2015 Toyota Prius C

Routine

Owners filed 17 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the unknown or other. It has been recalled 1 time.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Unknown or Other5
000
Electrical System4
000
Service Brakes3
000
Air Bags2
201
Wheels1
000
Structure › Body1
000
Engine1
000

1 safety recall

Part 573 reports
Tires › Pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems15V514000
Filed Aug 13, 2015949 vehiclesSoutheast Toyota Distributors, Llc

Defect. 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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Engine
Filed Jul 4, 2026CA

While driving the hybrid battery light turned on. The car then began to reduce its speed and I had to pull over. I restarted the car and on one of the fuses to the computer to restart it. I began to drive the car back home and it did it again. I recently had a hybrid battery replaced in the vehicle. I was on the freeway both times and this caused me a lot of anxiety. There were two individuals in the vehicle, which both were at risk of being injured if there was a collision. We need it to pull over within less than 30 seconds. They appeared in the morning and a year prior. A year previously I replaced the battery. There was an odd buzzing sound in the back of the driver seat were the vent was.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 11, 2025WA

I purchased my 2015 Prius C in July of 2016. Since then I have consistently had issues with the lock actuator going out on various doors. As follows: 3/12/18 - Driverside 6/13/18 - Passenger Front 8/3/20 - Driverside 8/5/22 - Rear Driverside 12/16/22 - Passenger Front 3/14/23 - Driverside and now in July of 2025 the Driverside actuator is failing, AGAIN. The previous times were covered by my warranty, but that ended in 2023. My car is also kept in a garage. The dealership attempted to blame this issue on the elements, but come on...if that was the case, this would be happening to all sorts of various cars, and it's not. This is an issue for a variety of reasons, one being I am unable to access getting into my vehicle with the door lock that is not working. I currently have to go to my passenger side and crawl over to unlock my driverside door. If I needed to get into my car quickly, I would be out of luck. This is RIDICULOUS as this is the SEVENTH time a lock has gone out - making it about every year and a half that a lock needs to be replaced - and the 4th time for my driverside. How is this not a recall issue???

Service Brakes
Filed Apr 9, 2024WA

Unknown brake issues

Air BagsCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 22, 2022TN

Prius was rear-ended at highway speeds, forcing it into the vehicle ahead of it. Airbags did not deploy, & driver's seat failed to stay locked, moving forward then rearward during crash.

Air BagsCrash
Filed Jan 30, 202184,000 milesNE

OUR VEHICLE WAS STRUCK IN THE SIDE THIS WEEK, AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE WERE ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET TRAVELING AROUND 30MPH.

Wheels
Filed Sep 17, 2019OR

MY VEHICLES DID NOT INDICATE THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE WAS LOW AND IT SHOULD TELL ME SINCE IT IS CERTIFIED USED. THERE WAS NO LIGHT INDICATOR OR ANYTHING AND 2 OF MY TIRES WERE LOW. AS A NEW CAR OWNER I HAD NO IDEA AND IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR MY PARTNER I WOULD HAVE NOT KNOWN. THIS POSES AS A SAFETY HAZARD AND IF THE DEALERSHIP KNOWINGLY DID NOT CHECK FOR THIS PROBLEM THEN THAT IS NEGLIGENT KNOWING THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL. IT WAS STATIONARY HOWEVER I COMMUTE EVEY DAY.

Electrical System
Filed Jul 18, 201969,000 milesGA

MY VEHICLE SHUT DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING. ALL LIGHTS CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP SAYS THE WIRE HARNESS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED FOR 4600 DOLLARS. COUPLE DAYS PRIOR TO VEHICLE SHUTTING DOWN, HEADLIGHTS BEGAN SHORTING.

