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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,133 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2011 Toyota Prius electrical problems

electrical problem

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2011 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #55

Mar 122024

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Dc Dc Inverter, I did contact with Toyota corporate but they said my Vin it is not in recall, I need help please

- Columbus , OH, USA

problem #54

Sep 122023

Prius

  • miles
Brake booster and brake booster pump assembly are faulty and failing. Brakes are still functioning, but will ultimately fail without warning, from what I have read. This is highly dangerous for myself and other motorists. I was driving last week and tried coming to a stop at an intersection. I pushed the brake pedal and the car hesitated and then jumped/lurched forward before coming to a complete stop. The brake booster is sounding every 30 to 45 seconds to try and build back the pressure it is losing. Toyota offered a "Customer Support Program" for these parts, as there's been numerous premature failures. Unfortunately, my vehicle no longer fits within the parameters of the support program (see attached). From what I've read though, Toyota has been negligent with replacing the brake booster under the support program. I have called Toyota Corporate and they have offered no reprieve and won't stand behind this faulty part. Toyota needs to be forced to recall these 3rd gen Priuses and ordered to replace the breaking system. Expecting customers to shell out between $2-3k to have the ability to safely break/stop their vehicle is ridiculous, especially when Toyota is more than aware of this issue. I was quoted $2600 over the phone to remedy the issue from an independent hybrid shop. I've owned 7 Toyotas and two have been Priuses. This 2011 is by far one of their worst to roll off the assembly line with numerous reports of breaking problems, oil consumption issues, and head gasket failures. They need to stand behind their product(s), especially to brand loyal customers. Read more complaints about the breaking system: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Berea, KY, USA

problem #53

Feb 112023

Prius

  • miles
If I make a longer trip more than 10 to 15 miles the car does fine if I drive it 2 miles down the road or across the street to a different store the car tells me to check hybrid system. I had it check and code c1391 came up and that was repaired. Once repaired picked up from shop drove across the street to gas station and it told me to check hybrid system again and went into limp mode. Once I do a reset the car will start back up and drive fine as long as it's a long trip if I go on another short trip it will do it again.

- Mccrory, AR, USA

problem #52

Jul 152019

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After approximately 6 1/2 years of owning this 2011 Toyota Prius Hybrid (purchased in 2012), the brake pedal went completely to the floor and there was no braking. The brake fluid was completely FULL. Intermittently, this would occur, but brakes would come back operational in a few minutes. In 2022, the brake lights on dashboard started lighting up intermittently and go off. I had the complete brake pads, etc. replaced in June 2022. Last 1/2 of 2022 the entire brake dash lit up. I got into Toyota dealership 1/12/2023. They said the complete brake Master Cyclinder and Brake Pump replacement was required. They got the dash lights off. This car has only 133,023 miles. I finally checked the internet to see this is a TOYOTA issue! A recall on this brake assembly should be issued! I was unaware of this 5 years ago. This could cause a serious accident and should be fixed at Toyota's expense!

- Conway, AR, USA

problem #51

Dec 132022

Prius

  • miles
I have reported this once and numerous times to Toyota. I even paid to "fix" the problem. My daughter was driving and all the dashboard lights came on and the brakes do not work. It's doing it again after they supposedly "fixed" it. My family is at risk! If anything happens, I will seek legal action. I can't believe a company as big as Toyota wont take responsibility. And that a recall wont be done. I've seen numerous people report the same issue. PLEASE do something.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #50

May 042022

Prius

  • 141,000 miles
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 was diagnosed that the inverter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #49

Mar 232022

Prius

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Electric front window will not work. Could not find any bad fuses.

- San Antonio , TX, USA

problem #48

Feb 022022

Prius

  • miles
My daughter was driving the vehicle on highway and all dashboard lights came on. Abs brake and traction. The brakes would not work. She had to decelerate and pull off and turn car off. Terrifying. Got it checked at Toyota. Told them about that and how car lunges forward when brakes hit on a bump or pothole. We had to pay 2500 to replace brake booster which had an -??internal error-??. Got car back and all lights came back on. I-??m literally terrified to drive my car because of what may happen. Toyota refuses to recall and fix whatever this issue is.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

