Most common 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems
Share of the 12 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Prius Plug-In Hybrid years: 2015. Years to avoid: 2012. Compare all years →
2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid recalls (1)
Hybrid propulsion system
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s).
What 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid owners say
Brakes
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 traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
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 quoted $2700 for repairs after I already paid over $570 to replace brake pads.
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius Prius Plug-In Hybrid. While the vehicle was parked, it moved forward and pushed into another vehicle and a chain linked fence. The vehicle was placed In neutral; however, the vehicle reversed and pushed into another section of the fence. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was depressed, but failed to stop the vehicle. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact stated that the start/stop button was being depressed at the time and failed to operate normally. The vehicle was diagnosed. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 26,922. Updated 11/09/16
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 described by their engineer, broke twice now.
2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid | CVT | FWD | 51 / 49 / 50 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid a good car?
Based on 12 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Prius Plug-In Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid?
The brakes — 9 complaints, 75% of all complaints for this model year, most often about antilock › abs warning light. Next are the electrical system (3) and transmission & drivetrain (1).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid have?
There is 1 recall for the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, the most recent from November 15, 2017 (hybrid propulsion system). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012. See the full Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 89,000 miles; 43% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.