2011 TOYOTA PRIUS

What owners reported to NHTSA, ranked by how often and how seriously.

This is complaint data, not a random sample.

It only includes owners who chose to file a federal complaint, so it over-represents dramatic and safety-related problems and under-represents minor issues an owner just had fixed without reporting. Read this as what NHTSA complainants report most, not as this vehicle's true failure rate. Full methodology.

Component ranking

  1. #1

    abs module

    96 unsafe

    96
    incidents
    Typical range: 15,500–126,000 mi

    Median 61,500 mi, based on 72 reports (39% had no usable mileage)

    • "JUST WANT TO ADD TO THE LIST OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR LUNGING FORWARD WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, PRIMARILY WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVING OVER ROUGH TERRAIN BUT NOT ALWAYS. IT IS ALWAYS UNEXPECTED. I'VE HAD TO CHANGE THE WAY I DRIVE, BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS SURE I C…"~1,000 mi, complaint #1209739
    • "WHEN I BRAKE ON AN UNEVEN SURFACE (POTHOLES, BUMPS, ETC) THE CAR WILL SOMETIMES JUMP FORWARDS. I AM UNSURE WHETHER IT IS REFERRED TO AS BRAKES SLIPPING BUT IT IS EXACTLY THE SAME THING THAT I'VE READ HAPPENING TO MANY PEOPLE. IT WAS AN ISSUE IN THE 2010, WHI…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1552925
    • "THE TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT, ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM NOT FUNTION AND THE LIGHT STAYS ON"~67,000 mi, complaint #1518043
    • "I HAVE BEEN LUCKY TO MISS CLOSED-CALL HITTING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AFTER SKIDDING. WHEN I APPLY BRAKES GOING DOWN THE RAMP, THE CAR SKIDS AND THE BRAKE DOESN'T STOP THE CAR UNTIL I GET PRETTY CLOSE TO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I AM MORE CONCERNED BECAUSE SOME…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1644785
    • "WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY, MYABS, BRAKE, TCS LIGHT IS SUDDENLY ON, THE BRAKE NEED POWER TO PUSH AND REGENERATE CHARGER NOT WORKING WHEN BRAKE PEDAL PUSH, AND MAKE MPG DROP."~343,000 mi, complaint #1644236
  2. #2

    brake hydraulics

    73 unsafe

    73
    incidents
    Typical range: 25,000–111,000 mi

    Median 49,000 mi, based on 60 reports (42% had no usable mileage)

    • "I HAVE A 2011 PRIUS AND IF WHILE I AM BRAKING, I DRIVE OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES RELEASE. I MUST RE-APPLY THE BRAKES TO RE-ENGAGE THEM. I FEEL THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS WEBSITE REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WILL A RECALL HAPPEN BE…"~6,600 mi, complaint #869886
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING ON AN INCLINE, AN ABNORMAL METAL-ON-METAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE NOISE WOULD BECOME LOUDER WHEN THERE WAS ONLY ONE OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…"~25,456 mi, complaint #1061554
    • "WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THE TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE AND ABS FAILURE LIGHTS CAME ON. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT ACTUATING THE ABS SYSTEM. I WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE SERVICE BRAKES. SINC…"~51,045 mi, complaint #998810
    • "On April 25, 2023 I started my Prius and as soon as I braked I knew something was not right. I noted that warning light were on. When I pushed on brake pedal, the resistance was very soft for about 2 inches of pedal travel. At that point the brakes grabbed ver…"~105,000 mi, complaint #1895326
    • "BRAKES COMPLETELY FAILED. LOUD BEEPING SOUND HAPPENED, COULDN'T STOP CAR EVEN IN A PARKING LOT. HAD TO USE TRANSMISSION TO SLOW TO A STOP. WAS IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT."~200,000 mi, complaint #1721423
  3. #3

    brake booster

    65 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    66
    incidents
    Typical range: 98,500–156,000 mi

    Median 125,000 mi, based on 33 reports (63% had no usable mileage)

    • "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 bra…"~74,000 mi, complaint #2008280
    • "WHILE IN MOTION WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. BRAKES FAILED. RAPID BEEPING WITH BRAKE LIGHT ON. I PUSHED ON THE BRAKES AND THERE WAS NOTHING. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THIS VEHICLES ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKE BOOSTER ASSY. THERE…"~108,000 mi, complaint #1376797
    • "BRAKE BOOSTER AND ACTUATOR FAILED AND ERROR CODE C1391. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND TOYOTA KNOWS THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE NUMBER OF CASES INVOLVED WITH THIS ISSUE. THE YEAR PRIOR SAW A MASSIVE RECALL OF 87,000 VEHICLES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THE SAME ISSUE…"~120,500 mi, complaint #1529372
    • "WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE, MY TRACTION WARNING LIGHT, THE BRAKE LIGHT, AND THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME ON, AND THE BRAKES BECAME HARD TO PRESS. WHEN LETTING OFF THE BRAKE, THERE WAS AN AIRY, SUCTION SOUND. AFTER A WHILE, WHILE DRIVING, AL…"~140,000 mi, complaint #1579242
    • "BRAKE, TRACTION CONTROL, TIRE PRESSURE, ABS LIGHTS ALL COME ON WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO SHOP. CLAIMS IT'S THE BRAKE BOOSTER/ ACTUATOR PROBLEM. CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM"~175,000 mi, complaint #1619767
  4. #4

    lighting exterior

    30 unsafe, 2 broken, 10 annoyance

    42
    incidents
    Typical range: 48,500–100,000 mi

    Median 75,000 mi, based on 37 reports (24% had no usable mileage)

