Problems · by component

2013 Toyota Prius C engine problems

42 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius C cite engine, 10% of all 401 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
42
10% of all complaints
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the engine

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 to 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the battery on two occasions, but the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 173,699.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11594995
“I pushed on the gas, the car started mildly shaking under the hood( the engine) then I released my foot off the gas and the shaking ceased. I the. Attempted to accelerate again and the car started violently shaking so I released my foot from the accelerator and turned the car while coasting onto a side road where I traveled back home. Had the car towed to mechanic. He said the engine needs to be replaced as the pistons are damaged. My car has 196,000. I will have the engine replaced as my other 2012 engine just did the same similar thing and I am out two Priuses with blown engines. There were no warning lights and no previous issues or signs prior to the catastrophic events.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 13, 2024EngineODI 11571657
“My vehicle has under 150,000 miles. I was driving on the highway and my Prius lost power and left me on the side of the road. I took it to Toyota to run a diagnostic in Elk Grove Ca. I was told the ipm inverter, control computer had to be replaced and it would cost me $5,200.00. This is a real disappointment because I don’t have this money to fix the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 5, 2023Electrical system, EngineODI 11520646
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 65 MPH, she heard a rattling and knocking noise then smoke started to spread throughout the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the dealer stated that the piston disintegrated and caused damage to the engine. The vehicle was diagnosed and the contact was informed that the head gasket and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. No warning lights were illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed to replace the engine. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2022EngineODI 11478474
“Without warning my 2013 prius C stalled on the freeway with a hybrid battery warning. When the car was shut off it had intermittent problems with starting. After jumping the car battery , it ran normally again for some time before the stalling problem persisted. The hybrid battery stopped running and I received a warning light. Diagnostics at my repair shop said it was an inverter issue.I see that toyota has recalled several models for similar issues with the inverter. When the car is jumped it seems to work for a short time before stalling out again. Has created a real safety issue for me and there is a real lack of information on behalf of toyota on whether or not it will be covered under existing models. It seems like every model toyota from this year was recalled for an inverter issue. The car does run normally on occasion, charges the battery, and will run on EV, but mostly remains in a stalled out low power mode after it has these stalling episodes.e Diagnostics have stated to me that the car batteries are healthy and I relplaced the 12V and several fuses etc throughout this process with similar results.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2021Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11444160

Showing 6 of 42 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

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

Other 2013 Prius C problem areas