2013 Toyota Prius electrical problems

Filed Sep 28, 2026 · Electrical, Tires · 138,932 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

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. The contact was then notified by another person that the vehicle had caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire and informed the contact that the windshield washer fluid reservoir was melted in half with burned wires nearby. The fire department stated that the fire was caused by the electrical wiring on the passenger’s side near the coolant reservoir under the hood. The vehicle was not destroyed and was towed back to the residence. A bystander who helped extinguish the fire had sustained a burn to the left arm. Medical attention was administered at the scene. Additionally, the contact stated that the passenger’s side rear tire was losing air pressure every morning with the TPMS warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,932.

Filed Aug 9, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

My vehicle has 105492 miles and ABS light, Trackion and Brake light went on. I could hear a buzzing sound from the brake actuator every 5 seconds. The brake actuator and master cylinder was failing. According to the dealership failure of brake actuator and master cylinder is a common safety issue with Toyota Prius. The failure of the actuator can lead to failure in the braking system and a crash. Online research shows that several customers have reported this issue. The Claremont Toyota quoted me $3646 to fix this issue. I contacted Toyota of America and they informed that they cannot cover these repairs case number 260515002576.I took my vehicle to a private mechanic. I paid $2312 for parts and labor to fix this safety issue. I would like to file a complaint against Toyota for not addressing this critical safety issue.

Filed May 6, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · OH

Year/Make/Model: 2013 Toyota Prius • Component: Brake Booster Assembly with Master Cylinder (Part #47070-47060) Description of the Defect: After approximately 30–40 minutes of driving, my dashboard illuminates with the Brake, ABS, and VSC warning lights simultaneously. The brake pedal becomes inconsistent and requires significantly more effort to stop the vehicle. This is a known internal fluid leak within the brake booster assembly that causes the accumulator pump to run continuously and ultimately reduces braking performance — a direct safety hazard. Why This Requires Federal Attention: This is not an isolated incident. Hundreds of 2013 Prius owners have reported identical symptoms, with associated diagnostic trouble codes C1391, C1252, C1256, and C1253. Toyota acknowledged this defect by issuing Technical Service Bulletin TSB-0089-20 and a Customer Support Program (ZJB) providing limited extended warranty coverage. However, that program was not well publicized . I was never informed as a vehicle owner . And it has now expired, leaving thousands of owners with a dangerous defect and repair bills costing thousands . A safety defect of this magnitude — one that can result in sudden, significant loss of braking ability — should not have an expiration date on its remedy. Toyota has not issued a mandatory recall, and owners continue to unknowingly drive vehicles with compromised brake systems. Requested Action: I respectfully urge the federal safety agency to: 1.Open a formal investigation into this defect across all affected 2013–2015 Toyota Prius model years 2.Require Toyota to issue a mandatory safety recall 3.Compel Toyota to cover repair costs for all affected owners regardless of mileage or age of vehicle

Filed Apr 11, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · TX

My 2013 Toyota Prius with only 99,000 miles is experiencing a brake system failure. The brake warning light, ABS light, and traction control light all illuminate. The brake actuator pump runs every 10 seconds, indicating loss of hydraulic pressure. Safety concern: This issue affects braking performance and disables ABS and traction control, creating a safety hazard, especially in emergency braking situations. This appears to be a known issue with Toyota Prius brake actuator assemblies. Toyota previously issued a warranty extension, but my vehicle is now outside the time window despite low mileage. This failure occurred prematurely and without warning. What happened: The warning lights temporarily went off after adding brake fluid but returned shortly after. The pump continues to cycle frequently, indicating system failure.

Filed Sep 29, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · PA

The hybrid braking systems on Toyota Prius' manufactured from 2010-2015 had a serious failure of the hybrid braking system that had additional long term warranties to repair, but never recalled in order to save the money from a total recall. The Sloan Toyota dealership in Glenside knew before I purchased the 2013 Toyota Prius I purchased that a serious brake system failure was very probable with my car but failed to tell me. If they did, i would not have purchased the car. I had the 5000 mile oil change in early August and three days later after the service and a clear 25 point inspection, and the system failed. I want full reimbursement or just pay for the repair.

