NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 422 owner complaints for the 2013 Toyota Prius (including the hybrid).
Recalled components: hybrid propulsion system. Most-described problem: brake failure or a soft or hard pedal (49 complaints, 12%). Most-reported area: brakes (245 complaints, 58%; median mileage when it happened: 91,000).
More complaints than most Prius years
The 2013 drew 68 owner complaints in its first three years, against about 44 for a typical Prius year: 1.5 times as many. It is not a year to avoid, which takes at least twice the typical count and at least 50 complaints.
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, and 2016. Based on owner complaints, not adjusted for sales.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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 listing: PRIUS. Toyota campaign 20TB10 / 20TA10.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Toyota 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.
Risk: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix and full notice
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.
NHTSA listing: PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID. Toyota campaign H0R.
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.
The fix and full notice
Fix: 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.
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles.
Questions about any of these recalls: call NHTSA's Vehicle Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236 (TTY 888-275-9171) or check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA investigations
NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2013 Toyota Prius.
Defect petitions: requests for an investigation
NHTSA has 1 open defect petition that names the 2013 Toyota Prius. A defect petition is a request from the public for an investigation, which NHTSA reviews before deciding whether to open one. The petition itself is not an investigation.
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has received a petition dated September 19, 2023 from the owner of a 2012 Toyota Prius V requesting that ODI reevaluate its decision to deny DP19-004.
NHTSA listing: PRIUS. Component: Brakes (foundation components, power assist).
What owners report
Owners have filed 422 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Prius. Below, they are sorted by the problems owners describe and by the areas NHTSA files them under. NHTSA does not verify complaints.
Problems owners describe
Brake failure or a soft or hard pedal49 · 12%
Several warning lights at once19 · 5%
Stalling or shutting off18 · 4%
Median 42,000 miles at failure, from 15 reports with mileage
Median 91,000 miles at failure, from 58 reports with mileage
Electrical system55 · 13%
Median 61,600 miles at failure, from 32 reports with mileage
Engine37 · 9%
Median 76,000 miles at failure, from 26 reports with mileage
Speed control23 · 5%
Median 12,000 miles at failure, from 17 reports with mileage
Air bags18 · 4%
Fuel and propulsion system16 · 4%
Powertrain15 · 4%
Unknown or other50 · 12%
Median 54,400 miles at failure, from 25 reports with mileage
A complaint can name more than one area, so shares add up to more than 100%. Mileage is shown where at least 15 owners reported it.
Toyota Prius recalls and complaints by model year
The highlighted bars are the 2013 model year. Newer model years have had less time on the road, so their counts are lower. Counting complaints filed in each model year's first three years, the 2010 Prius drew the most (1,682) and the 2013 drew 68.
Owner complaints
2013: 422 complaintsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Owner complaints by model year, Toyota Prius
Model year
Complaints
2010
2,828
2011
521
2012
448
2013
422
2014
220
2015
170
2016
154
2017
133
2018
52
2019
38
2020
30
2021
16
2022
32
2023
25
2024
38
2025
18
2026
10
Safety recalls
2013: 4 recallsTap or drag across the chart for other years.
Show as a table
Safety recalls by model year, Toyota Prius
Model year
Recalls
2010
10
2011
6
2012
7
2013
4
2014
4
2015
2
2016
5
2017
3
2018
1
2019
3
2020
1
2021
0
2022
1
2023
4
2024
4
2025
2
2026
1
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for each version it tested. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimate of the chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
In the 422 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 Toyota Prius, the problems described most are brake failure or a soft or hard pedal (49), several warning lights coming on at once (19), and stalling or shutting off (18). NHTSA does not verify complaints, and one complaint can describe several problems.
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius safe?
In NHTSA crash tests the 2013 Toyota Prius earns 4 to 5 stars overall, depending on the version. The table above lists each tested version.
Is NHTSA investigating the 2013 Toyota Prius?
No. NHTSA's investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026, lists no investigations for the 2013 Toyota Prius. NHTSA is reviewing 1 defect petition that names it: brake actuator valve wear (DP23005, opened Nov 22, 2023). A petition asks NHTSA to open an investigation and is not one itself.
How do I check if my Prius has an open recall?
Enter the 17-character VIN from your dashboard, door jamb or registration at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The lookup lists unrepaired recalls for that exact vehicle. Safety recall repairs are free at Toyota dealers.
Sources and method
NHTSA recalls file (NHTSA datasets), dated Oct 2, 2026; every campaign checked against NHTSA's recalls API.
NHTSA owner complaints file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Counted by complaint number, so a complaint naming three components counts once in the total.
NHTSA investigations file, dated Oct 2, 2026. Defect petitions, which ask NHTSA to open an investigation, are listed apart and only while open. Audit queries, which check whether a company met its recall and reporting duties rather than whether a vehicle has a problem, are not listed.
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP).
NHTSA model names covered: PRIUS, PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID.
Complaint counts are unverified owner reports. They rise with sales volume and time on the road, so compare model years with care. How we build these pages. Spotted an error? Tell us.