2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (6) · Electrical System (2) · Wheels (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (1)
Hybrid Propulsion System 2017-11-15 · campaign 17V718000 · 39,915 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.
Risk: The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.
Service bulletins (77)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
some 2005 – 2026 toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor 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
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
the air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. the procedures outlined in this service bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. if these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
to prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. the purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. if these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Structure:body 2024-12-05 · T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
toyota vehicles are currently protected with rapgardtm protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. this material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. follow the removal procedure in this bulletin to remove the rapgardtm protective film wi
Showing the 6 most recent of 77 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-06-20 · Service Brakes“brakes stopped functioning fully when i was driving and car started throwing abs and brake warning signs. i could not brake my car properly and had to stop the car and get it towed. the dealer said its a brake actuator failure. the error code is c1391.its costing me around 2000 to get it fixed…”
2024-05-28 · Service Brakes“on 5/23/24, the abs, traction, and brakes lights came on the dash and the brakes were not responding. my car was picked up from the toyota dealer on 5/22/24 afternoon. it passed their multipoint inspection after they replaced all 4 brake pads on 5/21/24. code c1391 internal leak. the brake actuator and brake pump needed to be replaced. i was quot…”
2024-05-24 · Unknown Or Other“parts failed: accumulator/brake actuator and brake pump [xxx]: i dropped off my car at the coggin toyota dealer in jacksonville, fl to replace all (4) brake pads [xxx]: i picked up my car during lunch and their multipoint inspection passed with no issues [xxx]: maintenance lights came on the dash during lunch, brakes were not responsive, and my car…”
2024-01-16 · Wheels“the rear axle broke and the drivers side wheel sat sideways making the car undriveable. the car has been serviced by the dealer regularly in fact the rear wheel bearings were replaced recently.…”
2023-12-15 · Traction Control System · 140,000 mi“the contact owns a 2013 toyota prius plug-in-hybrid. the contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the abs warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. after the failure, the contact became aware that the brake pedal needed an excessive amount of force to be depressed while bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. the brake and trac…”
2023-07-06 · Service Brakes“on [xxx], while driving on a highway with two young children, the dashboard lit up with multiple lights and error warnings. this appeared without warning and with no incident, and the warnings included the main hybrid screen reading “check pcs system”, triangular master warning light, brake system warning light, brake warning buzzer, abs warning li…”
2020-07-15 · Service Brakes · 186,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was involved in an accident with my 2013 toyota prius driving on the highway with the flow of traffic. the car in front of me suddenly came to a stop and i immediately slammed on my brakes. there was ample distance to stop safely but i ended up rear ending the car ahead of me without any noticeable slowdown. the brake pedal felt spongy and the b…”
2020-05-03 · Electrical System · 800 mi“got a 2014 plug in.. i smell some elctrical burn under the hood... it feel like come from the invter i see a 2nd recalled on the 2018 but i never got a recalled letter.…”
2019-01-07 · Service Brakes · 133,000 mi“the abs and stability control light came on. braking system feels inconsistent. when the lights came on, there is no warning so you might get an accident without being prepared. this is a reoccuring safety issue and from my 10 minute research, it is a widespread problem.…”
2018-03-14 · Electrical System · 88,900 mi“battery hold down brackets for main traction battery (21 kw) broke allowing an unsafe condition for several months while the dealer tried to figure out the noise we reported. this has happened twice now in 88900 miles. dealer and toyota states that this occurred because of a dirt road i drive on regularly. the "unbreakable" hold down brackets as de…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.