2011 Toyota Prius Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 47about this part
- Share
- 9%of 521 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 114,740miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 47 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 9% of the 521 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 114,740 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 complaint #11180311, filed 2019-02, 1 miles“This car consumes oil... It dose not leak the oil and the dealer says that one quart in 1200 miles is normal... This oil is polluting the atmosphere and is expensive. I fi was told that it would consume this much oil at 100k, I would not have purchased the car.”
NHTSA complaint #10861668, filed 2016-04, 100,000 miles“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 complaint #11204529, filed 2019-04, 227,000 miles“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 complaint #11311876, filed 2020-02, 128,000 miles“I was getting on the interstate and all of a sudden I lost power and my dash lite up check hybrid system /ABS/ breaks. I can not drive my car because it has no power please help thank you”
NHTSA complaint #11084932, filed 2018-04, 165,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11029893Feb 13, 2026This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model…
- 11029892Feb 13, 2026OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
- 10179763Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179759Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179753Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179719Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179715Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10179709Aug 11, 2020TSB: OBSOLETE NOTICE August 11, 2020: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete.
- 10178786Jul 17, 2020TSB: Some 2010 - 2015 model year Prius and 2012 - 2017 model year Prius V vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0A94, P324E, P0A1A, and/or…
- 10164926Aug 30, 2019Warranty Enhancement Program: Toyota has received reports of a rough idle and/or rattle noise from the transaxle at cold start due to a sticking Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR)…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2021 | 2 | 33% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 6 | 20% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 12 | 13% |
| 2016 | 17 | 11% |
| 2015 | 8 | 5% |
| 2014 | 17 | 8% |
| 2013 | 37 | 9% |
| 2012 | 31 | 7% |
| 2011 | 47 | 9% |
| 2010 | 140 | 5% |
| 2009 | 19 | 4% |
| 2008 | 49 | 3% |
| 2007 | 37 | 2% |
| 2006 | 25 | 2% |
| 2005 | 15 | 1% |
| 2004 | 9 | 1% |
| 2001 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2011 Toyota Prius
277 complaintsElectrical system
68 complaintsExterior lighting
48 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 27, 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