2011 TOYOTA PRIUS

8 recalls — 50 complaints

18V684000 Oct 4, 2018
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.
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.
807,329 vehicles affected
16V487000 Jun 30, 2016
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.
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.
482,002 vehicles affected
16V396000 Jun 2, 2016
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.
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.
7,749 vehicles affected
14V743000 Nov 19, 2014
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
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.
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.
3,233 vehicles affected
14V053000 Feb 12, 2014
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.
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.
698,457 vehicles affected
14V053000 Feb 12, 2014
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
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.
698,457 vehicles affected
13V014000 Jan 16, 2013
SEATS
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.
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.
3,235 vehicles affected
13V014000 Jan 16, 2013
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
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.
3,235 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 2, 2026
While driving, the Brake, ABS, traction light and other light lit up. The car lurched in an odd way. I can hear the oil pressure pump turn on every 5 seconds. Toyota shops told me the master cylinder and booster pump are failing and that the brakes will stop working while driving, causing an accident.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 15, 2026
I was driving my car at over 70 mph on a highway, no check engine, no issues, just had oil changed when check hybrid system alert came on with check engine light. I started to change lanes to get to shoulder when my car just died, completely. It died in the middle of the highway merging with another major road, so I was stuck between 2 lanes of 70mph traffic on either side. The time to react to the sudden warning to my car dying was less than 2 minutes. I quickly called 911 to ask for help and was told someone had already reported my breakdown as well because my car had died in a horribly dangerous area. I was very lucky that a state trooper came quickly and blocked off my car until it could be towed for repair. I was told that I need a new Hybrid Battery. The fact that I had no signs of failure before complete shut down makes for a very dangerous driving situation and makes me second guess ever buying a Prius again.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Jan 15, 2026
I was driving my car at over 70 mph on a highway, no check engine, no issues, just had oil changed when check hybrid system alert came on with check engine light. I started to change lanes to get to shoulder when my car just died, completely. It died in the middle of the highway merging with another major road, so I was stuck between 2 lanes of 70mph traffic on either side. The time to react to the sudden warning to my car dying was less than 2 minutes. I quickly called 911 to ask for help and was told someone had already reported my breakdown as well because my car had died in a horribly dangerous area. I was very lucky that a state trooper came quickly and blocked off my car until it could be towed for repair. I was told that I need a new Hybrid Battery. The fact that I had no signs of failure before complete shut down makes for a very dangerous driving situation and makes me second guess ever buying a Prius again.
ENGINE Jan 15, 2026
I was driving my car at over 70 mph on a highway, no check engine, no issues, just had oil changed when check hybrid system alert came on with check engine light. I started to change lanes to get to shoulder when my car just died, completely. It died in the middle of the highway merging with another major road, so I was stuck between 2 lanes of 70mph traffic on either side. The time to react to the sudden warning to my car dying was less than 2 minutes. I quickly called 911 to ask for help and was told someone had already reported my breakdown as well because my car had died in a horribly dangerous area. I was very lucky that a state trooper came quickly and blocked off my car until it could be towed for repair. I was told that I need a new Hybrid Battery. The fact that I had no signs of failure before complete shut down makes for a very dangerous driving situation and makes me second guess ever buying a Prius again.
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 14, 2026
The abs, brake, and traction control are intermittently on and off recently. I thought that there was a visible leak in the brake fluid. But my mechanic said that there was no feasible leaks found upon inspection. The car has also been inspected in Maryland without any issues. I came across many forums that said that this is a common issue in Prius. My safety was at risk if this is due to internal failure or defect of the product, especially because I drive with my [XXX] almost everyday to take her to daycare. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 28, 2025
ABS, Slip Indicator and Brake warning lights have appeared on the cars dashboard. DTC fault code C1391 has appeared indicating a failure of the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump assemblies per Toyota Customer Support Bulletin (ZJB) No.: POL18-03. Loss of regenerative braking, putting the safety off occupants at risk.