Filed Aug 20, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Around May 2025, the brake booster and pump in the car stopped working. There was no clear warning lamp or indicator prior to it failing. While driving on the highway, the part stopped working and significantly changed the car's braking power. Rather than smoothly braking as it did before, the car's brakes have significantly less braking power. The defective part also affects the car's ABS system, making the car unsafe if a sudden stop were required as the brakes will lock up and the car will lose grip on the road and start skidding. Significantly longer braking distances is needed and it's not clear the car would be able to safely stop at a short distance in the event of an emergency. It's a miracle we didn't get into any accidents when the part suddenly failed. There is a significant risk that failure of this part will be the cause of a car accident when the car suddenly no longer brakes how the driver is used to. Toyota has previously offered an extended warranty on the part, but the part did not fail until shortly after the warranty expired. The car has been within my family since it was originally put into service and none of the owners were ever notified that the part could be replaced or even fail in such a manner. The problem has been confirmed by a dealer but they have only offered to fix it at a significant cost. The vehicle does not feel safe to drive. Warning lights only appeared after the part failed but they weren't particularly helpful in diagnosing the problem in the moment because 4 different lights turned on all at once.

Filed Jul 18, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · GA

While driving on Highway 316E on March 31, 2022, at approximately 10am, at some point, as traffic started to slow down and I applied my brakes I was dumbfounded when my car would not stop! It was frightening, as I watched my car get closer and closer to the large truck in front of it. I kept applying the brake and then pumping the brake. The brakes kept failing and had no pressure or tension in them to stop the car. The brake pedal was flat on the floor. But, thanks to a sufficient distance between my car and the truck in front of it, it rolled to a stop just short of crashing into the back of said truck by an inch or two. Sometime in October of 2024 , I spoke with a Service Rep at Marietta Toyota about a whizzing sound that appeared to be coming from under the hood on the driver’s side. This sound would occur while I was driving and even when I turned the car off. It would continue making this whizzing sound sometimes for as long as 45 minutes after the ignition was turned off. I took the car back to Marietta Toyota and the service rep said the problem was related to the weather. On December 24, 2024, at around 11:00am EST, I parked my car in the parking lot in front of a print shop. The weather was clear, and the pavement was dry as I pulled my car into a clean, unfettered spot. Upon returning to my car, I could see a fresh puddle under the front passenger side. I ran my finger across the liquid that presented itself as a clean, thin oil that was as smooth as silk. It was odorless and sat in a pristine area looking freshly run out from the underside of my car. On February 27, 2025, when driving in the middle lane on Highway I-20 West, the ABS warning lights came on my dashboard screen along with the image of a skidding car. I was frozen with fear and did not know what would happen next. I would have to cross over multiple lanes to exit off Highway 1-20. I put on hazard lights and drove at 25-35 mph. Took car in for diagnostic and repair.

Filed Apr 9, 2025 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

The brake booster assembly (part number 47070-47060) on my 2013 Toyota Prius has failed. This component is critical to the proper functioning of the braking system. It is currently still installed in the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. As a result of the failure, the ABS warning light, traction control light, and brake warning light are all illuminated on the dashboard. The braking performance has noticeably declined — the pedal feels inconsistent and at times unresponsive. This has created a significant safety risk while driving, especially during sudden stops or in wet conditions, as it compromises the vehicle's ability to brake efficiently and predictably. The issue has been confirmed by a Toyota dealer (or independent mechanic if that’s the case — feel free to change this line accordingly). The dealer diagnosed the issue as a failure of the brake booster assembly, which aligns with known failures reported by many other 3rd-generation Prius owners. The vehicle has not been involved in an accident, and has not been inspected by the police or insurance representatives. Toyota previously issued a Customer Support Program (CSP ZJB or ZG1) covering this part, but it has since expired. I only recently began experiencing symptoms and was unaware of the CSP until after contacting Toyota. Prior to the warning lights, I experienced intermittent symptoms such as a soft or delayed brake pedal, and an unusual sound from the brake system when the vehicle was turned off. The warning lights first appeared around [insert approximate mileage or date here], and have remained illuminated since then. Given the safety-critical nature of this component and the known defect history, I am requesting assistance from Toyota in the form of goodwill coverage or reimbursement, and would like this issue escalated for further review.

Filed Feb 5, 2025 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

Inverter and brake booster

Filed Jun 30, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · CA

While driving on the highway, ABS, "Brake"/E-Brake, Traction Control Lights lit up all at the same time out of the blue. No prior engine lights/codes before this incident. During that trip, brakes felt more difficult to press, loss all brake regeneration for the hybrid battery but was still about to brake for that entire 100 miles trip. As of now, the car is still able to brake but it looks like it's just primarily using the mechanical brakes all the time now. It still has that different brake feel compared to when before all those engine lights went on. Regenerative braking is no longer working. Brought the car to the shop at was given the error codes C1391 and C2315.