MYRModel Year Report

2013 Toyota Prius

◆ Worse than typical
2013 Toyota Prius
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
411
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2013

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

59% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2011: 521 complaints 2012: 424 complaints 2013: 411 complaints 2013 411 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints
2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2006 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2010 2011: 521 complaints 2012: 424 complaints 2013: 411 complaints 2013 411 2014: 208 complaints 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2018 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2000: 4 complaints 2000 2001: 165 complaints 2002: 167 complaints 2002 2003: 99 complaints 2004: 610 complaints 2004 2005: 1,051 complaints 2006: 1,439 complaints 2006 2007: 2,003 complaints 2008: 1,497 complaints 2008 2009: 502 complaints 2010: 2,824 complaints 2010 2011: 521 complaints 2012: 424 complaints 2012 2013: 411 complaints 2013 411 2014: 208 complaints 2014 2015: 166 complaints 2016: 155 complaints 2016 2017: 91 complaints 2018: 37 complaints 2018 2019: 30 complaints 2020: 14 complaints 2020 2021: 6 complaints 2022: 24 complaints 2022 2023: 20 complaints 2024: 27 complaints 2024 2025: 16 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026

2013: 411 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20004
2001165
2002167
200399
2004610
20051,051
20061,439
20072,003
20081,497
2009502
20102,824
2011521
2012424
2013411
2014208
2015166
2016155
201791
201837
201930
202014
20216
202224
202320
202427
202516
20266

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

59% · 241 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The brake light, abs light, and traction control light is on. This was a known issue with Toyota Prius. They extended the warranty but failed to adequately notify user.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Electrical system

13% · 52 reports

Most commonly citing wiring and 12v/24v/48v battery.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving and pulling into a parking lot, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle but saw no fault with the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-28

I was driving down a city road at 25-30 MPH at dusk (5:15PM), and with my headlights on. The first indication of a problem was the smell of burning rubber when I turned on the heater.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-11-11

Also filed under Engine and structure

Engine

9% · 37 reports
CRASHFIRE

Vehicle speed control

5% · 22 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the vehicle started to brake and lurch forward with the accelerator pedal depressed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-10

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while decelerating, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into a pole. There were no injuries. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-08

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 MPH and applying the brakes, the vehicle lunged forward and accelerated unexpectedly.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-07-05

Air bags

4% · 18 reports

Most commonly citing front passenger.

CRASHINJURY

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2013Complaint volume 411 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2014-03-21Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system14V053000 Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2019-01-22Hybrid propulsion system18V684000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles.

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2019-09-30Defect petitionClosed 2021-01-21 Brake Actuator Valve Wear
  5. R
    2020-07-24Hybrid propulsion system20V369000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2023-01-27Defect petitionClosed 2023-08-07 Pedestrian alert sounds
  7. I
    2023-11-22Defect petitionOpen Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Buy-smart checklist

2013 Toyota Prius — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 241 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 52 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 37 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 14V053000 · Electrical system, hybrid propulsion system
  • Recall 18V684000 · Hybrid propulsion system
  • Recall 20V369000 · Hybrid propulsion system
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2013 Toyota Prius reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2013 Toyota Prius is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Prius?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 59% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius have?
3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.