problem #47

Sep 262021

Prius

  • miles
one year after bought, was losing power, replacing a lot of batteries, headlights and lamps then car would lose power while driving, not start continually everyday for each day after and even started on its own. i took in a lot and they put my vin to the wrong person..someone rainsford so my service recs were not recorded. said no battery code, didnt check altenator, and even tho serv advisor said the break was squishy to him and he heard the loud buzz noise when pushing, it was not replaced. they tried to blame it on keys being in car which is how it starts and runs! not parked on hill or in bad temps and driven long trips, none of which SHOULD BE REQIRED to start a car to get to dying patients on time. we bought charger and use on both priuses daily. lost power while driving, got hurt, and josh's pt. died. nothing but headache nightmares. have long written records where submitted all and they just like to deny things or try to find a way to blame on consumer. my only fault was buying an undisclosed deathtrap. they need to refund us both cars and damages and expenses and our time and missed work. the shuttle was a joke. i have my own top notch code reader and it said battery was fine. it was new, yet they wanted to sell me one so they said it coded but refused to show me. they are just trying to make money and really hurting people. sending my title and all my personal info to a stranger and me catching after 7 years broght on an ID theft im still fighting. very rude front staff and drivers..sheldon.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #46

Mar 112021

Prius

  • 3 miles
A check hybrid system alert came on and included lit break, check engine, steering, ABS, skid and yellow triangle with an ! mark inside. The car stopped and I could not move it. Good thing I was on a side street with light traffic. This happened again after the inverter was replace; and it happened again after the 12 V battery was replaced.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #45

Jan 182021

Prius

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Mims, FL, USA

problem #44

May 272020

Prius 4-cyl

  • 159,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system) and 14V053000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was repaired under the recall campaigns however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #43

Feb 012019

Prius

  • 17,500 miles
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 believe to have a future car.they have so many problems with the electric systems.

- Enfield, CT, USA

problem #42

Apr 272020

Prius

  • 130,000 miles
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 but my car still ended up stalling and needing more repairs. I feel this is not right and even saw there was a current lawsuit due to the overheating complication.

- Cleveland, TN, USA

problem #41

Mar 022020

Prius

  • 155,000 miles
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 this, when it is a known defect in the car manufacturing. I would like this be a recall item, so everyone can get it fixed. When I took my car in to get it fixed they were fully aware of my problem with this make, model, and year. It is unsafe to have the headlight all the sudden burn out, usually when I first turn them on, please help. It happens about every 3 months or less. Thank you.

- Albion, IN, USA

problem #40

Dec 042019

Prius

  • 104,000 miles
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 (169 broad St, glens falls, NY 12801, (518) 793-5611) where it was diagnosed that the spiral cable needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided case number: 1912090334. The failure mileage was approximately 104,000.

- Keene, NY, USA

problem #39

Sep 082019

Prius

  • 116,000 miles
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 be replaced which would cost 2500 dollars. That is ridiculous to expect when we just bought it 1 year ago!

- Joppa, MD, USA

problem #38

Aug 202019

Prius

  • 2 miles
The Prius horn is defective when I purchase the carl the dealer sold it to me defective it the wasn't working and they wanted to charge me I spoke to the manager and he was able to repair it two years later same problem I belive that it has something to do with the airbag when am driving and making a turn the hour turns on when I turn the stering wheel again it goes off but if I try useing the horn normaly it doesn't work at all.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #37

Jun 182019

Prius

  • 151,000 miles
While driving at ca freeway speed (65mph) the car goes limp. The accelerator fails to work and even flooring the vehicle makes no difference. At this point the speed of the vehicle decreases and I have to immediately pull to the shoulder. The "check hybrid system" alert shows on the dash and also electric power steering and check engine light. This issue has been going on for the past year and I have taken it to several Toyota dealerships with no resolve. I have spent a total of $4500 without Toyota of vallejo or the now bankrupt Toyota of fairfield solving the issue. This is a life threatening issue and happened several times with children in the vehicle. Show in video: Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=ca5hjrsnfsg

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #36

Jun 012019

Prius 4-cyl

  • 82,500 miles
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 the dashboard on the passenger's side. We exited the freeway, found a fire extinguisher and were able to put out the fire. The local Toyota dealer was informed but no action was taken. The insurance company has totaled the vehicle. We are awaiting the settlement check. We have no idea what started the fire. There were no indicators I.e. warning lights/buzzers, etc. Prior to the fire. The area under the dashboard on the passenger's side is a charred mass. Therein a large hole at the top of the dash near where the speaker for that side is housed.

- Bellingham, WA, USA

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