YearToAvoid

2016 Toyota Prius C Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

14/100

#7 most-complained of 8 Prius C years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

NHTSA lists 12 complaints for the 2016 Toyota Prius C, giving it a Complaint Index of 14, the best (rank 7) among the 8 model years tracked. It has 0 recalls, 0 crashes, and 0 fires reported, with Brakes the top problem area at 25% of complaints.

Complaints
12
Recalls
0
Crashes / fires
0 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
50
53 city / 46 hwy

Top 2016 Toyota Prius C problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Other4 (33%)
  2. Brakes3 (25%)
  3. Electrical System3 (25%)
  4. Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
  5. Engine1 (8%)
  6. Fuel System1 (8%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)

What owners report

  • Brakes can lock up or grab suddenly with light pedal pressure, sometimes causing skidding.
  • Hitting a pothole while braking can cause a jerky, lurching, side-to-side feeling that owners describe as a brief loss of control.
  • Tires reportedly lose tread or the sidewall bursts without hitting a curb or nail, in one case causing the tread to fly off the highway.
  • A rubber odor and a hybrid coolant system warning light appeared during driving, leading to a tow for a diagnosed safety hazard.
  • The windshield glass shows a rippling distortion that owners say makes it hard to see road signs and traffic at night.
  • The 12-volt battery has reportedly needed replacement more than once, leaving the car with no power and requiring towing.
2016 Toyota Prius C complaints: complaints filed per month3Aug 2016Aug 2017Dec 2017Oct 2022Aug 2025
16 complaints filed with NHTSA from Aug 2016 to Jun 2026; peak Dec 2016 (3).

2016 Toyota Prius C recalls

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

2016 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.

2016 compared with other Prius C years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)025507510020122013201420152016201720182019
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2014Caution7132050
2015Caution5717150
2016Best1412050
2017No verdict292146
2018Good436246

All Toyota Prius C years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius C reliable?
Among the 8 Prius C model years with data, 2016 has the lowest Complaint Index (14) and ranks best (7th worst, meaning best overall), with only 12 complaints, 0 crashes, and 0 fires reported to NHTSA.
Does the 2016 Prius C have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 0 recalls for the 2016 Prius C, compared with 1 or more recalls on the 2015, 2017, 2018, and 2019 model years.
What is the biggest problem area for the 2016 Prius C?
Brakes lead complaints at 25% (3 of 12), including reports of lockup and grabbing, with a median failure mileage of 11,000 miles.
How does 2016 compare to other Prius C years to avoid?
2016 has a Complaint Index of 14, far below the 2012 (100) and 2013 (86) model years, which NHTSA data flags as Avoid years for this model.
What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Prius C?
EPA rates it at 50 mpg combined (53 city / 46 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,300.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.