2013 Toyota PRIUS C problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
57 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 27 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 57 complaints (38.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 40.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 19.3% |
| Engine operation | 8 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 12.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.8% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 22 |
| Service Brakes | 16 |
| Engine | 7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 4 |
Electrical System: 22; Service Brakes: 16; Engine: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4; Exterior Lighting: 4; Hybrid Propulsion System: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 30 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 7 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2013: 2; 2014: 3; 2015: 4; 2016: 3; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 3; 2020: 6; 2021: 4; 2022: 6; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2025: 7; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 8 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10653254 · 2014-11-07 (November 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10653254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10691187 · 2015-02-27 (February 27, 2015)
I HAVE HAD MY TOYOTA PRIUS C FOR 1.5 YEARS. I WAS ASSURED IT WAS A SAFE CAR. HOWEVER THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTO TRACTION CONTROL THAT WILL TURN ON DURING FLURRIES OR IF THERE ARE WET LEAVES OR RAIN. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL (A SAFETY FEATURE) TURNS ON MY WHEELS STOP,MY BRAKES STOP, I CANNOT CONTROL MY STEERING AND I AM BASICALLY AT THE MERCY OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS 55-65 MPH, AND ON BACK ROADS 25MPH+ AND ON TURNS WHERE I AM GOING 2-4 MPH AT A GLIDE, OR ON HILLS, BECAUSE THE CAR W…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10691187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10782327 · 2015-10-15 (October 15, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE YEAR, MAKE, …
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10782327 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10920321 · 2016-10-31 (October 31, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REVERSE LIGHTS WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT WATER WAS PRESENT INSIDE THE LIGHT COVER FIXTURE, WHICH CAUSED AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND CORROSION TO THE WIRE HARNESS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 110,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10920321 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10851386 · 2016-03-24 (March 24, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,300.
Owner-reported narrative. 8,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 10851386 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11471817 · 2022-06-30 (June 30, 2022)
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled as a system failure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently turned. The vehicle was restarted but shifted into limp mode with the message displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and then drove the vehicle to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V369000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and 14V053000 (Hybrid Propulsion System, Electrical System)…
Owner-reported narrative. 66,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11471817 at NHTSA ↗