Service Brakes
Filed Oct 23, 20181,000 milesCA

THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE ABOUT A MONTH AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR BUT THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN MAKING AN ODD NOISE. IT DOES NOT MATTER HOW FAST OR SLOW I AM GOING BUT IT MAKES THAT NOISE AND IT MAKES THE BRAKES SLIP AND NOT COME TO A FULL STOP FAST ENOUGH. I HAVE GONE TO TOYOTA 4-5 TIMES JUST FOR THIS REASON AND ALL THEY CAN SAY IS THAT EVERYTHING IS FINE. IT CAN'T BE FINE IF THE CAR IS SLIPPING AND NOT STOPPING WHEN IT SHOULD! MIND YOU, I LIVE IN CALIFORNIA AND THERE IS ALMOST NEVER RAIN SO IT IS NOT DUE TO WET ROADS.

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 10, 201898,000 milesNE

I LEFT IT PARKED IN METER 201301 ZONE 115, AT 2:07 PM REPORTED IT STOLEN TO 911, OFFICER POLICE MR. SCOTT CAME OUT,

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 201896,000 milesNE

I PARKED MY CAR AT METER 201301. WHEN I CAME OUT IT WAS GONE, NON EMERGENCY NUMBER WONT REPORT CARS, I CALLED 911, OMAHA CITY POLICE OFFICER CAME OUT, INVESTIGATED AT MY REQUEST, NO CLUE WHAT WAS SO HAZARDOUS , 2:09 911 CALL 9-7-2018

Unknown or Other
Filed Sep 8, 201896,000 milesNE

VEHICLE WAS STOLEN, TOYOTA REPORTED I WAS THE OWNER, NE NEVER CLEARED THE TITLE. VIN HAS OVER 96,000 MILES, GIECO CANCLED INSURANCE CUZ I CANT CONTROL ITS HABITS ANYMORE. CITY OF OMAHCA CITY IMPOUND SOLD IT ,

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 29, 201818,000 milesVA

I INSTALLED HUSKY WEATHERBEATER FLOOR LINERS, MODEL NUMBER 99501. THE DRIVER'S SIDE INTERFERES WITH THE TRAVEL OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL PREVENTING FULL TRAVEL. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN PREVENTING FULL ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION.

Structure › Body
Filed May 6, 2017NE

FAGAN ROUSSEAU REPORTING 5-06-2017. MANUF IN 3-16-2015. TMS SIGNED MSO TO PERFORMANCE ENTERPRISES ON 4-27-2015, THEN SHIPPED TO NE BY SEMI, 5-15-2015 BAXTER OF LINCOLN TOYOTA UNWRAPPED AND WASHED VEHICLE ADDING ONE MILE OF DIDTANCE TRAVELED TO ODOMETER, N RECORDS OF DOT TIRE NUMBER BEING AIR PRESSURE CHECKED ONCE A MONTH, NO BATTERY CHECK OF SITTING AROUND FROM NONE USE, NO TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIPS NO EPA WIPER BLADES BEING CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS FROM DEALERSHIP, NO TIRE ROTATIONS EVERY 6 MONTHS FROM DEALERSHIP, NO PART NUMBERS FOR MODIFICATIONS DONE TO MOTOR AKA OIL CHANGES, NO OLD FILLER CAP FOR OILS LISTED AS REMOVED AND UPDATED FOR EVERY 6 MONTHS. SEAL PREVENST AIR TO BE SUCKED IN AS MOTOR PRESSURIZES. NO FLOOR MAT INSPECTIONS DONE EVERY 6 MONTHS, DIRTY MATS MAY NOT KEEP SHOES CLEAN TO GAS BRAKE PEDALS, NO PAINT INSPECTION TO UPHOLD WARRANTY, 5 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES, WATER FROM FLOOR MATS IF SNOW FROM SHOES CAN DAMAGE INTERIOR PAINT COVERED BY MATS, NO FUEL STICKER TO NAME PROPER FUELS , DEALER CLAIMS THEY TOPPED OFF ALL FLUIDS TO TOYOTA QUAILITY YET NO PARTS NUMBERS MATCHING MOTOR MODIFICATIONS, NO WIPER BLADES CHANGED EVERY 6 MONTHS=EPA= MATERIALS CAN CHANGE DUE TO WEATHER CLIMAIT CHANGES OF 6 MONTHS, MY HISTORY ON TOYOTA OWNERS SITE NOT SHOWING ALL MODIFICATIONS TO HYBRID MOTOR VIN, ODOMETER STATEMENT OF SEAT BELT CHANGING AT SPEEDS OF 12 MILES WHEN SALESMEN HAVE DRIVERS TEXT DRIVE IT, DEALER DID INSPECTION AND ALL FOUR TIRES FAILED YET DEALER CLEARED THE VEHICLE TO LEAV