    • "HEADLAMP, 2011 PRIUS 5 DOOR HATCHBACK, I HAVE REPLACED THE RIGHT HEADLAMP 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IN 2012. RECENTLY THE LAMP ABOVE THE THE HEADLAMP HAS ALSO GONE OUT. IF YOU MOVE THE WIRING I NOTICED THE LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR A WHILE THEN GO OUT. T…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1292042
    • "DRIVING IN RAIN IN DARK ON UNLIT ROAD. BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. NOTHING WOULD MAKE THEM COME BACK ON - TURNING LIGHTS OFF AND ON, TURNING CAR OFF AND ON. VERY SCARY. VERY CLOSE TO DRIVING OFF ROAD INTO DITCH. THIS MUST BE A RECALL. TOYOTA AS U…"~49,000 mi, complaint #1082891
    • "THE HEADLIGHTS IN MY 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS HAVE BURNED OUT 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 6 MONTHS, TWO OF THE TIMES BEING AT NIGHT AND I'VE HAD TO USE MY HIGH BEAMS SO THAT I CAN SEE. WHEN I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC, I WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A DEFECT WITH THE 2010 AND 2011 PR…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1277446
    • "BOTH LOW BEAM BULBS NOT WORKING, BUT HIGH BEAMS WORK. BULBS NOT BAD. HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY."~90,000 mi, complaint #1474932
    • "DIM HEADLIGHT PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, UNABLE TO SEE ROAD CLEARLY WITH LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS ON AT NIGHT, HAVE TO USE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO SEE ROAD. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME"~220,000 mi, complaint #1447073
  5. #5

    hv system fault reduced power

    3 stranded, 22 unsafe

    25
    incidents
    Typical range: 72,000–158,000 mi

    Median 117,000 mi, based on 39 reports (22% had no usable mileage)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UPHILL AT 5 MPH AND IN THREE INCHES OF SNOW WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE SDS WARNING LIGHT. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS…"~12,000 mi, complaint #912952
    • "I WAS DRIVING ALONG ON THE FREEWAY TRYING TO GET HOME AND SUDDENLY MY PRIUS LOST POWER. I WAS PANICKING, GOOD THING I HAD MY BROTHERS WITH ME OR ELSE I WOULD HAVE LOST IT. WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS GOING ON! WE MANAGED TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY SAFELY, BUT WE WERE…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1483784
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED WESTBURY TOYOTA AT [REDACTED PHONE] (LOCATED AT [REDACTED ADDRESS], WESTBURY, NY 11590) AND WAS INFOR…"~116,480 mi, complaint #1530535
    • "I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A VERY BUSY LOS ANGELES INTERSECTION AND DURING NEEDED ACCELERATION TO TURN, THE PRIUS LOST POWER FOR A FULL SECOND AND THEN POWER CAME BACK SLOWLY AND I BARELY MADE IT THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, A T BONE COLLISION WAS IMMINENT, AND…"~158,000 mi, complaint #1613173
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stopped in the middle of the road. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechani…"~190,000 mi, complaint #1846841
  6. #6

    airbag system

    23 unsafe

    23
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=17, median 65,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "PURCHASED A NEW 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS FROM RAHAL TOYOTA, [XXX] ON 07/02/2011. CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN 03/2011. ON 07/17/2011 A CAR MADE AN ILLEGAL LEFT TURN DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF US AND THE FRONT OF THE PRIUS STRUCK THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE OTHER CAR AT APPROX.…"~1,200 mi, complaint #867951
    • "THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AT 6:45 AM. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR AT 3:45 PM, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG HAD DEPLOYED SOMETIME THAT DAY. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF COLLISION OR IMPACT. THE CAR WAS DIRTY, AND THE DUST HAD NOT BEEN DISTURB…"~60,200 mi, complaint #1068230
    • "THE CAR WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN WE T BONED ANOTHER CAR THAT ENTERED OUR LANE ILLEGALLY. MY WIFE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND WE SKIDDED FOR ABOUT 10 YARDS BEFORE HITTING THE OTHER CAR. NEITHER THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING SYSTEM NOR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM OPERAT…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1290522
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that she was hit by another vehicle while turning left onto a highway at 5 MPH. The contact was hit on her driver-side door at approximately 60 MPH and the airbags did not deploy upon impact. The contact…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1790236
    • "AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER BEING REAR ENDED STRAIGHT ON AT 55 MPH, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED."~970,200 mi, complaint #1536777
  7. #7

    unintended acceleration

    15 unsafe

    15
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=19, median 34,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE FORWARD WHILE PRESSURE WAS BEING APPLIED TO THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TE…"~900 mi, complaint #852116
    • "I HAVE EXPERIENCED BRAKE ISSUES WITH MY 2011 PRIUS MODEL SINCE I LEASED THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2011. WHEN I AM TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS AND I TRY TO BREAK GOING DOWN HILL AND /OR BREAK OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CAR ACCELERATES PRIOR TO FULLY STOPPING. THIS HA…"~17,000 mi, complaint #971416
    • "CAR WAS IN MOTION ABOUT 20MPH. WHEN BRAKES WAS APPLIED, THE CAR FAILED TO SLOW DOWN BUT INSTEAD QUICKLY ACCELERATED. CONTINUOUSLY APPLYING THE BRAKES DID NOTHING. CAR CAME TO A STOP APPLY RUNNING INTO ANOTHER CAR."~78,000 mi, complaint #1300630
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT 5 MPH, A 90 DEGREE LEFT TURN WAS MADE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEED AND JUMPED THE CURB. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIF…"~93,081 mi, complaint #1158660
    • "WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A BUMPY ROAD ,I FEEL THE CAR ACCELERATES AND TRY TO JUMP AND I USUALLY PRESS THE BRAKE HARD TO STOP. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS SEVERAL TIMES BUT NEVER REPORT. TO CLARIFY MORE , IT HAPPENS WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE."~115,000 mi, complaint #1218257
  8. #8

