TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Toyota Prius airbags problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
12crashes
12injuries
What stands out
No new NHTSA airbags complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This service bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle prior to an odor remediation being performed, as well as contact information for an approved vendor who will arrange the remediation, and instructions on how to prepare the interior of the vehicle for reassembly once the remediation has been completed. Refer to all model and
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system. Due to incorrect programming in the DCM software, after November 2nd, 2019, the GPS coordinates for this system will be calculated incorrectly. This will cause the system to use incorrect vehicle coordinates if one of the system?s features is activated.v
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles are equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support features of the Safety Connect system. Due to incorrect programming in the DCM software, after November 2nd, 2019, the GPS coordinates for this system will be calculated incorrectly. This will cause the system to use incorrect vehicle coordinates if one of the system?s features is activated
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report three major airbag problems in 2013 Prius vehicles. The most serious is complete airbag non-deployment during significant collisions. Owners describe crashes at 15–45 mph where airbags never activated despite severe vehicle damage; several occupants sustained fractures (sternum, foot), head injuries requiring hospitalization, and concussions. In some cases, multiple impact vectors (front and rear simultaneously, side and front) still produced no airbag response. Mileage ranged from 9,800 to 73,761 miles.
A second issue involves delayed or uneven deployment. One owner reported the steering wheel airbag deploying after a delay, allowing the head to strike the wheel anyway. Another described all bags deploying except the steering wheel, again resulting in head injury. One case showed passenger-side curtain airbags deploying into an empty seat during a collision.
The third problem is passenger-side occupant detection failure. Owners report the sensor showing 'airbag off' when a 80–110 pound passenger sits in the front seat. A dealer confirmed the sensor is non-adjustable and no recall covers it. Owners have had to move passengers or have them exit and re-enter to temporarily reset the warning light.
One owner also raised concern about Takata inflators, the subject of widespread recalls across the auto industry.
Same Toyota Prius airbags reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Complete airbag non-deployment in frontal/side impacts
Airbags failed to deploy during significant crashes. Owners report front passenger side curtain airbags, steering wheel airbag, and side curtain airbags did not activate when struck at speeds of 15–45 mph, sometimes with multiple impact vectors. Vehicles sustained severe frame damage, yet airbags remained inactive. Owners sustained head, sternum, and neck injuries as a result.
When: At collision speeds 15–45 mph; failure mileage reported between 9,800 and 73,761 miles
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during frontal collision; No airbag deployment during side/rear impact; Steering wheel not striking airbag despite direct head contact; Multiple impact collisions with no airbag response; Vehicle damage exceeding $12,000 without airbag activation
Repairs/costs cited: Airbag sensor replacement mentioned in one case; vehicles either not repaired or diagnosis not completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota investigator found no reading of failures in one case; stated insufficient deceleration as reason for non-deployment in another; dealer stated no recalls or adjustments available for sensor issues
Delayed or partial airbag deployment
Airbags deployed but not uniformly or in time to protect occupants. One owner reported steering wheel airbag deployed after delay, allowing head to strike the wheel. Another reported all airbags except steering wheel deployed; contact sustained head injury. One case involved passenger-side curtain airbags deploying with no passenger present during collision.
When: During collision events at reported speeds of 25 mph and undisclosed speeds
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel airbag delayed deployment; All airbags deployed except steering wheel; Passenger-side curtain airbags deployed with empty seat; Insufficient airbag cushioning to prevent contact with steering wheel
Repairs/costs cited: Spiral cable for driver-side airbag identified as failed and needing replacement; vehicle not repaired
Occupant detection sensor malfunction (false airbag-off indication)
Passenger-side occupant weight sensor malfunctions, displaying 'airbag off' warning for passengers weighing 80–110 pounds. Dealer confirmed sensor is non-adjustable and no recall exists. Owners report having to reposition passengers or exit and re-enter vehicle to reset sensor state, with no guarantee of consistent function. A 17-year-old weighing ~100 pounds similarly triggered persistent 'airbag off' indication.
When: Reported at various mileages; one case at approximately 160,650 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Dashboard warning light shows 'airbag off' with occupant in seat; Light persists even with passenger clearly present; Temporary reset requires passenger repositioning or exit/re-entry; Sensor fails to recognize medium-weight occupants (80–110 lbs)
Repairs/costs cited: Dealers state sensor is non-adjustable; no repair or replacement offered
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer confirmation that sensor is non-adjustable and no recall exists for this defect
Takata airbag inflator defect (component concern)
One owner flagged concern about defective airbag inflators manufactured by Takata Corporation in their 2013 Prius, though no specific failure event was described.
When: Model year 2013
Symptoms owners cite: General concern about Takata inflator defect
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
2013 Toyota prius. Consumer concerned about defective airbag inflators manufactured by takata corp. *ta
Had airbags trouble with your 2013 Toyota Prius?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2013 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 12 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 15,000 and 73,761 miles, with the median around 30,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 73,761. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags 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 airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Toyota/Prius.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.