reversing in the driveway, the brake pedal was depressed to the floorboard before the vehicle stopped. The contact's husband an independent mechanic informed her that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
2024-04-21

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-19
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU7B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Hello I purchased this s car used on 03/19/24. I was told the brake and Abs light would clear with new battery, which they installed on 03/19/24. It did clear for a couple of miles, brake light warning ️ and abs came on, which causes car not to brake properly, I have not taken car back but believe it and s a defect of the manufacturer's that it has failed. Any help with this issue is appreciated. If you could tell me, what steps I can take to see if Toyota has any extended warranty for this issue Thank you for your Thank you for your time
2024-04-03

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-03-12
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU7B0
  • Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: Dc Dc Inverter , I did contact with Toyota corporate but they said my Vin it is not in recall, I need help please
2024-03-28

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-01
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU8B0
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: Brake Booster, pump failure
2024-03-14

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-21
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU5B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
  • Summary: The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the battery was drained frequently upon starting the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the brake pedal was firm while depressing, with several warning lights including the ABS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and based from the noise coming from the vehicle; the mechanic determined that the brake booster and brake booster assembly were defective. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 204,000.
2024-03-08

SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-16
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU1B1
  • Components: SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: I bought this car new in 2011, and it is now driven by my daughter. The brakes started having problems around 2019, and the car was taken to Toyota service. It was thought to be a tire issue and the tires were replaced, but the brake issue remained. In February 2024, all the dashboard brake lights came on, and my daughter immediately took the car to Toyota service. The problem was a defective and leaking brake booster pump assembly, a defect well known to Toyota, and the subject of extended warranty on this model (10 years or 150,000 miles) and a recall by Toyota on some other models. Since it was after the 10 year period (despite reported problems during the 10 year period), corporate Toyota told the Toyota dealer service department and our family that they would not cover the $3500 repair bill incurred. This should have been a recall. I am horrified to think what could have happened to my daughter with defective brakes. Corporate Toyota is well aware of this defect. Even a Toyota dealer has previously reported it to the NHTSA. [XXX] . I request corporate Toyota pay for this repair and issue a recall for other unsuspecting drivers of these vehicles. This is a potentially lethal defect that needs a recall, not a post brake failure repair. I send my great thanks to you for investigating this. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2024-03-08

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-01-17
  • Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
  • Summary: See attached document for complaint
2024-03-08

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM

  • Date Of Incident: 2024-02-29
  • VIN: JTDKN3DU1B5
  • Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
  • Summary: ABS, Brakes, Traction control lights, and ! illuminated while driving car is under 150,000 miles. Took to an autoshop, Gerald's Tires and Brakes: was told Mastercylinder, booster, accumulator need to be replaced.

2011 Toyota Prius recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 6 recalls for different components of the 2011 Toyota Prius.

2018-10-04
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
  • Summary: 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.
  • 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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
2016-06-30
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
  • Summary: 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.
  • Consequence: If either portion of the curtain shield air bag inflator ejects into the passenger cabin, there is an increased risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
  • 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. Toyota's number for this recall is Toyota G0U, and Lexus GLJ.
2016-06-02
  • Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
  • Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
  • Summary: 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 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
  • Consequence: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
  • 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. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
2014-11-19
  • Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
  • Components: SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
  • Summary: 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. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
  • Consequence: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
  • 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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
2014-02-12
  • Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
  • Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
  • Summary: 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.
  • 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. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
2013-01-16
  • Manufacturer: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC
  • Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
  • Summary: 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 Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
  • Consequence: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
  • 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 contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.

Negative 2011 Toyota Prius car reviews

  1. Nathaniel Jakubowski 2024-11-05

    I hope this message finds you well. I wanted to share my experience with my Prius, which has now clocked 5000 miles. Unfortunately, I have had to take it to the shop quite a few times due to a dash rattle that started after the first 750 miles. Despite the dealer's best efforts, including flying in engineers from Toyota, the issue persists. While this has been frustrating, I must say that the car's fuel efficiency is impressive, averaging 49-54 mpg's constantly. Additionally, the paint job is flawless and the best I've seen. I have noticed a minor issue with the navigation system, which sometimes incorrectly locates my position in the city, but I have found that a quick reboot usually solves the problem. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, but I do hope that Toyota can address the dash rattle issue in the future. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.

  2. Alexis Hauck 2024-10-28

    I will be selling my car on Craigslist next month. While it is reliable and has some convenient features like push button start and smart entry, it has not been a satisfying or fun car to drive. It gets over 50 MPG if you go far enough for the engine to warm up (over 10 miles), but for short trips of 2 to 5 miles, it gets 30 to 40 MPG. The engine turns off whenever possible, making for a quiet and vibration-free ride. However, as someone who is 6'2

  3. Akeem Lynch 2024-07-05

    Hi there! I absolutely adore my Prius for so many reasons! The back seat is incredibly spacious, and I get between 40-46 MPG depending on the weather. It's such a blast to drive, and I even call it my 'space ship car'! However, there are a few downsides. Unfortunately, there are some rattles that can be a bit annoying. While I understand that it's not a luxury car, I do think that Toyota could do a better job of preventing these rattles. Additionally, I was a bit disappointed to find out about this issue after purchasing the car. I just wanted to clarify that it doesn't actually get 48 MPG - it gets about 40 in wet weather and up to 46 in dry weather. This is based on city/mixed driving in rush hour traffic. Lastly, I do think that the dashboard layout could use some improvement. Even after driving for a couple of years, I still find myself searching for buttons. Overall, though, I still love my Prius!

  4. Maxime Hessel 2024-03-12

    Hi there! I've had my car for just over 3 years now and it's done 70,000 miles. Unfortunately, the AC stopped working this summer and my mechanic suggested it might be an electrical or computer issue, so I took it to the dealership for repair. They told me that the condenser assembly and compressor need to be replaced, which will cost $3,800. I have to say, this Prius hasn't quite lived up to its advertised standards.

Positive 2011 Toyota Prius car reviews

  1. Bradly Stiedemann 2024-11-29

    Great vehicle! The gas mileage is even better than the rating. The only downside is the backup video system, which is a bit slow to come on and part of the screen is blacked out to show the radio station you're tuned in to. However, the location of the radio display is not ideal since you're looking in the mirror when backing up anyway.

  2. Jamey Gulgowski 2024-11-27

    This model features a fabric upholstery that is not up to our usual high standards.

  3. Ladarius Watsica 2024-11-27

    This is definitely the best car of its type on the market! It has a smooth ride, excellent handling, plenty of room, and it even helps reduce pollution. Why would anyone pay the same amount of money for a car with far less mileage? Ads that claim a non-hybrid gets 40 MPG are simply not telling the truth. Real-world driving mileage is way less for a non-hybrid. The Prius, on the other hand, gets great mileage even around town!

  4. Ahmed Weber 2024-11-13

    It's been a year and a half since I bought this car used in November 2018. So far, I've only had to replace 2 tires, which were already pretty worn when I got it. The car has been running smoothly, and I've only needed to do regular oil changes. Depending on the type of driving, I get between 40 and 45 mpg, with back roads (not highways) with low traffic and few stop signs being the most fuel-efficient. However, my one complaint is that there's only ONE cup holder, and it's even hidden under a hinged lid. The cubbies in the doors have a wider section near your feet, which makes them unusable for cups... But overall, I'm happy with my purchase!

  5. Dexter Ratke 2024-09-13

    This car is truly amazing! It has touch-sensitive controls, high mpg that rivals that of 2015-2020 vehicles, smart key entry, and push-to-start. Plus, it comes with a back-up camera and won't lock your keys inside. You can also enjoy Bluetooth audio and calling, as well as USB connectivity. I absolutely adore this little spaceship car! Although the wipers went out and it requires frequent oil changes, the repairs were easy and the oil is readily available. With the JBL audio package, I can jam out in my comfy spaceship while watching my mpgs soar up to 100 mph as I glide down hills.

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Additional sources

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Apr 18, 2019 ... Another extremely common issue from 2010- 2012 is the brake actuator housing cracks which is a $2000.00 + repair. Its a design flaw that causes ...

Advice on buying 2011 Prius | PriusChat
Advice on buying 2011 Prius | PriusChat
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2011 Toyota Prius Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
2011 Toyota Prius Problems and Complaints - 7 Issues
https://repairpal.com/2011-toyota-prius/problems

Problem with your 2011 Toyota Prius? Our list of 7 known complaints reported by owners can help you fix your 2011 Toyota Prius.

2011 Toyota Prius Problems | Kelley Blue Book
2011 Toyota Prius Problems | Kelley Blue Book
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How reliable is the 2011 Toyota Prius? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

2011 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
2011 Toyota Prius Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
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