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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-TOYOTA-PRIUS-V NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2013 · Toyota

Toyota Prius V problems

123 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 Prius V?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
58 reports · fails ~86,170 mi · avg $450
severe
electrical
14 reports · fails ~71,585 mi · avg $850
severe
engine
8 reports · fails ~118,979 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
lighting
7 reports · fails ~83,500 mi · avg $250
moderate
powertrain
6 reports · fails ~83,500 mi · avg $2,500
severe
airbags
4 reports · fails ~44,399 mi · avg $1,100
severe
cruise control
4 reports · fails ~73,000 mi · avg $600
severe
suspension
4 reports · fails ~38,000 mi · avg $900
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 Prius V's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 Prius V?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 Prius V · brakes
The ABS brake actuator in my 2013 Prius V failed at just over 91,000 miles in December 2025, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. I understand that this is a known issue with this model of vehicle.
2013 Prius V · brakes
At approximately 150,100 miles (barely outside Toyota's extended warranty) several dash lights came on including the brake, ABS, and traction control lights. A Toyota dealer determined the problem to be the notorious C1391 brake booster issue (which seems identical to previous…
2013 Prius V · brakes Injury
My wife started her car this morning, put it in park and then stepped out to get the mail. The vehicle unexpectedly moved forward running her over and pinning her leg underneath. She is currently at the hospital being checked for internal injuries. Has this been reported and…
2013 Prius V · brakes
With my foot on the brake, coming to a stop at a stop sign, we went over uneven pavement and the car lurched forward while only a few feet from the crosswalk. *tr braking to a stop at an intersection - the road is dry and flat. The car's traction control/slippery icon comes…
12/10/2014 · at 28,583 mi · NHTSA ODI #10663345.0 · see brakes pattern →
View all 123 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 Toyota Prius V? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 13E070000 December 12, 2013

Genera 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 reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Toyota Prius V reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 123 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Toyota Prius V is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Toyota Prius V?

The 2013 Toyota Prius V is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 58 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 51,500–130,000 mi; Reliability score 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2013 Toyota Prius V?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 58 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 86,170 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 86,170 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Toyota Prius V has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2013 Toyota Prius V?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 123 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Prius V. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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