2011 Toyota Prius fuel system problems

Filed Jan 15, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · MD

I was driving my car at over 70 mph on a highway, no check engine, no issues, just had oil changed when check hybrid system alert came on with check engine light. I started to change lanes to get to shoulder when my car just died, completely. It died in the middle of the highway merging with another major road, so I was stuck between 2 lanes of 70mph traffic on either side. The time to react to the sudden warning to my car dying was less than 2 minutes. I quickly called 911 to ask for help and was told someone had already reported my breakdown as well because my car had died in a horribly dangerous area. I was very lucky that a state trooper came quickly and blocked off my car until it could be towed for repair. I was told that I need a new Hybrid Battery. The fact that I had no signs of failure before complete shut down makes for a very dangerous driving situation and makes me second guess ever buying a Prius again.

Filed Apr 29, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · NE

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, the vehicle had unexpectedly shut off. Additionally, the transmission failed to shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the catalytic converter, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was towed back to the dealer who diagnosed that the inverter was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 14V053000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Jan 17, 2025 · Fuel system · 116,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle lost motive power temporarily. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle continued driving; however, the vehicle was operating on gasoline. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall repair. The dealer determined that the hybrid battery needed to be replaced. The dealer provided an estimate for the repair. The contact declined to pay for the repair and advised the dealer to perform the recall repair; however, the dealer failed to acknowledge the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated while driving 25 MPH downhill, the vehicle stalled. The check engine and several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, and the contact pulled into the driveway of the nearby residence. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 116,000.

Filed Oct 7, 2024 · Fuel system · 120,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds or starting the vehicle, the check hybrid system warning light was illuminated. The vehicle went into a Safe Mode. There was no option to place the vehicle in neutral or drive. The vehicle would start but failed to move. The contact stated that the failure was related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 18V684000 (Hybrid Population System). The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there were error codes related to the battery and hybrid system. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2023 · Fuel system · AL

Hybrid system shut down. DC power converter shutting down. Car shut down on me in middle of road almost caused a crash. There was a recall in 2018 but I never received a notice and now as of 2023 there are no active recalls.

Filed Jun 8, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · 141,000 miles · NC

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check hybrid system warning light illuminated continuously. The vehicle was able to restart. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the inverter needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 141,000.

Filed Jun 3, 2020 · Electrical, Fuel system · 159,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled with several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 18v684000 (hybrid propulsion system) and 14v053000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was repaired under the recall campaigns however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.*dt

Filed May 12, 2020 · Fuel system · 115,000 miles · WA

While driving down city street at approx. 25 MPH, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and had to be emergency steered without power steering to the side of the road, narrowly avoiding a crash. The dashboard showed "check hybrid system"; vehicle was inoperable and had to be towed.

Filed Mar 6, 2020 · Brakes, Fuel system · 101,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, several warning lights displayed on the instrument panel. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard which extended the braking distance. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was taken to marietta toyota located at (750 cobb pkwy s, marietta, ga 30060 (470) 938-8430). The dealer declined to offer the repair because the vehicle had a salvage title. The manufacturer was contacted and offered a software update of the hybrid system but declined to offer any additional repairs. The failure mileage was 101,000.

Filed Jan 30, 2020 · Fuel system, Steering · 130,000 miles · NY

After receiving the computer update my fuel mileage has dropped 10 miles. The other problem in the rate of tire wear and pull. I took the car in for an alignment to a toyota dealership because it was pulling they told me they did the alignment. After I got my car back it was still pulling I questioned them and they said that was normal. The last thing is I got new tires put on the car and had to replace them 10 months later because there was about 15 percent tread life left. The tires were rotated properly.