2018 Toyota Prius c problems
The Toyota Prius c (c stands for "city"), also known as the Toyota Aqua (Japanese: トヨタ・アクア, Hepburn: Toyota Akua); "aqua" is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles. The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.
The production version of the Aqua was unveiled in the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show. The production Prius c was introduced in the U.S. at the January 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Aqua was launched in Japan in December 2011 at a price of ¥1.69 million (US$21,700). Sales in several Asian markets began in January 2012. The Prius c was released in the U.S. and Canada in March 2012. Sales in Australia and New Zealand began in April 2012.
The Aqua is considered the most successful nameplate launch in Japan in the last 20 years. As of January 2017, the Aqua/Prius c is the second most sold hybrid of Toyota after the regular Prius, with 1,380,100 units sold worldwide. Japan as the market leader with 1,154,500 units sold through January 2017. The Aqua was the top selling new car in Japan for three years in a row, from 2013 to 2015.
The Prius C was discontinued in North America at the end of the 2019 model year. It was also discontinued in Australia in early 2020.
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Common 2018 Toyota Prius c problems
The Toyota Prius C, introduced in December 2011, has been one of Toyota's best-selling hybrids. However, like any vehicle, it has had its share of problems. Here are some of the most common problems reported by owners of the 2012-2014 and 2015-present Toyota Prius C models:
2012-2014 Toyota Prius C
- Early Air Conditioner Compressor Failure: This issue is common in the 2012 Toyota Prius C, where the air conditioner compressor fails prematurely, causing a loud noise and hot air to come out. Replacing the compressor (part no. 88370-52012) will fix the problem.
- Ineffective Windshield Positioning: Many 2014 Prius C owners have reported a "prism" effect in their front windshield at night, where the light source is replicated two or three times when seen through the windshield. Toyota dealers try to fix this issue with Rain X, a type of windshield wiper blade designed to leave a water-repelling coat on the windshield while in use.
- Intelligent Power Module (IPM) Malfunction: When the operating temperature gets high enough, the IPM, a module that manages mileage and power, can fail. This results in the engine stalling without warning or operating at a reduced power level. Toyota dealers are aware of this issue and will either update the software or replace the IPM.
- Grabby Brakes in Wet Weather: The brakes on a 2012 Prius C can react aggressively during wet weather, which may result in a skid. This happens because the Prius C is equipped with regenerative brakes, which are different from standard mechanical brakes and don't dry as quickly, making the brakes more sensitive.
- Loose Windshield Dam at Lower Right Corner of Windshield: Some 2012 Toyota Prius C owners have reported a loose windshield dam at the lower right corner of the windshield, which can lead to water leaks.
- Glove Compartment Rattle over Rough Roads: A rattle noise from the glove compartment is common in the 2012 Toyota Prius C when driving over rough roads.
- Rattle Noise From Headliner Near Sliding Roof: Some 2012 Toyota Prius C owners have reported a rattle noise from the headliner near the sliding roof.
- Maintenance for HV & Auxiliary Batteries: Maintenance for the HV and auxiliary batteries is required in the 2012 Toyota Prius C, which can be costly and time-consuming.
- Gap in Front Door Window Glass Run: A gap in the front door window glass run is common in the 2012 Toyota Prius C, which can lead to water leaks and decreased visibility.
2015-Present Toyota Prius C
- Miscalibrated Tire Pressure Monitoring System: The tire pressure monitoring system in the 2015-present Toyota Prius C was not calibrated properly, meaning the driver was not warned when a tire became dangerously low. Toyota issued a recall and had its dealers re-calibrate the system free of charge.
These problems have affected the reliability of the Toyota Prius C, with the 2014 model year being rated as worse due to possible factors such as higher repair cost or more problems at lower mileage.
What are the most common problems on a 2018 Prius?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- Exhaust. Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Paint And Trim. ...
- EV Battery. ...
- Brakes. ...
- Steering And Suspension.
How long does Prius C engine last?
With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong.
How reliable is the Prius C?
The probability of a repair being a severe or major issue is 7% for the Toyota Prius C, compared to an average of 11% for subcompact cars and 12% for all vehicle models. The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of a vehicle.
What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?
A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.
- Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
- Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
- Unintended Acceleration. ...
- Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
- Prius Headlight Problems. ...
- Prius Brake Defects. ...
- Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.
What are the most common problems on a 2018 Prius?
Owner Reported Trouble Spots
- Exhaust. Muffler, pipes, catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, heat shields, leaks. ...
