FaultScore

2013 Toyota Prius C fuel system problems

10 of the 88 complaints about the 2013 Toyota Prius C are about the fuel system — 11% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 66,000 miles.

A

10

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Fuel/Propulsion System 5 50.0%
Hybrid Propulsion System 4 40.0%
Inverter 1 10.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 150,000 miles Farmington, CT

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

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; however, the instrument cluster and other electrical devices failed to operate as needed. The contact replaced the auxiliary battery. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure reoccurred, and the vehicle needed to be jump-started. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V369000 (Hybrid Propulsion System); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #11715964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,421 miles Agawam, MA

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact stated that he and his wife were in the vehicle during the failure, and the vehicle was almost crashed into. The contact stated that he and his wife were left stranded in oncoming traffic. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that there was a computer failure and that the inverter converter assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 75,421.

NHTSA complaint #11684746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chino, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I was going on my way to work on the freeway at approximately 65 miles per hour, suddenly I felt as if my car shut off will driving and I lost power. I pressed on the gas Pedal as I was pulled into the emergency lane to the right of the freeway, the gas pedal did not work. I pulled to the side and I shut the car off. I waited about 20 minutes and I turned the car back on.

NHTSA complaint #11539026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 104,000 miles Northampton, MA

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check Hybrid Propulsion System warning light illuminated, and the vehicle the stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the inverter module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V369000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and 18V684000 (Hybrid Propulsion System). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and a case was opened. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.

NHTSA complaint #11524593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 66,000 miles Fort Worth, TX

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2013 Toyota Prius C. The contact stated that while driving at slow speeds, the vehicle stalled as a system failure warning message appeared on the instrument panel. The vehicle inadvertently turned. The vehicle was restarted but shifted into limp mode with the message displayed. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and then drove the vehicle to the residence. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V369000 (Hybrid Propulsion System) and 14V053000 (Hybrid Propulsion System, Electrical System) which she linked to the failure. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.

NHTSA complaint #11471817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Humble, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

So, long story short: for months now, the engine light goes on and off. Whenever it goes on, I go to Autozone or O'Reilly's to get the codes read. It's always the same code: P261B. So I got the coolant pump replaced. The same thing happens! I'd bet there is nothing wrong with the pump, so why am I getting that same code? I'll be happy to send it to you if you want to test it....

NHTSA complaint #11459903 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Los Angeles, CA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Without warning my 2013 prius C stalled on the freeway with a hybrid battery warning. When the car was shut off it had intermittent problems with starting. After jumping the car battery , it ran normally again for some time before the stalling problem persisted. The hybrid battery stopped running and I received a warning light. Diagnostics at my repair shop said it was an inverter issue.I see that toyota has recalled several models for similar issues with the inverter. When the car is jumped it seems to work for a short time before stalling out again. Has created a real safety issue for me and there is a real lack of information on behalf of toyota on whether or not it will be covered under existing models. It seems like every model toyota from this year was recalled for an inverter issue. The car does run normally on occasion, charges the battery, and will run on EV, but mostly remains in a stalled out low power mode after it has these stalling episodes.e Diagnostics have stated to me that the car batteries are healthy and I relplaced the 12V and several fuses etc throughout this process with similar results.

NHTSA complaint #11444160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Belvidere, IL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

MY PRIUS C HAS 110,000 MILES AND ALREADY EXPERIENCE THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT TWICE, THE FIRST TIME I JUST DISCONNECT ALL THE WIRING TO THE HYBRID BATTERY AND IT SAT FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS, THAN RECONNECTED THE WIRES AND OPERATED NORMAL 2 MONTHS WENT BY AFTER A NORMAL DRIVE, PARKED THE CAR BUT WHEN I WENT AND STARTED THE CAR THE CHECK HYBRID SYSTEM LIGHT COMES BACK ON AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #11309262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 11,484 miles SAN Juan, PR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS C 2013, WITH 11,484 MILES, FOR 5 MINUTE, THE MESSAGE PANEL INDICATE IMMIEDIATE STOP AT SAFE PLACE WITH ALL PRECAUTIONS. HABRID SYSTEM NOT FUCNTIONING.. 6 OR 7 WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON DISPLAY PANEL. AND MOTOR BECOMES UNSTABLE OF ITS RPM'S. AND STARTS HESITATION. CAR IN DEALERS SHOP FOR 3 DAYS WITH NO IDEA OF REASONS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE.FORTUNETLY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY OR TURNPIKE, I WAS 3 MINUTES FROM MY HOME.. TOYOTA DOES NOT PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSITTENCE EVEN IF YOU BOUGHT CAR NEW WITHIN 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEAR WARRENTY.??????

NHTSA complaint #10822479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 9,000 miles NEW Smyrna Beach, FL

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2017

NHTSA complaint #10782327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2013 Toyota Prius C problems

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