2011 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
70/100
#7 most-complained of 21 Prius years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2011 Toyota Prius has 519 owner complaints and 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 70 out of 100 — #7 highest of 21 Prius model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is brakes (281 complaints, 54% of the total). Complaints report 37 crashes, 7 fires, and 17 injuries.
- Complaints
- 519
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 37 / 7
- Injuries / deaths
- 17 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 48
- 49 city / 46 hwy
Top 2011 Toyota Prius problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes281 (54%)
- Electrical System109 (21%)
- Engine78 (15%)
- Airbags46 (9%)
- Other32 (6%)
- Fuel System21 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain18 (3%)
- Structure & Body16 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers12 (2%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires11 (2%)
2011 Toyota Prius recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V684000Oct 4, 2018Fuel System807,329 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V487000Jun 30, 2016Airbags482,002 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Structure & Body7,749 vehicles
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 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.
Risk: 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.
2011 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 49 MPG
- Highway
- 46 MPG
- Combined
- 48 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Toyota Prius a reliable year?
- Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Toyota Prius ranks #7 of 21 among Prius model years (Complaint Index 70/100, verdict: Caution). It has 519 complaints and 6 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Toyota Prius?
- The most reported problem areas are brakes (281 complaints), electrical system (109 complaints), and engine (78 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 76,500 miles.
- Does the 2011 Toyota Prius have any recalls?
- Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2011 Toyota Prius, most recently reported 2018, covering fuel system, airbags, and structure & body.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Toyota Prius?
- EPA rates the 2011 Toyota Prius at 48 MPG combined (49 city / 46 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,350. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.