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2013 Toyota Prius: common problems and reliability
One of the worst Prius years.
One of the Toyota Prius years to avoid. All Prius years
1,634 owner complaints, most about service brakes. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2013 Prius?The 2013 Toyota Prius has 1634 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are service brakes and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2013 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2013 Toyota Prius vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Prius years only. How we score it
Is 2013 a good year for the Prius?
Across the 26 Prius model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2000) to 5,652 (2010). With 1,634 complaints, the 2013 Prius sits above the model's median of 502.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2013 Prius
hybrid propulsion system
Campaign 18V684000Toyota 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.
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 14V053000Toyota 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.
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 20V369000Toyota 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.
hybrid propulsion system
Campaign 17V718000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.
Show 2 more recalls
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 15V449000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.
exterior lighting:tail lights
Campaign 13E070000Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Prius consistently praised as the quintessential rational transportation appliance.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Prius. See the full Prius owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Prius listings typically run $12,797–$27,748.
Other Prius model years
Compare every Prius year side by side to see how 2013 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Prius against its rivals
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