Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
124
Complaints
9
Crashes
1
Fires
8
Injuries
0
Deaths
Owners of the 2013 Toyota Prius V have filed 124
safety complaints with NHTSA
between January 2014 and July 2026.
The most complained-about system is the brakes,
named in 64 of them
(52%). The typical failure was reported at 68,000 miles, the median
across the 67 complaints that gave an
odometer reading.
Complaints rose 29% year on year: 22 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 17 in the twelve before.
NHTSA has issued 2 recalls covering this
vehicle.
Recalls (2)
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
18V684000 · October 4, 2018
The defect
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.
The risk
If the hybrid system shuts down unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 807,329 vehicles across all model years covered
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
15V449000 · July 15, 2015
The defect
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.
The 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.
The remedy
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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · up to 108,624 vehicles across all model years covered
What owners report
Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add
up to more than 124.
SERVICE BRAKES 64 52%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 15 12%
ENGINE 15 12%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 8 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 6%
POWER TRAIN 7 6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 5%
AIR BAGS 5 4%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 4 3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 4 3%
SUSPENSION 4 3%
When the complaints arrived
By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures
happened. They peaked in 2025 at 21.
2014 to 2026, the last of them a part year
In owners' own words
Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the
people who filed them, not findings of fault.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 injured · crash · 36,198 miles
WAS GOING DOWN HILL AT 40MPH THE LIGHT TURNED RED I TRIED TO STOP I PUMPED THE BRAKES TWICE THEN TWICE AGAIN THE LAIN TO MY LIFE WAS FULL TO MY RIGHT WAS A CURB ABOUT 13IN HEIGHT AND BY THEN WE WERE IN THE BACK END OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF US AND NO AIR BAGS I DON'T KNOW WHEN AIR BAG DEPLOY OR AT WHAT SPEED I THANK GOD FOR OTHER CARS BACK ENDS THAT WE CAN HIT AND NOT KILL ANY ONE I GUESS. *TR
NHTSA complaint 10653155. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
2 injured · crash · 1,200 miles
WE RENTED A TOYOTA PRIUS FROM ENTERPRISE IN SHREVEPORT LA AT THE AIRPORT. WE DROVE TO KILGORE TX FOR THE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL. IN KILGORE, THE DRIVER WITH ONE PASSENGER ATTEMPTED TO ENTER A DIAGONAL PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STRIP MALL. UPON APPROACH, GOING APPROXIMATELY FIVE MILES PER HOUR OR LESS, THE CAR'S BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, WITH NO BRAKING HAPPENING. THE CAR THEN SURGED INTO THE PARKING SPACE, UP OVER THE CURB, AND INTO THE CORNER OF A STORE, CAUSING EXTENSIVE INJURY TO PASSENGER SIDE AND PASSENGER, MINOR INJURY TO DRIVER, AND EXTENSIVE INJURY TO THE BUILDING. POLICE RECORDS STATE THAT "AT THE SCENE, I CHECKED THE BRAKES OF THE VEHICLE BOTH RUNNING AND NOT RUNNING AND FOND …
NHTSA complaint 10676908, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
AIR BAGS
1 injured · crash
2013 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO AIRBAG MALFUNCTION DURING VEHICLE ACCIDENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER HIT THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES HAD THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN LESS INJURIES. THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PAINS ON THE NECK , 3 C SPINE DISK HERNIATIONS, HEAD, ARMS, ELBOWS, CHEST,KNEES, LEGS, AND CHIN. UPDATED *JS
NHTSA complaint 10933509. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
1 injured · crash · 143,000 miles
The contact owned a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the ABS warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that the brake pedal was applied but failed to respond, causing the vehicle to swerve and the contact to crash into a retaining wall. The contact sustained whiplash. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where failure codes were retrieved for the brake booster and ABS. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the brake booster needed to be replaced; however, the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not repaired and was auctioned. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The …
NHTSA complaint 11520461, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
My Prius had brake warning lights come on around December 2025. Turns out the brake accumulator had an internal leak. After doing some research, I discovered this was a known brake booster issue that Toyota has not issued a recall on. They do have an extended warranty program, but my vehicle did not qualify. The warning lights did not come on until after the 10 years or 150k miles cutoff for the warranty. Toyota's refusal to issue a recall and limits of their warranty program are clearly a move to avoid paying for repairs incurred as a result of defective manufacturing. Why should I be ineligible for reimbursement just because my vehicle is 13 years old rather than 10? Please make Toyota …
NHTSA complaint 11751147, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
Suddenly Cars Brakes failed with vehicle almost lunged forward. I had to slam the brakes heavily for it to stop; Took the vehicle to Toyota Service and clearly its a QUALITY issue toyota acknowledged as a know problem with error code C1391. They even had customer support program 20TE07 acknowledging it as their issue; I almost got killed for this. The repair costs are abnormally high at 4900$'s putting me a financial burden also and currently unsafe car; Toyota - they literally KNOW THIS ISSUE and still put me at risk. They are refusing any kind of assistance to help too.
NHTSA complaint 11735136. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
The harness webbing/strap on the Evenflo Revolve360 Slim tore without any known incident or accident causing the damage. The defect was discovered on April 15, 2026 when the seat was temporarily removed from the vehicle. Upon inspection, the harness strap was found to be nearly completely torn through and would likely not have restrained the child occupant in the event of a crash. The seat had been in regular use and had not been involved in any collision. No unusual event or misuse is known to have caused the failure. It is suspected that the rotating mechanism of the seat placed repeated stress on the harness webbing over normal use, causing it to deteriorate and tear. The seat has not …
NHTSA complaint 11733333, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while pulling out of a parking space at approximately 15 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal felt spongy, but the vehicle responded as intended. The brake, the ABS, the traction control warning lights, and an unknown warning light were illuminated. The contact scanned the vehicle with a code reader and retrieved diagnostic trouble codes for the brake booster and brake accumulator systems failure. The contact related the failure to the Toyota Customer Satisfaction Program: 20TE07 (Certain 2012 - 2014 Model Year Prius V Coverage for Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies). The manufacturer was contacted …
NHTSA complaint 11731817, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while in reverse(R), the rear driver’s side tire became flat. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear axle had fractured due to rusting and corrosion, and had punctured the rear passenger’s side tire. The vehicle was towed to the local mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear axle was rusted and corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was unknown.
NHTSA complaint 11731045. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
SERVICE BRAKES
When I'm in the car, the brake booster keeps recharging with out touching the brake pedal. Also, the car has problems when I apply the brakes while driving. They make a hissing and popping noise and the braking is spongy. I have had braking warning lights come on as well. It is similar to what others have been describing as the brake booster and pump actuator issue with these Prius V cars. This has been happening ongoing for about two years or so. I called the Toyota dealership and they would not check it out for free or remedy the issue that was part of their Customer Support Program (Policy 13V-235) for booster pump issues.
NHTSA complaint 11729269. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon
law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back.
What each state asks for
, read from the statutes.
Where these numbers come from
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file
, published August 20, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API
, most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file
, published 2026-08-19.
A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by
us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that
sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst