2013 Toyota Prius Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2013 Toyota Prius carries a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Brakes account for 59% of its 409 complaints, with three recalls tied to the hybrid inverter's Intelligent Power Module.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 Prius years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 409
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 39
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 23
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 48
- 49 city / 46 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 23 / 0
Top 2013 Toyota Prius problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes242 (59%)
- Electrical System61 (15%)
- Engine57 (14%)
- Other52 (13%)
- Fuel System24 (6%)
- Structure & Body19 (5%)
- Airbags18 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires15 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (3%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras13 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some drivers report the vehicle lunging or moving on its own while parking at very low speeds, sometimes striking objects before the brakes could stop it.
- Owners describe the brake pedal feeling weak or going to the floor with little or no stopping power, even below 35 mph.
- In several rear-end and frontal collisions, airbags reportedly failed to deploy despite noticeable crash damage.
- Some owners noted seat belts that failed to retract and seats that gave out during impacts.
- A driver reported repeatedly hitting a curb while turning left, citing a windshield pillar blind spot as a contributing factor.
2013 Toyota Prius recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V369000Jun 24, 2020Fuel System266,638 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 18V684000Oct 4, 2018Fuel System807,329 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
Risk: 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.
- NHTSA 14V053000Feb 12, 2014Fuel System698,457 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
2013 Toyota Prius fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 49 MPG
- Highway
- 46 MPG
- Combined
- 48 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,350
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2013 compared with other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Toyota Prius reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2013 Prius has a complaint index of 60 and ranks 9th worst among 21 model years, giving it a Caution verdict relative to other Prius years.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2013 Toyota Prius?
- Brakes are the top complaint area, making up 59% of the 409 complaints filed, with a median mileage at failure of 92,000.
- Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have a recall?
- Yes, NHTSA lists three recalls for the 2013 Prius, all tied to the Fuel System component and involving the Intelligent Power Module inside the hybrid inverter.
- How does the 2013 Prius compare to other Prius years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 60 is lower than the worst years like 2010 (100) and 2007 (95), but higher than later years such as 2018 and 2019, which earned Best verdicts with indexes of 5 and 10.