2011 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

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.

NHTSA ID

11711067

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11670893

Incident

Jul 1, 2025

Mileage

227,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11657571

Incident

Jul 15, 2023

Mileage

117,000 mi

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!

NHTSA ID

11638853

Incident

Nov 1, 2024

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 the road and turned the vehicle off. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact lifted the hood and saw flames coming from under the engine. The contact was able to extinguish the fire with a fire extinguisher. The contact had the vehicle towed to his residence. The contact called an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The contact stated that when the engine was lifted out of the engine compartment, there was a hole in the engine block. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11524737

Incident

Aug 20, 2022

Mileage

150,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11510087

Incident

Feb 11, 2023

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 mechanic who informed the contact that they could not duplicate the failure. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

NHTSA ID

11488796

Incident

Sep 27, 2022

Mileage

190,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

11434395

Incident

Sep 26, 2021

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

NHTSA ID

11403571

Incident

Mar 11, 2021

Mileage

64,000 mi

MY CAR HAD THE HYBRID SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE RECALL DONE AND IT STILL STALL WHILE DRIVING , EVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED

NHTSA ID

11340192

Incident

Jul 18, 2020

Mileage

147,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK IN A PARKING SPACE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A SIGN POST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED DURING THE INDEPENDENT ACCELERATION. THERE WAS NO INJURIES SUSTAINED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID

11318682

Incident

Dec 2, 2019

Mileage

80,000 mi

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 TWO, THEN GOT LOUDER, MORE OFTEN AND LASTED LONGER. THIS CAR HAS 128,000 MILES. THIS SAME ISSUE IS HAPPENING ON MY 2010 PRIUS WITH 250,000 MILES. I RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS A COMMON PLACE WITH GEN 3 PRIUS CARS. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE EITHER ONE OF MY PRIUS CARS SAFELY.

NHTSA ID

11311876

Incident

Jan 10, 2020

Mileage

128,000 mi

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 I MISSED GETTING HIT BY INCHES. ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASH ILLUMINATED AND I WAS FRAZZLED. THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS 2/3 RDS FULL AT THE TIME. THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER INSTANCES WHERE THE CAR LOST POWER FOR BRIEF MOMENTS WHEN THE HYBRID BATTERY WAS LOW AND DIDNT THINK ANYTHING OF IT AT THE TIME. THE MPG HAS REMAINED BELOW 40 AND AFTER HYBRID FAILURE, AROUND 26. ALSO, I HAD A GEN 2 PRIUS AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT BAD AROUND 150,000. CALIFORNIA PUNISHES CONSUMERS BY NOT ALLOWING AFTER MARKET CATS AND FORCES THEM TO BUY OEM AT AN EXTREME MARK UP. WITHOUT A PROPER CAT, YOU CANT HAVE CAL SMOG APPROVAL, NO APPROVAL, NO REGISTRATION. TOTAL WASTE OF RESOURCE WHEN THE ACTUAL COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE CAT IS AROUND $2K AT THE DEALER. IF I LIVED IN AZ, AFTER MARKET IS $475. AT THAT POINT A CAR OF THAT AGE AND MILAGE IS WORTH AROUND $2-3K. BATTERY AND CAT REPLACEMENT COSTS SHOULD NOT ECLIPSE THE VALUE OF THE CAR. STILL DOESN'T MENTION THE REST OF THE MECHANICAL AND SAFTEY APPARATUS . IF AN ENGINE WORKS HALF TIME ON A HYBRID, WHY DOES THE CAT BURN OUT SO SOOOON? THE SCAM IS BAKED INTO THE VEHICLE AND OUR GOVT SUPPORTS IT. FIX CARB!

NHTSA ID

11269305

Incident

Sep 8, 2019

Mileage

158,000 mi

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 AND REPROGRAMMED PCM. HOWEVER, THAT ISSUE WAS PRECEDED BY A CREEP OF DIAGNOSTIC LIGHTS (COURSE OF 1 HOUR), FROM CHECK OIL TO CHECK ENGINE, AND THEN IT COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN.

NHTSA ID

11245992

Incident

Aug 21, 2019

Mileage

57,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11242826

Incident

Jun 18, 2019

Mileage

151,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO REVERSE (WHEN THE ELECTRIC POWERED FUEL MOTOR HAD NOT BEEN RUNNING), THE BRAKES BEGAN TO SEIZE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. ALSO, DURING COLD WEATHER, THE ENGINE AND ENTIRE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE CONTACT CALLED PRECISION TOYOTA OF TUCSON (700 W WETMORE RD, TUCSON, AZ 85705, (520) 795-5565) AND NOTIFIED THEM OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15.

NHTSA ID

11234233

Incident

Aug 1, 2011

Mileage

15 mi

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION OF APPROXIMATELY 1 QUART PER 1,000 MILES AS OF MAY 2019. TOYOTA AGREED TO DO A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST IN JULY 2017 BUT DETERMINED THAT 1 QUART PER 1,200 MILES WAS WITHIN NORMAL RANGE. CONSUMPTION PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND WILL PROBABLY RESULT IN HAVING THE ENGINE BLOCK REPLACED WITH A USED ONE AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $5,000

NHTSA ID

11206017

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

94,000 mi

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 COMMON FAILURE ON HIGH MILEAGE 3RD GENERATION PRIUS CARS. $4,000 REPAIR. FIRST CAR I'VE EVER OWNED THAT CYLINDER HEAD GASKETS ARE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ITEMS. CLEAR DESIGN ISSUE. IF YOU KEEP THIS CAR LONG ENOUGH, YOU WILL BE BUYING A HEAD GASKET REPAIR.

NHTSA ID

11204529

Incident

Oct 26, 2018

Mileage

227,000 mi

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 A MILE OR SO WITH ALMOST NO POWER...THEN VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN. DASH PANEL READS CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM CONDITIONS ARE EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE ZE3 WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM DESCRIBES. HOWEVER THE DTC CODE IS SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT SO DEALER AND TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX INVERTER. THE CAR IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS THE SYMPTOMS APPEAR RANDOMLY, USUALLY AFTER AN ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE PUTS LOAD ON ENGINE. PLS HELP ME

NHTSA ID

11195556

Incident

Mar 28, 2019

Mileage

192,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

11185909

Incident

Mar 11, 2019

Mileage

80,464 mi

ENGINE DEVELOPED AN OIL LEAK AROUND 120,000 MILES. DEALER RAN AN OIL LEAK TEST ($700)AND PERFORMED SOMETHING ELSE FOR $300 DOLLARS. NOTHING WORK. DEALER SAYS THE FIX IS TO BUY A NEW SHORT BLOCK FOR $6,700. I WILL NOT. I'M ADDING OIL MYSELF TO CAR ABOUT ONCE EVERY 10 DAYS

NHTSA ID

11185732

Incident

Dec 12, 2018

A FEW MONTHS AGO I HAD THE REQUIRED SOFTWARE UPDATE TO ADJUST THE SAFETY FEATURE IN THE HYBRID SYSTEM IN CASE OF A FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING ON A SIDE STREET ON 3/1/19 I PRESSED THE GAS AFTER BEING STOPPED, THE CAR JERKED, AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS ON RAILROAD TRACKS BUT THE CAR DID DRIVE ON THE GAS ENGINE A SHORT DISTANCE TO MAKE IT OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO STATED THE INVERTER WAS BAD, BUT THAT TOYOTA WOULD REPLACE IT AS THEY EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS IGNORING. I ALSO OWN A 2014 TOYOTA PRIUS V WHICH IS ALSO PRONE TO THIS ISSUE. TOYOTA SHOULD ADDRESS THIS ISSUE BEYOND A MERE SOFTWARE UPDATE.

NHTSA ID

11183833

Incident

Mar 1, 2019

Mileage

182,000 mi

WENT IN TO HAVE THE SPARK PLUGS AND 2 COILS(CYLINDERS 1 & 2) STARTED SHAKING, KNOCKING AND SMOKING AT THE TIME I PICKED IT UP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF. THE MECHANIC I TAKE THE VEHICLE TO SAYS IT IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, TRYING TO DETERMINE THIS, SINCE HE STATED IT IS NOW MY HEAD GASKET THAT NEEDS REPLACING.

NHTSA ID

11180311

Incident

Feb 13, 2019

Mileage

1 mi

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 516-272-4499 (LOCATED AT 1121 OLD COUNTRY RD, WESTBURY, NY 11590) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART WAS AVAILABLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND NEEDED TO BE TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 116,480. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11166493

Incident

Feb 12, 2018

Mileage

116,480 mi

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 PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KEARNY MESA TOYOTA (4910 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA, 858-413-9625) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTERS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 1812113112. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000.

NHTSA ID

11160962

Incident

Dec 7, 2018

Mileage

124,000 mi