Is the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C reliable?

The 2013 Toyota PRIUS C has 88 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ELECTRICAL problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C?

Top problems: ELECTRICAL (22 complaints, avg repair $500); BRAKES (17 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C?

No recalls have been issued for the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Toyota PRIUS C?

The 2013 Toyota PRIUS C gets 50 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $960. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Toyota PRIUS C?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Toyota PRIUS C

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2013 Toyota PRIUS C has 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 53. The most common issue is electrical problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: when i pulled up outside of my house and went to open the back hatch, i accidentally hit the lock button. the car then locked - but with my smart key fob and my 10-month-old daughter inside of the car. it is supposed to be impossible to lock the car with the key fob inside. i had no way of getting i.

12 crash reports 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ELECTRICAL

22 complaints

25%

• WHEN I PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. THE CAR THEN LOCKED - BUT WITH MY SMART KEY FOB AND MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE. I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING I
• I HAVE HAD MY TOYOTA PRIUS C FOR 1.5 YEARS. I WAS ASSURED IT WAS A SAFE CAR. HOWEVER THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTO TRACTION CONTROL THAT WILL TURN ON DURING FLURRIES OR IF THERE ARE WET LEAVES OR RAIN. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL (A SAFETY FEATURE) TURNS ON MY WHEELS STOP,MY BRAKES ST
• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT CAUSED MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 4 crashes

“WHEN I PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. THE CAR THEN LOCKED - BUT WITH MY SMART KEY FOB AND MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE. I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING I”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Toyota PRIUS C

Based on 43 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 67K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 68K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Toyota PRIUS C

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$960

Per month

$80

Per mile

8.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$906/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,044/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Toyota PRIUS C

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota PRIUS C Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2013 PRIUS C, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 88 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ELECTRICAL: WHEN I PULLED UP OUTSIDE OF MY HOUSE AND WENT TO OPEN THE BACK HATCH, I ACCIDENTALLY HIT THE LOCK BUTTON. THE CAR THEN LOCKED - BUT WITH MY SMART KEY FOB AND MY 10-MONTH-OLD DAUGHTER INSIDE OF THE CAR. IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE IMPOSSIBLE TO LOCK THE CAR WITH THE KEY FOB INSIDE. I HAD NO WAY OF GETTING I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: A VERY DANGEROUS CONDITION EXISTS IN THE NAVIGATION SYSTEMS, APPARENTLY IN ALL MODELS OF 2012 AND 2013 TOYOTAS EQUIPPED WITH FACTORY INSTALLED NAVIGATION SYSTEMS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE SYSTEM FAILS TO PRODUCE A VOICE PROMPT FOR TURNS PERHAPS AS MUCH AS 50% OF THE TIME. FAILURE OF THE VOICE PROMPT
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WITH LESS THAN 45,000 MILES AND REGULAR MAINTENANCE METICULOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE CAR, THE BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING, ABS WARNING, AND SLIP INDICATOR WARNING LIGHTS ALL ILLUMINATED - INDICATING, "HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY YOUR TOYOTA DEALER IMMEDIATELY." TOOK CAR TO TOYO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)