Home · 2011 Toyota Prius V · Complaints

What 516 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Prius V

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (516)Crash / fire / injury (44)Brakes (270)Electrical system (68)Lights (49)Airbags (46)Engine (46)Speed control (28)Transmission & drivetrain (18)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (16)Visibility & wipers (13)Fuel system (11)

Newest first · 516 complaints · page 14 of 21

Dec 5, 2016SuspensionBrakesEngine

I'VE HAD MY PRIUS FROM 4-14 TO THE PRESENT 2016. I KEEP HAVING ISSUES WITH THE DEALERSHIP I TAKE IT TO FOR REPAIRS. [XXX] IN LA CRESCENTA CA. AFTER MENTIONING AND DESCRIBING ISSUES, THE STAFF THERE SAYS THAT UNLESS THE DASH LIGHTS UP WITH A MESSAGE AND GIVES A CODE, THEY CANT FIX IT. SO IN ORDER FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO IT ANY FURTHER THAN ME TELLING THEM DASH LIGHT IS NEC. I'VE TOLD THEM ABOUT THE AC NOISE FROM THE FIRST SAY I TOOK THE CAR IN TO GET SERVICES AT 33K. THEY SAY THEY DON'T HEAR OR SEE ANYTHING. MY AC COMPRESSOR SOUNDS LIKE ITS GOING TO EXPLODE WHEN AC IS ON. BRAKES HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY DIFF. TO EXPLAIN BECAUSE OF TERMINOLOGY. THEY SEEM TO LOSE THEIR POWER WHEN BEING PRESSED AND ABS SEEMS TO MALFUNCTION?? SO THEY DRIVE IT AND TELL ME ITS NOTHING I NEED TO WORRY ABOUT AND WILL BE FIXED WHEN CHANGED. CHANGE BRAKES AND THE PROB PERSISTS. NOT ONLY ABS BUT FIRESTONE SAYS MY HARDWARE HAS ISSUES AS WELL. I BRING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF THE STAFF AND NOTHING SEEMS TO GET DONE ABOUT IT... MY ODO. SPEEDOM IS/WAS OFF +2 MPH. MY WEATHER SEALS HAVE BEEN STRIPPED AND RIPPED OFF THE VEHICLE WHICH NOW CAUSES WATER LEAKS FROM EVERY CREVICE.. AND THE BIGGEST TWO OF ALL MY COMPLAINTS ARE 1- HYBRID BATT. FAN NEVER WORKED AND I WASN'T TOLD...HYB BATT HAS NEVER WORKED PROPERLY (DRAINS WAY TOO FAST WHEN STOPPED AT A LIGHT OR IN TRAFF) ALONG WITH THE HEAT CREATED BY THE BATT AND THE ENGINE THAT FILL UP THE CABIN AND WILL HAVE THE TEMP RAISED UPWARDS OF 90+ ON A 75 DEG DAY. 2- THE ECU'S IPM'S (OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT) HAS NOT BEEN CALIB. OR UPDATED. EVEN RECEIVED COVERAGE STICKERS FROM TOY HEADQUARTERS STATING FULL COVERAGE IF A.B.C. (LISTING OF PROBLEMS OR MALFUNCTIONS) I DESCRIBE THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOMS TO THEM AND GET THE SAME RESPONSE"NO CODE, NO FIX" HELP AND PS I JUST CHECKED THE VIN ONLINE 4MY VEH & IT SAYS A DIFF PACKAGE W/A BUNCH OF EXTRAS THAT I NEVER GOT UPON PURCHASE???_HMMM?? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10929842

Dec 5, 2016AirbagsCrash1 injury

GOT HIT ON THE FRONT LEFT SIDE OF VEH. NOT AT FAULT AND I BELIEVE THE OTHER PARTY MIGHT HAVE PROVIDED FALSE PAPERS. BUT THE REASON FOR THE COMPLAINT IS MY AIRBAGS DIDNT DEPLOY??? FRONT BUMPER COVER BUMPER AND RADI. HAD DAMAGES. IN MY NONENEXPERT OPINION ENOUGH TO CAUSE IT TO EEPLOY

NHTSA ODI 10929844

Dec 1, 2016Engine

"TAKATA RECALL" THIS IS OUR FIRST TOYOTA PURCHASE AND WE ARE EXTREMELY LET DOWN WITH THE FACT THAT IT IS LOSING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IN THE EVENT THAT THE ENGINE MAY CEASE IF IT RUNS OUT 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???

NHTSA ODI 10929407

Nov 21, 2016Electrical systemLights

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT BECAME INOPERABLE. ON ANOTHER OCCASION, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHT ALSO FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED THAT BOTH BULBS BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO YEARS LATER WHERE BOTH HEADLIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI 10927167

Nov 21, 2016Airbags

REPEATED CALL TO WORLD TOYOTA ATLANTA DEALERSHIP REQUESTING FIX FOR RECALL NOT ACTED ON. SERVICE PERSON STATED THEY WILL CONTACT ME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS ON 10-25-16. )THERE CALL ON 10-26-16 SERVICE PERSON NAMED LEWIS STATED NO RECORD OF CALL. WOULD CONTACT ME AND HAS NOT. ON 10-26 MY CALL TOTOYOTA "EXPERIENCE CENTER" STATED THEY COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING THEM. STILL CAN NOT GET RECALL WORK DONE AND I WOULD LIKE TO.

NHTSA ODI 10927288

Nov 15, 2016Airbags

SAFETY RECALL NHTSA # 16V487L HAS BEEN OUT SINCE JUNE 28TH AND THE RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA (SAFETY RECALL G0U) MENTIONS THE INSTALLATION OF RETENTION BRACKETS.NOW 5 MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THERE IS STILL NO INSTALLATION GOING ON TO AVOID THIS PEROSINAL INJURY SAFETY HAZARD. EVEN THOUGH NO INJURIES/DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SO FAR, THIS CAUSES A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD WHEN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS DEPLOY. HOW CAN IT BE, THAT THE NHTSA LETS THIS SLIP FOR SO LONG? DO WE REALLY NEED TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS INJUED OR DIES FROM THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI 10926056

Oct 31, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED SHE READ THE REPAIR CONTRACT AND IT SHOWED ONLY ONE AIRBAG WAS FIXED. CONSUMER ASKED WHY ONLY ONE WAS FIXED , IT WAS ONLY ONE FIXED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD "PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG" THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 06/29/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10920327

Oct 27, 2016BrakesEngine

HARD KNOCKING WHEN TURNING ON ENGINE UNTIL I COMPRESS AND DECOMPRESS MY BREAK. HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES, ONLY DURING THE COLD MONTHS

NHTSA ODI 10919246

Oct 26, 2016Brakes

WHEN I'M BRAKING AND SLOWING DOWN GRADUALLY, AS WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY STOP WORKING AND THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT SURGES FORWARD IF IT HITS A LOW-TRACTION SURFACE LIKE A POTHOLE OR MANHOLE COVER OR WET SPOT. I SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS IN 2010, BUT 2011 MODEL CONSISTENTLY DOES IT AND HAS CAUSED ME AND MY FRIEND TO NEARLY REAR-END OTHER CARS WHEN DRIVING MY CAR. APPARENTLY, IT PERTAINS TO THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING SYSTEM BEING TURNED OFF WHEN THE ABS ENGAGES, LEAVING ONLY FRICTION BRAKES. THIS HAPPENS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK ON THE WET ROADS WHERE I LIVE (NEAR SEATTLE, WASHINGTON). THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2011 BUT I'M COMPLAINING NOW BECAUSE MY FRIEND BORROWED IT AND ALMOST REAR-ENDED SOMEONE AND PUSHED ME TO REPORT IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10919223

Oct 26, 2016Airbags

TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL OF THE AIRBAG MONTHS AGO, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. ISN'T THIS UNSAFE? DON'T THEY HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER?

NHTSA ODI 10919228

Oct 19, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAGS AND THE DEALER TOLD THEM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON ORDER WITH TOYOTA BUT UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 6/22/18*JB

NHTSA ODI 10917264

Oct 4, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10913726

Oct 4, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10913803

Oct 4, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10913830

Sep 27, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10909874

Sep 21, 2016Electrical system

DRIVER SIDE DOOR LOCK FAILED AND SHORTLY THEREAFTER THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR LOCK ALSO FAILED. WE HAVE OWNED A TOTAL OF FIVE PRIUS VEHICLES SINCE 2007 AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM BEFORE THIS DUAL FAILURE. JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE AND INFO GATHERED DURING INTERNET RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, MOST LIKELY DUE TO POOR QUALITY OR DEFECTIVE DOOR LOCK ACTUATORS. A GOOGLE SEARCH (TOYOTA PRIUS "DOOR LOCK" FAILURE) RESULTED IN A QUARTER MILLION RESULTS.

NHTSA ODI 10908584

Sep 14, 2016Fuel system

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FRACTURE IN THE FUEL TANK THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A GLOBAL RECALL (TOYOTA/AUSTRALIA: FUEL SUCTION PLATE), BUT WAS NOT YET A RECALL IN THE UNITED STATES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI 10906450

Sep 9, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI 10904901

Sep 8, 2016Visibility & wipers

BOTH HEADLIGHTS SUDDENLY WENT OUT AT NIGHT DURING A RAIN STORM ON INTERSTATE 10. WHEN THIS HAPPENED. DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE!!

NHTSA ODI 10904597

Aug 30, 2016Airbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS .THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16 *BF UPDATED 03/13/17.*JB

NHTSA ODI 10899564

Aug 26, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10898697

Aug 26, 2016Airbags

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (INTERIM NOTICE) REGARDING DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS INVOLVING DEFECTIVE WELDS ON AIR BAG INFILTRATORS. I TELEPHONED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD BE MANY MONTHS BEFORE TOYOTA COMES UP WITH A FIX FOR THIS DEFECT. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG OR GIVE ME A RENTAL VEHICLE. I DO NOT THINK MY FAMILY AND I SHOULD HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN DEFECT THAT COULD SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FOR MANY MONTHS UNTIL TOYOTA COMES UP WITH A "FIX". THERE IS A "FIX". TOYOTA COULD SIMPLY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG WITH AN AIR BAG THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. I REQUEST THAT TOYOTA BE COMPELLED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG OR PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT, SAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DEFECT IS REMEDIED. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ODI 10898755

Aug 24, 2016BrakesCrash

WHEN THE BRAKES ARE PRESSED, IF YOU HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE, THE BRAKES LOCK AND THE CAR HYDROPLANES FORWARD. I HIT THE BACK OF SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI 10898350

Aug 16, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10896439

Aug 8, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10893954

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Working with the data? Download all 516 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 22, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Toyota Prius V verdict →