YearToAvoid

2013 Toyota Prius C Brakes Problems

NHTSA lists 18 brake complaints for the 2013 Toyota Prius C, 32% of all complaints for the year, with a median failure mileage of 39,850. Two crashes and one injury were reported, but no related recall exists.

Brakes complaints
18
32% of 57
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
1
Median mileage
39,850 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical brake symptoms owners report

  • Brake booster or pump failure triggers ABS, VSC, and brake warning lights with reduced or delayed braking response, sometimes tied to diagnostic code C1391 or C1252/C1256.
  • Brake pedal reportedly failed to respond at low speed, resulting in a crash into a stationary object.
  • Master cylinder assembly failure causes brakes to lose effectiveness and the vehicle to slide when stopping.
  • Brake lights stay illuminated after the pedal is released, even with the key removed, described as a repeat repair issue.
  • Intermittent dashboard warning lights coincide with brakes needing to be pressed fully to the floor before the car stops, then returning to normal without explanation.

When 2013 Toyota Prius C brake complaints were filed

First complaint Nov 7, 2014, latest Jan 23, 2026.

2013 Toyota Prius C brakes complaints: complaints filed per month2Nov 2014Feb 2018Nov 2020May 2022Feb 2024Sep 2024Jun 2025Dec 2025
18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Nov 2014 to Jan 2026; peak Sep 2024 (2).

Brakes recalls for the 2013 Toyota Prius C

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Brakes complaints by Prius C model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201229 (46%)
  2. 201318 (32%)
  3. 20149 (28%)
  4. 20153 (18%)
  5. 20163 (25%)
  6. 20171 (50%)
  7. 20180 (0%)
  8. 20190 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How many brake complaints does the 2013 Toyota Prius C have?
NHTSA lists 18 brake-related complaints for the 2013 Prius C, which is 32% of the 57 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a brake recall for the 2013 Toyota Prius C?
No. The data shows no related recalls listed for brakes on this model year.
At what mileage do brake problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for brake complaints on the 2013 Prius C is 39,850 miles.
Did the brake issues cause any crashes or injuries?
Yes, NHTSA data shows 2 crashes and 1 injury associated with brake complaints on the 2013 Prius C, with no fires reported.
How does the 2013 Prius C compare to other model years for brake complaints?
The 2013 Prius C had 18 brake complaints (32% share), lower than the 2012 model's 29 complaints (46% share) but higher in raw count than 2014 through 2019.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.