    engine oil consumption

    13 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    14
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 98,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BURNED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT ESTIMATED THAT IT BURNED A QUART OF OIL PER WEEK. THE CONTACT CALLED A LOCAL DEALER (TOYOTA CARLSBAD, 6020 AVENIDA ENCINAS, CA…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1428876
    • "I NOTICED AROUND 90,000 MILES THAT MY CAR BEGAN CONSUMING OIL AT ANY ACCELERATED RATE, SO I DIDN'T THINK TOO MUCH ABOUT IT. THEN I NOTICED THAT I MY OIL GAUGE WAS TURNING ON EVERY 1,000-1,200 MILES, MY CAR WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL. I WENT ONLINE TO TOYOTA…"~90,000 mi, complaint #1487425
    • "I HAVE A 2011 PRIUS, AND IT FAILED TOYOTA'S OIL CONSUMPTION TEST TWICE, AROUND 110,[REDACTED ADDRESS] SO QUICKLY THAT I HAVE TO ADD OIL 2-3 TIMES BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. BOB SMITH TOYOTA (LA CRESCENTA, CA) PERFORMED THE TEST PER TOYOTA'S INSTRUCTIONS AN…"~100,000 mi, complaint #1504269
    • "REQUEST HELP WITH 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS OIL CONSUMPTION, QUALITY, SAFETY, & AIR POLLUTION ISSUES: I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. JUST AFTER 100,000 MILES I NOTICED IT WAS USING OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. IT HAS GOTTEN WAY WORSE TO NOW AT 145,000 MILES IT USED 3 QTS IN 200…"~110,000 mi, complaint #1300263
    • "AT APPROXIMATELY 120,000 MILES WE STARTED RECEIVING MESSAGES FROM OUR DEALERSHIP THAT THE CAR WAS STARTING TO USE OIL EVEN THOUGH WE HAVE PERFORMED ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE AND ON TIME. THEN BETWEEN 130,000 AND 140,000 WE STARTING GETTING AN OIL LIGHT THAT WO…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1346033
  9. #9

    other

    4 unsafe, 1 broken, 8 annoyance

    13
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET HEATED SEAT WARMER MANUFACTURED BY PHILIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT WARMER FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BE…"~56,000 mi, complaint #950329
    • "MICE INVADED MY CAR. TRAPPED 6. FOUND NESTS IN ENGINE AREA, UNDER TRUNK, INSIDE HOOD FELT IN GLOVE COMPARTMENT IN A WATER BOTTLE. THE SMELL DOES NOT LEAVE AFTER HAVING CAR DETAILED AND STEAM CLEANED. TOYOTA SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS. NOT THE CONSUMER PROBLEM.…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1287422
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE OF MICE IN THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE MICE ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE REAR UNDERCARRIAGE VENT. THE…"~62,000 mi, complaint #1177098
    • "ON NOVEMBER 4, DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE APPOINTMENT, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT OUR PRIUS IS COMPLETELY INVADED WITH MICE, FROM WHERE THE WIND SHEILD MEETS THE DASHBOARD, ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE ENTIRE CAR - BETWEEN THE VISIBLE INTERIOR AND THE METAL FRAME - T…"~90,100 mi, complaint #1339344
    • "TOYOTA AFTER 2 MONTHS HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE/RECALL. SINCE THAT I HAVE TO STOP TO SHARE MY CAR ON TURO AND I'LL HAVE A LOST OF INCOME. I'M ASKING FOR A COMPENSATION"~115,000 mi, complaint #1521511
  10. #10

    ev drive unit or inverter

    10 unsafe

    10
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=13, median 130,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "ALTHOUGH TOYOTA ISSUED A RECALL NOTICE IN OCTOBER OF 2018 FOR OUR 2011 PRIUS, THE AFFECTED PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE AND THE LETTER STATED WE WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE REPAIR COULD BE MADE. ON FEB. 5 OUR CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING CAME ON AND THE CAR WAS DIFFI…"~92,500 mi, complaint #1537506
    • "IN MOTION WHILE ACCELERATING PAST A SLOWER CAR. HEARD AND FELT A PRONOUNCED THUMP AND LOST ENGINE POWER ON BUSY LOCAL THOROUGHFARE. MOVED TO A TURN LANE AND STOPPED. MULTIPLE DASHBOARD LIGHTS AND "CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM" ON LED DISPLAY. POWER OFF CAR, AND BAC…"~113,000 mi, complaint #1508692
    • "I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A FEW RECALLS A FEW MONTHS AGO FOR THE FLASHING REPAIR AND NOW MY INVERTER/CONVERTER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I FELT LIKE IF I TOOK IT IN FOR THE REPAIRS LIKE MY CAR WOULD SUDDENLY GET WORSE DUE TO THE SO CALLED REPAIRS TO MANAGE THE DEFECTS…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1661065
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1817642
    • "MY TOYOTA PRIUS LOSES POWER RANDOMLY AFTER HAVING THE RECALL FIX J0V COMPLETED UPDATING THE SOFTWARE IN INVERTER. VEHICLE STALLED 3 TIMES ON FREEWAY, HIGHWAY AND OFF RAMP. DASH BOARD LIGHTS LIGHT UP WITH ALL WARNING LIGHTS. VEHICLE LOSES POWER....CAN DRIVE…"~192,000 mi, complaint #1557006
  11. #11

