CarModelProblems.com

2013 Toyota Prius Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Service Brakes — runs 7.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.
399Complaints
3Recalls
37Crashes
3Fires
22Injured
0Deaths

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

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Service Brakes (55.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Service Brakes complaints here are 7.6× the median for that category across the 2075 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Service Brakes223 · 55.9%not available
Electrical System48 · 12%not available
Engine37 · 9.3%not available
Vehicle Speed Control21 · 5.3%not available
Air Bags17 · 4.3%not available
Fuel/propulsion System16 · 4%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SERVICE BRAKES223 · 55.9%
Unspecified / other48 · 12%
ENGINE37 · 9.3%
AIR BAGS17 · 4.3%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM16 · 4%
POWER TRAIN14 · 3.5%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING12 · 3%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING11 · 2.8%

Percentages are the share of the 399 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Hybrid Propulsion System

NHTSA campaign 18V684000 · 2018 · reported 10/04/2018

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

NHTSA campaign 14V053000 · 2014 · reported 02/12/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

NHTSA campaign 20V369000 · 2020 · reported 06/24/2020

An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“UNUSUAL LOUD CLICKING AND SCREECHING SOUND AS WELL AS VIBRATION FEELING UNDER THE BRAKE PEDAL WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKES DON'T FEEL POWERFUL…”NHTSA complaint 11161417 — filed 12/14/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
“I NOTICED WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON A DRY CLEAR DAY TRACTION CONTROL/BRAKE LIGHT/ABS ILLUMINATED MY BRAKES BECAME EXTREMELY HARD TO PRESS AND COME TO…”NHTSA complaint 11156466 — filed 12/05/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES
“SUDDENLY THE ABS, BRAKE AND THE TRACTION LIGHT CAME ON AND WILL GO WAY AFTER 20MIN. WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON THERE'S NO WARNING SO…”NHTSA complaint 11149716 — filed 11/06/2018 · SERVICE BRAKES

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

Complaint trend by year filed

1201242472014122220161341201842312020262020223872202499292026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Prius?

Service brakes issues are the most-reported category, cited in 223 of 399 NHTSA complaints (55.9%), followed by electrical system (48), unspecified/other issues (48), engine (37). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2013 Toyota Prius have?

399 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 37 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 22 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V684000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2013 Toyota Prius's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

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.