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2013 Toyota Prius C Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 57 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius C, most often about the electrical (40% of complaints, typically around 68,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Prius C model year since 2000.
Most common 2013 Toyota Prius C problems
Electrical
23 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 68,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
While in motion, the vehicle switched out of ready mode. The vehicle did not switch back into ready mode. Body damage incurred during emergency stop, due to vehicle going at about 35mph when the malfunction occurred on a surface street.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled as a system failure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently turned. The vehicle was restarted but shifted into limp mode with the message displayed. The contact was able…
Brakes
17 complaints · 30%The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back and knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and an abnormal hissing sound was heard. The vehicle stopped however, the secondary brakes failed. Triangle Toyota de san juan (223 marginal, john f. Kennedy bechara, san juan, 00920…
Engine
7 complaints · 12%While driving on the highway, with less than 45,000 miles and regular maintenance meticulously performed on the car, the brake system warning, ABS warning, and slip indicator warning lights all illuminated - indicating, "have the vehicle inspected by your Toyota dealer immediately." took car to Toyota dealer and…
Driving on a highway on my way to work suddenly the my 2013 Prius C engine completely stops. The check engine light and check hybrid system light came on. The car completely shuts down and now I'm a sitting duck good thing people slew down for me and even help me push my car to the side of the road safely. This is a…
Hybrid system
5 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: inverter.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact stated that he and his wife were in the vehicle during the failure, and the vehicle was almost crashed into. The contact stated that he and his wife were left stranded in…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled as a system failure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently turned. The vehicle was restarted but shifted into limp mode with the message displayed. The contact was able…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 9%While driving my Prius C 2013, with 11,484 miles, for 5 minute, the message panel indicate immiediate stop at safe place with all precautions. Habrid system not fucntioning.. 6 or 7 warning lights appear on display panel. And motor becomes unstable of its RPM's. And starts hesitation. Car in dealers shop for 3 days…
My Prius C has 110,000 miles and already experience the check hybrid system light twice, the first time I just disconnect all the wiring to the hybrid battery and it sat for about 4 months, than reconnected the wires and operated normal 2 months went by after a normal drive, parked the car but when I went and started…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%Driving on a highway on my way to work suddenly the my 2013 Prius C engine completely stops. The check engine light and check hybrid system light came on. The car completely shuts down and now I'm a sitting duck good thing people slew down for me and even help me push my car to the side of the road safely. This is a…
Air bags
4 complaints · 7%The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. As a result, the contact crashed into a tree and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained back and knee injuries that required medical attention. A police report was…
I was involved in a left-hand turn, t-bone style/side impact car accident on june 5th, 2019. The other driver was going 50+ MPH and I was going 20 MPH. My air bags should have at least deployed on the passenger side where there is impact.
Speed control
4 complaints · 7%At approximately 2:10pm on monday december 10, 2014 I was returning home from a brief trip. I was making the 90 degree right turn into my driveway when I felt my car, a prius, accelerate by itself. But this acceleration was not like what you get when you step on the gas. It was as if the car had a mind of its own and…
Around 2:00 am on fwy 101 north/south division point, car suddenly lost its power and accelerator stopped working and stopped in the curving area on fastest lanes. I turned my key on/off for 5 times lights on the panel was on but accelerator was not working at all for 30 min so I called police and aaa towing. When…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2013 Toyota Prius C recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Prius C
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Prius C?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (23 complaints, typically around 68,000 miles); brakes (17 complaints); engine (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius C have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2013 Toyota Prius C. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Toyota Prius C?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Prius C model year since 2000, with 57 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.