2013 Toyota Prius: True Cost, Problems & Verdict
409 NHTSA owner complaints · 3 recalls · data-computed verdict. No opinions — public data only.
Editor's note
The third-generation Prius (2010–2015) carries complaints about the inverter, the brake actuator, and, on the 2010–2011 cars, oil consumption and head-gasket failure on the 1.8-litre engine. Hybrid-battery degradation on high-mileage examples appears as complaints rather than recalls. Read the full note on the model page. 2013 specifically: 409 complaints on record, score 53/100 — read the year table on the model page to see where it sits among its siblings.
Read the guide
Used Toyota Prius, Prius c and Prius v: the years to avoid, including 2013 — written and signed by Adir Trabelsi, 2026-09-16.
Owner complaints: 409 filed with NHTSA
Complaints per year on the road: 31.46
What owners say
Verbatim reports filed with the United States safety regulator (NHTSA) by owners of this exact model year. Public record.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the vehicle started to brake and lurch forward with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out and crashed into the median. The contact’s chest struck the steering wheel, causing bruising and chest pain. The contact was managing the pain with analgesi…
The break pump for my 2013 prius is going out and is a known issue with Toyota. I contacted toyota and they have stated because it is past the extended warranty they can not repair it and aren't liable for it. I bought the car used and was unaware that it has been a known issue for years. The previous owner did not have it replaced as they were probably unaware as well. It is a highly unsafe issue and has caused my b…
I purchased a 2013 Toyota Prius from a reputable dealership in Omaha (O'Daniel Honda). 5 days after purchase the ABS, BRAKE, and Traction Control lights came on in the evening. When I took it to the dealership the next day they had cycled off and the dealership couldn't find anything wrong. A few days later it happened again so I got into the dealer right away and they said Toyota had issued a service bulletin C1391 …
Recalls: 3 campaigns
| Campaign | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 18V684000 | Hybrid Propulsion System | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven. |
| 14V053000 | Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter | Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. |
| 20V369000 | Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven. |
What it costs to buy — and what owning it really takes
Class-level estimates, priced as a compact car of its model year, re-priced to your country. Not a quote, not a valuation of one specific car — condition, mileage and options move it. How these are computed.
What it costs to run
EPA combined 48 MPG · estimated annual fuel cost $1,350
Re-priced automatically from your country's retail fuel, electricity and parts indices — change country in the bar at the top. Estimates; see methodology.
What this car's problems cost to fix
Ranked by the components owners of this exact model year actually complain about. Each figure is flat-rate labour hours x the local shop rate plus a parts band — an estimate of what this kind of failure costs, not a quote, and not a prediction that this car will need it. Formula.
- Service Brakes239 complaints · typical job: Pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles (3.0 h labour + parts)$580–$1,140
- Electrical System51 complaints · typical job: Alternator, battery-drain or body-module diagnosis and replacement (3.0 h labour + parts)$540–$1,310
- Unknown Or Other49 complaints · typical job: Diagnosis and mixed repair (2.0 h labour + parts)$360–$940
- Engine37 complaints · typical job: Cooling-system or timing-drive repair (6.0 h labour + parts)$1,040–$2,220
- Vehicle Speed Control22 complaints · typical job: Throttle body, pedal sensor or cruise module replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$520–$1,150
- Air Bags18 complaints · typical job: Airbag module, clockspring or sensor replacement (2.5 h labour + parts)$600–$1,700
Other Toyota Prius years
FAQ
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Prius?
The most-reported issue in NHTSA complaint data is Service Brakes (239 complaints in our indexed sample).
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius a good used car to buy?
Our data verdict is CAUTION with a reliability score of 53/100, computed from 409 NHTSA complaints and 3 recall campaigns. See the verdict card for the top reasons.
How much does it cost to fix the 2013 Toyota Prius's most common problem?
239 of the NHTSA complaints filed against the 2013 Toyota Prius sit in the Service Brakes group — more than any other component on this model year. The representative job there is pads, rotors and caliper service, both axles: about 3.0 hours of labour plus parts, roughly $580–$1,140 at a US independent shop and re-priced to your country at the top of the page. It is an estimate of what this class of failure costs, not a quote for this car.
What does a 2013 Toyota Prius cost to run per year?
About $4,297 a year in fuel or energy plus the maintenance band — roughly $21,488 over five years, before purchase price, insurance and depreciation. Figures come from available EPA fuel-economy data and industry maintenance averages, and are re-priced to your country.
Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for the 2013 Toyota Prius, 0 of them touching fire, crash or stall risk, the most recent recorded 04/10/2018. Check this car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before you buy.
Compare with
Other compacts of about the same age.
What will a 2013 Toyota Prius really cost YOU per year?
Fuel, maintenance band and depreciation — computed from public data in 10 seconds.
Open the true-cost calculatorData sources
Complaints & recalls: NHTSA ·
Fuel economy: EPA fueleconomy.gov ·
Scoring: our published methodology.
Maintenance bands are industry-average estimates (AAA Your Driving Costs, CarMD index) — labeled estimates, not measurements.
Last updated: 2026-10-04.
Strong evidence — 409 complaints, 3 recalls on record
- 409 NHTSA complaints on record (31.5/yr of exposure) — worse than a typical year of this model (15.0/yr)
- 3 recall campaigns, 0 touching safety-critical systems