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2013 Toyota Prius V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius V years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Prius V are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

67 reports with mileage · 57 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 64 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 15 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports1 fire reports6 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

9 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 7, 2025
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

2013 toyota prius v has 3 recalls for the same issues but my vin # says there isn't any recalls associated with it. I need help. It stalled on me on my way home from work luckily not on the high way now it's throwing code c1310 c1259 c1241 it won't crank all it does is click. I replaced 12v batterychecked all connectors.

NHTSA ODI #11671768

125,000 miles · May 30, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

WE WERE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND AFTER GOING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. NOTICED A FEW WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THE DASH THEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR SO I HAD TO PULL OVER WHILE IT WAS SLOWING DOWN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCES TILL IT COMPLETELY LOST TH…

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WE WERE DRIVING IN THE CITY AND AFTER GOING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE ROAD THE CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER. NOTICED A FEW WARNING INDICATORS CAME ON THE DASH THEN I LOST THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE THE CAR SO I HAD TO PULL OVER WHILE IT WAS SLOWING DOWN. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE SHORT DISTANCES TILL IT COMPLETELY LOST THE ABILITY TO DRIVE DUE TO LOST OF ACCELERATION. VERY SCARY SITUATION AND IT SEEMS LIKE ITS DUE TO THEIR INVERTER ISSUES THEY WERE TRYING TO FIX WITH A SOFTWARE UPDATE. IF THE SHOP CONFIRMS, ITS DUE TO THE INVERTER ISSUES, NOT SURE IF ID FEEL SAFE DRIVING THE CAR EVEN IF THEY REPLACE THE WHOLE INVERTER ASSEMBLY. IT'S OUR FAMILY CAR FOR ROAD TRIPS AND I WOULDN'T FEEL COMFORTABLE UNTIL THEY FIND A SOLID FIX FOR THIS ISSUE. 3 RECALLS FOR THE SAME ISSUE? THAT'S RIDICULOUS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11326622

100,000 miles · Mar 8, 2020
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

THE ENGINE OIL RUNS LOW BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND SHAKING AND JERKING OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET. I ADDED THE APPROPRIATE TYPE AND WEIGHT OF OIL. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FIRST TIME BUT I CHECK IT REGULARLY. I KNOW ONE OTHER PRIUS V 5 2013 OWN…

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THE ENGINE OIL RUNS LOW BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND NO WARNING LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED. THE CAR WAS IN MOTION AND SHAKING AND JERKING OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS ON A CITY STREET. I ADDED THE APPROPRIATE TYPE AND WEIGHT OF OIL. IT HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE FIRST TIME BUT I CHECK IT REGULARLY. I KNOW ONE OTHER PRIUS V 5 2013 OWNER WHO HAS THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11316850

140,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

I WAS LEAVING WORK AND AS I GOT ON TO THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATION, THE CAR WOULD REV AND JERK. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT THINKING I WOULD MAKE IT HOME. BY TIME I MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY, MY CAR BEGAN TO REV LOUDLY AND I NOTICED I WAS LOOSING ACCELERATION. AROUND THIS TIME I WAS GOING ALMOST 65MPH. S…

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I WAS LEAVING WORK AND AS I GOT ON TO THE FREEWAY, I NOTICED THAT WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATION, THE CAR WOULD REV AND JERK. DIDN'T THINK MUCH OF IT THINKING I WOULD MAKE IT HOME. BY TIME I MADE IT TO THE FREEWAY, MY CAR BEGAN TO REV LOUDLY AND I NOTICED I WAS LOOSING ACCELERATION. AROUND THIS TIME I WAS GOING ALMOST 65MPH. SO I PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE, DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING OUT OF THE ORDINARY SO TRIED TO CRANK IT UP AGAIN. CAR CRUNK, 'READY' LIGHT CAME ON AND SO DID ELECTRIC VEHICLE MODE. AS THE CAR WENT START THE ENGINE, THE LOUD RATTLE AND SHAKING OF THE CAR COULD BE HEAR AND FELT. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ANOTHER HALF A MILE BEFORE THE CAR JUST SHUT DOWN. THEY CAR WOULD NOT DRIVE OVER 5 MILES PER HOUR. WHEN IT SHUT DOWN THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SMOKE SO I KNEW THAT COULD NOT BE GOOD. I TRIED TO TURN IT BACK ON AND AT THE POINT I NOTICED I COULD NOT PUT THE CAR INTO REVERSE NOR DRIVE. THE 'READY' LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND I NO LONGER HAD POWER STEERING. THE FOLLOWING DAY I GOT IT TOWED TO THE MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT I HAD 'THREW A ROD.' I LOOKED AND SAW THAT OTHER OWNERS HAD SUBMITTED A COMPLAINT WITH VERY SIMILAR ISSUES. THOUGHT THAT SUBMITTING THIS WOULD BE EFFECTIVE AS IF THIS ISSUE PERSIST. THERE MAY NOT BE OTHER OWNERS WHO ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO MAKE IT OFF THE FREEWAY WITHOUT HAVING ANY ACCELERATION POWER.

NHTSA ODI #11265415

65,000 miles · Sep 12, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

TODAY, 9/11/2019. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 405, MY CAR WAS GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AROUND 65. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEP SOUND AND MY ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE "LIMP HOME" MODE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN THE CAR RED LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OFF AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKILY I WAS DRI…

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TODAY, 9/11/2019. I WAS DRIVING ON HIGHWAY 405, MY CAR WAS GOING AT HIGHWAY SPEED AROUND 65. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A BEEP SOUND AND MY ENGINE LIGHT TURN ON. MY VEHICLE WENT INTO THE "LIMP HOME" MODE, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN THE CAR RED LIGHT WAS ON, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT OFF AND THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF. LUCKILY I WAS DRIVING ON THE SLOW LANE AS I WAS PLANNING TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY IN A MILE DISTANCE. MY VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO THE ACCELERATION PEDAL AT ALL, SO I PUT ON THE EMERGENCY FLASHING LIGHT UP AND SLOWLY ROW OUT TOWARD THE EXIT. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME HAPPENED TO ME, WITHIN THE LAST 30 DAYS. TWO INCIDENT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY AND ONE HAPPENED ON LOCAL ROAD. THE FIRST TIME WAS ALSO ON HIGHWAY WITH SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE. I HAVE BROUGHT MY VEHICLE IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER MAINTENANCE 5 DAYS AGO, 9/13/2019, WHERE THEY CLAIMED THEY HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING AND TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS FINE AFTER CHARGING ME $150 ANALYZE FEE. THE VEHICLE IS OBVIOUSLY NOT FINE AND I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED ON HIGHWAY. THE PICTURE PROVIDED WAS THE DAY BEFORE I BROUGHT MY CAR IN TO THE TOYOTA DEALER.

NHTSA ODI #11254880

35,000 miles · May 21, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemCrash

MAY 3, 2019, APPROXIMATELY 33 DAYS AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATED DUE TO RECALL (TO PREVENT STALLING) VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DUE TO LOCATION OF EVENT, ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES WERE MINOR. EVENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA AND OWNER'S AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER. VEHICLE WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, BRAKING …

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MAY 3, 2019, APPROXIMATELY 33 DAYS AFTER SOFTWARE UPDATED DUE TO RECALL (TO PREVENT STALLING) VEHICLE EXPERIENCED UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. DUE TO LOCATION OF EVENT, ALL PROPERTY DAMAGE AND INJURIES WERE MINOR. EVENT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO TOYOTA AND OWNER'S AUTO INSURANCE PROVIDER. VEHICLE WAS IN A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT, BRAKING IN PROCESS, MOVING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH WHEN ACCELERATION OCCURRED.

NHTSA ODI #11209069

45,000 miles · Nov 21, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA REGARDING AN UPDATE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM ON MY CAR. THIS IS THE 3RD SUCH RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE 2014!! APPARENTLY 2 PREVIOUS UPDATES TO THIS SYSTEM HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. THE RECALL STATES THAT A RECALL FIX IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, …

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I HAVE JUST RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA REGARDING AN UPDATE TO THE HYBRID SYSTEM ON MY CAR. THIS IS THE 3RD SUCH RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE 2014!! APPARENTLY 2 PREVIOUS UPDATES TO THIS SYSTEM HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE. THE RECALL STATES THAT A RECALL FIX IS NOT CURRENTLY AVAILABLE, THAT I WILL BE CONTACTED WHEN IT IS AVAILABLE. FIRST OF ALL, IF THEY ARE SUGGESTING ANOTHER SOFTWARE UPDATE, THEN WHY IS THIS NOT AVAILABLE, AS IT IS NOT LIKE THEY HAVE TO ORDER ADDITIONAL PARTS TO FIX THE ISSUE. SECONDLY, IF 2 PREVIOUS SOFTWARE UPDATES HAVE NOT FIXED THE ISSUE IT SEEMS LOGICAL THAT MAYBE IT IS A HARDWARE PROBLEM, BUT OF COURSE THAT WOULD BE TOO EXPENSIVE! WHEN IS THE NHTSA GOING TO GET SOME TEETH AND MAKE THESE COMPANIES THAT ARE EARNING BILLIONS IN PROFITS FIX THEIR MISTAKES WITHOUT DRAGING THING OUT FOR YEARS???

NHTSA ODI #11153174

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion System

1ST - EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION...BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2013, NEVER HAD TO REFILL ENGINE OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES OF EVERY 10,000 MILES (SYNTHETIC OIL 0W 20). AT APPX A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK, NO OIL IS REGISTERING. WENT TO A GAS STATION AND PURCHASED 1 QT O…

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1ST - EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION...BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2013, NEVER HAD TO REFILL ENGINE OIL IN BETWEEN OIL CHANGES OF EVERY 10,000 MILES (SYNTHETIC OIL 0W 20). AT APPX A LITTLE OVER 100,000 MILES, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WHEN I CHECKED THE DIPSTICK, NO OIL IS REGISTERING. WENT TO A GAS STATION AND PURCHASED 1 QT OF MOBIL 1 0W20 AND AFTER POURING IT IN, STILL NOT SHOWING ANY OIL IN THE DIPSTICK. PURCHASED ANOTHER QUART AND FINALLY SHOWED CLOSED TO HALF ON THE DIPSTICK. I AM NOW AVERAGING APPX 1 QT OF ADD ON OIL EVERY 1200 MILES OR SO, AGAIN USING 0W20. 2ND - POOR MPG...FROM BRAND NEW TILL APPX 70,000 MILES OR SO, WAS AVERAGING 40 - 42 MPG. TOOK THE CAR IN 2015 FOR A SOFTWARE RECALL AND IMMEDIATELY, MPG WENT TO 35 - 36 MPG. DEALER CLAIMS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL AND BLAMES IT ON MY NEWLY PURCHASED ALL SEASON PIRELLI TIRES. WAS TOLD MPG WILL IMPROVE ONCE TIRES HAS MAYBE 1000 MILES OR SO ON IT. ITS BEEN APPX 60,000 MILES NOW AND MPG HAS NOT IMPROVED AT ALL. ALWAYS ON ECO MODE AND GENTLY DRIVES THE CAR JUST LIKE WHEN IT WAS BRAND NEW IN PRETTY MUCH SAME PLACES / CONDITION - SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA. IT SOUNDS LIKE RPM IS TOO HIGH....ITS ALWAYS ON DRIVE AND NOT ON LOWER GEAR (B) AND NO HEAVY LOAD OR TRAILER BESIDES USUAL PASSENGER OF APPX 2 TO 3 (KIDS + ADULT)

NHTSA ODI #11045760

1,200 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesCrashInjury

WE RENTED A TOYOTA PRIUS FROM ENTERPRISE IN SHREVEPORT LA AT THE AIRPORT. WE DROVE TO KILGORE TX FOR THE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. IN KILGORE, THE DRIVER WITH ONE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STRIP MALL. UPON APPROACH, GOING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR OR LESS, THE CAR'S BRAKE PEDAL WENT …

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WE RENTED A TOYOTA PRIUS FROM ENTERPRISE IN SHREVEPORT LA AT THE AIRPORT. WE DROVE TO KILGORE TX FOR THE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. IN KILGORE, THE DRIVER WITH ONE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STRIP MALL. UPON APPROACH, GOING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR OR LESS, THE CAR'S BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO BRAKING HAPPENING. THE CAR THEN SURGED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, UP OVER THE CURB, AND INTO THE CORNER OF A STORE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE INJURY TO PASSENGER SIDE AND PASSENGER, MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER, AND EXTENSIVE INJURY TO THE BUILDING. POLICE RECORDS STATE THAT "AT THE SCENE, I CHECKED THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE BOTH RUNNING AND NOT RUNNING AND FOND THERE WAS LITTLE OR NO RESISTANCE WHILE THREATENING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. I OBSERVED THE BRAKE PEDAL GO ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND HEARD A METALLIC GRINDING. THIS LEAD ME TO BELIEVE THE BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AT THE TIME OF, OR IMMEDIATELY PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10676908

Official recalls

2

18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Oct 4, 2018

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

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. 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.

15V449000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jul 15, 2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.