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 9, 2025
The Master Cylinder started failing while I was driving the car, the car only has 138k miles, the dashboard lit up like a Christmas tree, all the warning lights were on, and when I went to step on the brake, I had to push it all the way to the floor for any braking to happen. I remember being scared for my life because I had almost no brakes which I could've got into a serious accident or been killed had it failed completely. I took the car to the dealer and they diagnosed it with code C139: Abnormal Leak at Accumulator Assembly, and recommended a new Brake Booster with Master Cylinder Assembly and Brake Booster Pump Assembly with Bracket. The car by age was not in Toyota's extended warranty on the parts but mileage-wise it still is, so I was footed with a $4-5k bill to replace both parts.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Nov 18, 2025
I purchased a 2011 Prius 4 years ago from a dealership. For the last 2 years, whenever I drive the car, the ABS, brake, and skid lights are on. also, there's a slightly whirring noise every few seconds from under the hood. Braking has been affected, and I've had to increase my stopping distance as a result. Also, the brake pads and rotors deteriorate faster. Apparently, this is a common problem with this type of car. I've called Toyota, and despite it being a known flaw with this car, they refuse to do anything about it.
SERVICE BRAKES Nov 18, 2025
I purchased a 2011 Prius 4 years ago from a dealership. For the last 2 years, whenever I drive the car, the ABS, brake, and skid lights are on. also, there's a slightly whirring noise every few seconds from under the hood. Braking has been affected, and I've had to increase my stopping distance as a result. Also, the brake pads and rotors deteriorate faster. Apparently, this is a common problem with this type of car. I've called Toyota, and despite it being a known flaw with this car, they refuse to do anything about it.
SERVICE BRAKES Nov 4, 2025
VIN: [XXX] Year/Make/Model: 2011 Toyota Prius Mileage: 87,433 Date: 11/4/2025 DESCRIPTION Sudden 80% brake loss. Loss of ABS Brake Light + ABS + Traction Control lights on dash (photo attached). Known failed brake actuator (C1391) — identical to 500+ complaints in PE19-004. Toyota corporate denied coverage (email attached). This is a SAFETY RECALL issue — please reopen investigation. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
SERVICE BRAKES Nov 3, 2025
ABS Brake pump booster and actuator broke and got me almost into an accident. It's a known issue and it's a safety issue because car can still run but the brake is less sensitive. Please get Toyota to honor the repair.
SERVICE BRAKES Oct 22, 2025
The ABS actuator on my 2011 Toyota Prius has failed, which is a known and common issue with this generation of Prius vehicles. The component causes abnormal brake pedal feel and inconsistent braking performance. The vehicle has been inspected and diagnosed by a Toyota dealership, who confirmed the ABS actuator assembly needs replacement. This failure poses a serious safety risk because it affects braking reliability and increases stopping distance, especially during sudden stops or wet road conditions. There were no warning lights or messages prior to the failure. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The problem has been confirmed by the dealership service department but has not been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance representatives.
SERVICE BRAKES Oct 15, 2025
Have continuous display of ABS , Brake lights for some time. Diagnosed as problems of ABS brake booster and pump. Toyota recognizes this issue but will not replace it.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Oct 14, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the master warning light, ABS, and Brake warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed failures with the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic accumulator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 95,000.
SERVICE BRAKES Aug 20, 2025
Toyota issued a Customer Support Program ZJB for extended coverage of the brake booster and actuator assembly (this notice was not sent to the correct address the car was registered to with the dmv in 2019 so I never received the notice for this program) The Toyota program length was for 10 years or 150k miles. My car’s part just failed at 129k which is far below the 150k threshold. Despite being outside the 10 year window I am still under the mileage, the car is in perfect condition and this car is used for work for uber. The malfunction of the Toyota part in my car is a critical safety issue and because it is outside of the program Toyota refused to provide any goodwill assistance
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Aug 20, 2025
Toyota issued a Customer Support Program ZJB for extended coverage of the brake booster and actuator assembly (this notice was not sent to the correct address the car was registered to with the dmv in 2019 so I never received the notice for this program) The Toyota program length was for 10 years or 150k miles. My car’s part just failed at 129k which is far below the 150k threshold. Despite being outside the 10 year window I am still under the mileage, the car is in perfect condition and this car is used for work for uber. The malfunction of the Toyota part in my car is a critical safety issue and because it is outside of the program Toyota refused to provide any goodwill assistance
AIR BAGS Aug 6, 2025
The contact owned a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in an intersection, a Ford F-150 vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated he was pinned between the door and the infotainment system. The airbags failed to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was taken to the local hospital by a friend in a private vehicle, and the contact received medical assistance. The contact sustained internal bruising and external bruising and cuts. Additionally, the contact sustained a major injury was on the neck, on the laryngeal prominence area of the neck and on the collar bone. The medical Doctor informed the contact that the major injury could heal in 4 weeks, or in 7-8 months. The contact was also informed that the major injury could become a permanent condition, causing cramps and stiffness depending on the weather. The contact was experiencing trouble sleeping due to the injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot and was totaled. A Police report was filed. The leasing company the vehicle was purchased from was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to an unknown air bag recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 325,000.