- Electrical Accessories. ...
- Paint And Trim. ...
- EV Battery. ...
- Brakes. ...
- Steering And Suspension.
What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?
A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.
- Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
- Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
- Unintended Acceleration. ...
- Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
- Prius Headlight Problems. ...
- Prius Brake Defects. ...
- Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.
Is Prius C worth buying?
The Prius C is an affordable, smaller alternative for those who want a Prius hybrid for a little less money. But its harsh ride, noisy engine and cabin, and slow acceleration make it feel more like an econobox than a sophisticated hybrid.
How long does Prius C engine last?
With regular maintenance, a Toyota Prius owner can expect to get between 200,000 and 250,000 miles out of their Prius, with some owners topping the 300,000-mile mark and going strong.
2018 Toyota Prius c car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Toyota Prius c problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Unknown or other problems
- Power train problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
- Engine problems
- Electrical system problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2018 Toyota Prius c vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
2018 Toyota Prius c complaints
The NHTSA has received 6 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Toyota Prius c.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-07-03
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKDTB30J1
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: 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 (moving at the speed one would drive to do so; essentially INCREDIBLY slowly; moving forward into the space at almost 0 MPH and already applying the brake). Suddenly and with no warning, the car violently lurched forward at a vastly increased speed. I pressed down on the brake harder to try to stop the vehicle, but it propelled into and over the concrete curb stop and into the thick brick wall in front of me. There is considerable damage to the front end of my vehicle as a result. I was horrified at this dangerous situation. My safety was definitely at risk. I feel very fortunate that I wasn't seriously injured (and that no one, either a pedestrian or another driver, was involved in the accident). The airbags didn't deploy and I was of course, wearing my safety belt, which kept me from any severe injury. I do feel some physical injury effects this morning however (sore neck, shoulder, back; a slight headache). I'm not aware of any warning lamps, messages, etc. going off, but I must say everything happened very quickly. I've reported the accident to my insurance company & filed a claim. Given that the incident happened on the evening before the July 4th holiday, my insurance company scheduled vehicle towing (flatbed) for my car. It's my understanding that it's being stored at the tow company location & will be delivered tomorrow (Wednesday, 7/5/23) to the certified body repair facility recommended by my insurance company and chosen by me. An insurance adjuster will be doing their evaluation, likely in the next few days, at the earliest tomorrow morning. I've also advised the insurance company of these details & told them of my safety concerns and fears.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-01
- VIN: JTDKDTB39J1
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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 (like mine) cannot be operated. Toyota should retrofit these cars to accommodate the battery used in early (pre-2017) model cars which is electrically identical and available as an aftermarket replacement item.
STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-09-27
- VIN: JTDKDTB37J1
- Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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 COMPLETELY DISABLED. AFTER TURN OFF THE CAR COMPLETELY FOR A FEW MINUTES, I CAN RESTART THE CAR WITH THE WARNING MESSAGE PERSISTS. WHILE I WAS LOOKING FOR A SAFE PLACE TO PARK THE CAR, THE CAR GRADUALLY STOPPED ITSELF AGAIN, AND THE WHEEL STEERING LOCKED ITSELF AGAIN. THE CAR FAILURE AND THE FACT THAT THE STEERING WHEEL GOT LOCKED ITSELF PUT ME AND MY PASSENGER AT GREAT DANGER.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-03-16
- VIN: JTDKDTB33J1
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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 TO HIT ,BUT NO ALARM OR SIGNAL.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WITH NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME THE MOONROOF UNEXPECTEDLY EXPLODED SHOWERING THE INTERIOR WITH RAZOR SHARP SHARDS OF GLASS WHICH INFLICTED A SPLINTER. AFTER CONTACTING TOYOTA, I WAS INFORMED THAT MOONROOFS ARE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY I HAVE PICTURES ON MY PHONE OF THESE SHARDS...
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2018-10-01
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- VIN: JTDKDTB36J1
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: 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
2018 Toyota Prius c recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 2 recalls for different components of the 2018 Toyota Prius c.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: 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.
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
- Summary: 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.
Negative 2018 Toyota Prius c car reviews
Positive 2018 Toyota Prius c car reviews
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Make sure to do your homework and take advantage of all the internet assistance available. I was fully prepared when I arrived at the dealer and had a really pleasant experience.
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I bought this vehicle for its great mpg, safety features, and reliability, and it definitely checks all the boxes. While it can get a bit noisy and the acceleration is slower, it's important to remember that this is a Prius, not a G-wagon. The main purpose of this car is to save fuel, and it does an excellent job at that!
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We went to the dealer prepared to buy the Prius C One with no extra features. However, after test-driving the Three, we quickly realized the features that would be missing on the One. Despite the $2k price difference, we decided to go for it, especially with all the incentives available during the 4th of July weekend. In the end, we still managed to buy it cheaper than buying just the One on a regular day. Thank you, Toyota!
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My husband and I, both 70 years old, are quite conservative when it comes to cars. We were searching for a high-mpg car and had our sights set on a Prius. Specifically, we were considering a Prius C Four or a Prius Three Touring, as we wanted the amenities of leather seats and a navigation system. We were tired of getting lost every time we went to a new location. During our test drive of the Prius C Four, we liked the car, except for the way the engine groaned when we needed it to climb a hill. However, we loved the car more than we had expected. Then we drove the Prius Three Touring and there wasn't anything about it we didn't like. The price difference between the two cars was about $4000. We didn't want to make an impulse purchase, so we were trying to drag out the shopping timeframe. Our salesperson told us about his Prius Four Touring that he had just traded in the day before. It wasn't ready to test drive, but we looked at it and noticed it had the blind spot detectors. It was 3 months old and had less than 4000 miles on it. So the idea of that car was just hanging out on the We had to wait for about 20 minutes, but unfortunately, no one came to assist us. So, we decided to return the borrowed Prius C to the other dealership. I then contacted the original salesperson and expressed our interest in the Four Touring. Luckily, two days later, we were able to take it home. Although it still growls a little when going up hills from a cold start, it's not as much as the C did. Ultimately, it was the extra safety features that convinced us to buy the car. After all, we're not as mentally sharp as we used to be. :-)
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Unfortunately, I couldn't find this car in the budget category. However, I must say that the overall quality seems superior. The dashboard, seating, and workmanship are great. The ride and handling are pretty much what I expected from a gas-electric powered car. I would definitely recommend this car.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Toyota Prius c problems:
2018 Toyota Prius c Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Toyota Prius c? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Prius/Prius C Problem Spots? : r/Cartalk
Nov 7, 2018 ... Common issues are: inability to park. going 10 under in the left lane. hitting alot of kerbs. general worse driving. If any of these ...
Common issues with the c (2015 version)??? | PriusChat
Possibly due to it being a smaller battery than the regular Prius is the general assumption as to why. I don't recall ever hearing about anyone ...
2018 Prius C battery problems : r/MechanicAdvice
May 14, 2023 ... It only really dies if we haven't used it in a day or two but it's been bothering me. Well I've been jumping it with a jumper I got from Walmart ...
2013 Prius C type three power door lock problem | PriusChat
this is a common issue with the Prius C. Do a search, there's a thread where we give part numbers for replacement parts with 10 year warranties.
Other years of Toyota Prius c
Are you having problems with your 2018 Toyota Prius c?
Saige Kerluke 2024-11-18
My previous car was a 2006 Yaris, but with over 200,000 kilometers, it was time to get a newer model. I absolutely love Toyota; I find they provide the most value for my money. I was lucky enough to purchase my 2018 Prius C, used, with only 6000 kms on it. Although it's not as peppy as my old Yaris, I find it roomier inside and appreciate the longer car length. I was excited that it had the electronics that my Yaris didn't, but I'm still learning how to use them. The bluetooth can be a bit glitchy, but it's not a major issue. I've had my Prius C for almost a year and I'm still figuring out the heating and cooling, but it's not a big deal. All this being said, my Prius C gets me to work and back, and that's the most important thing.
Marco McGlynn 2024-10-20
While the car does have great mileage in traffic and city driving, I would not recommend it for highway use. In my experience, the car's MPG falls short of the advertised amount when driving at speeds over 70 MPH. Additionally, the car's acceleration and power may not provide the safest driving experience. Even when fully pressing the accelerator, the car struggles to reach highway speeds and can lose momentum on hills. However, the car's performance in traffic is impressive.
Carol Mayert 2024-09-09
If you're looking for a car that's environmentally friendly, this one might be a good option. However, I had some trouble with the controls during my rental period. The pedals and steering wheel didn't provide much feedback, which made it difficult to brake smoothly. Additionally, the acceleration and handling left something to be desired. The ride was a bit rough and noisy, and the seats weren't very comfortable. Lastly, the car has a CVT which can be a bit loud. Overall, while this car may have some benefits, it may not be the best fit for everyone.