Brakes stopped functioning fully when i was driving and car started throwing ABS and Brake warning signs. I could not brake my car properly and had to stop the car and get it towed. The dealer said its a brake actuator failure. The error code is C1391.Its costing me around 2000 to get it fixed
The worst 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes9
- Electrical3
- Acceleration1
- Driver assistance1
- Suspension1
- Transmission1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Trouble codes owners of the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid mention
C1391 3
Recalls 1
Hybrid propulsion system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 17V718000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Brake Actuator Valve Wear
On September 19, 2019, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a defect petition from Mr. Roger Hogan requesting that the Agency investigate and recall certain Toyota Prius, Prius PHV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid vehicles for a brake actuator valve wear condition covered under Toyota Customer Support Programs ZJB and ZKK (subject CSP?s). In support of his request, the petitioner identified 117 the federal safety agency complaints allegedly related to the subject CSP condition, including 60 reporting crashes. On September 30, 2019, ODI opened Defect Petition DP19-004 to evaluate the petitioner?s request for an investigation. In August 2020, the petitioner notified the Agency that he was withdrawing his petition. Because the petitioner has withdrawn the petition, we are denying the petition as moot and no further analysis of this petition is necessary.the federal safety agency is authorized to issue an order requiring notification and remedy of a defect if the Agency?s investigation shows a defect in the design, construction, or performance of a motor vehicle that presents an unreasonable risk to safety. 49 U.S.C. ?? 30102(a)(9), 30118. Because the petitioner has with withdrawn the petition, the petition is denied as moot. This action does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency notes that it is not required to receive a defect petition prior to opening a defect investigation and will take further action if warranted by future circumstances.
DP19004
Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid 77
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life...
See all 77 bulletins for the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
What 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On 5/23/24, the ABS, Traction, and Brakes lights came on the dash and the brakes were not responding. My car was picked up from the Toyota dealer on 5/22/24 afternoon. It passed their multipoint inspection after they replaced all 4 brake pads on 5/21/24. Code C1391 internal leak. The brake actuator and brake pump needed to be replaced. I was quoted $2700 for repairs after I already paid over $570 to replace brake pads.
Parts failed: accumulator/brake actuator and brake pump [XXX]: I dropped off my car at the Coggin Toyota dealer in Jacksonville, FL to replace all (4) brake pads [XXX]: I picked up my car during lunch and their multipoint inspection passed with no issues [XXX]: Maintenance lights came on the dash during lunch, brakes were not responsive, and my car was beeping non-stop. I dropped off my car to Coggin Toyota to check the issue. They estimated $2722.81 before tax to replace brake actuator and brake pump because there is an internal leak in the brake actuator. [XXX]: The Toyota advisor stated that my car did not qualify for their extended warranty to replace the parts. He also stated that if I pay for the repairs, they will only cover the parts for up to 12k miles or 1 year. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The rear axle broke and the drivers side wheel sat sideways making the car undriveable. The car has been serviced by the dealer regularly in fact the rear wheel bearings were replaced recently.
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In-Hybrid. The contact stated that upon coming to a complete stop, the ABS warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. After the failure, the contact became aware that the brake pedal needed an excessive amount of force to be depressed while bringing the vehicle to a complete stop. The brake and traction control warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was 140,000.
On [XXX], while driving on a highway with two young children, the dashboard lit up with multiple lights and error warnings. This appeared without warning and with no incident, and the warnings included the main hybrid screen reading “Check PCS System”, triangular Master Warning Light, Brake System Warning Light, Brake Warning Buzzer, ABS Warning Light, and Slip Indicator. We immediately pulled over to the side of the highway to check for any major damage or leaks, but found nothing unusual. We booked a diagnostic with a Toyota service center, where we were informed that brake system error code C1391 was discovered and the service recommendation was to replace the failed (leaking) brake booster and booster pump assembly. The service representative informed us that this exact system failure was previously covered by a Toyota Customer Support Program due to a known faulty part, but the primary coverage date ended in August 2021 and we just barely surpassed the 10-year secondary coverage date of February 2023. We were urged to repair it right away and were told that the vehicle is unsafe to drive in the current condition, as the Antilock Braking System could fail at any time. We have noticed that it takes more pressure to brake the vehicle than prior to the issue, which may have been began deteriorating prior to the issue but was difficult to identify due to the slow progression. We brought the vehicle home with hopes of resolving the matter with Toyota customer engagement. They confirmed that this issue affected almost 1 million vehicles, but because it was a customer support program and not a recall, they could not help us since we were past the 10-year mark (yet well under the 150,000 mile limit to the program). The vehicle still has all the lights described above, and as such is concerning to drive. A second vehicle is critical for our family, so to be suddenly told that our vehicle is unsafe to drive but the defect wasn’t a full recall is concerning. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AC
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. There was ample distance to stop safely but I ended up rear ending the car ahead of me without any noticeable slowdown. The brake pedal felt spongy and the brakes did not apply. The car would typically jerk if the anti lock brakes were working but this did not occur. The front steering wheel and knee airbags deployed. The seat belt did not tighten up either. The front end of the car was badly damaged and the insurance adjuster considered the car totaled.
Got a 2014 plug in.. I smell some elctrical burn under the hood... It feel like come from the invter I see a 2nd recalled on the 2018 but I never got a recalled letter.
The ABS and stability control light came on. Braking system feels inconsistent. When the lights came on, there is no warning so you might get an accident without being prepared. This is a reoccuring safety issue and from my 10 minute research, it is a widespread problem.
Battery hold down brackets for main traction battery (21 kw) broke allowing an unsafe condition for several months while the dealer tried to figure out the noise we reported. This has happened twice now in 88900 miles. Dealer and toyota states that this occurred because of a dirt road I drive on regularly. The "unbreakable" hold down brackets as described by their engineer, broke twice now.
Compare the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
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Questions about the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid
Is the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 12 complaints about the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid, close to a typical Prius Plug-In Hybrid model year.
What is the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid year score?
The 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid scores 74 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid?
Brakes, with 9 complaints, typically around 133,000 miles. Next is electrical (3).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid have?
1 recall, covering hybrid propulsion system.
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