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2013 Toyota Prius

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Prius years

Owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Prius are substantially higher than the model-year median of 164.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

174 reports with mileage · 235 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 229 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

39 crash reports3 fire reports19 injury reports

Power Train complaints

14 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 29, 2025
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

Entering the highway the car suddenly learched and stopped excelerating, creating an unsafe situation, and went into a slow mode. It limped along. Caused cars issue around having to slow merge and driving only 10-15 miles per hour. The dealer could find no codes and said it could be an air bubble in fluid line??? No warning ligh…

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Entering the highway the car suddenly learched and stopped excelerating, creating an unsafe situation, and went into a slow mode. It limped along. Caused cars issue around having to slow merge and driving only 10-15 miles per hour. The dealer could find no codes and said it could be an air bubble in fluid line??? No warning lights.

NHTSA ODI #11690445

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2023
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

"Cooling Performance of the Hybrid Battery is Low" warning light turns on every 4-5 months on my 2013 Toyota Prius. Apparently, Toyota issued a bulletin to Toyota Service Departments re: Engine/Hybrid System Section Hybrid/Battery Control System Market USA. This info was never disclosed and is costly to repair every 4-5 months…

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"Cooling Performance of the Hybrid Battery is Low" warning light turns on every 4-5 months on my 2013 Toyota Prius. Apparently, Toyota issued a bulletin to Toyota Service Departments re: Engine/Hybrid System Section Hybrid/Battery Control System Market USA. This info was never disclosed and is costly to repair every 4-5 months due to excessive buildup of dust, lint, or debris in the HV battery intake filter or cooling fan. When it first went off in June 2022 my vehicle was still under warranty up to the two additional repairs in December 2022 and May 2023 (for which the Toyota Dealership repair department didn't provide me a ticket either time but made the repair), and again now (August 2023). This is an issue that could cause the battery to fail while driving. Additionally, this issue is highly inconvenient, expensive and highly concerning. This ongoing issue affects the safety and value of my car if this issue must be repaired every 4-5 months or "every 5,000 miles). This information was never made public to Prius owners I don't believe as I never received notice. I would've sold my car sooner had i known. Here is the Toyota DOcument I received on 8.21.23 from Marina Del Rey Toyota T-SB-0062-20 dated June 18, 2020

NHTSA ODI #11540127

167,000 miles · Jun 13, 2023
Power Train

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to drive(D), the transmission failed to shift as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that a hose had detached from the valve. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,00…

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The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to shift to drive(D), the transmission failed to shift as needed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that a hose had detached from the valve. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.

NHTSA ODI #11526795

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2021
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY 2013 Prius' hybrid system failed as I was entering a very busy state highway (where several fatalities have been recorded) exit when a tractor trailer truck unexpectedly bore down on me. My engine reduced to half speed and there was no breakdown lane to pull over to. The dashboard lights lit up and indicated a hybrid system…

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MY 2013 Prius' hybrid system failed as I was entering a very busy state highway (where several fatalities have been recorded) exit when a tractor trailer truck unexpectedly bore down on me. My engine reduced to half speed and there was no breakdown lane to pull over to. The dashboard lights lit up and indicated a hybrid system failure, but I could not get to safety for another 2-3 miles. This is an NHTSA recall (20V-369) that was eligible for repair under an expanded warranty, but ONLY AFTER the vehicle has experienced the shutdown. The IPM (Intelligent Power Module/hybrid) system breakdown was confirmed by Toyota dealership's diagnostics, but the warranty period was not told to me and the charges amounted to almost $3000. My research and doggedness discovered that the costs would be covered in toto. But more importantly, I am among numerous Prius owners who experienced this problem and more could occur, risking injury if not death.

NHTSA ODI #11443257

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2020
Electrical SystemPower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE CAR GAVE A TRIANGLE OF DEATH AND LOOKED IT UP IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE THAT COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE THIS ISSUE AND THERE WAS 1 THAT CALLED FOR AN UPDATE TO THE SYSTEM WHICH I HAD DONE AND THEY HAD TOLD ME IF IT DIDN'T TAKE THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO THE INVERTOR WHICH WAS APART OF THE RECALL. A WEEK AFTER THE SYSTEM UPDATE THE S…

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THE CAR GAVE A TRIANGLE OF DEATH AND LOOKED IT UP IF ANY RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE THAT COULD POSSIBLE CAUSE THIS ISSUE AND THERE WAS 1 THAT CALLED FOR AN UPDATE TO THE SYSTEM WHICH I HAD DONE AND THEY HAD TOLD ME IF IT DIDN'T TAKE THEY WOULD HAVE TO DO THE INVERTOR WHICH WAS APART OF THE RECALL. A WEEK AFTER THE SYSTEM UPDATE THE SAME ISSUE AROSE AND THEY REFUSED TO REPLACE THE INVERTOR WHICH DRAINED THE HYBRID BATTERY AND RUINED IT ALSO . THIS EFFECTS THE DRIVING ABILITY AND CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUT DOWN THE LIGHTS TO NOT WORK . IT CAN STALE AT ANY GIVEN TIME AND WILL NOT HAVE POWER TO CONTINUE

NHTSA ODI #11352789

110,000 miles · Feb 12, 2020
Electrical SystemPower Train

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2013 PRIUS ON A 5 FIVE-LANE HIGHWAY 2-10-20, OUR PRIUS GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE ALL THE SUDDEN AND SLOWS THE CAR DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME AS I WAS PASSING A CAR TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, ALSO WITH ANOTHER CAR CLOSE AT THE REAR CLEARLY INTENDING TO GET AHEAD OF…

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WHILE DRIVING OUR 2013 PRIUS ON A 5 FIVE-LANE HIGHWAY 2-10-20, OUR PRIUS GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE ALL THE SUDDEN AND SLOWS THE CAR DOWN SIGNIFICANTLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THIS OCCURRED AT THE SAME TIME AS I WAS PASSING A CAR TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY, ALSO WITH ANOTHER CAR CLOSE AT THE REAR CLEARLY INTENDING TO GET AHEAD OF ME AFTER I HAD PASSED THE OTHER CAR. I UNEXPECTEDLY REALIZED THAT I HAD NO ACCELERATION AND THAT THE ALL THE DASH LIGHTS HAD COME ON. I WAS VERY FORTUNATELY TO BE ABLE TO MANEUVER ACROSS THE DRIVING LANES TO THE HIGHWAY EXIT WITHOUT BEING HIT AS MY SPEED GO DOWN. THE SITUATION WAS EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS. TOOK THE CAR TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THE NEXT DAY ON 2-11-20 AND THE TECH DISCOVERED THE CAR WENT INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE BECAUSE OF A CATASTROPHE INVERTER FAILURE. WE DID RECEIVE THE UPDATED SOFTWARE FROM THE RECALL IN 2014, YET THE INVERTER STILL FAILED. THE INVERTER WAS REPAIRED BY THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP 100% UNDER WARRANTY.

NHTSA ODI #11308646

107,887 miles · Sep 11, 2018
Power Train

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET AN OIL CHANGE AND THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11128780

70,000 miles · Aug 8, 2018
Power Train

VEHICLE LOSS POWER WHILE DRIVING RESIDENTIAL ROADS

NHTSA ODI #11118613

40 miles · Jul 17, 2018
Power Train

AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATE 40 MILES ON FREEAY I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN ACCELERATING I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. WOULD NOT ACCLELERATE AND THE HYBRID/ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON,LUCKLY THIS HAPPEN ON A STRET AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY FO…

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AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATE 40 MILES ON FREEAY I WAS AT A STOP LIGHT AND WHEN ACCELERATING I HEARD A POPPING SOUND AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. WOULD NOT ACCLELERATE AND THE HYBRID/ABS AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON,LUCKLY THIS HAPPEN ON A STRET AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I PULLED OVER AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY FOUND THAT THE IPM RESISTOR FOR THE INVERTER HAD FAILED. DEALER REPLACED IPM AND INVERTER.

NHTSA ODI #11111898

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2018
EnginePower Train

EXCESSIVE MOTOR OIL BURNING AT A RATE OF 2 QUARTS EVERY 5000 MILES. DEALER CLAIMS IS NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. DEALER CONFIRMS THAT THERE IS NO LEAKAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11098089

Official recalls

3

20V369000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jun 24, 2020

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: 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.

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.

14V053000 · Electrical System:software; Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Feb 12, 2014

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.

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 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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

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.

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 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.

Electrical System:software

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.

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 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.

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

3

DP23005 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Nov 22, 2023 · No close date supplied

Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

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 be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components

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 be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

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 be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under the following ODI number:11553736.

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

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 matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP19004 · Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Opened Sep 30, 2019 · Closed Jan 21, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist

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 his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.NHTSA is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.