2013 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

NHTSA component category: ENGINE · data through 11/01/2026

37Engine complaints

8.9%Of all 414 complaints

#4Most-reported category

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

How engine ranks on this vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES232 · 56%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM50 · 12.1%

Unspecified / other50 · 12.1%

ENGINE37 · 8.9%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL22 · 5.3%

Share of the 414 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2013 Toyota Prius overview page.

What owners report

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE CONTACT CALLED FREDERICK CHEVROLET AT…”NHTSA complaint 11166043 — filed 01/09/2019

“THE ENGINE TERRIBLY SHAKES AND GOT A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE DURING AN INITIAL STATIONARY COLD START IN THE MORNING DURING WINTER. IT HAPPENED 3 TIMES…”NHTSA complaint 11156822 — filed 12/07/2018

“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT PROVIDED THE REMEDY FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V684000 (HYBRID PROPULSION…”NHTSA complaint 11141401 — filed 10/19/2018

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

Engine complaints by year filed

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have engine problems?

Engine is the #4 most-reported problem area on the 2013 Toyota Prius: 37 of 414 complaints on file (8.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2013 Toyota Prius have in total?

414 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 11/01/2026. Across all categories, 40 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, 24 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's engine category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the ENGINE 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 11/01/2026.