TOYOTA PRIUS C · model year

2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C

15 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

4 / 5 ★

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016TOYOTAPRIUS C carries 15 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 4/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 4/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 PRIUS C is unknown or other with 4 filings, followed by service brakes (2) and electrical system (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.

NHTSA currently has 51 investigation files overlapping the 2016 PRIUS C, and 1 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

15
Complaints
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C — NHTSA crash-test profile NHTSA NCAP crash-test star ratings for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C. Overall composite: 4.0 of 5 stars across 3 safety dimensions. Front CrashSide CrashRollover 4.0 NHTSA NCAP of 5 stars
  • Front Crash 4.0 ★
  • Side Crash 4.0 ★
  • Rollover 4.0 ★
NHTSA overall 4.0/5 stars, with front-crash, side-crash and rollover ratings from standardized NCAP barrier and dynamic tests.

Total Complaints

15 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: 4/5 — Strong NCAP rating · Front: 4/5 · Side: 4/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
SERVICE BRAKES2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
TIRES:SIDEWALL1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
TIRES1

Recent Complaints

20250816TIRES

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 tire was gone. The explosion also caused the tail light to break.

20240821TIRES:TREAD/BELT

See attached document for complaint

20240809TIRES:SIDEWALL

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 quality issue.

20221020VISIBILITY/WIPER

The original windshield has a “rippling distortion” where the windshield has ripple/bubble from defective glass or installation mistakes, making seeing traffic signs or streets very hard. I just bought this vehicle and noticed the problem. It created poor road vision, especially at night. Toyota needs to recall and replace all these windshields before it causes more accidents due to poor visibility looking through the glass.

20190221SERVICE BRAKES

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 BRAKING AND RUN OVER POTHOLES, SO ITS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT THAT ONLY HAPPENED ON ONE DAY, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD I'M BRAKING OR HOW FAST I'M GOING UNLESS I'M BARELY MOVING (THEN IT DOESN'T JERK).

20190221VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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 BRAKING AND RUN OVER POTHOLES, SO ITS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT THAT ONLY HAPPENED ON ONE DAY, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD I'M BRAKING OR HOW FAST I'M GOING UNLESS I'M BARELY MOVING (THEN IT DOESN'T JERK).

20190221UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 BRAKING AND RUN OVER POTHOLES, SO ITS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT THAT ONLY HAPPENED ON ONE DAY, AND IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW HARD I'M BRAKING OR HOW FAST I'M GOING UNLESS I'M BARELY MOVING (THEN IT DOESN'T JERK).

20171217UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 AFTER A FEW TRIES ON A TEST DRIVE, SO THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING A FATAL ACCIDENT WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE EVENTS HAPPEN RANDOMLY.

Mileage: 19,700

20171030UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 DISTRACTED IT IS POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE ELECTRIC ENGINE STILL RUNNING. THERE IS NO ENGINE NOISE AT ALL. THERE IS NO SIGNAL, AUDIO OR LIGHT, TO INDICATE THE ENGINE IS STILL RUNNING. I HAVE HAD THIS OCCUR ON TWO OCCASIONS, ONCE DURING DAYTIME, WITH MY SON ACCOMPANYING ME, 09/07/2017, THE SECOND TIMEL ALONE, WHEN PARKING THE CAR IN MY GARAGE AT NIGHT, 09/13/2017. ON RETURN TO THE CAR, WITH MY SON, I SEARCH FOR MY KEYS AND FOUND THE CAR'S GAS ENGINE RUNNING, EMITTING THE NORMAL ENGINE NOISE, THE KEY NOT HAVING BEEN REMOVED AFTER PARKING. WHEN TURNING OFF AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, INSIDE LIGHTS AND DRIVE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BE ON UNTIL THE DOOR I

Mileage: 1,950

20170801ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 62

20170801UNKNOWN OR 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.

Mileage: 62

20161229EXTERIOR LIGHTING

AT NIGHT ON DARK STREETS WITH NO OTHER LIGHTING, YOU CANNOT SEE TO DRIVE UNLESS YOU USE HIGH BEAMS. THERE IS A LINE ACROSS THE WINDSHIELD; A HORIZON. YOU CAN SEE BELOW THAT HORIZON (A THIN AREA), BUT IT'S BLACK ABOVE IT, MAKING IT VERY HARD TO SEE. VISIBILITY IS ONLY A FEW FEET. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THE SALES AND MANAGEMENT TEAM CLAIM THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I CONTACTED SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS NORMAL. THERE IS NO FIX. I AM DEMANDING THAT MY HEADLIGHTS BE AIMED HIGHER IN HOPES THAT I CAN SEE TO DRIVE. IF THIS DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM, THIS CAR CANNOT BE DRIVING AT NIGHT. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH SUCH LOW VISIBILITY. I WAS DRIVING VERY SLOWLY AND STILL FELT THAT I SHOULD HAVE JUST STOPPED. *TR

Mileage: 2

20161215HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND THAT THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILTER SYSTEM NEEDED CLEANING TO PREVENT THE BATTERIES FROM OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Mileage: 7,000

20161215ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SAFETY HAZARD. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND THAT THE BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILTER SYSTEM NEEDED CLEANING TO PREVENT THE BATTERIES FROM OVERHEATING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000.

Mileage: 7,000

20160819SERVICE 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.IT MAKES THE CAR SKID . THANK YOU *TR

Mileage: 11,000

Compare 2016TOYOTAPRIUS C to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 1 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C have?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C has 15 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C received an overall NHTSA safety rating of 4/5, front crash rating of 4/5, side crash rating of 4/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C?
The most-complained component for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C is UNKNOWN OR OTHER with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS C has an NHTSA safety rating of 4/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.