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 Customer Support Program for replacement of this brake assembly was active for reports of this failure only before April…
2013 Toyota Prius brakes problems
severe 185 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
185
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
9crashes
5injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 185 brakes complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 47% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 12 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 185 brakes complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 6 most recent
Red brake light came on, traction control light came on, ABS light came on, Toyota says my brake pump needs replaced. That my brake will fail.
BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE BOOSTER PUMP ASSEMBLIES. making a buzzing noise. cost to repair is estimated to be 2500 or more. Toyota even has a bulletin for it, but they did not inform the public, because the part is very expensive and difficult to fix on a prius. since it has expired, we are out of luck.
Unusual loud clicking and screeching sound as well as vibration feeling under the brake pedal while pressing the brake pedal and brakes don't feel powerful enough despite just getting new brake pads at the dealership and there is much longer distance needed for braking and bringing to a full stop. This has progressively increased since last noticed about 11-12 months ago when the odometer was…
Brake booster and actuator failure.
On [XXX], we were driving from Coalinga, CA to Phoenix, AZ for Thanksgiving. As we began to descend into Los Angeles on [XXX], three warning indicators suddenly went on: the ABS warning light, the traction control light and the brake warning light. The brakes still worked but the brake assist was weakened. We pulled over as soon as possible at the nearest AutoZone. The employee performed a…
Had brakes 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 brakes problem on the 2013 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 185 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Across the 33 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most brakes failures cluster between 87,000 and 122,000 miles, with the median around 108,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 87,000; a quarter make it past 122,000. 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 $450 for brakes 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 brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes 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.