2016 Toyota PRIUS C

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Excellent Reliability

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota PRIUS C has 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.2x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is other problems (25% of all complaints), specifically: the car has been towed twice. every time i attempt to turn on the car, there is no power. the dealer says it is the battery and he has changed the battery twice. i am afraid to use the car and get stranded in the highway..

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.2x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

OTHER

4 complaints

25%

• THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR, THERE IS NO POWER. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY AND HE HAS CHANGED THE BATTERY TWICE. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR AND GET STRANDED IN THE HIGHWAY.
• WITH THE AUXILIARY BATTERY WELL CHARGED THE GAS ENGINE WILL TURN OFF WHEN VEHICLE COMES TO A STOP. IN ORDER TO TURN THE IGNITION KEY TO THE OFF POSITION AND REMOVE THE KEY IT IS NECESSARY TO MOVE THE SHIFT LEVER TO THE PARK POSITION. AT THE SAME TIME IT IS ADVISABLE TO SET THE PARKING BRAKE. IF D
• SINCE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, THE VEHICLE HAS SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL UPON BRAKING HARD. THIS HAS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE CAR WILL NOT RETURN TO DRIVE WITHOUT TURNING OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTARTING. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. TOYOTA OF CARLSBAD COULDN'T REPRODUCE THE EVENT AF

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR, THERE IS NO POWER. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY AND HE HAS CHANGED THE BATTERY TWICE. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR AND GET STRANDED IN THE HIGHWAY.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

BRAKES

3 complaints

19%

• BRAKES, I HAVE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, BUT IF I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE THE LEAST BIT HARD IT LOCKS UP. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAYS ITS NORMAL. THEY ALSO GRAB WHEN I PUT THEM ON. THIS IS MY THIRD PRIUS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO
• WHEN I AM IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING AND HIT A ROUGH SPOT IN THE ROAD SUCH AS A POTHOLE, I ESSENTIALLY LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR FOR A SPLIT SECOND. IT FEELS JERKY LIKE IT LURCHES FORWARD OR SHAKES SIDE TO SIDE. ITS NOT VERY PRONOUNCED BUT ENOUGH TO MAKE ME FEEL UNSAFE. THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME I AM
• My name is [XXX] currently active duty military stationed in San Diego. 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 no

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“BRAKES, I HAVE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, BUT IF I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE THE LEAST BIT HARD IT LOCKS UP. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAYS ITS NORMAL. THEY ALSO GRAB WHEN I PUT THEM ON. THIS IS MY THIRD PRIUS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

TIRES

3 complaints

19%

• Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing
• See attached document for complaint
• 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 t

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

2 complaints

13%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RUBBER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE "HYBRID COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO
• THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR, THERE IS NO POWER. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY AND HE HAS CHANGED THE BATTERY TWICE. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR AND GET STRANDED IN THE HIGHWAY.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RUBBER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE "HYBRID COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

1 complaints

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RUBBER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE "HYBRID COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 16 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
OTHER: THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TWICE. EVERY TIME I ATTEMPT TO TURN ON THE CAR, THERE IS NO POWER. THE DEALER SAYS IT IS THE BATTERY AND HE HAS CHANGED THE BATTERY TWICE. I AM AFRAID TO USE THE CAR AND GET STRANDED IN THE HIGHWAY.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: BRAKES, I HAVE ANTI LOCK BRAKES, BUT IF I HAVE TO PRESS THE BRAKE THE LEAST BIT HARD IT LOCKS UP. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAYS ITS NORMAL. THEY ALSO GRAB WHEN I PUT THEM ON. THIS IS MY THIRD PRIUS AND I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TIRES: Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A RUBBER ODOR EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT NO FAILURE WAS DETERMINED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE "HYBRID COOLANT SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)