2011 Toyota Prius Air Bags Problems

NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS · data through 07/12/2026

45Air Bags complaints

8.7%Of all 515 complaints

#5Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How air bags ranks on this vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES259 · 50.3%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM61 · 11.8%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING48 · 9.3%

ENGINE46 · 8.9%

AIR BAGS45 · 8.7%

Share of the 515 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2011 Toyota Prius overview page.

What owners report

“MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2011 PRIUS DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. SHE SAID THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF ON HER ON IT'S OWN SHE…”NHTSA complaint 10734475 — filed 07/16/2015

“THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A PARKING LOT AT 6:45 AM. WHEN I RETURNED TO THE CAR AT 3:45 PM, I FOUND THAT THE DRIVERS…”NHTSA complaint 10593558 — filed 05/22/2014

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Air Bags complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2011 Toyota Prius have air bags problems?

Air Bags is the #5 most-reported problem area on the 2011 Toyota Prius: 45 of 515 complaints on file (8.7%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2011 Toyota Prius have in total?

515 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 36 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, 17 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's air bags category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.