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Body and structurePart report

2011 Toyota Prius Body and structure Problems

Complaints
9about this part
Share
2%of 521 total for the year
Median mileage
62,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 2% of the 521 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 62,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“On december 8th, 2018, I was driving eastbound on interstate 10 in phoenix, az at approximately milepost 141 around 5:45 pm. Suddenly, I heard a large, *bang* which sounded like a gunshot. I immediately checked myself for injuries and felt the car to determine if a tire was blown. I was intact, and the tires seemed ok as well, but I heard the noise of air escaping from the vehicle. After turning south on I-17, I exited on the first street, exit 199, jefferson st. I turned left and looked for a safe place to pull over. …”

NHTSA complaint #11157205, filed 2018-12, 98,500 miles

“We purchased a 10 month old Toyota Prius on march 16nd 2012 with only 1367 miles. The prior owner who was leasing this car returned the car due to mileage inconsistency..... On oct 5th 2012, I was driving on sunny dry day at 22mph the vehicle in front of me slowed down. I stepped on the brake to slowdown but the car did not stop. When I stepped on the brake it did not respond immediately, I applied complete pressure to the brake however the car still did not slow down enough and I hit the car in front of me. …”

NHTSA complaint #10482485, filed 2012-10, 7,400 miles

“While pulling into a parking slot in a parking lot, which was on a slope, I applied the foot brake without any response whatsoever. The vehicle gained enough speed to jump the small stop-curb and hit a concrete wall next to it. The damage to the front of the car was just over $4000. I thought I had missed the pedal. On june 12th and 15th, I had two more incidents of the brake pedal going all the way to the floor while either at slow speed or stopped. My dealer says it was a problem on the 2010, but he has not seen it on a 2011. My wife now refuses to drive the car.”

NHTSA complaint #10598545, filed 2014-06, 29,100 miles

“The Prius failed to stop when brakes were applied; instead the car did a lurch when the brakes were applied and then accelerated forward causing a 4 car collision; luckily no one was injured. Made Toyota aware of the problem, when they investigated they of course found nothing wrong with the vehicle's brake system.”

NHTSA complaint #10637465, filed 2014-09, 32,000 miles

“Unnecessary minor injury producing design my Prius, which I like, has several times given me a minor bruise that lasts for a couple of weeks. The front passenger doors, at the bottom corners, end in a sharp right angle. In contrast, many other car doors have a slightly rounded bottom corner which have never injured me. As I am walking around the Prius, loading and unloading for example, that sharp corner seems to catch my shin and bruise it. I am in my 70's and guess that these minor injuries are more likely to happen with children and seniors. …”

NHTSA complaint #10558365, filed 2014-01

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202516%
202427%
2023314%
202214%
202017%
201838%
201778%
2016117%
201564%
201494%
2013133%
2012235%
201192%
2010351%
2009194%
2008685%
20071849%
2006151%
2005111%
200420%
200311%
200211%
200132%

Other parts of the 2011 Toyota Prius

Brakes
277 complaints
Electrical system
68 complaints
Exterior lighting
48 complaints
Engine
47 complaints
Air bags
46 complaints
Other or unknown
30 complaints
Vehicle speed control
28 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
18 complaints
Electronic stability control
16 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaints
Fuel system
11 complaints
Hybrid 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 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