33 complaints reported

2011 Toyota Prius Air Bags

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
33
Crashes
10
Fires
0
Injuries
6

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Jun 2025 Crash Injury

The contact owned a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed in an intersection, a Ford F-150 vehicle crashed into the front driver's side of the vehicle. The contact stated he was pinned between the door and the infotainment system. The airbags failed to deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The contact was taken to the local hospital by a friend in a private vehicle, and the contact received medical assistance. The contact sustained internal bruising and external bruising and cuts. Additionally, the contact sustained a major injury was on the neck, on the laryngeal prominence area of the neck and on the collar bone. The medical Doctor informed the contact that the major injury could heal in 4 weeks, or in 7-8 months. The contact was also informed that the major injury could become a permanent condition, causing cramps and stiffness depending on the weather. The contact was experiencing trouble sleeping due to the injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local tow lot and was totaled. A Police report was filed. The leasing company the vehicle was purchased from was notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to an unknown air bag recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 325,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2025
Jun 2023

On Friday June 9, 2023 we drove the 2011 Prius on our daily travels. This was uneventful. Parked the vehicle around 10pm that same night. We drove it on the following Saturday around noon on a very short errand, maybe 30 minutes. Parked it again a little after noon. On Sunday morning around 730am, we discovered the side curtain airbag on the passenger side was deployed. There in no external damage and the vehicle was still locked. Upon starting it, the airbag systems check light illuminated for about three seconds then went out. Although the airbag is currently deployed, the airbag dash light does not stay lit indicating a problem. In order to determine if this was a soft code, we started it, drove it around the block, and shut it off. We did this a few times. The airbag light always lit for about three seconds then went out. The airbag has "PA66, VMQ" stamped on it.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2023
Sep 2022 Crash Injury

ON Sept 9th, 2022, I was involved in a collision, traveling approximately 30 - 40 MPH and struck a vehicle that pulled into my path. I struck the other vehicle perpendicularly (T-Boned). My vehicle impacted on the front, initially, and then on the driver's side at full force. The result of the accident caused the front bumper to be damaged and the entire left side of the car was crushed. The force of the accident caused the driver's window and port-hole to shatter. The AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. None of the air bags deployed. The vehicle is still in the auto repair lot and has yet to be inspected by anyone. There we NO prior indicators of any problems with the airbag system.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2022
Jan 2022 Crash Injury

The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that she was hit by another vehicle while turning left onto a highway at 5 MPH. The contact was hit on her driver-side door at approximately 60 MPH and the airbags did not deploy upon impact. The contact stated that the driver seat had collapsed backward onto the rear driver seat which sent her over the steering wheel and into the windshield. The contact lost consciousness upon impact and when she came to, her hands were dangling over the steering wheel with her head pinned to the windshield glass. The contact was removed from her vehicle by authorities and was transported to the hospital by ambulance. The contact was treated for a broken sternum, four broken ribs, two on both the left and right side of her body, and severe bruising on both the left and right side of her entire body. The contact stated that five occupants inside the other vehicle were all transported to the hospital including a four-year-old child whose car seat broke upon impact. The whereabouts and injuries of the occupants are unknown. A police report was filed at the scene. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard but had yet to be destroyed. The dealer nor the manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 117,000. The VIN was not available.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2022
Mar 2021

2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO REMAIN AT THE DEALERS FOR THE FULL DAY IN ORDER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DO LEAVE THE CAR. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE DEALER WANTED TO CHARGE A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. *JS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Mar 2021
Apr 2019 Crash

AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AFTER BEING REAR ENDED STRAIGHT ON AT 55 MPH, NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG DEPLOYED.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2019
Mar 2019 Crash

2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD AIRBAG NOT DEPLOYING AFTER VEHICLE CRASHED AND SAFETY RECALL NO 18V-684. *AS

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2017
Aug 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. STERLING MCCALL TOYOTA (LOCATED AT 9400 SOUTHWEST FWY, HOUSTON, TX) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jan 2016
May 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 07/13/17*LJ *CN

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2017
Feb 2017

CAR HAD RECALL FOR CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS. TOOK AUTOMOBILE TO DEALER TO PERFORM CORRECTIVE ACTION FOR RECALL. DEALER STATES THEY WILL NOT PERFORM REPAIR AT ALL, AS THERE IS AN AFTER MARKET SUNROOF INSTALLED. DEALER THAT ORIGINALLY SOLD CAR INSTALLED SUNROOF PRIOR TO MY PURCHASING THE CAR NEW. THEY WILL NOT ASSIST IN FINDING A SOLUTION. TOYOTA CUSTOMER CARE SAID THEY WOULD NOT HELP AND THAT THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO HELP AS SUNROOF IS AFTER MARKET. CUSTOMER SERVICE STATES THAT THEY ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Feb 2017
Feb 2017

TAKATA RECALL 6/28/2016. THIS CAN POTENTIALLY KILL VEHICLE PASSENGERS IF NOT ADDRESSED

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016
Nov 2016

REPEATED CALL TO WORLD TOYOTA ATLANTA DEALERSHIP REQUESTING FIX FOR RECALL NOT ACTED ON. SERVICE PERSON STATED THEY WILL CONTACT ME IN A COUPLE OF DAYS ON 10-25-16. )THERE CALL ON 10-26-16 SERVICE PERSON NAMED LEWIS STATED NO RECORD OF CALL. WOULD CONTACT ME AND HAS NOT. ON 10-26 MY CALL TOTOYOTA "EXPERIENCE CENTER" STATED THEY COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH DEALERSHIP AFTER CALLING THEM. STILL CAN NOT GET RECALL WORK DONE AND I WOULD LIKE TO.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2016
Nov 2016

SAFETY RECALL NHTSA # 16V487L HAS BEEN OUT SINCE JUNE 28TH AND THE RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA (SAFETY RECALL G0U) MENTIONS THE INSTALLATION OF RETENTION BRACKETS.NOW 5 MONTHS HAVE PASSED AND THERE IS STILL NO INSTALLATION GOING ON TO AVOID THIS PEROSINAL INJURY SAFETY HAZARD. EVEN THOUGH NO INJURIES/DEATHS HAVE BEEN REPORTED SO FAR, THIS CAUSES A POTENTIAL HEALTH HAZARD WHEN THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIRBAGS DEPLOY. HOW CAN IT BE, THAT THE NHTSA LETS THIS SLIP FOR SO LONG? DO WE REALLY NEED TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEBODY GETS INJUED OR DIES FROM THIS KNOWN SAFETY ISSUE?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Nov 2016
Oct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED SHE READ THE REPAIR CONTRACT AND IT SHOWED ONLY ONE AIRBAG WAS FIXED. CONSUMER ASKED WHY ONLY ONE WAS FIXED , IT WAS ONLY ONE FIXED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD "PASSENGER-SIDE AIR BAG" THAT WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 06/29/18*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016
Oct 2016

TAKATA RECALL TOYOTA NOTIFIED ME OF THE RECALL OF THE AIRBAG MONTHS AGO, BUT THEY DON'T HAVE THE PARTS TO FIX IT. ISN'T THIS UNSAFE? DON'T THEY HAVE A LEGAL OBLIGATION TO FIX THIS IN A TIMELY MANNER?

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2016
Oct 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. UPDATED 01/11/2017*CT CONSUMER STATED THEY WERE NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM WITH AIR BAGS AND THE DEALER TOLD THEM THAT THE PARTS WERE ON ORDER WITH TOYOTA BUT UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 6/22/18*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Oct 2016
Sep 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS). HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016
Sep 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR THE AIR BAGS; HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2016
Aug 2016

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS .THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 10/13/16 *BF UPDATED 03/13/17.*JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jul 2016
Aug 2016

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE (INTERIM NOTICE) REGARDING DEFECTIVE AIR BAGS INVOLVING DEFECTIVE WELDS ON AIR BAG INFILTRATORS. I TELEPHONED THE DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR. THE DEALER SAID IT COULD BE MANY MONTHS BEFORE TOYOTA COMES UP WITH A FIX FOR THIS DEFECT. THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE AIRBAG OR GIVE ME A RENTAL VEHICLE. I DO NOT THINK MY FAMILY AND I SHOULD HAVE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE WITH A KNOWN DEFECT THAT COULD SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH FOR MANY MONTHS UNTIL TOYOTA COMES UP WITH A "FIX". THERE IS A "FIX". TOYOTA COULD SIMPLY REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE AIR BAG WITH AN AIR BAG THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE. I REQUEST THAT TOYOTA BE COMPELLED TO REPLACE THIS DEFECTIVE AIR BAG OR PROVIDE ME WITH A REPLACEMENT, SAFE VEHICLE UNTIL THE DEFECT IS REMEDIED. THANK YOU *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Aug 2016
Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: May 2016
Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Sep 2016
Aug 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016
Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Apr 2016
Apr 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V487000 (AIR BAGS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS, Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation
Incident: Jun 2016

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2011 Toyota Prius has 33 Air Bags complaints on file. 10 crashes have been reported. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.