Model year record

2013 Toyota Prius

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 693 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 20V369000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Component
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
266,638
Reported to NHTSA
2020-06-24
Owners notified
2020-07-24

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V684000

Hybrid propulsion system

Component
Hybrid propulsion system
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
807,329
Reported to NHTSA
2018-10-04
Owners notified
2019-01-22

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V053000

Hybrid propulsion system: inverter

Component
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
698,457
Reported to NHTSA
2014-02-12
Owners notified
2014-03-21

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes32480,000 mi
Unknown or other6153,000 mi
Electrical system5758,150 mi
Engine4075,000 mi
Vehicle speed control2412,000 mi
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking19
Air bags1818,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1640,000 mi
Power train1542,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic14120,000 mi
Exterior lighting1255,000 mi
Structure: body1250,000 mi
Wheels115,500 mi
Steering824,250 mi
Suspension8179,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)758,150 mi
Hybrid propulsion system765,000 mi
Seat belts69,800 mi
Visibility/wiper6300 mi
Tires45,943 mi
Seats32,876 mi
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter211,436 mi
Latches/locks/linkages250 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2119,000 mi
Air bags: sensor: occupant classification: front passenger1
Back over prevention: warnings1
Child seat1
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1119,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Equipment adaptive/mobility1
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)1
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control1
Seats: front assembly: head restraint1
Service brakes, air: antilock1121,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light1
Structure1165 mi
Structure: body: hood1
Visibility160 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly147,289 mi

The 2012 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2014 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Open investigations

An investigation is not a recall. It indicates that NHTSA is currently evaluating an alleged defect but has not reached a final determination.

DP23005Brake Actuator Valve Wear

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.