7.9

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,000
Average Mileage:
113,450 miles
Total Complaints:
34 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (29 reports)
  2. replace engine (4 reports)
  3. replace leaking timing cover gasket (1 reports)
2011 Toyota Prius engine problems

engine problem

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2011 Toyota Prius Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #14

Jan 132016

Prius 4H

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

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

I have shared this problem with BOB SMITH TOYOTA and Toyota, they both refuse to accept there is an ongoing issue. I am now consulting with an attorney to explore whether I have any legal remedies, along with 3 other TOYOTA recognized recalls. I'm so done with this car!!!1

- Fredrik B., La Crescenta, CA, US

problem #13

Aug 152016

Prius 2 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 105,000 miles

Started using oil so dealer said I need new catalytic converter for 2140 bucks---now I am waiting to see if oil use continues---just had converter installed today---August 31, 2016.

- Ron N., Bradenton, FL, US

problem #12

May 022016

Prius III

  • CVT transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I have a 2011 Prius III and it started burning oil around 90k miles. It goes through just under a quart every 1200 miles. I can't go the 10,000 interval between oil changes w/o adding oil. The dealer can do an oil consumption test where they:  -Dealership tops off your oil and puts anti-tampering goo on oil cap, dipstick  -You drive for 1100 to 1299 miles  -Return to dealer, they add 1 quart of oil to car  -If the dipstick shows anything lower than "full", it is consuming excess oil

I've had this done twice and it just barely passes this excess consumption test so they won't do anything. Chimicles & Tikellis LLP law firm has begun a class action investigation for 2010 and 2011 Prius's. https://chimicles.com/toyota-prius-oil-burning-class-action-investigation/

If you are having this issue, you can call Toyota headquarters to complain at: 1-800-331-4331 from 7am to 7pm CST. 

FYI, for another oil consumption class action against Toyota (certain models/years of Camry, Solara, Corolla, Matrix, Rav4 and Scions) , they extended the power-train warranty to 150,000 miles and 10 years.

This is my first Toyota and I am not pleased with the performance. I have never owned a vehicle where I had to top off the oil between oil changes. I can't believe they say it is OK to consume up to a quart every 1200 miles. The interval for oil changes is 10,000 miles. The Prius holds 4.2 quarts of oil. If you lose 1 quart every 1200 miles, you would run dry in just over 5000 miles! 

At that rate of loss, you would need to add over 8 quarts of oil for every oil change interval. At $5-10 per quart for synthetic oil (as recommended by Toyota), that would cost $40-80 per oil change interval to replace the consumed oil.

I didn't buy a Prius for it's curb appeal; I bought it for how "green" it was. I'll keep repeating the oil consumption test until it qualifies. If it does, Toyota may authorize full or partial payment for repairs. If anyone has success in getting their Prius fixed, please contact me.

- Brett B., Austin, US

problem #11

Nov 012016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

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

My 2011 Prius started using 1 qt./1000 miles around 85,000 miles. The oil changes were always perform by Toyota dealer at regular intervals. I filed a complaint with Toyota Corp with no response.

I was wondering how many cases are required to file a class action lawsuit to get some corrective action from Toyota. Any attorneys out there?

- John M., Mount Prospect, IL, US

problem #10

Dec 012016

Prius Type 2 1.8L

  • CVT transmission
  • 102,368 miles

I've previously had 2 Chevy's and a Chrysler, with nowhere near the oil consumption problem of this Prius. I've had all the required maintenance done and have babied the car. I'm not happy!!!! The talk about Toyota's superiority seems to be just that: talk. Back to Chevy's.

- Brian S., Millville, NJ, US

problem #9

Jan 142017

Prius 1.8L L4

  • Automatic transmission
  • 154,000 miles

Being asked to come multiple times, been advise to return after 1100-1300 miles to check oil level, where all they do is topped off the car with oil because of an excessive burning oil. I think these A-holes knew about the problem but they don't want to own it. jThey did not detect any external leakage, so it means it's internal from the engine itself! But the worst part they will not admit that there is an existing current issue regarding this and they will not commit to it. Also, I've been there many times but they will not run a consumption oil test!

- majdi, Columbus, OH, US

problem #8

Nov 012016

Prius III

  • CVT transmission
  • 75,000 miles

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

Excessive oil consumption in the 2011 Prius that appeared at 60K+ miles. Consumes 1+ quart w/in 5K miles. TSB issued. Dealer completing the oil consumption test and has said this is "normal oil consumption.

- gard2010, Chandler, AZ, US

problem #7

Jun 222016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Was low on oil a little when I got an oil change. Was told to keep an eye on it and look at the dipstick at 1000 miles. If it was below the dots, i was to call the dealer ASAP. It was a little below middle of two dots so I didn't call. 3600 miles later (4600 miles since oil change, which should be 10000 miles between changes) I had NO oil on the dipstick. It has never dripped oil, I see no leaks anywhere...so I thought it was probably burning oil via bad rings. Brought it in and they said they were going to mark things off and I was to going to monitor it and bring it back at 1300 miles. I had a feeling there was a bigger issue so I thought better and traded it in on a 2016. Maybe I'm an idiot. I own a 2012 V and has no oil issues with 105K. FINGERS CROSSED. If it has any issues I'm buying a Ford C Max.

- robevans, Marmora, NJ, US

problem #6

Apr 012016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

This is our first Toyota purchase and we are extremely let down with the fact that it is losing an excessive amount of oil. We previously have only had American vehicles, and were told that Toyota is a much better product.. Well as of this past April, we had this brief light go on. It doesn't stay on very long and only appears when you turn a curve. Then the "oil maintenance due" light appeared. That's odd, because I just had my oil change done 2 months ago! I went to a local Oil service station immediately and found out I was down to only one quart of oil in my engine. I've never had this happen before! They looked for a leak and didn't find one. They topped off the oil and I was free to go. Well, the same scenario happened AGAIN in July, only 3 months after the last top off. I made an appointment with the dealer to have him look it over. They said it needed a system engine cleaning, there were no leaks, they gave it an oil change, and the spark plugs looked fine.. $300 for this to be done. Then they told me to bring it back in 1900 miles... well this seemed to work... until... now.. in October/November (2-3 mos later) the same issue happened, and now they are telling me I need a new engine that will cost anywhere from $3000 to $5800. I have only had this car going on 5 years. I have NEVER had to replace an engine on ANY car before.. where is the Toyota quality we were told Toyota stands behind???

- rox5car, East Syracuse, NY, US

problem #5

Jul 152015

Prius Type 2 1.8L, 4-cyl

  • CVT transmission
  • 100,000 miles

After 100,000 miles I noticed increased oil consumption. I contacted Toyota Corporate in Feb 2016 & they sent me to Alamo Toyota in San Antonio, TX. The dealer tried to tell me that I had 2 oil leaks and they would need to be fixed and then I would have to pay for an oil consumption test and then after that they would decide what they would do for me. My son is an ASE certified master auto technician & has serviced my Prius since my pre-paid service ran out at 50,000 miles. We use Royal Purple synthetic oil an high quality filters and take very good care of the car. The car is burning thru 3 quarts of oil in 2000-2500 miles. I now have 145,000 miles on the car & the problem is getting worse. The oil leaks are an oil seep and not even enough to cause a drop to show up on my garage floor or driveway. The dealer has said that they will not do the oil consumption test until the oil "leaks" are fixed (they will do the repairs for several $thousands).

I bought a Toyota because people with older Priuses were very happy with them & I had heard that Toyotas were dependable. Toyota denies they have a problem.

The other issue is that the car does not warn you that it is low on engine oil. It warns you that you have a low tire pressure but not low engine oil!

- Perry H., Spring Branch, TX, US

problem #4

Oct 312015

Prius 3

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

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

I never really payed attention to this problem until i started to notice that the duration between my oil changes was getting shorter and shorter. I recently searching for similar problems among other Toyota Prius owners and this is a very common problem that Toyota doesn't seem to want to acknowledge. I do not know what my recourse is, but I will not allow myself to put anymore money into this car due to the reason I was never advised of this future problem.

- Fredrik B., Los Angeles, CA, US

problem #3

Jun 052016

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 118,000 miles

Took the car in for routine maintenance and mentioned that a warning light was coming on when I stepped on brakes. They told me they couldn't find anything but did top off the oil. This is the first time it needed oil at 5,000 mile interval. Drove the car out of the dealership and still had the problem with the warning light. Two weeks later the warning light was going off AND I was getting a low oil pressure warning message when I turned corners. Took it back to the dealership was told my pistons weren't sealing thus oil was leaking out of them Furthermore was told that Camry's had this problem but they'd never seen it with a Prius. Toyota will cover the repair with several Camry models but not the Prius. Was told it would be a $4,000-$4,500 repair and Toyota would cover $1,500 of it. If they know there is a problem they should cover the cost of the repair. Not pleased with Toyota service.

- LouAnn J., Arlington, SD, US

problem #2

Mar 152016

Prius ES

  • CVT transmission
  • 164,000 miles

Up to 2qt in 1500 miles. A real pain, and might cost a new engine

- Bob H., Delton, MI, US

problem #1

Aug 022015

Prius

  • Automatic transmission
  • 95,000 miles

I think its ridiculous that Toyota knows excessive oil consumption is an issue in multiple Toyota cars and they'll recall and fix some if them but not all of them. I drive a 2011 Prius with the same excessive oil consumption as the other recalls but I'm not going to be helped. What? How can they get away with discriminating between Camry hybrid and a prius? Not right! Multi billion dollar company can't fix a problem that they are responsible for... Something is wrong with that!

- Mitzi N., Taylors, SC, US

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