KnownCarProblems2013 Toyota Prius Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 413 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius, most often about the brakes (58% of complaints, typically around 92,000 miles). It is 10th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2013 Toyota Prius problems
Brakes
241 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, foundation components.
On monday jan, 27, 2020, I was involved in the accident with my 2013 Toyota Prius I was driving on a freeway with regular traffic. The car in front of me suddenly came to a stop. I immediately slammed on my brakes very hard. I had plenty of safe distance between two cars. I ended up running into the rear end of front…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at 35 MPH, when the contact's wife depressed the brake pedal, the brakes were inoperable and inadvertently all the warning lights illuminated on the control; however, the wife then let off the brake pedal and then depressed the…
Electrical
52 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 65,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, 12v/24v/48v battery.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to hamer Toyota (11041 sepulveda blvd, mission hills, ca 91345) however, the mechanic was…
I am having problems with rodents getting into my car. I fear that they are chewing on electrical wiring and there is possible distraction to the driver. When I was driving (car was moving) a mouse crawled up on my shoulder. These problems appear to be a problem with this model Toyota and could cause a distraction to…
Other or unspecified
50 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 54,500 miles.
4 or 5 times since I had the recent hybrid software update, I've had trouble starting the car, especially when the lights are set to auto or on, when first starting in the morning. Sometimes turning the lights off enables starting, but not always. My Toyota dealer checked the battery and electrical and said all is…
My sunroof spontaneously exploded outwards when driving on the freeway. I did not hit anything. No objects hit me or the sunroof. There were no other cars near me. I was not around any overpasses. The sunroof just exploded and the glass shards are pointing outwards towards the sky.
Engine
37 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles.
Toyota dealership refused on recall based on defected steering shaft which was bought by me and fixed by mechanic. It was critical issue and recall in other models as well. Also, Toyota does not fix defective piston rings based on excessive oil consumption…
My daughter was driving the car this morning and the engine cutoff and lost all power along with a maintenance required light came on. She tried to accelerate but it would not. She pulled off the road. My wife was in another vehicle in front of her.my wife turned off the car and turned it back on it drive fine for 25…
Speed control
22 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 10,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed. The vehicle accelerated abnormally, traveled over a sidewalk and then over the steps of the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the…
Tl * the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 MPH, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle resumed to 40 MPH once the brake pedal was depressed again. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle accelerated. A crash occurred. There were no injuries…
Air bags
18 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: sensor.
Vehicle was stopped in a line of traffic on the highway. A vehicle traveling at approximately 45 MPH hit it from behind propelling it into the vehicle in front of it. Damage to the Prius was in excess of $12,000. Part of the repair was to replace the air bag sensor. The air bag did not deploy during the accident.
Front passenger's airbag sensor doesn't sense medium weight passenger. I've talked to the Toyota dealer and they told me that if someone over 70lbs in passenger seat, the light will come on "airbag on" and stay on. If there is something in the seat that is lightweight, the light will say "airbag off." if there is…
Fuel system
16 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Engine warning light at start up came on with no degradation of operation. Car was taken to originating manufacture dealer for diagnosis. When car was purchased as certified pre-owned the sales rep upsold extended 3rd party warranty coverage that they said 'would cover everything including diagnosis labor fees.' when…
I received the recall notice and to prevent an accident, I have not been driving my car. My nearest dealship, whom I have utilized often, now are discriminating by stating false personal statements against me. This may be gender, age or racist based. So I need support to have my car towed & have hamer Toyota fairly &…
Transmission
14 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 42,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. While the vehicle was parked with the shift lever in the park position, the vehicle independently rolled backwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,000. The VIN was not available. Updated…
The vehicle has shifted into nuetral while in drive and while in park. Also rolls to much when parked. The vehicle ran my wife over in our driveway, Toyota refuses to service the vehicle...updated 03/08/17
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 recalls
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began july 24, 2020. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20tb10 / 20ta10.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 prius and 2014-2017 prius v vehicles not included in recall 18v-684. Excessive voltage in the intelligent power module (ipm) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Hybrid system: hybrid propulsion system
Risk: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ecu) and the hybrid control ecu as necessary, free of charge. The recall began january 22, 2019. Owners may contact toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is j0v. Note: the software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14v-053 or 15v-449.
Full defect summary
Toyota motor engineering & manufacturing (toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 toyota prius and 2012-2014 toyota prius v vehicles. Excessive voltage in the intelligent power module (ipm) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Hybrid system: inverter
Risk: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ecu) and the hybrid control ecu, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on march 21, 2014. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full defect summary
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the intelligent power module (ipm) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
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
Brake actuator valve wear
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) has received a petition dated september 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 toyota prius v requesting that odi reevaluate its decision to deny dp19-004. In the letter, the petitioner reported experiencing an unexpected and complete loss of brake power while driving, accompanied by multiple dashboard warning lights. This petition is based on the petitioner's direct experience and assessment that odi closed dp19-004 because its prompting petition was withdrawn by that petitioner. Odi will review the work conducted during dp19-004 and a review of any additional related complaints and crashes via a new defect petition the petition and related materials can
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
Brake actuator valve wear
Summary
On september 19, 2019, the office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition from mr. Roger hogan requesting that the agency investigate and recall certain toyota prius, prius phv, camry hybrid and avalon hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under toyota customer support programs zjb and zkk (subject csp?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 NHTSA complaints allegedly related to the subject csp condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On september 30, 2019, odi opened defect petition dp19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In august 2020, the petitioner notified the agency that he was withdrawing
Questions about the 2013 Toyota Prius
- What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Prius?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: brakes (241 complaints, typically around 92,000 miles); electrical (52 complaints, typically around 65,000 miles); other or unspecified (50 complaints, typically around 54,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 24, 2020 (hybrid system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2013 a bad year for the Toyota Prius?
- It is 10th of 27 Prius model years by number of complaints, with 413 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.