AI DamageToyota Prius C: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Toyota Prius C across 6 model years: 10 owner complaints and 169 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 20% of all complaints
- 2 Vehicle speed control 20% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 10% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 10% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 10% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 10% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Vehicle speed control: 2 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 108.
- Engine: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 20.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (10% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.5 L · hybrid · 4 cyl 2012–2019
- CVT 2012–2019
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 10 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 2 | 1 | 29 |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 108 |
| Engine | 1 | 1 | 20 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 19 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 17 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 180 |
| Structure | 0 | 0 | 168 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 34 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 12 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Despite the severity of the crash, the air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a storage facility and deemed a total loss by the employer’s insurance provider. A police report was filed, and injuries were reported.
Suddenly and with no warning, the car violently lurched forward at a vastly increased speed. I pressed down on the brake harder to try to stop the vehicle, but it propelled into and over the concrete curb stop and into the thick brick wall in front of me.
Tl* the contact owned a 2017 toyota prius c. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact stated while the brake pedal was being depressed the vehicle failed to stop. The contact then swerved to the right and hit a curb as the vehicle went air bourne.
Can you please check if my car VIN number [XXX] 2016 Toyota Prius C 103k miles still covered for brake booster malfunction code 1391. I have told they are extended warranty up to 10 yrs less 150k. Toyota dealer here seems not seeing any warranty coverage issues. Please help me look into this issues thank you.
P 175/65r15 I was driving on a slight curve on the I-10 in El Paso, TX when the rear bumper exploded. The car started swaying and swerving then I pulled over. I then realized that the tread on the tire was gone floating across the highway. The trie was bare with no tread with the bumper around the tire was gone.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Vehicle speed control. Accelerator pedal, cruise control, throttle codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
- This Customer Support Program provides coverage as it applies to Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.