    wiring harness

    7 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    9
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=11, median 50,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "I'M TRYING TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS LONG TIME AGO,BUT NOW I FOUND THAT OUT.I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR LONG TIME AGO BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM. I DON'T MY MILES TO DRIVES AND I CAN'T SEE MY GAS MILES. ALL MY DASHBOARD GONE AND MY WINDOWS THEY CAN'T OPEN AT ALL. I CAN BELIEV…"~17,500 mi, complaint #1663582
    • "OWNER OF VEHICLE DRIVING TO WORK WHEN THEY OBSERVED A RED GLOW IN FRONT OF THEM. THE OWNER THEN OBSERVED SMOKE FROM THE FRONT. THE OWNER PULLED OFF ROADWAY AND MORE SMOKE DEVELOPED. THE VEHICLE THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE CONSUMED THE PASSENGER COMPARTME…"~50,000 mi, complaint #1079529
    • "DASH BOARD KEEPS BEEPING, YET I HAVE REPLACED THE KEY BATTERY 3 TIMES AND NOW DEALER SAYS KEY NOT DETECTED, YET CAR RUNS SO THE KEY IS DETECTED BUT THE BEEPING WILL NOT STOP. TOOK TO DEALER PAID 89.99 FOR DIAGNOSTIC PER DEALER. DEALER NOW SAYS THE LEFT HARNE…"~58,847 mi, complaint #1384050
    • "WE WERE ON FREEWAY WHEN AN ODD SMELL WAS DETECTED. THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE TRUCKS IN THE AREA AND WE PASSED OFF THE SMELL TO THE TRUCKS. A COUPLE OF MILES LATER THE PASSENGER SAID, "THE FLOOR IS ON FIRE!" AT THIS POINT, AN ABUNDANCE OF SMOKE APPEARED ABOVE…"~82,500 mi, complaint #1577315
    • "MY HEADLIGHTS KEEP BURNING OUT. TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS COMMON PROBLEM AND IT REQUIRES A NEW ELECTRICAL HARNESS. THEY ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY TO FIX THIS, HOWEVER NOT EVERYONE GOT THE NOTICE (LIKE ME). IT EXPIRED IN NOV. 2019. I WAS QUOTED $700 TO FIX T…"~155,000 mi, complaint #1655025
  12. #12

    engine internal

    8 unsafe

    8
    incidents

    Commonly reported, insufficient mileage data - n=10, median 62,000 mi, no reliable range below 25 reports.

    • "NEW 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS SHOOK VIOLENTLY UPON STARTUP. SEVERE ENGINE NOISE FOR 10 SECONDS UNTIL SMOOTHING OUT AFTER 40 SECONDS. DASHBOARD AND BODY PANELS VISIBLY RATTLING. ONLY 970 MILES ON ODOMETER. CHECKED INTERNET, AND FOUND MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. WORR…"~970 mi, complaint #849472
    • "UPON STARTING VEHICLE, A VERY LOUD KNOCKING NOISE, ACCOMPANIED BY SHAKING OCCURRED. AT THIS TIME NO FAILURE/WARNING LIGHTS APPEARED ON DASHBOARD. MOVED CAR FORWARD APPROXIMATELY 15 FEET, AND PLACED CAR IN PARK, KNOCKING/SHAKING DID NOT ABATE. TURNED CAR OFF. T…"~8,106 mi, complaint #888027
    • "ON JAN. 18TH, 2014 I WAS LEAVING FL TO RETURN TO NC, WHEN I STARTED UP MY PRIUS AND WAITED FOR THE GAS ENGINE TO START, IT DID NOT WANT TO START. IT SOUNDED LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE, MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE AND THE WHOLE CAR SHOOK. I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND TH…"~43,800 mi, complaint #1036285
    • "HARD KNOCKING WHEN TURNING ON ENGINE UNTIL I COMPRESS AND DECOMPRESS MY BREAK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, ONLY DURING THE COLD MONTHS"~80,000 mi, complaint #1329241
    • "The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact smelled an abnormal burning odor and then heard an abnormal explosion. The contact observed black smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled off…"~150,000 mi, complaint #1898767
  13. #13

