Problems · NHTSA complaints

2013 Toyota Prius C problems

Owners filed 401 complaints about the 2013 Toyota Prius C with NHTSA between Dec 2012 and Nov 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (189).

Complaints
401
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
43
Reported by owners
Fires
3
Reported by owners
Injuries
24
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes189
  2. Electrical system69
  3. Engine42
  4. Vehicle speed control24
  5. Air bags21
  6. Fuel/propulsion system21
  7. Power train17
  8. Exterior lighting16
  9. Structure15
  10. Hybrid propulsion system13
  11. Steering11
  12. Wheels9
  13. Forward collision avoidance8
  14. Electronic stability control (esc)8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20121
201330
201431
201515
201619
201714
201830
201932
202026
202120
202221
202337
202461
202559
20265

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

189 reports17 crashes
“November 2, 2026 approximately 1:37pm I was coming to a stop intending to take a left turn onto a Highway. As I applied the brake the car suddenly lunged forward almost throwing me into oncoming traffic at very high speeds. I was far too close to colliding or being thrown in front of a car that was traveling in the nearest lane. They took a lane change that was thankfully clear for them to do. This specific part of the highway had a fatality crash just 3 days prior. Suddenly, lights show up on the dashboard including ABS, brake, traction control and the warning light. The brake actuator assembly failed. From what I’ve seen this is a known issue that Toyota has acknowledged with a specialized warranty that my vehicle has aged out of. However the most crucial is I am well under the mileage for the part to have failed due to ware and tear. This was a manufactures fault. Tomorrow I will have the car inspected and confirmed that the failure occurred.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 2, 2026Service brakesODI 11775297

Electrical system

69 reports4 crashes1 fire
“While I was driving on the freeway the dash lit up with multiple lights. Simultaneously, I lost power to the car and could not accelerate and only break. The steering was tight and I could not steer correctly. Then a message that said, CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM STOP THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE PLACE IMMEDIATELY. The was slowing down and I had to pull over on the side of the freeway. There were no fluids leaking from the car.The car did not power back on nor run for over 10 minutes. The incident put my safety and other safety at risk by turning off while driving highway speeds. I was afraid for my life. There is an open recall which has not yet been resolved Major Safety Recalls for the 2013 Prius •The Hybrid Inverter Module (Critical Recall): Excessive voltage inside the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) can cause the hybrid system to overheat, shut down completely, or put the car into "limp home" mode while you are driving.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 28, 2026Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11760483

Engine

42 reports2 crashes2 fires
“Pulled out of the driveway drove about a 100 ft heard large clunking sound front end dropped down as if there was a flat tire pulled off the highway drove through the grass 100 ft back to my home the car started smoking from the engine compartment and burst into flames. Tried to extinguish with fire extinguishers and water hose while calling 911. Fire Department extinguished the fire. Car is a complete loss. There was an oil leak trail from where the car first drop down through the grass. The car did not have a previous oil leak. The car had 300,000 miles on it. No one was injured.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 28, 2025Unknown or other, EngineFire reportedODI 11669902

Vehicle speed control

24 reports9 crashes
“Took vehicle for state inspection on 2/13/2024, failed inspection because of brake warning lights. Slip indicator, Electronically controlled brake warning light, Brake warning light, Anti-lock brake system, and Low tire pressure lights are all on. I have looked into it, and it seems the brake actuator/booster used to be under warranty, however since this is a 2013 in 2024 with almost 210k miles on it, it no longer qualifies for the original recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 16, 2024Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11583435

Air bags

21 reports14 crashes
“There was a driver side collision and the airbags did not deploy. Brakes do not slowly apply they slam down causing vehicle to slide/skid in emergency braking, ABS does not function properly. The dealership recently did an appraisal (4/2/25) on the vehicle that states “Lost communication with side airbag sensor LH, Side airbag sensor LH initialization incomplete, front speed sensor RH & LH circuit, and D- Door Motor ECU communication stop”. Insurance company inspected vehicle after crash, and there was a police report filed. There were no warning indicators prior to incident or after.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 3, 2025Air bags, Unknown or other, Forward collision avoidanceCrash reportedODI 11652650

Fuel/propulsion system

21 reports2 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2023Unknown or other, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11546703
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.