2013 Toyota PRIUS V: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
124 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
68,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 67 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 64 of 124 complaints (51.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 69 | 55.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 8 | 6.5% |
| Engine operation | 7 | 5.6% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 64 |
| Engine | 15 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 9 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 |
Service Brakes: 64; Engine: 15; Electrical System: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 9; Unknown Or Other: 8; Exterior Lighting: 7; Power Train: 6; Vehicle Speed Control: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 11 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 16 |
| 150,000 and above | 4 |
Under 25,000: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 11; 100,000 to 149,999: 16; 150,000 and above: 4
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 57 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 |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 10 |
| 2019 | 17 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 16 |
| 2025 | 21 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2014: 10; 2015: 8; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 10; 2019: 17; 2020: 7; 2021: 7; 2022: 2; 2023: 8; 2024: 16; 2025: 21; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 69 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 7 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 10559023 · 2014-01-08 (January 8, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRUIS V HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LARGE RODENT ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND CHEWED THROUGH THE HARNESS STRAP OF A CHILD SEAT THAT WAS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DID NOT FIND ANY HOLES IN WHICH THE RODENT MAY HAVE ENTERED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT IF A RODENT ENTERED THE VEHICLE, IT COULD CAUSE A CRASH WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DETECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE A…
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10559023 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10583895 · 2014-04-21 (April 21, 2014)
2013 PRIUS V - BRAND NEW. BRAKES MAKE A GRINDING NOISE WHEN COLD. THREE DIFFERENT TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS TOLD ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE BRAKES TO GRIND WHEN COLD. NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. VEHICLE NOW HAS 15,000 MILES ON IT AND IT STILL MAKES GRINDING NOISES WHEN COLD. I HAD A 2010 PRIUS AND HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH IT. FOUND ON THE TOYOTA OWNERS WEBSITE THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. ONE OF THEM HAD THE SEATTLE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP FIX THE PROBLEM: TOYOTA OF SEATTLE 1,379 SERVICE DETAILS REAR BRAKE NOISE WHEN COLD …
Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10583895 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10588086 · 2014-05-13 (May 13, 2014)
WHILE DRIVING IT SEEMED THE CAR JUST STOPPED LOUD BANG IN REAR AND QUICKLY MOVED AGAIN TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG DON'T FEEL SAFE IN CARE THIS IS SECOND TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. THANK YOU *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588086 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10595899 · 2014-06-03 (June 3, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 PRIUS V. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A METAL GATE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10595899 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10605808 · 2014-06-25 (June 25, 2014)
STARTED HEARING FAINT POPPING/THUD SOUND WHEN TURNING WHEEL TO LEFT AT SLOW SPEEDS LIKE BACKING UP OR IN THE PROCESS OF PARKING THAT INVOLVES TURNING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THIS IS ACCOMPANIED BY SOME LOOSE FEEL ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHEN IT MAKES THAT SOUND. INITIALLY STARTED HEARING/FEELING IT WHEN IT HAD 9K MILES ON IT. BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER FOR 10K SERVICE AND COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. THEY/I COULD NOT REPLICATE IT. STILL HEARING THE SOUND AND FEELING IT ON STEERING WHEEL. SOUND AND FEEL GOT WORSE WITH STEERING AS MILEAGE WENT UP. BROUGHT TO LO…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10605808 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608480 · 2014-07-06 (July 6, 2014)
DRIVER PULLED INTO PARKING STALL. FOOT ON BRAKE AT CURB. PUSHED THE "P" BUTTON FOR PARK FUNCTION ON DASH BOARD. THE CAR REVED AND LURCHED OVER THE CURB TOWARD THE BUILDING. DRIVER CONTINUED TO PRESS BRAKE PEDAL AND SWERVED TO AVOID THE BUILDING, YET SCRAPED THE SIDE WITH SIDE PANEL AND RUNNING OVER TW0 RECENTLY PLANTED TREES. THE CAR CONTINUED LURCHING FOR APPROXIMATELY 30-40 FEET, BACK OFF OF THE CURB, PAST TO TWO PARKED CARS (WHICH SUSTAINED NO DAMAGE). THE CAR FINALLY CAME TO A REST ON ITS OWN. THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING UNTIL THE "START/O…
Owner-reported narrative. 18,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10609379 · 2014-07-09 (July 9, 2014)
2013 TOYOTA PRIUS V. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HIS WIFE EXITED THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED THE HEADLIGHTS WERE NOT ON. THEY WERE SET TO REMAIN ON FOR A BRIEF PERIOD AFTER THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. SHE GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED; NO LIGHTS, THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT WORK AND THE ENGINE WOULD NOT START, THE ONLY FUNCTIONING ITEM, WAS THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CONSUMER AND HIS WIFE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES, TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START, SO EVENTUALLY THEY HAD A …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10609379 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10644187 · 2014-10-12 (October 12, 2014)
THERE WAS A LOAD BANG, WHICH I THOUGHT CAME FROM THE TIRES, I REALIZED IT WASN'T THE TIRES BUT SMOKE COMING OUT FROM THE ENGINE. I OPENED THE HOOD OF THE CAR THERE WAS SMOKE AND ODOR COMING FROM THE ENGINE. I THAN WENT BACK TO THE VEHICLE AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE AND STARTED TO STARTED IT AGAIN. THE SMOKE STOPPED AND I TURNED IT BACK ON, EVERYTHING LOOKED NORMAL SO I STARTED TO DRIVE. AFTER 5 MILES OF DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR. I PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION THINKING IT WAS A LEAK OF WATER…
Owner-reported narrative. 85,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10644187 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
15V449000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Reported: 2015-07-15 (July 15, 2015)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2012-2014 Prius V vehicles manufactured August 22, 2011, to June 30, 2014. A component within the hybrid inverter assembly may overheat, causing the hybrid system to reduce output power allowing the vehicle to only drive a short distance. In some circumstances, the hybrid system may shut down causing the vehicle to stop while being driven.
Consequence: The vehicle may enter a fail-safe/limp-home mode that limits the drivability of the vehicle. The hybrid system could also shut down completely resulting in a vehicle stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unti (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. The recall began on July 30, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V684000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Reported: 2018-10-04 (October 4, 2018)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence: If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 22, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0V. Note: The software updates in this recall are needed even if the vehicle had the software previously updated under recalls 14V-053 or 15V-449.
NHTSA campaign record ↗