    tire failure

    5 unsafe, 2 annoyance

    7
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON THE 101 N FREEWAY AT ABOUT 55 MPH AND I HEARD A LOUD POPPING NOISE. I HAD NEVER HAD A TIRE BLOW BEFORE SO I DIDN'T EVEN REALIZE WHAT WAS HAPPENING UNTIL I HEARD THE FLAT TIRE. LUCKILY IT WAS MY LEFT REAR TIRE SO I WAS NOT INJURED AND I WAS A…"~8,000 mi, complaint #958354
    • "WAS DRIVING A 2011 PRIUS WITH JUST UNDER 25,000 MILES ON OCTOBER 18, [REDACTED ADDRESS]. A REAR TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. THERE WAS A ROLLOVER END FOR END DOWN A VERY STEEP AND LONG DITCH. THERE WERE SEVERE BACK INJURIES. *TR"~24,000 mi, complaint #997103
    • "YOKOHAMA TIRES 195/65R15 DOT#479N-EBM1212. PREMATURE WEAR. PALM BEACH TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR 60 K WARRANTY. PREMATURE WEAR AT 25K MILES. YOKOHAMA STOPPED MANUFACTURING THIS TIRE BECAUSE OF COMPLAINTS, SO CANNOT GET EQUAL TIRE.PALM BEACH TOYOTA WANTS TO CHARGE…"~44,500 mi, complaint #1174936
    • "ON OCTOBER 18,2012 I WAS DRIVING MY 2011 PRIUS [REDACTED ADDRESS] AT 55 MPH WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR YOKOHAMA TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE SIDEWALL. I SWERVED IN TO THE LEFT LANE TWICE BEFORE LEAVING THE ROAD, SNAPPING OFF A UTILITY POLE, GOING DOWN A REVINE AND ROL…"~240,000 mi, complaint #961911
  14. #14

    glass and windshield

    5 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=7)

    • "I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 20 WITH MY WIFE WHEN THE SUNROOF EXPLODED. THERE ARE TWO PANES OF GLASS AND THE EXTERIOR PANE SENT SHARDS OF GLASS OUT ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE INTERNAL PANE OF GLASS STAYED IN PLACE BUT SOME SHARDS OF GLASS FELL ON MY WIFE AND MYSEL…"~56,000 mi, complaint #992850
    • "I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY IN THE COUNTRY, GO ABOUT THE SPEED LIMIT OF 55 WHEN I HEARD A VERY LOUD SOUND LIKE AN EXPLOSION OR GUNSHOT. I HAD THE COVER TO THE SUNROOF OPEN AND WHEN I LOOKED UP I COULD SEE THAT THE SUNROOF WAS SHATTERED, CRACKLED EVERYWHERE, BUT…"~58,100 mi, complaint #1285790
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD SOUND. HE NOTICED THAT THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED AND THE GLASS SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. DCH TOYOTA OF TORRANCE (2909 CA-1, TORRANCE, CA 90505, [REDACTED PHON…"~84,360 mi, complaint #1570390
    • "ON DECEMBER 8TH, 2018, I WAS DRIVING EASTBOUND ON INTERSTATE 10 IN PHOENIX, AZ AT APPROXIMATELY MILEPOST 141 AROUND 5:45 PM. SUDDENLY, I HEARD A LARGE, *BANG* WHICH SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED MYSELF FOR INJURIES AND FELT THE CAR TO DETERMI…"~98,500 mi, complaint #1522389
  15. #15

    power windows and locks

    3 unsafe, 2 broken, 1 annoyance

    6
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE DOOR LOCKS ON A GOOD PORTION OF TOYOTA PRIUS FAIL LEAVING THE BOTH THE CAR AND IT'S OCCUPANTS UNPROTECTED. IT IS MOSTLY THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS. TOYOTA REFUSES TO CHECK INTO THE PROBLEM. THEY WANT OVER $400 PER DOOR LOCK TO FIX IT. I FEEL THAT IT IS BOTH AN I…"~30,000 mi, complaint #1106777
    • "DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED. WE HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF FIVE PRIUS VEHICLES SINCE 2007 AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THIS DUAL FAILURE. JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON TH…"~44,000 mi, complaint #1319619
    • "POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILS TO CLOSE WINDOW WHEN LIFTED UP INTO THE FULL AUTO-UP MODE. THE WINDOW GOES TO THE TOP OF THE DOOR AND THEN REBOUNDS TO APPROXIMATELY 1/2 WAY DOWN. DRIVER IS REQUIRED TO PUT WINDOW UP BY ONLY LIFTING SLIGHTLY ON THE SWITCH TO MANUAL…"~53,000 mi, complaint #1019559
    • "SECURITY AND SAFETY THREAT IN 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS DUE TO POWER LOCKS FAILING. ACTUATOR IN THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS IS DEFECTIVE AND FAILS VERY EARLY IN THE AUTO'S LIFE. FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK FAILED SEPT 2013. FRONT DRIVER DOOR LOCK FAILED FEB 2014. REAR…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1110125
  16. #16

    engine stall or no start

    1 stranded, 4 unsafe

    5
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=9)

    • "CAR STALLED PULLING INTO TRAFFIC. TOOK ABOUT 15 SEC TO RESTART. NO DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS LIT UP ON DASH. CAR LOST POWER LAST MONTH AND ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED.HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. IT REPLACED VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR VACUUM AN…"~57,000 mi, complaint #1596940
    • "THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON; THE CAR HAS STALLED AND LOOSES POWER IT NEEDS TO HAVE THE STICKY EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE TAKEN CARE OF. IT ALSO NEEDS PSV COVERAGE FOR BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLY SAFETY WARRANTEE ENHANCEMENT"~64,000 mi, complaint #1734587
    • "THE CAR STARTS AS NORMAL AND DRIVES NORMALLY BUT ONCE YOU START TO COME TO A STOP THE CAR SHUTS OFF AND WILL ONLY RESTART WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL BUT SHUTS DOWN AGAIN WHEN YOU RELEASE THE GAS PEDAL, NORMAL CITY STREETS AND HIGHWAY"~80,464 mi, complaint #1547300
    • "TAKATA RECALL MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAS THIS CAR WITH A MAJOR SAFETY RECALL AND NO APPARENT FIX! NOT HAPPY AND NOT FEELING SAFE WITH HER DRIVING IT NOW. IT HAS STALLED OUT ONCE SO FAR ON A BACKROAD."~158,654 mi, complaint #1513681
    • "UPON START UP IN THE COLD THE ENGINE SHAKES VIOLENTLY FOR 15 SECONDS. *TR"~208,000 mi, complaint #1152976
  17. #17

    engine head gasket

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=5)

