Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 400 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Toyota Prius c, and it carries no recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 144 | 36% |
| Unknown or other | 25 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 16 | 4% |
| Air bags | 14 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 4% |
| Engine | 12 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 2% |
| Hybrid propulsion system | 8 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 8 | 2% |
| Electrical system | 7 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
While I was driving on the freeway the dash lit up with multiple lights. Simultaneously, I lost power to the car and could not accelerate and only break. The steering was tight and I could not steer correctly. Then a mes
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while his wife was attempting to cold-start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start. The contact stated that on several occasions the vehicle was started;
NHTSA complaint: Hybrid propulsion system
Car suddenly needed a jump start and again after a day or two of non-use. On the third day Brakes, ABS and traction control warnings were lighted up and remains. Brakes are mostly ineffective. My own scan returns the cod
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Warning lamps for ABS and others and the chiming dings came on while pulling away from the bank drive through and parking for a second. I shut the engine off and turned back on with no success. I was barely able to park
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
My 2013 Prius Plug-In Hybrid with 131k miles on it showed the ABS, Brake, and Traction Control lights while driving last week. Diagnostics from auto shop showed DTC code C1391. System is available for inspection upon req
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Brake actuator went out on 2013 Toyota Prius Gen 5. The part is very expensive and in my opinion is a part that should not have to be replaced. The care has 120,000 miles. It is driven very softly, meaning not fast
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
I had my car serviced Oct 21 and when I picked it up the vehicle brakes made a whooshing noise and felt spongy. I thought it must be ok as they had just serviced it but when it became apparent this could be a problem I
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
My 2013 Toyota Prius has a failed inverter/converter assembly, including the Intelligent Power Module (IPM). This component is critical for vehicle operation and designed to last the life of the car. Premature IPM shorti
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 81 | excellent |
| Maintenance | 89 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 39 | below average |
| Efficiency | 70 | good |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 400 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and service brakes is the most reported area with 144 of them (36%). No recalls are on record for it.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 81/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2013 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 76/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.