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES Jul 22, 2025
I' m getting ABS warning light. Dealer confirmed that I need to replace Brake Actuator and Accumulator which costs me over $3K. Dealer refused to cover under warrant though it's a known issues with TOYOTA PRIUS vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER Jul 2, 2025
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 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 227,000. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone and was informed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that it was not a new failure and that there was a possibility that the dealer may have removed the check engine light prior to the sale.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR Jul 2, 2025
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 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 227,000. The contact stated that while driving at 60 MPH, the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact took the vehicle to Auto Zone and was informed that the catalytic converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact was informed that it was not a new failure and that there was a possibility that the dealer may have removed the check engine light prior to the sale.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY Jun 16, 2025
Around 14 months ago (march 2024) I purcheded a replacment battery pack for our 2011 Toyota Prius form NexPower Energy (also going by, project lithium, sodiumhybrid) based out of CA. The battery pack is a lithum pack that replaces the orginal nickel metal hydride pack. In the beginning of June 2025, the car through an battery error and went into limp mode wile my wife was driving, when i go home and plugged in my scanner to check the battery out i noticed that the cells were out of balance and some were becoming very over charged. My fear is that if the cells were continued to be overcharged an thermal runaway event might occure due to BMS not being included with the overall pack.
SERVICE BRAKES Jun 15, 2025
ABS warning system on dashboard is intermittent. I hear computer noises near the front driver tire. Then the warning light goes out or reappears on dashboard. Issue is the expensive diagnostic fee that may not unearth the cause, and if cause identified the diagnostic fee cannot be applied to the expensive repair. That’s a hard pill to swallow —and not affordable given economy, and I just had all four tires replaced along with a wheel alignment. Also, the yellow tire pressure light now blinks non-stop. (Previously it blinked 3x then stayed on but stopped blinking.) Anyways, Lots of covo about same issue in the 2011 Prius chat room I found after googling “2011 Toyota Prius ABS warning system.” Wondering if software needs updating, or perhaps there’s a systemic mfg defect?
SERVICE BRAKES May 10, 2025
My ability to break unexpectedly stopped working while I was on the highway during morning, rush-hour. I was going 55 mph on the highway at the time and luckily, I was on an uphill incline when they went out, thus allowing me to be able to ‘naturally’ slow down. But had I not been on an incline at that time of the brakes faulting, I would have 100% caused a wreck because I could not break at all. My emergency breaks weren’t even working, which is confusing because I thought that was the whole point of the emergency break, was for if your regular brakes become faulty… But NONE of my brakes worked. Which has created a new fear I didn’t know could happen while driving… Also, all the lights that have to do with the breaking system were on (ABS, Traction control, BREAK lights). And a consistent building up hissing noise under the hood.