Electrical System
Filed Mar 27, 20175,300 milesOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS C. AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, A MESSAGE INDICATING TO CHECK THE BRAKES AND ENGINE DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE ELECTRICAL WIRES AND WIRING HARNESS CAUSED BY RODENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,300.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 19, 201732 milesNE

STAND STILL. ON 9.12.2015. DEALERSHIP NEVER NOTIFIED THAT I BECAME THE DRIVER. THEY ARE REFUSING TO FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY THAT TOYOTA SALES. SOLD IN PRICE OF GIANT STICKER. WE ARE GOING ROUNDS. AS DRIVER .THE DASH BOARD HAS MAINTENANCE REQIR. THEY DIDN'T DO AN INSPECTION REPORT IN COMPUTER. THEY JUST ASSUME IT'S OIL CHANGE AT MY COST. YET INSPECTION WAS NEVER DONE. IT COULD BE ANYTHING TO THEM. I TOLD THEM THE INDICATOR LIGHTS ARE NOT SHOWING CAUSE . MANUAL STATES WHAT LIGHTS MEAN WHAT. I'M PAYING 400 PER MONTH FOR FACTOR WARRANTY AND TOYOTA TO KEEP ITS WORD. THEY DON'T WANT ME HAVING THEIR CARRIER NOR SHIPPER ID. SO I CAN GET IT UPDATED THAT VEHICLE MOVES ACROSS STATE LINE. YOU KNOW ME AS TIRES. EUYU 3MNR0116 AS 3. AND ONE TIRE AS EL YU. DLN0915. VEHICLE GARGLING ARE. CO. BAXTER OF LINCOLN. 6320 TELLURIDE. LINCOLN. NE 68521

Unknown or Other
Filed Feb 5, 201716,000 milesKS

RODENTS ARE DESTROYING THE WRITING ON MY ENGINE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. THE CAR IS PARKED UNDER A CARPORT. I HAVE USED VARIOUS SPRAYS BUT NOTHING WORKS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jun 27, 20163,500 milesGA

A FEW MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, ALL OF THE DASH INDICATOR LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE DISPLAY FLASHED "BRAKE OVERRIDE MALFUNCTION, SEE DEALER." THE BRAKE AND THE GAS WERE NOT BEING USED AT THE SAME TIME. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT WITH A FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE BRAKES DISENGAGED AND THE CAR LURCHED FORWARD ABOUT A FOOT BEFORE THE BRAKES ENGAGED AGAIN. THE DASH LIGHTS STAYED ILLUMINATED THE REMAINDER OF THE TRIP. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALER, THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND RETURNED THE CAR. WHILE DRIVING IT HOME FROM THE DEALER, THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRED. THE DEALER THEN REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND CLAIMED THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRED. ONCE STARTED, THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN. AFTER DRIVING FOR A FEW MOMENTS, THE DASH LIGHTS ILLUMINATE, THE ERROR MESSAGE POPS UP, AND THE CAR UNEXPECTEDLY LURCHES WHENEVER STOPPED. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER DRIVING IN THE CITY OR ON THE HIGHWAY (THOUGH OBVIOUSLY THE LURCHING ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE BRAKES ARE ENGAGED).

17 of 17 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2012
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20190100Routine
20186200Routine
20172100Routine
201612000Routine
2015 — this page17100Routine
201432000Routine
201357000Routine
201263010Routine

Compare every Prius C year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Aug 13, 2015. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.