2015 Toyota Prius C Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2015 Toyota Prius C has a Complaint Index of 57 and ranks 4th worst out of 8 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Its top problem area is the Electrical System with 5 complaints, and it has one recall for a TPMS calibration issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 57/100
- #4 of 8 Prius C years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 17
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 50
- 53 city / 46 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2015 Toyota Prius C problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other7 (41%)
- Electrical System5 (29%)
- Brakes3 (18%)
- Engine3 (18%)
- Structure & Body3 (18%)
- Airbags2 (12%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (12%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in side and rear-end collisions at both residential and highway speeds.
- Electrical wiring harnesses were damaged by rodents, triggering brake and engine warning messages on the instrument panel.
- Door lock actuators repeatedly failed across multiple doors over several years of ownership.
- Brakes made unusual noises and reportedly slipped or delayed full stops regardless of driving speed.
- The vehicle lost power on the highway with dashboard warning lights and headlights shorting out before a shutdown.
- The Tire Pressure Monitoring System failed to alert the driver to low tire pressure.
2015 Toyota Prius C recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V514000Aug 13, 2015Suspension, Wheels & Tires949 vehicles
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 low. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail. Sudden tire failure increases the risk of a crash.
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.
2015 Toyota Prius C fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 53 MPG
- Highway
- 46 MPG
- Combined
- 50 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,300
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2015 compared with other Prius C years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2015 Toyota Prius C reliable?
- It carries a Complaint Index of 57 and a Caution verdict, ranking 4th worst among the 8 Prius C model years covered. Electrical System complaints, including wiring harness damage and door lock actuator failures, make up 29% of reported problems.
- What year Prius C should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints, 2012 and 2013 rank worse with Complaint Index scores of 100 and 86 and Avoid verdicts. The 2015 model sits in the middle with a Caution verdict.
- Does the 2015 Prius C have a recall?
- Yes, one recall (campaign 15V514000) addresses a Tire Pressure Monitoring System that may not calibrate correctly on certain 2015 models built between April and June 2015. It is not a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the most common problem on the 2015 Prius C?
- Electrical System issues are most common, accounting for 5 of 17 complaints (29%), including wiring harness damage and door lock actuator failures.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have on the 2015 Prius C?
- NHTSA lists 17 complaints for the 2015 Prius C, along with 2 crashes and 1 injury, and no fires or deaths.