    • "LOUD RATTLE, SHAKING IN MOTOR AREA. WAS FOUND TO BE A HEAD GASKET LEAK. USING A LOT OF ANTIFREEZE AND WHITE SMOKE OUT THE TAIL PIPE. WHILE IDLE OR IN MOTION AND WHILE GAS ENGINE IS RUNNING. STARTED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST AND VERY SHORT, EG. FOR A SECOND OR TW…"~128,000 mi, complaint #1650064
    • "FOUND OUT THE VIOLENT ENGINE SHAKING AND THE MYSTERY LOSS OF COOLANT WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE LEAKS IS DUE TO A LEAKING HEAD GASKET THAT HIS COMMON TO MANY OWNERS. CAR NOW RUNS ROUGH AND MILEAGE IS AFFECTED. MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME ISSUE HTTP://PR…"~215,000 mi, complaint #1260676
    • "STARTING FROM A STOP AFTER ENGINE SHUT-DOWN, THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. THIS GOT WORSE OVER TIME UNTIL I REALIZED THAT IT WAS ACTUALLY AN ENGINE MIS-FIRE. THE DEALER TRACED THE ROOT CAUSE TO A LEAKING CYLINDER HEAD GASKET THAT IS A COMM…"~227,000 mi, complaint #1562202
  18. #18

    hv battery and range

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM JUST CAME ON. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR. ALTHOUGH IT WAS USED, IT HAS 116,000 MILES ON IT. WE DO NOT KNOW WHETHER IS A CALIFORNIA VEHICLE. WE BELIEVE IT IS A BATTERY ISSUE. THIS WOULD MEAN THAT THE BATTERY WOULD NEED TO…"~116,000 mi, complaint #1600912
  19. #19

    stability and traction control

    4 unsafe

    4
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=6)

    • "THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS LIGHT AND WARNING LIGHT ALL CAME WHICH I BELIEVE ALL TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE"~60,000 mi, complaint #1509955
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A TRACTION CONTROL SWITCH. DUE TO THE SWITCH NOT BEING IN THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO…"~77,000 mi, complaint #1266070
    • "ABS LIGHTS ON ,TRACKS WARNING LIGHTS ON AND VSC LIGHTS ON .ITS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. TOYOTA SHOULD FIX IT . TOYOTA SHOULD OWN ITS PROBLEM"~91,000 mi, complaint #1530932
    • "WARNING LIGHTS FOR TRACTION CONTROL, BRAKE, AVE ALL APPEARED, AND THEN BRAKING DRAMATICALLY CHANGED. ALMOST LIKE NOT HAVING POWER BRAKES. LIGHTS WENT OFF AND NORMAL BRAKE FINCTION RETURNED. THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF, AT RANDOM. CODE C1391…"~141,000 mi, complaint #1610069
  20. #20

    horn

    3 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S HORN LOST FUNCTIONALITY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1385716
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN WAS INOPERABLE. WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, THE HORN FUNCTIONED AS INTENDED. HOWEVER, IF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS CENTERED, THE HORN WOULD BE INOPERABLE. THE…"~117,000 mi, complaint #1389766
  21. #21

    steering electric assist

    2 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "I WAS STOPPED AT A SIGNAL AND THEN STARTED TO PROCEED ONCE THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I COULDN'T DRIVE ANY FASTER THAN IDLE SPEED. EVEN AT THAT SPEED THE CAR WAS OUT OF CONTROL,IT WAS SWERVING,EVEN THOUGH I WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL STRAIGHT. THE STREET HAD A DUSTIN…"~8,000 mi, complaint #1146662
  22. #22

    transmission automatic

    3 unsafe

    3
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 55 MPH WHENM THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND A WARNING BELL SOUNDED. THE FAILURE HAD SINCE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEA…"~800 mi, complaint #887466
    • "MY 2011 PRIUS II INTERMITTENTLY GOES INTO REVERSE WHEN I SHIFT INTO DRIVE. APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES NOW SINCE BEGINNING. TWICE IT HAS GONE INTO DRIVE WHEN I HAVE SHIFTED INTO REVERSE."~3,500 mi, complaint #876829
    • "WHILE DRIVING MY [REDACTED ADDRESS] TO NEUTRAL. THE CAR CONTINUES TO ROLL BUT SLOWS DOWN. A WARNING COMES UP ON THE SCREEN THAT THE CAR IS IN NEUTRAL. I CAN POP THE GEARSHIFT INTO DRIVE AND IT SEEMS FINE, AND MAY OR MAY NOT BEHAVE THE SAME WAY AGAIN. THI…"~162,000 mi, complaint #1521096
  23. #23

    adas adaptive cruise

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WE'VE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE DRCC (DYNAMIC RADAR CRUSE CONTROL) ON OUR 2011 PRIUS. THE DRCC LOCKS UP (FREEZES) -LOCKING ONTO A PHANTOM VEHICLE AHEAD AND ACTIVATING THE BEEPER/APPLYING THE BRAKES -' EVEN WHEN THERE IS NO VEHICLE IS AHEAD! THIS CREATES…"~15,100 mi, complaint #934883
    • "2011 PRIUS, USA EQUIPMENT PACKAGE FIVE. 20000 MILES DRIVEN -- RECOMMENDED SERVICE DONE EVERY 5000, INCLUDING THE 20000 SERVICE DONE LESS THAN 1000 MILES AGO. EASTBOUND ON I-78, A FEW EXITS WEST OF ALLENTOWN PA. SPEED LIMIT 65, RADAR CRUISE SET TO 68 AND…"~20,000 mi, complaint #957157
  24. #24

    control module

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SAFETY SRS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GLENS FALLS TOYOTA ([REDACTED ADDRESS], GLENS FALLS, NY 12801, [REDACTED PHONE]) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPIRAL CAB…"~104,000 mi, complaint #1627187
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPUL…"~124,000 mi, complaint #1523234
  25. #25

    infotainment head unit

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AS THE NAVIGATION/GPS SYSTEM WAS BEING USED ON A LONG TRIP, THE BACKLIGHT SUDDENLY BURNED OUT. UPON TOUCH, THE SCREEN WAS EXTREMELY HOT. (IT DID NOT COOL DOWN UNTIL APPX. 1 HOUR AFTER THE BACKLIGHT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. WITH THE BACKLIGHT NOT WORKING, IT RENDERS…"~46,000 mi, complaint #1089314
  26. #26

    instrument cluster

    1 unsafe, 1 annoyance

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY IS TO DIM TO READ IN BRIGHT SUNLIGHT, ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING DIRECTLY TOWARD THE AFTERNOON SUN ON A CLEAR DAY. MY WIFE, WHO VIEWED THE DISPLAY AS A FRONT-SEAT PASSENGER, AGREES WITH ME. TO SEE HOW FAST I WAS GOING, I HAD TO TAKE MY EY…"complaint #1065982
    • "I loss the ability to see the speedometer and fuel guage on my instrument cluster. This is the same problem the 2005 to 2009 recall for non working speedometer. Spoke with Toyota and explained what are the odds that I am having the same problem they said I w…"complaint #1775421
  27. #27

    seat mechanism

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "I AM 5'4" TALL AND LIKE THE SEAT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN ADJUST THE HEADREST SO THAT IT ALLOWS ME TO SIT UPRIGHT AND NOT HAVE MY HEAD FORCED FORWARD AND DOWN BY THE HEADREST. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NEW "SAFETY" REGULATION. THIS REGULAT…"complaint #1226846
    • "THE DRIVER'S HEAD SEAT, OF THE PRIUS 2011, POPS UP WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS A BIT ROUGH. *KB"complaint #884654
  28. #28

    steering rack mechanical

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES WHILE GOING OVER A POTHOLE OR CURB, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE SO FAR AND I'VE ONLY OWNED THE CAR FOR A FEW MONTHS. *TR"~31,000 mi, complaint #1104452
    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME STUCK IN THE POSITION THE VEHICLE WAS TURNING TOO. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY WAS…"~124,117 mi, complaint #1079011
  29. #29

    throttle and pedal

    2 unsafe

    2
    incidents

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL AFTER DRIVING FOR A LONG DISTANCE. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT RESUMED NORMAL FUNCT…"~20,000 mi, complaint #1136042
    • "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 i…"~119,000 mi, complaint #2034275
  30. #30

    ac compressor and refrigerant

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM IN THE PRIUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT IS PRONE TO GROWING MILDEW AND/OR MOLD IN THE SYSTEM, WHICH RESULTS IN TOXIC AIR BEING PUMPED INTO THE CAR. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS SEVERAL TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN U…"~20,000 mi, complaint #997577
  31. #31

    adas collision warning

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE - IT CAN BE MONTHS BETWEEN EVENTS - OUR PRIUS MOMENTARILY SLAMS ON THE BRAKES WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHILE NOTHING ELSE IS GOING ON. WE KNOW IT'S NOT OPERATOR ERROR. IT'S HAPPENED TO MY WIFE SEVERAL TIMES AND ME ONCE. WHEN IT HAPP…"~75,000 mi, complaint #1279232
  32. #32

    alignment and pull

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "AFTER RECEIVING THE COMPUTER UPDATE MY FUEL MILEAGE HAS DROPPED 10 MILES. THE OTHER PROBLEM IN THE RATE OF TIRE WEAR AND PULL. I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR AN ALIGNMENT TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP BECAUSE IT WAS PULLING THEY TOLD ME THEY DID THE ALIGNMENT. AFTER I GOT MY…"~130,000 mi, complaint #1642291
  33. #33

    backup camera

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "REAR VISIBILITY SERIOUSLY HAMPERED BECAUSE NO CAMERA INSTALLED IN VEHICLE. TOYOTA MOTOR CAR COMPANY KNOWS FROM EXPERIENCE THE SERIOUS SAFETY & FINANCIAL CONSEQUENCES OF NOT ADDRESSING A SAFETY ISSUE & A CAMERA PROVIDING THE DRIVER REAR VISIBILITY COULD DRAMAT…"complaint #848698
  34. #34

    battery and charging

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "LEFT CAR RUNNING THE NIGHT BEFORE. DIDN'T KNOW IT. LOCKED CAR THAT EVENING. BATTERY DEAD NEXT DAY. SHOULDN'T THERE HAVE BEEN A WARNING WHEN I LOCKED CAR, THAT CAR WAS NOT OFF?"~29,000 mi, complaint #1213319
  35. #35

