2013 Toyota Prius Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Inverter
  2

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  638%
• 25k–50k
  425%
• 50k–75k
  319%
• 75k–100k
  16%
• 100k–150k
  00%
• 150k+
  213%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2013 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

We have been experiencing on multiple occasions car while driving will slow down, hybrid safety warning light on dashboard will turn on and tell us we have to go to a safe area and turn off car. The car will automatically shut down like a golf cart feeling. We have had near incidents were we have almost crashed. The car now will not go past 35 miles. We brought the car to a Toyota Dealership because we noticed their was a software update recall. When we left the car repeated the warning again about 5 minutes leaving the dealership. The dealership has not helped us and refuses to fix car. We mentioned to them that there have been many complaints regarding the same issue.

The brake actuator keeps buzzing every 3 seconds or so the entire time the car is on and even after I turn the car off and get out. The brakes make a wierd burping noise and the pedal depresses with each noise if I am stopped at a red light or stop sign with my foot on the brakes. All of the brake, abs, and traction control lights lit up. The regenerative braking is no longer working.

Engine warning light at start up came on with no degradation of operation. Car was taken to originating manufacture dealer for diagnosis. When car was purchased as certified pre-owned the sales rep upsold extended 3rd party warranty coverage that they said 'would cover everything including diagnosis labor fees.' when vehicle was diagnosed from dealer service dept they said it was faulty o2 sensor, caused 'by rodent damage to cable'. No validation or evidence of this was provided; cable/parts not presented for inspection to customer. Customer was told lack of sensor would result in reduced gas milage. Customer asked about safety of vehicle and was told vehicle was safe to drive without part repair. Customer asked if repair was covered under warranty and was told that it was not. Customer declined repair at that time; customer was forced to pay ~$150 labor charge for inspection. …

While driving on rte. 24 south in massachusetts (around brockton/bridgewater/ taunton, ma) the caution light began flashing (triangle with exclamation). I pulled over at the nearest rest stop to see if there was any observable problem, but I could not detect anything specific. I got back on the highway; and the light continued beeping intermittently and then about a mile later I felt a shift in the transmission and suddenly I was in neutral, quickly decelerating from 65 MPH. Thankfully I was able to pull over safely, at which point a new message was on my dash telling me to pull over, that there was something wrong with my hybrid system! We (the tow truck guy and I) noticed oil under the car and confirmed it was clean oil, and I saw another spot in my driveway when I got home. …

The rented 2013 Toyota Prius with one passenger and the driver, pulled into a diagonal parking space in front of a strip mall store. Traveling at maybe 5 MPH to park, the car's brake pedal gave way and hit the floor flat, providing no braking at all. The car kept rolling toward the corner of the brick building. The car then suddenly surged ahead, smashing into the corner of the entry to the brick building at such a sudden force that the doors to the building were wedged shut. After emergency vehicle took the driver and passenger to the hospital, the policeman on the job, as well as the wrecker service that came to extract the vehicle, could not move the car because there were no brakes, as stated in the police report. The wrecker driver could not load the vehicle to tow using the car's power because there were no brakes. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. While driving 70 MPH, the check engine and two unknown warning indicators illuminated. In addition, the check hybrid system and "stop the vehicle at a safe place' messages appeared on the instrument panel. Furthermore, while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact was able to park on the shoulder of a road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated that the VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The vehicle was towed to penske Toyota of downey (located at 9136 east Firestone blvd, downey, ca 90241, [phone]) where it was determined that a software update was needed. The dealer stated that the failure was not related to the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to hamer Toyota (11041 sepulveda blvd, mission hills, ca 91345) however, the mechanic was unable to determine cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall, after the remedy was completed. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the manufacturer had not provided the remedy for NHTSA campaign number: 18V684000 (hybrid propulsion system) within a reasonable time frame. The dealer (dch wappingers falls Toyota, 1349 U.S. 9, wappingers falls, ny 12590, [phone]) stated that the part was unavailable and did not know when it would arrive. The contact stated that the vehicle rode roughly, the battery warning indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

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.

I had the proper recall fixes done on my 2013 Toyota Prius 3 months ago for the stalling issues. Last night while accelerating to get on the freeway my Prius shut down and entered limp home mode. The 'check hybrid system. Stop vehicle in a safe place' light came on. Eventually the car wouldn't turn on at all. I didn't feel safe one bit. I'm a female, alone at night, in a bad part of town, it was 25 outside, on the side of a freeway! I don't believe the recall fixed the problem.

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints in other Prius years