2013 Toyota PRIUS C: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10519364 · 2013-06-11 (June 11, 2013)
A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS, APPARENTLY IN ALL MODELS OF 2012 AND 2013 TOYOTAS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SYSTEM FAILS TO PRODUCE A VOICE PROMPT FOR TURNS PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 50% OF THE TIME. FAILURE OF THE VOICE PROMPT MEANS THAT YOU MUST CONTINUALLY LOOK DOWN AT THE SCREEN IN ORDER TO KNOW WHERE AND WHEN TO TURN. I'M CERTAIN THAT THIS HAS CAUSED MANY, MANY ACCIDENTS AND FATALITIES AS WELL. THERE IS A WARNING THAT COMES UP EVERY TIME YOU TURN THE SYSTEM ON SAYING T…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10519364 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10524829 · 2013-07-15 (July 15, 2013)
WHEN I PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. THE CAR THEN LOCKED - BUT WITH MY SMART KEY FOB AND MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE. I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING INTO THE CAR TO GET MY DAUGHTER OUT - I HAD TO CALL THE POLICE AND HAVE THEM BREAK INTO THE CAR FOR ME. AS THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE TWICE - FROM WORK TO MY SITTER'S, FROM MY SITTER'S TO MY HOUSE - THE KEY WAS DETECTABLE FROM ITS LOCATION IN MY CA…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10524829 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10586437 · 2014-05-04 (May 4, 2014)
I GOT IN MY CAR, WHICH WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE, AT 6:15 PM AFTER A SUNNY, WARM DAY. WHEN I CLOSED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, THE BACK WINDOW SHATTERED WITH AN EXTREMELY LOUD BANG. THE MAJORITY OF THE GLASS WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR, ON THE STREET. WHEN I SPOKE TO THE CLAIMS ADJUSTER FOR MY INSURANCE COMPANY AFTER HE EXAMINED THE CAR, HE HAD SOME THEORIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED BUT NOTHING CONCRETE. HE MENTIONED THAT PERHAPS THE INTERIOR VENTS WERE BLOCKED WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED PRESSURE INSIDE THE CAR TO SHATTER THE BACK WINDOW, SO THE BODY SHOP G…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,346 miles reported. Look up ODI 10586437 at NHTSA ↗
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 10668239 · 2014-12-25 (December 25, 2014)
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:10PM ON MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2014 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BRIEF TRIP. I WAS MAKING THE 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I FELT MY CAR, A PRIUS, ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. BUT THIS ACCELERATION WAS NOT LIKE WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND IT WAS GOING TO GO! THIS CAR HAS A LOW HORSEPOWER ENGINE AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ME BEING ABLE TO "LAY RUBBER" WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET THE PHOTOS MY HUSBAND TOOK LATER CLEARLY SHOW TIRE MARKS ON THE ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HIT …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668239 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10672743 · 2015-01-15 (January 15, 2015)
WE HAVE REPLACED 3 HEAD LAMP BULBS IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10672743 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 10704787 · 2015-04-09 (April 9, 2015)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT CAUSED MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110.
Owner-reported narrative. 110 miles reported. Look up ODI 10704787 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
0 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.