Reliability & cost of ownership
Toyota Prius C Reliability & Common Problems
How reliable is the Toyota Prius C? Compare every model year side by side — NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, and crash-test stars — then open the year you're shopping for a full reliability and repair-cost forecast.
Toyota Prius C problems by model year
4 recall entries and 185 owner complaints on file across 7 model years, sourced from the federal NHTSA database.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | NCAP stars | Full report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Prius C | 2 | 6 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2017 Prius C | 1 | 2 | 4.0 | Reliability forecast → |
| 2016 Prius C | 0 | 12 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2015 Prius C | 1 | 17 | 4.0 | Reliability forecast → |
| 2014 Prius C | 0 | 32 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2013 Prius C | 0 | 57 | 4.0 | Full reliability report → |
| 2012 Prius C | 0 | 59 | No NCAP test | Full reliability report → |
Most-complained-about components
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA against the Toyota Prius C, grouped by the component each complaint names — the fastest read on where this model gives trouble.
- service brakes55 complaints
- electrical system50 complaints
- unknown or other35 complaints
- engine23 complaints
- air bags17 complaints
- vehicle speed control14 complaints
- exterior lighting12 complaints
- power train10 complaints