SERVICE BRAKES May 5, 2025
Our trac abs and brake lights came on and braking became more difficult but not totally gone. I took it to my mechanic (not Toyota dealer) and he said the codes were going off for the abs hydraulic system and it would be $3000 to fix! This is unacceptable. I feel like my safety is affected but no one else has been hurt YET. I’m trying to be proactive. they first appeared last month. No manufacturer, insurance agent or cop has inspected it. It can be inspected by appt. Please help
UNKNOWN OR OTHER May 5, 2025
Our trac abs and brake lights came on and braking became more difficult but not totally gone. I took it to my mechanic (not Toyota dealer) and he said the codes were going off for the abs hydraulic system and it would be $3000 to fix! This is unacceptable. I feel like my safety is affected but no one else has been hurt YET. I’m trying to be proactive. they first appeared last month. No manufacturer, insurance agent or cop has inspected it. It can be inspected by appt. Please help
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING May 5, 2025
Our trac abs and brake lights came on and braking became more difficult but not totally gone. I took it to my mechanic (not Toyota dealer) and he said the codes were going off for the abs hydraulic system and it would be $3000 to fix! This is unacceptable. I feel like my safety is affected but no one else has been hurt YET. I’m trying to be proactive. they first appeared last month. No manufacturer, insurance agent or cop has inspected it. It can be inspected by appt. Please help
ENGINE Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM Apr 29, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 19, 2025
ABS actuator and pump failure
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Mar 19, 2025
ABS actuator and pump failure
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 12, 2025
There were not any prior problem with my 2011 Toyota Prius' brake but it started making air pumping noises when I brake which makes me very nervous to drive my car. A local mechanic confirmed that the problem is the faulty brake booster assembly and pump. Toyota issued Customer Support Program for this problem but covered only up to 10 years from the first date of use. Although my car has less than 120,000 mileage, I have to pay for this repair and it will cost me close to $2500 at a local repair shop! I want to go to Toyota dealership to fix but their cost is going to be even more! According to online research, many Prius owners have this same problem and have to pay out of their own pockets. This is unacceptable. Toyota should put a recall on this problem and cover the repair cost!!
SERVICE BRAKES Mar 11, 2025
Brake warning came on and wouldn’t go off. Followed by continuous beeping and now the brakes are no longer working properly. You have to force the brake all the way to the ground to even come to a rolling stop. The problem first occurred on 3/8/25. The brake actuator seems to be a reoccurring problem that Toyota addressed but is no longer fixing. It is dangerous to drive my vehicle and others have said their brakes have completely failed when this problem arose.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING Mar 11, 2025
Brake warning came on and wouldn’t go off. Followed by continuous beeping and now the brakes are no longer working properly. You have to force the brake all the way to the ground to even come to a rolling stop. The problem first occurred on 3/8/25. The brake actuator seems to be a reoccurring problem that Toyota addressed but is no longer fixing. It is dangerous to drive my vehicle and others have said their brakes have completely failed when this problem arose.
SERVICE BRAKES Feb 18, 2025
My brakes suddenly stopped responding correctly as I was pulling up to a busy road. My car went part way into traffic and I was nearly hit. After speaking to my mechanic and my local Toyota dealership, I was informed that there was a know issue with the Brake Booster and Hydraulic Accumulator on this vehicle and that Toyota had extended the warranty several times but that it no longer covered my vehicle. They never once acknowledged the safety issue and I was never notified of the risk. I believe the extended warranty was setup to avoid a recall and hide the risk. I firmly believe a recall should be done on these parts and owners should be notified of known safety risks this presents.
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 31, 2025
While driving on the interstate, the "brake", "TCS", and "ABS" lamps lit up. The brake pedal was stiff and couldn't be depressed. The vehicle initially did not decelerate while attempting to push down on the brake pedal. While maneuvering off the interstate on to the exit lane, the pedal remained stiff however, the vehicle did begin to decelerate. Critically, the amount of time needed to bring the vehicle to a stop was significantly longer than normal. This brake failure could have resulted in a catastrophic, life threatening and/or deadly accident. The DTC associated with this brake booster and pump failure is C1391 which is referenced in TSB-0024-19. This is a known problem that exists in Priuses manufactured between 2010-2015 and addressed by Toyota with CSP(s). The CSP takes a reactive approach to this serious safety concern as owners who "have not experienced the condition described" were informed that "there is no action necessary at this time". The extended warranty of 10 years or 150,000 miles is not applicable to countless drivers who are experiencing this failure caused by "internal malfunctions" outside of this arbitrary time/mileage frame. A letter was sent to the NHTSA on 9/19/19 by the president of Claremont and Capistrano Toyota to petition for the initiation of a Defect Investigation regarding this issue. The letter notes that this brake defect is "causing crashes that are injuring people- and Toyota is mishandling it". The advisor assigned to this repair estimated that they see this issue 1-2 times a month and increasingly, drivers are not covered by the CSP. Toyota is failing to take a proactive approach to this dangerous safety issue by telling owners to essentially wait and see if they experience this failure and then failing to take responsibility for said costly failure should it occur outside of their arbitrary time/mileage frame. This approach to safety is egregious, irresponsible, and unethical and it is putting countless lives at risk.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jan 27, 2025
In 11/2024, I started experiencing intermittent noises coming from the engine compartment of my 2011 Toyota Prius. The initial sound resembled the buzzing noise generated when first starting the vehicle. Then the noise started to persist for extended periods after the vehicle was turned off. It would oscillate between buzzing for approximately 10 seconds & remaining dormant for about 1 minute, repeating this cycle. The duration of these cycles could extend for up to 20 minutes. Concurrently, I experienced several instances where the brake pedal would abruptly become stiff & difficult to press. Notably, no warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard. Recognizing these symptoms as unusual, I conducted online research and discovered that the issue could potentially stem from a malfunction in the “brake booster pump and assembly.” Given the potential for a loss of braking power and the risk of personal/public safety, I scheduled a diagnostic inspection at Toyota of Poway, Poway, CA, on 12/18/2024. It confirmed the presence of a problem with the brake booster pump and associated components. In light of this diagnosis, I made the decision to refrain from driving the vehicle until the repairs were completed. The repair costs amounted to $3,475.47. I found I had received a notification from Toyota’s Customer Support Program, designated as “Customer Support Program Notification-ZJB.” This notification explicitly acknowledged this defect & provided a repair coverage policy that stipulated a coverage policy of which I’m no longer entitled to. Despite not meeting the eligibility criteria for the repair coverage program, I am deeply troubled by the fact that this recognized defect persists in vehicles currently on the road, such as mine, without any corresponding recall action and subsequent repair costs covered by Toyota. Fortunately, I was spared from any accidents as a direct consequence of this issue. Many similar complaints here support this dangerous issue!
ENGINE Jan 27, 2025
In 11/2024, I started experiencing intermittent noises coming from the engine compartment of my 2011 Toyota Prius. The initial sound resembled the buzzing noise generated when first starting the vehicle. Then the noise started to persist for extended periods after the vehicle was turned off. It would oscillate between buzzing for approximately 10 seconds & remaining dormant for about 1 minute, repeating this cycle. The duration of these cycles could extend for up to 20 minutes. Concurrently, I experienced several instances where the brake pedal would abruptly become stiff & difficult to press. Notably, no warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard. Recognizing these symptoms as unusual, I conducted online research and discovered that the issue could potentially stem from a malfunction in the “brake booster pump and assembly.” Given the potential for a loss of braking power and the risk of personal/public safety, I scheduled a diagnostic inspection at Toyota of Poway, Poway, CA, on 12/18/2024. It confirmed the presence of a problem with the brake booster pump and associated components. In light of this diagnosis, I made the decision to refrain from driving the vehicle until the repairs were completed. The repair costs amounted to $3,475.47. I found I had received a notification from Toyota’s Customer Support Program, designated as “Customer Support Program Notification-ZJB.” This notification explicitly acknowledged this defect & provided a repair coverage policy that stipulated a coverage policy of which I’m no longer entitled to. Despite not meeting the eligibility criteria for the repair coverage program, I am deeply troubled by the fact that this recognized defect persists in vehicles currently on the road, such as mine, without any corresponding recall action and subsequent repair costs covered by Toyota. Fortunately, I was spared from any accidents as a direct consequence of this issue. Many similar complaints here support this dangerous issue!
