2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes952.9%
- Electrical317.6%
- Other / unspecified211.8%
- Driver assistance15.9%
- Powertrain (other)15.9%
- Suspension15.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .