Verdict
2013 Toyota Prius c: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2013 Toyota Prius c — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Middle-of-the-pack complaint volume for hatchback.
Owners filed 56 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 59% of 2013 hatchbacks. Electrical System leads the reports (32%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2013 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
56
Reports to NHTSA, 2013
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
50
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 59% of 2013 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2013 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (32% of 56 reports), followed by service brakes (23%).
+ 5 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 56 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11417643, ODI 11338161, ODI 11713042, ODI 11690862, ODI 11677091.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
NHTSA 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 NHTSA.gov 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, NHTSA 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 NHTSA 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 NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Crash-test ratings
2013 Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius c | 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 53 | 46 | 50 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2013 Toyota Prius c: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2013 Toyota Prius c?
Owners filed 56 NHTSA complaints about the 2013 Toyota Prius c — fewer complaints than 59% of comparable 2013 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2013 Toyota Prius c?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (32% of complaints) and service brakes (23%).
How many recalls does the 2013 Toyota Prius c have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2013 Toyota Prius c as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2013 Toyota Prius c get?
The EPA rates the 2013 Toyota Prius c at 50 mpg combined.