Most common 2015 Toyota Prius c problems
Share of the 17 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius c complaints by model year
Best Prius c years: 2018, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013. Compare all years →
2015 Toyota Prius c recalls (1)
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2015 Toyota Prius c:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2015 Toyota Prius c owners say
Electrical system
I purchased my 2015 Prius C in July of 2016. Since then I have consistently had issues with the lock actuator going out on various doors. As follows: 3/12/18 - Driverside 6/13/18 - Passenger Front 8/3/20 - Driverside 8/5/22 - Rear Driverside 12/16/22 - Passenger Front 3/14/23 - Driverside and now in July of 2025 the Driverside actuator is failing, AGAIN. The previous times were covered by my warranty, but that ended in 2023. My car is also kept in a garage. The dealership attempted to blame this issue on the elements, but come on...if that was the case, this would be happening to all sorts of various cars, and it's not. This is an issue for a variety of reasons, one being I am unable to access getting into my vehicle with the door lock that is not working. I currently have to go to my passenger side and crawl over to unlock my driverside door. …
While driving the hybrid battery light turned on. The car then began to reduce its speed and I had to pull over. I restarted the car and on one of the fuses to the computer to restart it. I began to drive the car back home and it did it again. I recently had a hybrid battery replaced in the vehicle. I was on the freeway both times and this caused me a lot of anxiety. There were two individuals in the vehicle, which both were at risk of being injured if there was a collision. We need it to pull over within less than 30 seconds. They appeared in the morning and a year prior. A year previously I replaced the battery. There was an odd buzzing sound in the back of the driver seat were the vent was.
Brakes
A few months after purchase, while driving the car, all of the dash indicator lights came on and the display flashed "brake override malfunction, see dealer." the brake and the gas were not being used at the same time. Shortly thereafter, while stopped at a light with a foot firmly on the brake, the brakes disengaged and the car lurched forward about a foot before the brakes engaged again. The dash lights stayed illuminated the remainder of the trip. After taking it to the dealer, they reset the computer and returned the car. While driving it home from the dealer, the same problem reoccurred. The dealer then replaced the master cylinder and claimed the problem was fixed. A few months later, the same problem reoccurred. Once started, the problem occurs every time the vehicle is driven. …
This has been happening since about a month after I bought the car but the brakes have been making an odd noise. It does not matter how fast or slow I am going but it makes that noise and it makes the brakes slip and not come to a full stop fast enough. I have gone to Toyota 4-5 times just for this reason and all they can say is that everything is fine. It can't be fine if the car is slipping and not stopping when it should! Mind you, I live in california and there is almost never rain so it is not due to wet roads.
Engine & cooling
While driving the hybrid battery light turned on. The car then began to reduce its speed and I had to pull over. I restarted the car and on one of the fuses to the computer to restart it. I began to drive the car back home and it did it again. I recently had a hybrid battery replaced in the vehicle. I was on the freeway both times and this caused me a lot of anxiety. There were two individuals in the vehicle, which both were at risk of being injured if there was a collision. We need it to pull over within less than 30 seconds. They appeared in the morning and a year prior. A year previously I replaced the battery. There was an odd buzzing sound in the back of the driver seat were the vent was.
Stand still. On 9.12.2015. Dealership never notified that I became the driver. They are refusing to follow the manufacturer warranty that Toyota sales. Sold in price of giant sticker. We are going rounds. As driver .the dash board has maintenance reqir. They didn't do an inspection report in computer. They just assume it's oil change at my cost. Yet inspection was never done. It could be anything to them. I told them the indicator lights are not showing cause . Manual states what lights mean what. I'm paying 400 per month for factor warranty and Toyota to keep its word. They don't want me having their carrier nor shipper id. So I can get it updated that vehicle moves across state line. You know me as tires. Euyu 3mnr0116 as 3. And one tire as el yu. Dln0915. Vehicle gargling are. Co. Baxter of Lincoln. 6320 telluride. Lincoln. Ne 68521
2015 Toyota Prius c engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 53 / 46 / 50 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2015 Toyota Prius c a good car?
Based on 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2015 Prius c rates better than average: 41% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius c at the same age. It is one of the best Prius c years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2015 Toyota Prius c?
The electrical system — 5 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the brakes (3) and engine & cooling (3).
How many recalls does the 2015 Toyota Prius c have?
There is 1 recall for the 2015 Toyota Prius c, the most recent from August 13, 2015 (pressure monitoring and regulating systems). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius c?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012 and 2013. See the full Toyota Prius c years comparison.
At what mileage do 2015 Toyota Prius c problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 18,000 miles; 55% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.