YearToAvoid

2011 Toyota Prius Fuel System Problems

NHTSA lists 21 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 Toyota Prius, 4% of its 519 total complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 116,000. Two related recalls (18V684000 and 14V053000) cover an inverter Intelligent Power Module issue tied to sudden power loss.

Fuel System complaints
21
4% of 519
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
116,000 mi
Related recalls
2

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle loses motive power or stalls suddenly while driving at highway speeds, sometimes with multiple warning lights on the dash.
  • Owners report the hybrid system shuts down mid-drive, sometimes displaying a "check hybrid system" message before the car dies.
  • Some drivers say the vehicle continues moving after the failure but switches to running on gasoline only, without electric assist.
  • Owners tied to recall campaign 18V684000 report parts unavailable at dealers or delays in getting the inverter software update or repair completed.
  • A stall combined with the check hybrid system light was reported alongside brake pedal travel increasing to the floorboard in one case, extending stopping distance.

When 2011 Toyota Prius fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint May 31, 2012, latest Jan 15, 2026.

2011 Toyota Prius fuel system complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2012Sep 2016Jan 2019Jan 2020Jun 2020Oct 2024Jan 2026
21 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2012 to Jan 2026; peak Mar 2014 (2).

Fuel System recalls for the 2011 Toyota Prius

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 14V053000Feb 12, 2014Fuel System698,457 vehicles

    Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

    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.

    Risk: 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.

Fuel System complaints by Prius model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 200531 (3%)
  2. 200621 (1%)
  3. 200730 (1%)
  4. 200858 (4%)
  5. 200924 (5%)
  6. 201099 (4%)
  7. 201121 (4%)
  8. 201217 (4%)
  9. 201324 (6%)
  10. 201410 (5%)
  11. 20159 (5%)
  12. 20166 (4%)
  13. 201712 (13%)
  14. 20182 (6%)
  15. 20191 (3%)
  16. 20201 (7%)
  17. 20212 (33%)
  18. 20221 (4%)
  19. 20230 (0%)
  20. 20240 (0%)
  21. 20251 (6%)

Frequently asked questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2011 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA records 21 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 Prius, which is 4% of the 519 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2011 Toyota Prius fuel/hybrid system?
Yes. Two recalls, 18V684000 (2018) and 14V053000 (2014), cover the Intelligent Power Module inside the inverter, which can develop excessive voltage in affected transistors.
At what mileage do 2011 Prius fuel system problems typically occur?
NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 116,000 miles at the time of failure for Fuel System complaints on this model year.
Did the fuel system issue cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 1 crash and 1 injury among the 21 Fuel System complaints for the 2011 Prius, with no fires reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.