2011 Toyota Prius Seats Problems
5 owner-reported seats complaints from NHTSA data
Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
Seats Recalls (2)
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Owner Complaints (5)
I AM 5'4" TALL AND LIKE THE SEAT IN AN UPRIGHT POSITION. THERE IS NO WAY I CAN ADJUST THE HEADREST SO THAT IT ALLOWS ME TO SIT UPRIGHT AND NOT HAVE MY HEAD FORCED FORWARD AND DOWN BY THE HEADREST. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A NEW "SAFETY" REGULATION. THIS REGULATION NEEDS TO BE CHANGED SO PEOPLE OF MY HEIGHT CAN DRIVE THE CAR WITHOUT THEIR HEADS BEING FORCED DOWN. I USE A FOAM CUSHION BETWEEN MY BACK AND THE SEAT TO COMPENSATE FOR THIS TERRIBLE DESIGN FLAW. I WOULD LIKE TO BE ABLE TO BUY A CAR THAT IS BOTH SAFE AND FITS ME. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH MY HEAD FORCED DOWN. BY THE WAY, YOUR NEXT BOX INDICATES BAD WEBSITE DESIGN. I WANT TO PUT IN N/A OR ALWAYS SINCE THERE IS NO ONE TIME FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE STUPID WEB DESIGNER DOESN'T THINK THAT SHOULD BE AN OPTION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION OR STATIONARY, THE HEATER WAS ACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AFTERMARKET HEATED SEAT WARMER MANUFACTURED BY PHILIPS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT WARMER FAILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BECOME HOTTER THAN NORMAL THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT A HOLE HAD BURNED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SPECIALIZED EQUIPMENT DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION.THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE SERIAL AND MODEL NUMBERS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56, 200. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE DRIVER'S HEAD SEAT, OF THE PRIUS 2011, POPS UP WHEN DRIVING ON A HIGH WAY ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD IS A BIT ROUGH. *KB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVERS SIDE HEADREST WOULD SLIDE UP AND OUT OF THE SEAT WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HEADREST WOULD OBSTRUCT HIS VISION WHEN ATTEMPTING TO SEE WHAT WAS TAKING PLACE FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT ALL DRIVERS SIDE HEADRESTS ON THE 2011 MODEL YEAR VEHICLES FUNCTION IN THE SAME FASHION. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT A SAFETY FEATURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 7,000.