2011 Toyota Prius service brakes problems
260 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the service brakes on the 2011 Toyota Prius — 50% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Jul 26, 2026
“Vehicle Information: Year: 2011 Make: Toyota Model: Prius Mileage at Failure: 58,769 miles Date of First Use: February 20, 2012 Complaint Description: As I was driving on the freeway, my 2011 Toyota Prius brakelights all came on. I pulled off, had it towed to nearest mechanic, who diagnosed a…”
filed Jun 26, 2026
“Shortly after purchasing used last year I had my brake, traction control, ABS, & TPMS lights come on when stopping at a stop light all at once. I went and had it scanned and no codes showed up. I hear a buzzing from the brake actuator/ brake pump every 15 seconds. This all has been going on for almost a year now. Over…”
filed Jun 18, 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 | 9% |
| 2022 Prius | 4 | 17% |
| 2019 Prius | 9 | 31% |
| 2018 Prius | 3 | 9% |
| 2017 Prius | 14 | 15% |
| 2016 Prius | 18 | 12% |
| 2015 Prius | 84 | 52% |
| 2014 Prius | 91 | 44% |
| 2013 Prius | 225 | 56% |
| 2012 Prius | 182 | 43% |
| 2010 Prius | 591 | 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.