2013 Toyota Prius problems
The 2013 Toyota Prius has 400 NHTSA owner complaints and no active recalls. Here's where owners say it breaks.
The 2013 Toyota Prius has 400 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). The most-reported system is brakes at 190 complaints, typically surfacing around 105,163 miles (~$450 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 Prius | 2,819 | 2 |
| 2011 Prius | 516 | 0 |
| 2012 Prius | 684 | 2 |
| 2013 Prius (this page) | 400 | 0 |
| 2014 Prius | 234 | 2 |
| 2015 Prius | 160 | 0 |
| 2016 Prius | 179 | 3 |
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Brakes: 190 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 87,000–122,000 mi
- Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average
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.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings 5 / 5 overall
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2013 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2013 Toyota Prius? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- brakes — 190 owner reports · tends to show around 105,163 mi · ~$450 to fix
- electrical — 45 owner reports · tends to show around 68,600 mi · ~$850 to fix
- airbags — 18 owner reports · tends to show around 45,501 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
- cruise control — 16 owner reports · tends to show around 39,580 mi · ~$600 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: brakes is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 105,163 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 7.2/10 model. The priciest documented failure is engine (~$3,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Toyota Prius
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints
Your road ahead on this 2013 Toyota Prius
When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you, what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
- ~20,000 micruise control~$600
- ~30,000 miairbags~$1,100
- ~65,000 mielectrical~$850
- ~84,000 miengine~$3,100
- ~108,000 mibrakes~$450
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2013 Toyota prius. Consumer would like reimbursement for repairs and parts for the defected oil filter housing part. *ta the consumer stated the vehicle was equipped with a cheap, plastic oil filter housing. Over time, the heat generated by the engine caused the oil filter…
I bought this car in november since the car is new . I wanted to install mud guards so I had to remove each wheel. As I was torquing the wheel nuts, one stud came off. I used a torque wrench 65 ftlb. I went to the dealer they told me that I broke the stud that this is not cover…
Brake pump failed while on the highway. Brake functionality and braking distance changed drastically while driving high speeds. Dealer confirmed that the breaker pump and master cylinder must be replaced with a new assemblies. There was no recall for this failure, but a Toyota…
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota prius. While the vehicle was parked with the shift lever in the park position, the vehicle independently rolled backwards. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Under investigation 1 open at NHTSA
NHTSA has an open defect investigation covering this vehicle — the step that can precede a recall, not a finding of fault. DP23005 on NHTSA →
How NHTSA investigations work, and what's open now →
Common questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.2 out of 10 based on 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Toyota Prius 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?
The 2013 Toyota Prius is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Brakes: 190 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 87,000–122,000 mi; Reliability score 7.2/10 — around the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Toyota Prius?
Inspect the brakes first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 190 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 105,163 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius a good used car to buy?
It scores 7.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 400 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is brakes. Typical failure occurs around 105,163 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Toyota Prius?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 190 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 105,163 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 105,163 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Prius 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?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 400 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.