RoadVitals

2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Jun 20, 2024
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
0
Reports on file since Sep 8, 2016

What this page shows

Our database holds 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–12 of 12

Brakes
Filed Jun 20, 2024

Brakes stopped functioning fully when i was driving and car started throwing ABS and Brake warning signs. I could not brake my car properly and had to stop the car and get it towed. The dealer said its a brake actuator failure. The error code is C1391.Its costing me around 2000 to get it fixed

NHTSA ID
11595500
Incident
Jun 17, 2024
Brakes
Filed May 28, 2024

On 5/23/24, the ABS, Traction, and Brakes lights came on the dash and the brakes were not responding. My car was picked up from the Toyota dealer on 5/22/24 afternoon. It passed their multipoint inspection after they replaced all 4 brake pads on 5/21/24. Code C1391 internal leak. The brake actuator and brake pump needed to be replaced. I was quoted $2700 for repairs after I already paid over $570 to replace brake pads.

NHTSA ID
11591084
Incident
May 23, 2024
Brakes
Filed May 24, 2024

Parts failed: accumulator/brake actuator and brake pump [XXX]: I dropped off my car at the Coggin Toyota dealer in Jacksonville, FL to replace all (4) brake pads [XXX]: I picked up my car during lunch and their multipoint inspection passed with no issues [XXX]: Maintenance lights came on the dash during lunch, brakes were not responsive, and my car was beeping non-stop. I dropped off my car to Coggin Toyota to check the issue. They estimated $2722.81 before tax to replace brake actuator and brake pump because there is an internal leak in the brake actuator. [XXX]: The Toyota advisor stated that my car did not qualify for their extended warranty to replace the parts. He also stated that if I pay for the repairs, they will only cover the parts for up to 12k miles or 1 year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11590662
Incident
May 22, 2024
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jan 16, 2024

The rear axle broke and the drivers side wheel sat sideways making the car undriveable. The car has been serviced by the dealer regularly in fact the rear wheel bearings were replaced recently.

NHTSA ID
11565886
Incident
Dec 5, 2023
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Dec 15, 2023

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After the failure, the contact became aware that the brake pedal needed an excessive amount of force to be depressed while bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The brake and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.

NHTSA ID
11560372
Incident
Sep 15, 2023
Mileage
140,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 6, 2023

On [XXX], while driving on a highway with two young children, the dashboard lit up with multiple lights and error warnings. This appeared without warning and with no incident, and the warnings included the main hybrid screen reading “Check PCS System”, triangular Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light, Brake Warning Buzzer, ABS Warning Light, and Slip Indicator. We immediately pulled over to the side of the highway to check for any major damage or leaks, but found nothing unusual. We booked a diagnostic with a Toyota service center, where we were informed that brake system error code C1391 was discovered and the service recommendation was to replace the failed (leaking) brake booster and booster pump assembly. The service representative informed us that this exact system failure was previously covered by a Toyota Customer Support Program due to a known faulty part, but the primary coverage date ended in August 2021 and we just barely surpassed the 10-year secondary coverage date of February 2023. We were urged to repair it right away and were told that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in the current condition, as the Antilock Braking System could fail at any time. We have noticed that it takes more pressure to brake the vehicle than prior to the issue, which may have been began deteriorating prior to the issue but was difficult to identify due to the slow progression. We brought the vehicle home with hopes of resolving the matter with Toyota customer engagement. They confirmed that this issue affected almost 1 million vehicles, but because it was a customer support program and not a recall, they could not help us since we were past the 10-year mark (yet well under the 150,000 mile limit to the program). The vehicle still has all the lights described above, and as such is concerning to drive. A second vehicle is critical for our family, so to be suddenly told that our vehicle is unsafe to drive but the defect wasn’t a full recall is concerning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC

NHTSA ID
11530569
Incident
Jun 18, 2023
Brakes
Filed Jul 15, 2020
Crash reported

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP AND I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. THERE WAS AMPLE DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY BUT I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE SLOWDOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY AND THE BRAKES DID NOT APPLY. THE CAR WOULD TYPICALLY JERK IF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE WORKING BUT THIS DID NOT OCCUR. THE FRONT STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP EITHER. THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER CONSIDERED THE CAR TOTALED.

NHTSA ID
11339629
Incident
Jul 10, 2020
Mileage
186,000 mi
Electrical
Filed May 3, 2020

GOT A 2014 PLUG IN.. I SMELL SOME ELCTRICAL BURN UNDER THE HOOD... IT FEEL LIKE COME FROM THE INVTER I SEE A 2ND RECALLED ON THE 2018 BUT I NEVER GOT A RECALLED LETTER.

NHTSA ID
11323099
Incident
Oct 16, 2019
Mileage
800 mi
Brakes
Filed Jan 7, 2019

THE ABS AND STABILITY CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON. BRAKING SYSTEM FEELS INCONSISTENT. WHEN THE LIGHTS CAME ON, THERE IS NO WARNING SO YOU MIGHT GET AN ACCIDENT WITHOUT BEING PREPARED. THIS IS A REOCCURING SAFETY ISSUE AND FROM MY 10 MINUTE RESEARCH, IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
11164922
Incident
Jan 7, 2019
Mileage
133,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Mar 14, 2018

BATTERY HOLD DOWN BRACKETS FOR MAIN TRACTION BATTERY (21 KW) BROKE ALLOWING AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WHILE THE DEALER TRIED TO FIGURE OUT THE NOISE WE REPORTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW IN 88900 MILES. DEALER AND TOYOTA STATES THAT THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE OF A DIRT ROAD I DRIVE ON REGULARLY. THE "UNBREAKABLE" HOLD DOWN BRACKETS AS DESCRIBED BY THEIR ENGINEER, BROKE TWICE NOW.

NHTSA ID
11079435
Incident
Mar 14, 2018
Mileage
88,900 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 11, 2017
Crash reported

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH IN TOWN WITH PLENTY OF STOPPING ROOM IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND SO I STEPPED ON MINE. MY BRAKES WERE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I DID IT AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA. THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE FOLLOWING UP ON THE INCIDENT, BUT I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED.

NHTSA ID
11014696
Incident
Aug 7, 2017
Mileage
47,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+1 more
Filed Sep 8, 2016
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, IT MOVED FORWARD AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND A CHAIN LINKED FENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE REVERSED AND PUSHED INTO ANOTHER SECTION OF THE FENCE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE START/STOP BUTTON WAS BEING DEPRESSED AT THE TIME AND FAILED TO OPERATE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,922. UPDATED 11/09/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10904698
Incident
Sep 7, 2016
Mileage
25,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .