2013 prius c two, bought brand new with 15 miles on it 5 weeks ago. A few times when driving, I noticed the brakes seemed weak, like they weren't stopping the car very well even at low speeds. My driving is mostly in town on residential streets, so I'm rarely going over 35 MPH. Even so, I'd have to really mash the pedal all the way to the floor to get the car to come to a complete stop, otherwise…
2013 Toyota Prius cruise control problems
severe 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $600 · see cruise control across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
16
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
8crashes
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 16 cruise control complaints filed for the 2013 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: The 2013 Prius has multiple serious owner reports of unintended acceleration, brake failure, and brake system warnings that dealers and Toyota engineers have been unable to diagnose or repair in many cases, resulting in crashes and injuries. Some owners report these problems occur despite no fault codes present, making diagnostic repair difficult and risky.
Owners report multiple distinct failure modes affecting the 2013 Prius, most of which appear related to brake and powertrain control rather than cruise control itself.
Unintended acceleration events are the most serious complaints. Owners describe the vehicle suddenly accelerating while braking or in idle, occurring at low speeds (2–40 mph) and in various contexts—at red lights, during parking, while reversing, and during normal driving. These events have resulted in crashes into parked vehicles, poles, cement posts, stairs, and embankments, with some owner-reported injuries. Failures occur across a wide mileage range, from 300 to 120,000 miles, and are often recurring. Dealers have been unable to diagnose or reproduce the problem in most cases.
Brake system issues include reports of weak braking requiring excessive pedal pressure, complete loss of braking response, and hard brake pedals. One owner reported brake failure at 25 mph leading to a totaled vehicle. Multiple owners cite illuminated brake warning lights, ABS lights, and traction control lights appearing intermittently or permanently, sometimes accompanied by inability to engage cruise control.
Acceleration hesitation and delays occur after software updates. One owner reports 10–15 mpg loss and 1–3 second acceleration delays following a voluntary recall update, persisting after dealer recalibration and fuel system service.
Creep behavior is reported—the vehicle attempting to move at approximately 8 mph with the accelerator unpressed, even in reverse, requiring constant brake application to prevent forward motion.
Toyota engineers and dealers have been unable to diagnose root causes in most cases, and owners report lack of manufacturer support.
Same Toyota Prius cruise control reports on nearby years: 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2014 · 2016
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration—vehicle accelerates when brake applied
Vehicle suddenly accelerates forward despite driver applying brake pedal, particularly at low speeds or when stopped. Occurs during braking events, at red lights, during parking, and while reversing. Brake pedal reportedly depressed fully with no deceleration response.
When: 3 mph to 40 mph; mileage range 300 to 120,000; appears across all use scenarios
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates when brake pedal is depressed; Complete loss of braking response; Vehicle lunges forward unexpectedly; Recurring events over multiple driving occasions; Vehicle continues at original speed or increases speed despite brake application
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to diagnose in multiple cases; manufacturer engineer investigation found no cause for failure; vehicle not repaired in several instances
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall mentioned; manufacturer made aware but deemed no defect found; dealer diagnostics inconclusive
Weak or failed braking—excessive pedal pressure required
Brake pedal becomes unresponsive or requires excessive pressure to achieve stopping. New vehicle experiences weak braking within 5 weeks of purchase at low speeds; another owner reports brake pedal going to floor with no deceleration at 25 mph.
When: As early as 5 weeks after purchase, under 35 mph; also reported at higher speeds (25 mph collision)
Symptoms owners cite: Brake pedal requires full floor pressure to stop vehicle; Brake pedal goes to floor with minimal or no stopping effect; Vehicles continue rolling past stop lines; Sudden brake failure during emergency stop
Repairs/costs cited: Owner planned dealership visit but crash occurred before service; no repairs documented
Brake warning lights with reduced braking function—brake booster fault
Brake light, ABS light, and traction control light illuminate; brakes become extremely hard to press. Multiple owners report this pattern. One owner cites brake booster fault as recurring issue across 2013 Prius models with estimated $2,500 repair cost.
When: Mileage not consistently specified; intermittent initially, then permanent
Symptoms owners cite: Brake warning light illuminates; ABS light stays on; Traction control light illuminates; Brakes become hard to depress; Cruise control will not engage (coincident with brake lights); Warning lights may extinguish temporarily, then return
Repairs/costs cited: Owner reports $2,500 repair cost cited for brake booster fault; no successful repair outcomes documented in narratives
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner states Toyota has many complaints about brake booster issue on other Toyotas but no recall issued for 2013 Prius
Unintended acceleration—vehicle accelerates independently without pedal input
Vehicle accelerates on its own without driver depressing accelerator, occurring during parking, normal driving, and reversing. Occurs at very low mileage and across speed ranges.
When: Mileage 899, 3,000, and 19,000; speeds 2–40 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle accelerates without accelerator pedal applied; Vehicle accelerates forward during attempted parking; Vehicle accelerates in reverse unexpectedly; Vehicle crashes into obstacles (stairs, ditches, parked vehicles); Airbags fail to deploy in some crashes
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle towed to dealer; engineer dispatched for inspection; no root cause identified; vehicle not repaired
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer made aware; engineer investigation found no cause
Creep behavior—vehicle attempts forward motion at ~8 mph without accelerator input
Vehicle constantly tries to move forward at approximately 8 mph whenever ignition is on, even in Park or Reverse, unless brake is continuously applied. Brake must fight against motor power application.
When: Occurs any time vehicle is powered on
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle moves forward at 8 mph without accelerator input; Behavior occurs in all gears including Reverse; Brake must be held constantly to prevent forward motion; Computer applies power to wheels even when brakes applied; Vehicle can lurch slightly or hit curbs unexpectedly; Vehicle will crash into car ahead at red light if brake released
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer mechanic stated this is normal behavior; owner disputes this assessment
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer claims behavior is normal; Toyota asked to fix minor damage and resolve issue
Acceleration hesitation and hybrid function degradation after software update
Following voluntary recall software update, vehicle exhibits 1–3 second delays in acceleration response and significantly reduced fuel economy (10–15 mpg loss). Problem persists after dealer recalibration and fuel system cleaning.
When: Approximately 1 month after software update; continues across multiple service visits
Symptoms owners cite: 1–3 second delay between accelerator pedal depression and vehicle response; Significantly reduced fuel economy (10–15 mpg loss); Vehicle acceleration slower than normal; No check engine light or dashboard warning indicators; Issue recurs after recalibration and fuel system service
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer recalibrated computer; performed fuel system cleaning; owner reports $500 spent with no resolution
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Voluntary recall software update performed; dealer claims no complaints heard about post-update issues; computer recalibration and fuel system service recommended without success
Acceleration delay with no diagnostic codes
Owner reports occasional acceleration delays and abnormal hybrid function. Vehicle will not respond normally when pulling out of parking lots, with unexpected hesitation before acceleration begins.
When: Occasional; mileage and specific timing not stated
Symptoms owners cite: Occasional delays in acceleration response; Abnormal hybrid function; Extra second of unexpected inability to move vehicle; Acceleration slower than normal pace
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership states no repair possible without warning lights illuminated
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership unable to address; corporate Toyota not responsive
Synthesized from 16 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the brakes failed. The vehicle accelerated abnormally, traveled over a sidewalk and then over the steps of the contact's residence. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the technician was unable to diagnose the problem. The contact stated that the acceleration failure was recurring. The…
Had cruise control 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 cruise control problem on the 2013 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 16 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Across the 10 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most cruise control failures cluster between 7,500 and 71,000 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 7,500; a quarter make it past 71,000. 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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.