Without warning my 2013 prius C stalled on the freeway with a hybrid battery warning. When the car was shut off it had intermittent problems with starting. After jumping the car battery , it ran normally again for some time before the stalling problem persisted. The hybrid battery stopped running and I received a warning light. Diagnostics at my repair shop said it was an inverter issue.I see that…
2013 toyota Prius C electrical problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$850
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
CAR DIED LAST NIGHT (10/27) AAA NOT ABLE TO JUMP BATTERY. BAD FUSE. TOWED TO SF TOYOTA ON GEARY BL. TAKEN CAR TO SHOP THREE TIMES SINCE PURCHASE 7/22/20 FOR PROBLEMS. ALSO TOLD NOTHING IS WRONG. THIS APPEARS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE. ALSO I WAS TOLD CAR WAS DAMAGED, NOT IN MAJOR ACCIDENT. HAS SIGNS OF HEAVY DAMAGE FROM 3 ACCIDENTS. IT ONLY HAS 54,XXX MILES ON A 2013 PRIUS C.
THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE REAR LENS AND BODY ASSEMBLY, PART NUMBER 81551-52A94 (RIGHT SIDE) AND CORRESPONDING PART ON THE LEFT SIDE. A SEAM CRACKS AND ALLOWS WATER INTO THE LENS ASSEMBLY. EVENTUALLY, ENOUGH WATER ACCUMULATES TO COVER THE BRAKE LIGHT CAUSING IT TO SHORT. THE TOYOTA DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT I COULD DO BUT REPLACE BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS AND HAVE TAK…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT STATED…
My 2013 Toyota Prius has a failed inverter/converter assembly, including the Intelligent Power Module (IPM). This component is critical for vehicle operation and designed to last the life of the car. Premature IPM shorting and inverter failure is a known defect acknowledged by Toyota through multiple recalls and service campaigns for other VINs with the same part number. My vehicle is giving codes…
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact pulled over and was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic but was diagnosed nor repaired. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and the cont…
failure of the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter assembly
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2013 toyota Prius C?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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