2011 Toyota Prius service brakes problems
262 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes on the 2011 Toyota Prius — 51% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I am filing this complaint to report an active, severe safety defect involving a sudden, un-warned loss of power braking assist due to a failing factory brake actuator/booster pump assembly. My vehicle is exhibiting the exact internal hydraulic seal failure, pressure drop, and audible…”
filed Sep 14, 2026
“Vehicle Information: 2011 Toyota Prius, 144,000 miles. Component: Hydraulic Service Brakes, Electronic Stability Control, Anti-lock Braking System. Description of Incident: While driving at normal speeds, the vehicle suddenly experienced a severe reduction in braking capability. The dashboard…”
filed Aug 10, 2026
“Every time I'd press the brakes there'd be an audible "click" noise and then when taking my foot off the brake it'd sound like a manual tire pump being pressed... kind of like air filling / hydraulic sound. This worried me (I don't mess around with brakes). One other thing that would happen is if I pressed the brake…”
filed Jul 26, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Service Brakes problems in other Prius years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Prius | 2 | 8% |
| 2022 Prius | 4 | 17% |
| 2019 Prius | 9 | 30% |
| 2018 Prius | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 Prius | 14 | 15% |
| 2016 Prius | 18 | 12% |
| 2015 Prius | 88 | 53% |
| 2014 Prius | 93 | 45% |
| 2013 Prius | 229 | 56% |
| 2012 Prius | 182 | 43% |
| 2010 Prius | 593 | 21% |
| 2009 Prius | 63 | 13% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2011 Toyota Prius
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.