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2011 Toyota Prius: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Prius years.
522 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2011 Prius?The 2011 Toyota Prius has 522 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2011 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2011 Toyota Prius vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Prius years only. How we score it
Is 2011 a good year for the Prius?
Across the 26 Prius model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2000) to 5,652 (2010). With 522 complaints, the 2011 Prius sits about the same as the model's median of 502.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2011 Prius
hybrid propulsion system
Campaign 18V684000Toyota 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.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 16V487000Toyota 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.
seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Campaign 14V743000Southeast 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.
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 14V053000Toyota 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.
Show 2 more recalls
seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler
Campaign 16V396000Southeast 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.
air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive
Campaign 13V014000Southeast 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Prius consistently praised as the quintessential rational transportation appliance.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Prius. See the full Prius owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Prius listings typically run $12,797–$27,748.
Other Prius model years
Compare every Prius year side by side to see how 2011 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Prius against its rivals
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