Complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | vs. typical* | Recalls | Top problem | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | −62% | 2 | Window & Wiper | Good |
| 2016 | 12 | −59% | — | Brake | Good |
| 2015 | 17 | −41% | 1 | Electrical | Good |
| 2014 | 33 | −17% | — | Brake | Average |
| 2013 | 57 | 1.8× | — | Electrical | Caution |
| 2012 | 64 | 2.2× | — | Brake | Avoid |
* Complaints compared with the median Prius c year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.
Most common Toyota Prius c problems
Latest Toyota Prius c recalls
Hybrid propulsion system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Prius C vehicles. The DC-DC converter may fail resulting in the auxiliary battery no longer receiving power from the converter, which may cause a loss of drive.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the DC-DC converter with a new one, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico. The front passenger air bag and recommended child occupant seating positions label may not have been attached during assembly.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and will mail the removable labels to all known owners of the subject vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.
Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2015 Toyota Prius C vehicles manufactured April 20, 2015, to June 30, 2015. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driver that the tire pressure is…
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will re-calibrate the TPMS, free of charge. The recall began on September 15, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET15E.
Frequently asked questions
What years of the Toyota Prius c should you avoid?
2012 and 2013 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Prius c years at the same age, led by brakes problems in the 2012.
What is the best year for the Toyota Prius c?
2018 has the fewest complaints compared with other Prius c years at the same age, followed by 2016 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.
What are the most common Toyota Prius c problems?
Across all years, owners report the most problems with the brakes (58), electrical system (52) and engine & cooling (23). Brake complaints peak in the 2012 model year.
How many recalls has the Toyota Prius c had?
3 recalls across 2012–2018. The model year with the most is 2018. See all Toyota Prius c recalls by year.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.