2011 Toyota Prius Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 278about this part
- Share
- 53%of 522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 81,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 278 complaints about the brakes of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 53% of the 522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 81,000 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11403403, filed 2021-03, 3 miles“I was on driving on the freeway when suddenly traction control light was on and brakes seemed to have locked. The conditions of the road were dry and I was driving the speed limit. This occured on a few different occasions. One day brake light, ABS and traction light all appeared. Took it into Toyota dealership and was informed it was brake booster.”
NHTSA complaint #11183661, filed 2019-03, 113,000 miles“When driving over uneven surfaces like potholes and applying my breaks, I feel a delayed response until after I'm out of the pothole. In other words; I apply breaks, go over pot hole, breaks disengage even though the pedal is pressed, and reengaged once I'm on a smooth surface. This has been happening since I first bought my car five years ago, but I always thought it was me over thinking it.”
NHTSA complaint #11301874, filed 2020-01, 70,000 miles“I'm constantly hearing a barking/ purging noise coming from the brake accumulator pump whenever I do hard braking. Whenever I hit potholes or rough roads, the car would still rolls during braking as if the ABS is getting triggered. I was quoted by Toyota dealer of an estimate of $3000 to replace the brake accumulator pump and booster. I'm afraid that the brakes would fail while driving.”
NHTSA complaint #11184751, filed 2019-03, 47,000 miles“My brakes consistently lock and the car lunges forward when I hit a pothole while braking. This caused a crash when the car was only a couple years old when the brakes failed to stop the vehicle and it lunged forward into the back of a car. This is extremely dangerous and I've seen this comment often with this vehicle. I don't understand why Toyota has not addressed this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #11110691, filed 2018-07, 20,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10214323Mar 17, 2022TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions
- 10210375Mar 9, 2022TSB: This Service Bulletin includes procedures to replace damaged or loose front carpet floor retainer(s) without replacing the carpet assembly. Follow the Repair Procedure in…
- 10190453Mar 12, 2021TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10187241Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10186195Dec 14, 2020TT: Some Toyota vehicles installed with Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC) brake pads may exhibit a groan or squeak noise in various driving conditions.
- 10164923Aug 28, 2019Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- 10164922Aug 28, 2019Dealer Package: Toyota has received reports about certain internal malfunctions of the brake booster assemblies in some of the subject vehicles. Although the brake booster and…
- 10158578Mar 7, 2019Customer Support Program Bulletin: Toyota has received reports indicating various brake system related warning lamps illuminate due to internal malfunctions.
- 10158577Mar 7, 2019Dealer Letter: March 7, 2019 ZJB Phase 2 Launch for Certain 2011 ? 2015 Model Year Prius Vehicles and Certain 2012 ? 2015 Model Year Prius PHV vehicles. Toyota has received…
- 10158575Mar 6, 2019TSB: Some 2011 ? 2015 model year Prius and 2012 ? 2015 model year Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a condition where the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning light(s) are on…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 2 | 7% |
| 2023 | 2 | 10% |
| 2022 | 5 | 21% |
| 2021 | 1 | 17% |
| 2020 | 4 | 29% |
| 2019 | 11 | 37% |
| 2018 | 4 | 11% |
| 2017 | 14 | 15% |
| 2016 | 20 | 13% |
| 2015 | 93 | 56% |
| 2014 | 103 | 49% |
| 2013 | 242 | 58% |
| 2012 | 200 | 47% |
| 2011 | 278 | 53% |
| 2010 | 1,945 | 69% |
| 2009 | 199 | 40% |
| 2008 | 390 | 26% |
| 2007 | 331 | 17% |
| 2006 | 210 | 15% |
| 2005 | 282 | 27% |
| 2004 | 76 | 12% |
| 2003 | 16 | 16% |
| 2002 | 20 | 12% |
| 2001 | 16 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2011 Toyota Prius
68 complaintsExterior lighting
48 complaintsEngine
47 complaintsAir bags
46 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaintsVehicle speed control
28 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectronic stability control
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsFuel system
11 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
10 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology