Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 analgesics. The vehicle was towed to an impound lot and was deemed a total loss by the insurance company. A Police report was filed, but the report number was not provided. The manufacturer was contacted and was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.
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. …
Took vehicle for state inspection on 2/13/2024, failed inspection because of brake warning lights. Slip indicator, Electronically controlled brake warning light, Brake warning light, Anti-lock brake system, and Low tire pressure lights are all on. I have looked into it, and it seems the brake actuator/booster used to be under warranty, however since this is a 2013 in 2024 with almost 210k miles on it, it no longer qualifies for the original recall.
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.
Entering the highway the car suddenly learched and stopped excelerating, creating an unsafe situation, and went into a slow mode. It limped along. Caused cars issue around having to slow merge and driving only 10-15 miles per hour. The dealer could find no codes and said it could be an air bubble in fluid line??? No warning lights.
Tl* 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 #[phone] 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.
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. …
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.
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.
Tl* 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.
Acceleration complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2013 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2013 Toyota Prius, 5% of the model year's 414 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2013 Toyota Prius acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2013 Toyota Prius, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2013 Toyota Prius acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 12,000 miles, and 69% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.