What 471 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius V

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.

NHTSA ODI 11478474

All brake and traction lights illuminated. Brake pedal developed variable pressure. Brake Booster diagnosed. This particular issue is now appearing across many Toyota Prius V of the same vintage. A TSB and Recall should be announced, extremely unsafe to drive as is.

NHTSA ODI 11474740

2013 PRIUS Inverter assy and coolant pump are out. The car is in Greece with military. Toyota has refused all assistance to my daughter.

NHTSA ODI 11474760

To whom may be concerned, My car started to have the issue from the beginning of this year, the braking booster keeps restarting every 8 to 10 sec, and I need step on the brake paddle harder than before to stop the car. I brought my car to local dealer last month, they admit they can hear and see the issue, but TOYOTA gave them the guideline is the code must be on. So that means no matter how bad the braking system, as long as the code not show, they won't take any action. So far TOYOTA only recall some specific model, but more cars with the bad braking system are outside, it's dangerous for everyone, I have to drive slowly and carefully to make sure I can stop the car when I need, even like that I still feel unsafe for me, since I feel harder and harder to stop it. So can anyone help to push TOYOTA to face their issue and take action ASAP before more and more accident happens. Thanks a lot Your Sincerely ZHENCHI Li

NHTSA ODI 11469775

The brake booster on my car has stopped working causing my car to be unsafe and expensive to repair. This seems to be a common issue with prius’s which is not fair to the owners.

NHTSA ODI 11464067

Completely unexpected, I started my Prius V and the ABS warning light, Traction control and parking brake lights were on. I had been hearing a high pitched thumping sound when stopped at street light or other times when brakes were engaged, but my mechanic was unable to locate the source. After the warning lights came on, The brakes still worked in a limited fashion requiring several seconds to engage. Had I not been an experienced driver using longer distance between myself and other drivers, I am sure I would have wrecked. Took the car to my mechanic. He ran the codes and found C 1391. After researching the chat groups, I found this to be a long term known defect. Disappointed that consumers reports did not mention. Called dealership and they required their machines run diagnostic codes. I decided to call Toyota customer service and talked to several levels of associates and I am stone walled. By the way: I feel for those people in their jobs. The supervisor I talked with kept mentioning the distressing lights. My concern is the wrecks I, and other drivers, could cause. I do see people stating in chat groups that thry have wrecked. And someone mentioned that if the dealership runs the code, the receipt will say “ do not drive” and “Toyota is not liable” if car is driven and a wreck occurs. ( my summary may not be exact.) I now have a fabulous non-functioning car.

NHTSA ODI 11459757

brake booster and brake actuator internal leaks the brake pedal goes to the floor with firm press when trying to stop the car yes, the problem has been reported to two toyota dealership and report to toyota brand engagement multiple times yes, vehicle was inspect by toyota dealship and independent service center yes, the following (traction control lamp, brake lamp and ABS lamp) warn lamp was and still is ON

NHTSA ODI 11456538

Driving down the road and the brake light, ABS light, VSC light and a ! with a circle around turned on in the dash. My breaks almost stopped working I almost hit the car in front of me. I've been try to figure out what's wrong and keep hearing this is a brake booster/ actuator problem. I have parked the car due to the brakes barley working.

NHTSA ODI 11456227

Hi, my dim lights don't light the road in front of me, I have a 2013 Prius and to drive it at night is taken my life and any on coming motorists at risk...I put expensive bulbs in and that doesn't help the problem, can you help?

NHTSA ODI 11453327

break booster systems fails in the ABS system, causing warning lights to come on intermittently and the breaks to not work properly. this is a known issue by Toyota that affects numerous priuses was well a large group of camry's. The company issued a Customer Service Program to address the issue but did not make extensive efforts to warn vehicle owners that this is a known problem. The fact that this issue of leaking oil in the break booster assembly is considered serious by the company and the urge you to get it repaired immediately if you become aware of it. this seems like something that should rise to the level of a product recall, not a voluntary program by Toyota. I have the documentation of from Toyota on this issue if you need it.

NHTSA ODI 11449372

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the hazard lights would activate inadvertently and were not able to be turned off as designed. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer but was not yet diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 124,000

NHTSA ODI 11448896

vehicle brakes fails to stop and needs to push hard on brake paddle to stop the vehicle. traction control light, ABS, and Brake lights come on. took to autonation Toyota irvine in dec. 2020 reporting the issue but the tech clear the codes and told me that nothing is wrong. the same light came back on and took to 3rd party shop and was informed code C1391,C1345 & C1368 reporting issue of a failed booster and booster pump. customer support program ZJD. I've been in contact with toyota brand engagement to report the issue and regarding automation Toyota Irvine clearing the codes after I took my vehicle to the shop for repairs. but dealer is not repairing the vehicle and the vehicle has been in the dealer shop since jan 10, 2021. REPORTING A ISSUE WITH BRAKE FAILURE ON MY 2013 TOYTOA PRIUS.

NHTSA ODI 11448614

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond and went all the way to the floorboard. The traction control warning light, ABS warning light, the brake warning light, and an unknown warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she continued to depress the brake pedal until it responded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the brake actuator needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as her vehicle was 5,000 miles over the mileage for the extended warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 155,000.

NHTSA ODI 11448083

MY 2013 Prius' hybrid system failed as I was entering a very busy state highway (where several fatalities have been recorded) exit when a tractor trailer truck unexpectedly bore down on me. My engine reduced to half speed and there was no breakdown lane to pull over to. The dashboard lights lit up and indicated a hybrid system failure, but I could not get to safety for another 2-3 miles. This is an NHTSA recall (20V-369) that was eligible for repair under an expanded warranty, but ONLY AFTER the vehicle has experienced the shutdown. The IPM (Intelligent Power Module/hybrid) system breakdown was confirmed by Toyota dealership's diagnostics, but the warranty period was not told to me and the charges amounted to almost $3000. My research and doggedness discovered that the costs would be covered in toto. But more importantly, I am among numerous Prius owners who experienced this problem and more could occur, risking injury if not death.

NHTSA ODI 11443257

Hi, I have been having trouble with my car for the past few days. It is getting C1391 Diagnostic trouble Code. I have been busy with work and had to take the car to work. It has around 151,000 Milage now. I called Toyota regarding this problem and was told that my car don't qualify for Customers Support Program as it has more than 150,000 miles. I checked this website, and came know about extension till 31 August 2021 and unlimited mileage. My car starting showing up the code few days back, although I could notice chirping sound while applying brakes for past 2 years. I didn't know it was an issue. Fred Haas Toyota Country, 22435 TX-249, Houston, TX 77070 quoted around $2600 to replace the brake booster and pump. Can you please look in the matter?

NHTSA ODI 11441722

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that when he started the vehicle and depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle made abnormal whirring sounds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer was not notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they would not cover the repair of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

NHTSA ODI 11439214

Failure of the ABS accumulator caused an accident that could have easily killed my family. The issue makes all ABS and stability control inoperable. While applying the brakes to avoid a deer at highway speeds, the wheels locked up while sending the car in an uncontrollable sideways slide across the highway and into a culvert. My wife was driving at the time and she had our 2 small children with her. I learned about the problem from the Toyota dealer and the service advisor told me that Toyota knows about this problem. The advisor informed me that it’s simply just a TSB. This is highly dangerous and Toyota should be responsible for this faulty system.

NHTSA ODI 11439073

Brakes were applied in order to avoid a collision with a deer, but the brakes locked up, sending my family out of control across the oncoming lane and into an embankment. They were lucky they weren’t killed. Toyota knows this is an issue and have failed to address it. The ABS accumulator no longer works, causing a dangerous situation. A local Toyota dealer alerted me to this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11438708

We have been experiencing on multiple occasions car while driving will slow down, hybrid safety warning light on dashboard will turn on and tell us we have to go to a safe area and turn off car. The car will automatically shut down like a golf cart feeling. We have had near incidents were we have almost crashed. The car now will not go past 35 miles. We brought the car to a Toyota Dealership because we noticed their was a software update recall. When we left the car repeated the warning again about 5 minutes leaving the dealership. The dealership has not helped us and refuses to fix car. We mentioned to them that there have been many complaints regarding the same issue.

NHTSA ODI 11436051

While driving vehicle the parking brake light, abs light and traction control lights all suddenly came on. I was driving on smooth roadway with no bumps. I pulled to side to investigate to found that I had to press really hard to get brakes to function and stop the vehicle. Luckíly there were no other vehicles around.

NHTSA ODI 11434813

The car has been stopping on me anytime I go 35 mph or more. The check hybrid system warning light appears then the far shuts down.I have been having this problem for over a year now after Toyota techs have performed all other software updates.I have replaced hybrid battery 12 v battery both water pumps sensors along with a low mile engine.my year car is on all recall list except the inverter replacement which is the problem.I have spent several thousand dollars on a no end issue .

NHTSA ODI 11434349

Another vehicle jumped the light, cutting me off, and I hit him. My car sustained massive front end damage, and the radiator was leaking. I sustained a broken rib. The airbag failed to deploy. I was taken by ambulance to a hospital. My car was not inspected or impounded - the police had it towed to a body shop. My insurance company will inspect it.

NHTSA ODI 11432558

We bought this car new and since then we have replaced the right low beam headlight at least four times. At least twice it has failed while driving at night.

NHTSA ODI 11431758

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that the passenger’s side airbag indicated that the airbag was turned off even though there was a passenger weighing approximately 80 pounds seated in the passenger’s side front seat. The contact had not taken the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ODI 11431657

For about a week, I heard intermittent strange noises when I would be stopped in traffic with the brake pedal depressed. On 08/31/21, lights on the dashboard came on - the "brake" light, "Brake system warning light", ABS light, and the "Slip indicator" light. All of these remain on. Braking was feeling sluggish and the brake pedal would decompress to the floor when starting the car. When starting the car on 09/01/21, the car lurched forward although in "park" mode. I drove the car to the lube specialist to have them check the fluid levels, and they said that everything was o.k, nothing to make all the warning lights light up. Then I was referred to a mechanic who works on Pruis cars. His diagnostic tool was indicating that my brake accumulator was bad. This has led me to check for recalls on this model and year and it seems there have been problems submitted on this very issue.

NHTSA ODI 11431389