VehicleVerdict

2018 Toyota Prius C problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 9 complaints on file for the 2018 Toyota Prius C — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

9

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

1

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2018 compare to other Prius C years?

Prius C NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted88 complaints2012: 88 complaints2013: 88 complaints2014: 53 complaints2015: 24 complaints2016: 16 complaints2017: 3 complaints2018: 9 complaints2019: 0 complaints
Prius C NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Prius C years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Toyota Prius C problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other333%
Engine111%
Electrical System111%
Steering111%
Transmission111%
Visibility & Wipers111%
Speed Control111%

Does the 2018 Toyota Prius C have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

19V491000Fuel SystemJune 26, 2019 · 464 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

18V176000OtherMarch 15, 2018 · 19 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“THE PRE-COLLISION HAS NEVER WORKED , TOOK IT IN TO TOYOTA AND THEY SAID IT WAS GOOD AND THAT THERE WAS NO WAY TO TEST IN REAL LIFE . BUT IT HAS NOT WORKED SINCE CAR WAS NEW . THERE HAVE BEEN MANY TIMES WHEN THERE WAS A CAR VERY CLOSE STOPPED OR MOVING SLOW IN FRONT OF CAR AND I AM APPARENTLY READY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 16, 2019

“WHILE ON MY MORNING COMMUTE ON THE FREEWAY THE MOONROOF UNEXPECTEDLY EXPLODED SHOWERING FRAGMENTS OF GLASS INTO THE VEHICLE. ONE SHARD ACTUALLY SPLINTERED INTO MY FINGER REQUIRING MEDICAL ATTENTION I HAVE NUMEROUS PICTURES ON MY PHONE”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · October 1, 2018

“I entered a large, strip mall parking area and was driving at the vastly reduced speed one would use in such a situation. My intention was to park my car to enter a store in the mall. I turned a corner to park on the side of the building (parking options were limited). As I entered a parking space…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · July 3, 2023 · crash

“IRECEIVED THE WARNING THAT "PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM MALFUNCTION" WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THIS MORNING. THE WARNING MESSAGE ASKED ME TO STOP THE CAR AT A SAFE PLACE AND VISIT THE DEALER. AS SOON AS I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR STOPPED ITSELF, AND THE STEERING WAS LOCKED. THE CAR WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 27, 2020

“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. Vehicles with failed batteries…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 1, 2021

2018 Toyota Prius C — common questions

Is the 2018 Toyota Prius C reliable?

The record is thin — 9 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2018 Toyota Prius C have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Toyota Prius C. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Toyota Prius C under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Prius C years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius C years to avoid are 2012, 2013, 2014. The cleanest record among Prius C years belongs to 2019.

How safe is the 2018 Toyota Prius C?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2018 Toyota Prius C earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.