10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 8 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 19,932 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
The 2013 pruis has developed the notorious brake booster fault triggering the brake light abs light and traction control light to stay illuminated. Toyota has many complaints about this brake booster issue and needs to recall and fix this issue as they have done on other Toyotas. This is leaving owners with a $2500 repair or having to take a big risk driving these cars with a big prevalent brake issue that Toyota needs to be held accountable for.
- Hampton, GA, USA
ABS, brake. Anti lock lights
- El Cerrito, CA, USA
MY 2013 Prius' hybrid system failed as I was entering a very busy state highway (where several fatalities have been recorded) exit when a tractor trailer truck unexpectedly bore down on me. My engine reduced to half speed and there was no breakdown lane to pull over to. The dashboard lights lit up and indicated a hybrid system failure, but I could not get to safety for another 2-3 miles. This is an NHTSA recall (20V-369) that was eligible for repair under an expanded warranty, but ONLY AFTER the vehicle has experienced the shutdown. The IPM (Intelligent Power Module/hybrid) system breakdown was confirmed by Toyota dealership's diagnostics, but the warranty period was not told to me and the charges amounted to almost $3000. My research and doggedness discovered that the costs would be covered in toto. But more importantly, I am among numerous Prius owners who experienced this problem and more could occur, risking injury if not death.
- Hadley, MA, USA
The car gave a triangle of death and looked it up if any recalls had been made that could possible cause this issue and there was 1 that called for an update to the system which I had done and they had told me if it didn't take they would have to do the invertor which was apart of the recall. A week after the system update the same issue arose and they refused to replace the invertor which drained the hybrid battery and ruined it also. This effects the driving ability and causes the car to shut down the lights to not work. It can stale at any given time and will not have power to continue
- Morristown, TN, USA
The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 mph, the driver pressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle but the vehicle accelerated forward and crashed into a second vehicle. During the crash the driver sustained multiple contusions to the body including the chest area which required medical treatment. The vehicle was destroyed and towed away. A police report #159681-2019 was taken at the scene. The local dealer Toyota of richardson (1221 N. central expy. Richardson tx.) the manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Ennis, TX, USA
I received the recall notice and to prevent an accident, I have not been driving my car. My nearest dealship, whom I have utilized often, now are discriminating by stating false personal statements against me. This may be gender, age or racist based. So I need support to have my car towed & have hamer Toyota fairly & professionally complete the safety recall repairs. I have been at the dealship and on the phone with all levels of employees who have belittled, made false statements and/ or just plain inhumane with no remedy for my 2013 Toyota Prius.
- Sylmar, CA, USA
I noticed when I was driving on a dry clear day traction control/brake light/ABS illuminated my brakes became extremely hard to press and come to a stop also my cruise control will not engage. The lights on the dash would go off and the car would drive normal for a few days. It repeated this scenario a few times before the traction control/brake light/ABS lights stayed on permanently as well as the cruise control will not engage.
- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA
My 2013 Toyota Prius occasionally experiences delays in acceleration and abnormal hybrid function. The dealership says they can't do anything because there are no lights on the dashboard. Corporate Toyota doesn't seem to care. I asked if I had to get into an accident before this became an issue. An extra second of unexpected inability to move my car can be very dangerous in my opinion. So when I pull out of a parking lot onto a street with my foot on the gas pedal there will sometimes an additional second or so before the car started to moves and at a slower than normal pace. I know priuses don't move fast but it is silly slow.
- San Diego, CA, USA
This vehicle attempts to go 8 mph with the accelerator pedal not depressed at all. It does this any time the car is "on", even if it is in reverse. The brake must be applied to stop the car. Even when the brake is pressed, the computer will apply power to the wheels, which results in the brake having to fight against the motors. Sometimes the car can lurch slightly, and once it hit a curb unexpectedly causing damage to front plastic parts. If you are stopped at a red lite, you must apply the brake otherwise it will crash into the car in front of you on its own. This behavior is dangerous and very annoying. One mechanic I spoke to at the dealer said this is normal. It seems senseless and should not be normal. I ask Toyota to fix the minor damage to my car and fix this problem.
- Battle Ground, WA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while reversing at 3 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing the vehicle spin and crash into several parked vehicles. A police report was not filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 3,000.
- Seattle, WA, USA
The dates I am not sure of it wouldn't let me continue with out putting in a date and the same for mileage and speed, I had my car updated by Toyota they said it was a voluntary recall, exactly after the update I now get10-15 miles less a gallon and my vehicle hesitates on acceleration 1-3 seconds, I have brought the car back 2 times and was told that they haven't heard of any complaints about problems after the update I left my car with them both times on a Friday and picked up on a Monday they said they recalibrated the computer the first time and it had better mileage until I filled up and reset the odometer and back to the less mileage again, 2nd time they said I needed a fuel system clean and another thing, I did them both and nothing again no change (they said it might improve my miles some ). I have been on social network site Prius chat etc. And others are experiencing the same thing and more I feel like im gettinga run around with them (Toyota) it has cost me almost $500 to get no where, and the loss of miles is costly also I own a hybrid and feels like in driving a standard 4 cylinder, the acceleration delay started about a month ago im gonna bring it back for both problems and I expect to be told I need something else (tune up etc)that wont resolve my issue thank you
- Tamarac, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated without the accelerator pedal being applied. As a result, the contact crashed into a ditch and the air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
- Reddick, FL, USA
TL * the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. While driving 40 mph, the contact depressed the brake pedal and the vehicle accelerated. The vehicle resumed to 40 mph once the brake pedal was depressed again. The contact depressed the brake pedal again and the vehicle accelerated. A crash occurred. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. The failure recurred on three separate occasions. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic who stated that there was a delay in the braking system. The failure mileage was 12,000.
- Rinder , GA, USA
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 it would keep moving forward. Several times I ended up about 5-10 feet past the line, sticking the front bumper into cross traffic. Luckily no one hit me. I chalked it up to the quirks of a different car than the one I was used to, and figured if it kept happening I'd take it to the dealership. On Monday, my wife was stopped at a red light. The light turned green and the car in front of her started to move forward. After a few hundred feet, he suddenly slammed on his brakes. She said her brake pedal went all the way to the floor, and the Prius didn't slow down at all. She hit him going about 25 mph and totaled the Prius. She's an excellent driver and I've been with her before when she's had to panic-stop. She's never driven a car without ABS, so she is used to pushing the pedal hard and keeping her foot on it. She wouldn't even know how to "pump" the pedal. She swears the pedal just went all the way to the floor and the car didn't slow down at all. Thankfully, she's okay and no one was injured.
- Cleveland, TN, USA
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 vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 7,500. Updated 01/08/14 the consumer stated the dealer went far beyond, what they had to do, to make sure she was taken care of. However, Toyota corporation was less than helpful. Update 01/09/13
- Traberse , MI, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while decelerating, the vehicle erroneously accelerated and crashed into a pole. There were no injuries. The failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 300. Updated 08/27/13 the consumer stated just before coming to a complete stop, the vehicle accelerated and hit a brick post. Updated 08/29/13
- Prairie Village, KS, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving approximately 2 mph and applying the brakes, the vehicle lunged forward and accelerated unexpectedly. The vehicle would not respond to the brakes and crashed into a nearby cement post. There were no personal injuries. A police report was filed. There was severe body damage to the vehicle. The air bags failed to deploy with the impact. The vehicle was towed to a collision center. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 500.
- Prairie Village, KS, USA
I own a new 2013 Toyota Prius V-5. while on the freeway taking an interchange. I had cruise control set at 65 mph, disengaging it as I approached the interchange that slows to 35 mph due to the curve. I was coasting when the car suddenly brake, internal warning light flashing, alarm beeping and seat belt locked up. I was alone in the car (thank god) with no cars behind me or in front of me. It was an extremely windy day and was told by Toyota that it is possible something blew in front of the sensor. That in itself is another safety issue. Can I not drive my car on a windy, rainy or snowy day, in fear of the pre collision system misinterpreting what is in front of the sensor" I immediately took the car to the dealership only to be told today that they couldn't find anything wrong and that I am more than welcome to take a drive with their technician to see if I can replicate what had occurred. I inquired if the edr had recorded the event and they told me no. Is there something wrong with the edr? shouldn't it have recorded something like that" I can't understand why the pre-collision system (pcs) would act as if it were trying to prepare for impact if there was nothing if front of the vehicle. I could have been rear ended or lost control of the vehicle. This is a serious safety issue.
- Lathrop, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while attempting to park, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a wooden staircase. The contact then shifted into reverse and the vehicle accelerated independently in reverse, coming to a stop in the street. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. An engineer was dispatched to inspect the vehicle. The results were mailed to the contact, stating that there was no cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 899.
- Beaverton, OR, USA
- Sunderland, MA, USA