2013 Toyota Prius Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 4%of 414 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2013 Toyota Prius, 4% of the 414 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 12 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I would like to know why all Toyota vehicles have not been recalled due to the current air bag problem. It's not like the car is never driven out of the state and it does get humid and hot here! I drove to california and arizona this past summer...and yes, I am concerned!!! I expect Toyota to take care of all of their cars!”
NHTSA complaint #10650672, filed 2014-10, 4,500 miles“I was stopped in traffic when a box truck drove into my car, pushing it into the car infront of me, over a curb, and then off the road. There was severe damage to each side of my car; including the crumpled backend. The divers seat gave out and fell backwards somehow causing the headrest to twist off leaving the leg of it bent towards by my head. There was no airbag deployment in the accident. The significant damage to the car deemed it totaled. How is it that there was seat, headrest, and airbag failure?”
NHTSA complaint #10717223, filed 2015-05, 15,000 miles“I was driving straight on a city road with the flow of heavy traffic at about 40 miles per hour when the car in front of me came to a sudden stop. I immediately slammed on my brakes very hard. At the time I did this I had plenty of safe distance between us. But, the brakes never came on and I ended up running into the rear end of an SUV at apparently full speed without any noticeable slowdown. The brakes did not come on. They didn't grab, and they didn't make any screeching noise and there were no tire marks on the road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10923921, filed 2016-11, 30,000 miles“Front passenger's airbag sensor doesn't sense medium weight passenger. I've talked to the Toyota dealer and they told me that if someone over 70lbs in passenger seat, the light will come on airbag on and stay on. If there is something in the seat that is lightweight, the light will say airbag off. If there is nothing in the seat, the light will remain off. My wife is about 110 lbs but the warning light airbag off is on most of the time. Sometimes I notice it and ask my wife to get out and then get back in to activate it. Seems like it works that way. …”
NHTSA complaint #10703694, filed 2015-04, 15,000 miles“2013 Prius v had a collision with a mustang converible. Both vehicles are totaled. The mustang's airbags deployed. The Prius's airbags did not deploy and the driver has a severe concussion. Ems apparently told the hospital this was the sending one they had seen where airbags didn't deploy. The hospital told me I needed to look into airbags (3xs) based on what ems said. When I went to Toyota they asked if I was the one that had called a couple of days prior due to airbags failing. (no I had not called.) so, was ems referring to a second Toyota where airbags had not deployed in 2 days? …”
NHTSA complaint #10994100, filed 2017-06, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10172823Feb 5, 2020The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles are equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to…
- 10172822Feb 5, 2020The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support…
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012 | 28 | 7% |
| 2011 | 46 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 3% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 3% |
| 2006 | 30 | 2% |
| 2005 | 44 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2013 Toyota Prius
242 complaintsElectrical system
52 complaintsOther or unknown
51 complaintsEngine
37 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
14 complaintsBody and structure
13 complaintsExterior lighting
12 complaintsForward collision avoidance
12 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2013 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology