2018 Toyota Prius C Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2018 Toyota Prius C has a complaint index of 43, ranking 5th worst out of 8 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 6 complaints, 2 recalls, and no do-not-drive recalls on file with NHTSA.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 43/100
- #5 of 8 Prius C years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 6
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 46
- 48 city / 43 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2018 Toyota Prius C problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Other3 (50%)
- Electrical System1 (17%)
- Engine1 (17%)
- Steering1 (17%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (17%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (17%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Moonroof glass has shattered while driving on the freeway, scattering fragments inside the cabin.
- A pre-collision system malfunction warning appeared during highway driving, followed by the steering locking and the car disabling itself.
- Owners report the 12V auxiliary battery uses a form factor unique to 2018-and-later Prius C models, with no OEM or aftermarket replacement available, leaving the car inoperable when it fails.
- The steering-lock and shutdown incident occurred at 24,578 miles; the moonroof failure occurred at 10,222 miles.
2018 Toyota Prius C recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V491000Jun 26, 2019Fuel System464 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Prius C vehicles. The DC-DC converter may fail resulting in the auxiliary battery no longer receiving power from the converter, which may cause a loss of drive.
Risk: A loss of drive increases the risk of crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the DC-DC converter with a new one, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began August 23, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is K0K.
- NHTSA 18V176000Mar 15, 2018Other19 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Prius C vehicles sold in Puerto Rico. The front passenger air bag and recommended child occupant seating positions label may not have been attached during assembly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: If the label is missing, occupants may not follow the proper restraint usage guidelines, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and will mail the removable labels to all known owners of the subject vehicles, free of charge. The recall began on April 11, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0L.
2018 Toyota Prius C fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 48 MPG
- Highway
- 43 MPG
- Combined
- 46 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $1,400
- 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.
2018 compared with other Prius C years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Toyota Prius C reliable?
- NHTSA data shows a complaint index of 43 for the 2018 Prius C, giving it a Good verdict and ranking it 5th worst among the 8 model years with data. It has 6 complaints and 2 recalls, with no do-not-drive recalls.
- What recalls affect the 2018 Toyota Prius C?
- There are two recalls: one for a DC-DC converter that may fail and stop charging the auxiliary battery (campaign 19V491000), and one for a missing air bag/child-seating label on vehicles sold in Puerto Rico (campaign 18V176000). Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What is the top problem area for the 2018 Prius C?
- Electrical System complaints make up 17% of reported issues, tied with Engine, Steering, Transmission & Powertrain, and Visibility & Wipers, each also at 17%.
- How does the 2018 Prius C compare to other Prius C years?
- The 2018 model's complaint index of 43 is much lower than the 2012 (100) and 2013 (86) model years rated Avoid, but higher than the 2016 model year (14), which earned a Best verdict.
- What fuel economy does the 2018 Prius C get?
- The EPA rates the 2018 Prius C at 46 mpg combined (48 city / 43 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $1,400.