Model year guide

2013 Toyota Prius

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2013 Toyota Prius is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 353 on record.

2013 Toyota Prius — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2013 Toyota Prius at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints400
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined48 mpg
Typical price$13,854

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2013 Toyota Prius recalls 3

Hybrid Propulsion System NHTSA Campaign #18V684000 · 04/10/2018

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.

Fix: 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 …

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter NHTSA Campaign #14V053000 · 12/02/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors that may become damaged from high operating temperatures. If this occurs, various warning lamps will be illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle will have reduced power allowing it to only …

Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an owner experiences a failure of the inverter before the vehicle receives updated software, the dealer will repair or re…

Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter NHTSA Campaign #20V369000 · 24/06/2020

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. 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.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs wi…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2013 Toyota Prius common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Forward Collision Avoidance
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2013 Toyota Prius safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2013 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2013 Toyota Prius MPG & running costs

Combined48 mpg
City49 mpg
Highway46 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,300

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2013 Toyota Prius worth?

Low
$10,200
Typical price
$13,854
High
$16,700

From 350 comparable 2013 Toyota Prius listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2013 Toyota Prius costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$6,500
Depreciation (5 yrs)$7,250
Total$13,750
Per mile$0.18

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($13,854) with the same model 5 model-years older ($6,584), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2013 Toyota Prius trims & engines on record

Trims
Two
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl · 1.5L 4-cyl 72 hp

2013 Toyota Prius vehicles on record

Other Toyota Prius model years

2013 Toyota Prius — frequently asked questions

Does the 2013 Toyota Prius have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2013 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Toyota Prius?

Based on 400 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electrical system, forward collision avoidance.

What is the 2013 Toyota Prius safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2013 Toyota Prius an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Prius get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Prius at about 48 mpg combined (49 city / 46 highway).

How much is a 2013 Toyota Prius worth?

Comparable 2013 Toyota Prius listings run roughly $10,200–$16,700, typically around $13,854 (from 350 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.