NHTSA vehicle safety data

2018 Toyota Prius C Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2018 Toyota Prius C has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 6 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2018 Toyota Prius C, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2018 Toyota Prius C owner complaints

Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Toyota Prius C, describing incidents dated October 1, 2018 to July 3, 2023.

Most-cited components

  • Unknown or Other 3 complaints
  • Electrical System 1 complaint
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Power Train 1 complaint
  • Steering 1 complaint
  • Vehicle Speed Control 1 complaint

Of the 6 complaints on file, 1 reports a crash; across all 6 complaints, owners report 3 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11530344 · Filed

    I entered a large, strip mall parking area and was driving at the vastly reduced speed one would use in such a situation. My intention was to park my car to enter a store in the mall. I turned a corner to park on the side of the building (parking options were limited). As I entered a parking space…

  • ODI #11442218 · Filed

    Certain 2018+ and all later Toyota Prius C modes have a 12V battery for which there is currently no OEM or aftermarket replacement. The battery has a form factor (shape and size) that is exclusive to these vehicles and not used in any other car sold in North America. Vehicles with failed batteries…

  • ODI #11361389 · Filed

    IRECEIVED THE WARNING THAT "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING. THE WARNING MESSAGE ASKED ME TO STOP THE CAR AT A SAFE PLACE AND VISIT THE DEALER. AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STOPPED ITSELF, AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE CAR WAS…

Read all 6 complaints

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2018 Toyota Prius C in 1 investigation. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

DC-DC Converter may Fail

NHTSA #19V491000 · Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA notice

Reported June 26, 2019 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 464 vehicles

Repair completion: 85.56% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign K0K · Owners notified August 23, 2019 · Vehicles built February 6, 2018 – October 4, 2018 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

A loss of drive increases the risk of crash.

Manufacturer 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. Toyota's number for this recall is K0K.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Missing Air Bag Label/FMVSS 208

NHTSA #18V176000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported March 15, 2018 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 19 vehicles

Repair completion: 100% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Toyota campaign J0L · Owners notified April 11, 2018 · Vehicles built July 24, 2017 – October 16, 2017 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Safety consequence

If the label is missing, occupants may not follow the proper restraint usage guidelines, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Manufacturer 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. Toyota's number for this recall is J0L.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Other Toyota Prius C model years

Check your 2018 Toyota Prius C VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Prius C at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Toyota VIN