SERVICE BRAKES Jan 27, 2025
In 11/2024, I started experiencing intermittent noises coming from the engine compartment of my 2011 Toyota Prius. The initial sound resembled the buzzing noise generated when first starting the vehicle. Then the noise started to persist for extended periods after the vehicle was turned off. It would oscillate between buzzing for approximately 10 seconds & remaining dormant for about 1 minute, repeating this cycle. The duration of these cycles could extend for up to 20 minutes. Concurrently, I experienced several instances where the brake pedal would abruptly become stiff & difficult to press. Notably, no warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard. Recognizing these symptoms as unusual, I conducted online research and discovered that the issue could potentially stem from a malfunction in the “brake booster pump and assembly.” Given the potential for a loss of braking power and the risk of personal/public safety, I scheduled a diagnostic inspection at Toyota of Poway, Poway, CA, on 12/18/2024. It confirmed the presence of a problem with the brake booster pump and associated components. In light of this diagnosis, I made the decision to refrain from driving the vehicle until the repairs were completed. The repair costs amounted to $3,475.47. I found I had received a notification from Toyota’s Customer Support Program, designated as “Customer Support Program Notification-ZJB.” This notification explicitly acknowledged this defect & provided a repair coverage policy that stipulated a coverage policy of which I’m no longer entitled to. Despite not meeting the eligibility criteria for the repair coverage program, I am deeply troubled by the fact that this recognized defect persists in vehicles currently on the road, such as mine, without any corresponding recall action and subsequent repair costs covered by Toyota. Fortunately, I was spared from any accidents as a direct consequence of this issue. Many similar complaints here support this dangerous issue!
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM Jan 17, 2025
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power temporarily. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued driving; however, the vehicle was operating on gasoline. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer determined that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The contact declined to pay for the repair and advised the dealer to perform the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to acknowledge the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH downhill, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the contact pulled into the driveway of the nearby residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 21, 2024
All brake lights on Dashboard came on. Almost got into an accident because brakes were not responding. Brakes started responding but lights remained on. At time it will contibue to beep and Brakes do not respond. I am seeing that this is a common issue happening to most Prius vehicles after a certain period. It is extremely expensive to repair. Since this is happening on quite a lot of Prius vehicles, I feel this should still be covered by Toyota. This appears to be a faulty Brake Pump and Brake Booster. This has not been inspected by a dealer but being that the car is a 2011, I'm afraid they will decline from what I have been reading.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Dec 6, 2024
Attached is a report from the Florida Attorney General's project office. Vehicle front headlight bulbs burn out prematurely and frequently and without warning causing reduced visibility at night on dark roads. This is a common and on-going problem for Toyota and other manufacturers and me. Toyota recognized this and issued its own recall ending in 2019, but my car was missed. The 'fix' for me is advice that I should drive my car with high beams on, but in bad weather or on-coming traffic this fix is also a safety hazard. My fear is that one night both bulbs will go out and I will be unable to see the roadway. My car is available for inspection. Constantly replacing bulbs has been and continues to be an expensive issue.
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 5, 2024
I have been doing some research, and the brake actuator and ABS system failing is a common problem on these cars. Mine recently started acting up and they used to replace it for free. I got my Prius only 6 months ago and have not had any luck getting Toyota to replace it. This needs to be recalled it is a serious safety hazard if the brakes suddenly give out. They should be replacing this free on all cars having this issues and they are aware of the issue (Toyota). The brakes suddenly stopped working well and lights came on in this exact instant on the interstate. This first happened about a month ago. Tons of people are making complaints with the NHTSA for the same issue.
SERVICE BRAKES Dec 3, 2024
12 months ago we noticed a vibration while braking at very slow speed/creeping forward that worsened over time. We didn’t understand the significance at the time. In addition, we noticed more recently the brake pump running more and more frequently, even when the brakes weren’t being pressed. We suspect some sort of problem with the brake booster. This has had many claims against Toyota where my break booster is going out, and I have called toyota to assist since they've had a class action lawsuit that caused them to assist with recalls on vehicles; however the year my vehicle does not qualify for a recall. They opened a service case# 241010002348, but told me it would have to be an out of pocket expense since there's nothing they can do. Unfortunately this is a failure defect on the manufacturers production. Please help.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING Oct 25, 2024
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Oct 25, 2024
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.
SERVICE BRAKES Oct 21, 2024
What component or system failed: 47070-47060 Pump Assy, Brake Booster w/Accumulator yes 47050-47150 Cylinder Assembly, Brake Master with Fluid yes put at risk: yes - abnormal braking ABS failure-traction control loss Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer: yes Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer: Not my specific parts Were there any warning lamps: Yes abs, traction control
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL Oct 21, 2024
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.
SERVICE BRAKES Oct 15, 2024
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"!
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM Oct 7, 2024
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.