2011 Toyota Prius Seats Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 32miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the seats of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 1% of the 522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 32 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am 5'4 tall and like the seat in an upright position. There is no way I can adjust the headrest so that it allows me to sit upright and not have my head forced forward and down by the headrest. I understand this is a new safety regulation. This regulation needs to be changed so people of my height can drive the car without their heads being forced down. I use a foam cushion between my back and the seat to compensate for this terrible design flaw. I would like to be able to buy a car that is both safe and fits me. It is not safe to drive with my head forced down. …”
NHTSA complaint #10780827, filed 2015-10, 26 miles“I am an excellent driver. I purchased this Prius in the summer of 2011. We (my wife and young daughter) were proceeding on juanita drive n.e. In kirkland, wa. My wife and I agree that our speed was approximately 30-33 MPH and that there were approximately 3+ car lengths between us and the vehicle in front of us. The weather was dry and sunny. Suddenly, a vehicle three vehicles ahead of us stopped to make a left turn, and the two vehicles behind it were able to stop. I immediately applied my brakes to the floor as soon as I observed the stopped vehicle ahead. …”
NHTSA complaint #10498096, filed 2013-02, 25,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the drivers side headrest would slide up and out of the seat while driving. The contact also stated that the headrest would obstruct his vision when attempting to see what was taking place from the rear. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that all drivers side headrests on the 2011 model year vehicles function in the same fashion. The contact was also informed that the failure was not a safety feature. The failure mileage was 10 and the current mileage was 7,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10417663, filed 2011-08, 10 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an aftermarket heated seat warmer manufactured by philips. The contact stated that the heated seat warmer failed. The contact noticed that the driver's seat had become hotter than normal the contact then noticed that a hole had burned into the driver's seat. The vehicle was taken to a specialized equipment dealer for further inspection.the vehicle was not repaired. The serial and model numbers were not available. The failure mileage was 56,000 and the approximate failure mileage was 56, 200. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485278, filed 2012-11, 56,000 miles“The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. Whether the vehicle was in motion or stationary, the heater was activated and the contact noticed a strong burning odor coming from the front driver side seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”
NHTSA complaint #10681449, filed 2015-02Related recalls
- 16V396000Jun 2, 2016Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry…Covers: Toyota Prius 2010–2012, Camry 1988–1990, 2005–2010, Highlander 2005–2011 +11 more
- 14V743000Nov 19, 2014Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser…Covers: Toyota Prius 2010–2011, Sienna 2005–2011, Sequoia 2005–2011 +10 more
- 13V014000Jan 16, 2013Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012…Covers: Toyota Prius 2009–2012, Highlander 2009–2013, Venza 2009–2013 +13 more
Related service bulletins
- 10208995Feb 1, 2022TSB: Some 2010 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually…
- 10190448Mar 5, 2021TSB: Some 2010 ? 2021 model year Toyota vehicles may exhibit paint stains after the removal of Rapgard?. The paint stains may appear to be under the clear coat but are usually…
- 10129968Feb 2, 2018TSB: The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to elevate awareness and provide best practices for leather and synthetic leather care in Toyota vehicles. As an additional resource…
Seats: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 2% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2011 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 5 | 0% |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% |
| 2008 | 3 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 4 | 0% |
| 2005 | 1 | 0% |
| 2004 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2011 Toyota Prius
278 complaintsElectrical system
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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