2013 Toyota Prius: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Engine · OH

Crack in the Engine. I had been following the recommended Maintenance schedule, but I suddenly had issues where the engine would stall/stutter on activation (switching from electric to motor operation). The check engine light came on, and I immediately took it to the dealer who replaced the battery and spark plugs saying that was the issue. That solution did not even last a month, as I had sometimes severe shaking in the engine along with the stutter. I again brought it to the dealership who told me that the actual problem was a cracked head gasket and that the vehicle was "mechanically totaled". I was lucky that I live close to the dealership and worry what would have happened if I had to drive on it further.

Filed May 29, 2025 · IL

Hybrid System fail safe. I was driving on the highway and the car started to slow down on its own. There were no warning signs. I was able to pull over in time. I turn my car off and when I try to start it, it stalled. I couldn't drive off. Three hours later Hybrid System Fail error appeared, stating for me to pull over. I could have gotten in an accident.

Filed Jun 18, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · 173,699 miles · NY

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving approximately 5 to 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the battery on two occasions, but the failure reoccurred. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 173,699.

Filed May 21, 2023 · Brakes · 154,000 miles · FL

I drove myself and two neighbors to a restaurant for dinner when my traction light came on momentarily but did not stay on. We had dinner and when I went to back out of the parking stall, I felt like I did not have brakes. Since it was approximately 9 pm and I was no where near a service station, I drove very slowly because I was unsure I could get the car to stop. The traction light, the brake and ABS lights were on, as well as a loud beeping alarm. I drove in the right hand lane so I could pull off the road if I could not get the car to stop. I managed to get us home and Toyota Dealer was called the next morning. They towed the car to Dealer who sold the car to us in 2015, and where it was serviced on a rigid schedule. We had an extended warranty even after it passed the 100,00 mile mark. We bought an extended warranty beyond the original warranty but were upset to find that it did not cover the brakes! It cost $2654.00 to replace the ABS booster and brake cylinder. When I asked the Dealer to adjust our costs as brake failure was the most reported complaint on the 2013 Prius, I was told there was a 10 year /or 150,00 mile rebate program that had expired that started in 2010, but since we had not had any reported problems during the time, there was nothing they could do to help. I asked why they had never sent us a letter knowing there was a possible brake program, and was told ALL 2013 Prius owners were felt to be affected. Our Prius now has 154,000 miles on it. I explained how I, and my neighbors, could have easily been rammed from behind, or not stop at stoplights causing ourselves and others to be harmed but they insisted there was nothing they could do.

Filed Apr 28, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 65,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota prius. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to hamer toyota (11041 sepulveda blvd, mission hills, ca 91345) however, the mechanic was unable to determine cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the same failure listed in the recall, after the remedy was completed. The failure mileage was 65,000.

Filed Mar 1, 2020 · Fuel system · 49,000 miles · OH

I had the proper recall fixes done on my 2013 toyota prius 3 months ago for the stalling issues. Last night while accelerating to get on the freeway my prius shut down and entered limp home mode. The 'check hybrid system. Stop vehicle in a safe place' light came on. Eventually the car wouldn't turn on at all. I didn't feel safe one bit. I'm a female, alone at night, in a bad part of town, it was 25 outside, on the side of a freeway! I don't believe the recall fixed the problem.

Filed Feb 21, 2020 · 1 miles · CA

Recurring "check hybrid system" issue = jov software update failedthis is my 2nd complaint (11298645)re. The non-safety of my prius. Dec 2019, the jov software update failed. I was lucky to be driving in a parking lot as otherwise I wouldn't be here writing to you. My car stopped working entirely & abruptly. I drove it only for 1.2 miles that day. It didn't go into a fail-safe driving mode & didn't go into neutral either. They're 3 witnesses. It got towed to toyota hollywood who accused the car's power loss on the regular battery. The bad overheated inverter caused it & drained the battery surely. Toyota's executive office send out a fts inspection who drove the car also to recreate the dtc code w/ tests & thereafter said it's safe to drive. False assessment. The hybrid warning msg appears again on january 16. I drove it only for 1.6 mi that day. I started my car, the warning msg remained on display until I drove it home for 1.6mi going 15mi/hr. The public knows: "the inverters have been overheating, causing the software that controls the vehicles to shut down the power or put the vehicle into what is known as a limp-home mode that is supposed to allow drivers to get to the side of the road safely." now, toyota culver city has my car since jan 18; they could only see a "low voltage battery" issue & aren't sure. ?toyota has found that in rare situations, the vehicle may not enter a fail-safe driving mode as intended,? The statement said. ?if this occurs, the vehicle could lose power and stall. While power steering and braking would remain operational, a vehicle stall while driving at higher speeds could increase the risk of a crash." what will it take for the largest auto manufactures in the world to replace my inverter? A crash. I hope not. Thank you for assuring safeness on the road. Sincerely, [xxx] redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *cc

Filed Jul 2, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 250,000 miles · TN

Hybrid system shuts down while driving without warning and happens every day

Filed Feb 13, 2019 · Fuel system · 36,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 toyota prius. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled and was unable to be restarted. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the inverter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 18v684000 (hybrid propulsion system). The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.

Filed Dec 10, 2018 · CA

Toyota has issued a recall with no remedy. They say there is a possibility the car could stall at high speeds and increase the likelihood of a crash. I have small children and plan to travel over the holidays. I am afraid to drive this car. We have followed the previous recall notices.

Filed Dec 10, 2018 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 58,150 miles · GA

Car stalls out and won't accelerate

Filed Nov 2, 2018 · CA

My vehicle may not enter a failsafe driving mode as intended. Vehicle could lose power and stall on a freeway where higher speed will take place. This is dangerous and may cause a fatality. I am concern about there not being a remedy as of october of this year.