ToyotaPrius2013Overview/toyota/prius/2013/base/

2013 Toyota Prius

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Prius.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2013 Toyota Prius is a passenger‑car hybrid built on a dedicated platform that utilizes a 0W‑20 API‑rated 4.4‑quart oil system, and its EPA‑rated fuel economy of 49/46/48 mpg is delivered through an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios. In this model year the vehicle records 399 owner complaints, with the predominant issue noted in Service Brakes and only three recalls, a marked improvement over the 2010 peak of 2,819 complaints and near the low‑end spectrum that began with just four complaints in 2000. Consequently, the 2013 Prius sits at a relatively low point in the model’s complaint history, underscoring a mature reliability trajectory that makes it a reliable reference for researchers.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy49/46/48 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S46B24R · 325 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030169011. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S46B24R · 325 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnLEFTOEM · verified
Tire sizeP215-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030169011 alt 04152YZZA6
Engine air filter1780137021
Spark plug9091901275
Battery2880037092
Front wiper blades8522247100 alt 8521247040
Thermostat1632637020 alt 1603137010
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907010

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length175.6 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height58.3 in
Wheelbase106.7 in
Curb weight3042 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)60/40

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined49 / 46 / 48 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Prius of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

9.8–10.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.80 sec — 2013 Plug-in Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2013Plug-in Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 4.4-kWh9.80 sec17.40 sec134 hpFWD
2013IV Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec134 hpFWD
2013V Three Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.30 sec17.80 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.10 sec17.50 sec134 hpFWD
2012V Five Wagon 1.8L I-4 + Elec 1.3-kWh10.20 sec17.60 sec134 hpFWD
2012C Four Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh10.60 sec17.80 sec99 hpFWD
2012C Four Hatchback 1.5L I-4 + Elec 0.9-kWh10.60 sec17.80 sec99 hpFWD
2012Plug-in Hatchback 1.8L I-4 + Elec 4.4-kWh10.70 sec18.00 sec134 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 0W-20 API engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Engine Oil0W-20 · API
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs20 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts140 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Ignition Timing12-16 degrees
Ignition Timing Reference RPMIdle rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.04 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil TypeND 11 oil
Oil Capacity4.40-5.00 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberS46B24R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance325 cca

Service checks

RPM44.0-50.0 rpm
Residual Pressure21 psi
Injector Primary Resistance0.3-100 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance11.6-12.4 @ 68 degreesF ohms
Engine Compression89.5
Engine Oil Pressure8.7 psi @ Idle, 21 psi @ 2500 rpm psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle101 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket25 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle42 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3 (16 inch) CALIPER PR NOS. 1LH/1ZG

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
136 ft. lbs.36 ft. lbs
290 degrees.90 degrees
345 degrees.; Lightly lubricate new cylinder head bolt, threads and flanges with engine oil.45 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
136 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9036 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
130 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9030 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 150,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miFloor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (clean)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 30,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (clean) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2013 Prius sits near the apex of a recall and complaint trajectory that peaked in 2010 with 2,819 complaints and 10 recalls. In 2012 the year before, complaints rose to 682 with eight recalls, while 2014 saw a sharp decline to 233 complaints and only three recalls, indicating that 2013’s 399 complaints and three recalls represent a modest rebound from the 2012 high but a clear improvement over the 2010 peak. The trend in investigations remained steady at three for 2013, matching the 2012 level, and the number of traffic safety bulletins (466) was lower than the 626 reported in 2012, suggesting fewer safety-related issues were identified that year. Top complaint areas in 2013—service brakes (172), unknown/other (24), engine (13), and airbags (13)—mirror the broader trend of brake and system-related concerns that have fluctuated but not dramatically escalated in subsequent years. Given that the 2013 model already shows a decline in recalls and complaints relative to its immediate predecessor and that the subsequent years saw further reductions, a 2013 Prius represents a more reliable option within its generation, though buyers should still verify the vehicle’s specific service history.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
466
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
3
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
399
Owner complaints
37 involved a crash · 3 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 399 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Service Brakes172
Unknown Or Other24
Engine13
Air Bags13
Electrical System12
Exterior Lighting10
Electrical System,Service Brakes9
Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes8

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V684000Hybrid Propulsion SystemReported 04/10/2018

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2010-2014 Toyota Prius and 2012-2014 Toyota Prius V vehicles. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will update the software for the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU as necessary, free of…

14V053000Hybrid Propulsion System: InverterReported 12/02/2014

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 through 2014 Prius vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) inside the inverter module (a component of the hybrid system) contains transistors… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will update the software for both the motor/generator control electronic control unit (ECU) and the hybrid control ECU, free of charge. If an…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 466 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 Prius take?

4.4 qt of 0W-20 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 Prius have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius get?

EPA figures are 49 city / 46 highway / 48 combined mpg.