2013 Toyota PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
88,900 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 7 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 12 complaints (66.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 9 | 75.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light | 1 |
| Suspension | 1 |
| Traction Control System | 1 |
| Unknown Or Other | 1 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 |
Service Brakes: 8; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 1; Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light: 1; Suspension: 1; Traction Control System: 1; Unknown Or Other: 1; Vehicle Speed Control: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 5 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 4 |
2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 4
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 1 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 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 10904698 · 2016-09-08 (September 8, 2016)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10904698 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014696 · 2017-08-11 (August 11, 2017)
I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH IN TOWN WITH PLENTY OF STOPPING ROOM IN FRONT OF ME. THE CAR IN FRONT STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND SO I STEPPED ON MINE. MY BRAKES WERE TOTALLY UNRESPONSIVE. I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I DID IT AGAIN AND NOTHING HAPPENED. I REAR ENDED THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. AFTER THE ACCIDENT THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I HAD IT TOWED TO TOYOTA. THEY CHECKED IT OVER AND TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THEY ARE FOLLOWING UP ON THE INCIDENT, BUT I WANTED YOU TO KNOW THAT IT HAPPENED.
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014696 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11079435 · 2018-03-14 (March 14, 2018)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 88,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11079435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11339629 · 2020-07-15 (July 15, 2020)
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH MY 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP AND I IMMEDIATELY SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. THERE WAS AMPLE DISTANCE TO STOP SAFELY BUT I ENDED UP REAR ENDING THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WITHOUT ANY NOTICEABLE SLOWDOWN. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY AND THE BRAKES DID NOT APPLY. THE CAR WOULD TYPICALLY JERK IF THE ANTI LOCK BRAKES WERE WORKING BUT THIS DID NOT OCCUR. THE FRONT STEERING WHEEL AND KNEE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT TIGHTEN UP EITH…
Owner-reported narrative. 186,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11339629 at NHTSA ↗