    catalytic converter

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 145,000…"~227,000 mi, complaint #2106260
  36. #36

    engine mounts

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "ON START UP IN COLD WEATHER, <40*, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF NOT BEING USED, THE ENGINE RATTLES LIKE THERE'S A LOOSE ENGINE MOUNT. IT LASTS SEVERAL SECONDS, THEN STOPS. AFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP IT'S FINE. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I HAD TSB-0204-11 INS…"complaint #1249482
  37. #37

    fluid leak unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAK COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE SPIDERS IN THE HVAC DRAINAGE HOSE AND THE SPIDE…"~20,000 mi, complaint #944683
  38. #38

    fuel tank and lines

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NO…"~58,000 mi, complaint #1317414
  39. #39

    heater core and blower

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE REC…"complaint #1154633
  40. #40

    interior trim

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADREST WOULD SLIDE UP AND OUT OF THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADREST WOULD OBSTRUCT HIS VISION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEE WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE FROM…"complaint #872011
  41. #41

    lighting interior

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE TURNED ON DURING THE DAY (I.E. WHEN IT IS RAINING), THE LIGHTED PANEL ON THE CONSOLE FADES TO UNREADABLE. SINCE THE SPEED IS INDICATED ON THE CONSOLE, WE CANNOT MONITOR OUR SPEED DURING THESE TIMES. THIS IS PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS WHEN…"~35,000 mi, complaint #1382956
  42. #42

    mirror

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SIDE WINDOWS WOULD BECOME EXTREMELY FOGGY AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE SIDE-VIEW MIRRORS WHEN NEEDED. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS IN AN ATTEMPT TO CLEAR THE WINDO…"complaint #897311
  43. #43

    noise or vibration unspecified

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "MY BRAND NEW 2011 PRIUS CLASS FIVE WITH ALLOY WHEEL, MAKE A LOT OF NOISE COMING FROM FRONT LEFT TIRE. TIRE IS BRAND NEW, TRY A TIRE ROTATE, WHEEL IS STILL MAKING NOISE AT 5MPH TO 70. TAKE IT TO DEALER THEY SAY IT NORMAL WHEN I DON'T THINK IT NORMAL. VERY STARI…"complaint #890123
  44. #44

    seatbelt and pretensioner

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=2)

    • "AS THE PASSENGER IN THE CAR THAT I OWNED WE WERE DRIVING AND HIT THE BACK END OF A LARGE PICKUP TRUCK AT APPROX 26-28 MPH. I AM 5'10" AND AS ALWAYS WAS NOT SITTING CLOSE TO THE DASH. ONCE I REALIZED WHAT HAPPENED MY FACE WAS BLEEDING VERY HEAVILY. WHAT HAD HAP…"~55,000 mi, complaint #1055003
  45. #45

    software or update

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE DEALER UPDATED THE SOFTWARE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS…"~60,000 mi, complaint #1262724
  46. #46

    steering column

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=0)

    • "THE HONK / SPIRAL CABLE IS DEFECTIVE - ONLY NOTICED IT IN 2015 (BROUGHT TO THE DEALER) BUT NEVER USED THE HONK BEFORE THAT - COULD HAVE BEEN EARLIER... IT ONLY WORKS WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS COMPLETELY TURNED TO ONE SIDE. SINCE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN INVOLVED I…"complaint #1465061
  47. #47

    suspension arms and bushings

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=3)

    • "THERE ARE 3 ISSUES I AM HAVING WITH THIS PRIUS. THE BRAKES ARE THE FIRST PROBLEM. AS OTHERS HAVE STATED, I TOO HAVE THE SAME LURCHING FORWARD WHEN BRAKING OVER BUMBY OR ROUGH ROADS. THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. SECOND, THE SUSPENSION IS CREAK…"~63,000 mi, complaint #1214777
  48. #48

    suspension struts shocks

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "DROVE OVER A SPEED HUMP, AND AS THE FRONT TIRES HIT THE LEVEL PAVEMENT, THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD. RESPONDED TO BRAKES JUST FINE. HAPPENED AGAIN A WEEK LATER AS BOTH FRONT TIRES SIMULTANEOUSLY WENT OVER AN EDGE DROPOFF AT A CONSTRUCTION AREA. *TR"~7,200 mi, complaint #915661
  49. #49

    tpms

    1 annoyance

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "AFTER HEAVY RAINS, WATER GETS INTO THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE WELL, CAUSING A SHORT IN THE TPMS MONITOR FOR THE SPARE TIRE. ALL TIRES HAVE APPROPRIATE AIR PRESSURE BUT THE TELL-TALE SHOWS UNTIL THE SPARE TIRE STORAGE AREA DRIES OUT - SEVERAL DAYS. THIS IS A NEW…"~73,000 mi, complaint #1498397
  50. #50

    trunk or liftgate

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "THE LOWER WINDOW ON THE REAR HATCH SHATTERED WITHOUT WARNING."~163,000 mi, complaint #1404015
  51. #51

    wheel or rim

    1 unsafe

    1
    incident

    Mileage: suppressed (fewer than 10 mileage-bearing reports; n=1)

    • "TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, A SCRAPING TYPE NOISE WAS HEARD UNDER THE VEHICLE AND A BUMP WAS FELT. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DI…"~69,255 mi, complaint #1197401

NHTSA investigations

Search NHTSA's own recall and complaint database for TOYOTA PRIUS directly.