Every 2013 Toyota Prius recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 20V369000
Jun 24, 2020Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. 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.
- Risk
- An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.
Full recall details for 20V369000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 18V684000
Apr 10, 2018Hybrid Propulsion System
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V684000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 17V718000
Nov 15, 2017Hybrid Propulsion System
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles. The hybrid battery contains an Electric Vehicle (EV) fuse that may fracture after repeated high-load driving conditions such as climbing long hills.
- Risk
- The failed fuse may cause the hybrid system to shut down resulting in the loss of power. Loss of power while driving at higher speeds can increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the EV fuse, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0R.
Full recall details for 17V718000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 15V449000
Jul 15, 2015Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- 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.
Full recall details for 15V449000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 14V053000
Dec 2, 2014Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
- Problem
- Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only drive a short distance.
- Risk
- 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.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or replace the inverter assembly with a new one at no charge. The recall began on March 21, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Full recall details for 14V053000 →Exterior Lighting · NHTSA 13E070000
Dec 12, 2013Exterior Lighting:Tail Lights
- Problem
- Genera Corporation (Genera) is recalling certain aftermarket replacement tail lights, model 11-6468-00 (driver-side), and model 11-6467-00 (passenger-side), sold for use on 2012-2013 Toyota Prius V vehicles. The brake light and tail light circuits are switched causing the brake lights to be illuminated continuously until the brake pedal is pressed, when the brake lights will go out.
- Risk
- The reversed tail lamp function reduces the ability to warn other motorists of the driver's intentions, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Genera will notify owners and provide replacement aftermarket tail lamps, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2014. Owners may contact Genera at 1-888-963-9888. This recall is being conducted by Genera Corporation, not by Toyota Motor Corporation.
Full recall details for 13E070000 →
2013 Toyota Prius complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius, reporting 59 crashes, 5 fires, 34 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 497 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Service Brakes318
- Electrical System94
- Unknown Or Other64
- Engine59
- Vehicle Speed Control33
- Fuel/Propulsion System30
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (766)
- Electrical System (374)
- Structure (180)
- Engine (80)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (56)
- Hybrid Propulsion System (42)
Read Toyota Prius owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 605 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedFire
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving and pulling into a parking lot, there was a burning odor coming from the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle but saw no fault with the vehicle.”
2013 TOYOTA PRIUSSep 28, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11767457
Crash
“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.”
2013 TOYOTA PRIUS CApr 3, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11652650
Fire
“I had just dropped off my daughters at school. On my drive back home, this trip is roughly an 8 mile round trip distance . I heard (then saw) an explosion coming from the rear passenger side of the car. I noticed flames and proceeded to steer the car (car shutdown) towards a side street.”
2013 TOYOTA PRIUS VJun 3, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11592049
Crash
“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.”
2013 TOYOTA PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRIDJul 15, 2020
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11339629
Injury reportedCrash
“The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the ABS warning light illuminated. Minutes later, the vehicle started to brake and lurch forward with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle spun out and crashed into the median.”
2013 TOYOTA PRIUSSep 10, 2026 · CA
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11763340
Check your Prius by VIN
Not every 2013 Toyota Prius is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
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