2011 Toyota Prius Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 3%of 522 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Toyota Prius, 3% of the 522 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles.
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“While driving my 2011 Prius intermittently changes from drive to neutral. The car continues to roll but slows down. A warning comes up on the screen that the car is in neutral. I can pop the gearshift into drive and it seems fine, and may or may not behave the same way again. This has occurred on the freeway as well as on city streets. There does not seem to be any correlation to acceleration or deceleration or to movement (turns or changing lanes). I have taken it to the dealer who states that the systems check out fine and they were not able to duplicate the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #11156058, filed 2018-12, 162,000 miles“My 2011 Prius ii intermittently goes into reverse when I shift into drive. Approximately 10 times now since beginning. Twice it has gone into drive when I have shifted into reverse.”
NHTSA complaint #10423463, filed 2011-08, 3,500 miles“Car stalled pulling into traffic. Took about 15 sec to restart. No diagnostic lights lit up on dash. Car lost power last month and engine light went on and engine could not be restarted.had to be towed to dealership. It replaced valve assembly for vacuum and reprogrammed PCM. However, that issue was preceded by a creep of diagnostic lights (course of 1 hour), from check oil to check engine, and then it completely shut down.”
NHTSA complaint #11245992, filed 2019-08, 57,000 miles“Brakes completely failed. Loud beeping sound happened, couldn't stop car even in a parking lot. Had to use transmission to slow to a stop. Was in a grocery store parking lot.”
NHTSA complaint #11389268, filed 2021-01, 200,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10240056Jun 7, 2023DP: The Customer Confidence Program is a component of a class action settlement that includes several elements of coverage. The Customer Confidence Program provides coverage as…
- 10164330Jul 1, 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ? Applicability has been updated to 2019 ? 2020 model year Toyota vehicles. ? The Techstream Preparation and Process Overview sections…
- 10145758Sep 26, 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received some reports indicating the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail. This…
- 10132899Nov 10, 2016Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received some reports indicating the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) located inside the inverter assembly of the hybrid system may fail.
- 10132898Nov 9, 2016Warranty Dealer Package: Warranty Enhancement Program to extend the warranty coverage for repairs related failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM). The vehicles covered…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 13% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2023 | 3 | 14% |
| 2022 | 1 | 4% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 5% |
| 2017 | 4 | 4% |
| 2016 | 15 | 10% |
| 2015 | 13 | 8% |
| 2014 | 6 | 3% |
| 2013 | 14 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 18 | 3% |
| 2010 | 79 | 3% |
| 2009 | 22 | 4% |
| 2008 | 54 | 4% |
| 2007 | 41 | 2% |
| 2006 | 22 | 2% |
| 2005 | 41 | 4% |
| 2004 | 34 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 5% |
| 2002 | 9 | 5% |
| 2001 | 5 | 3% |
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 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