2015 Toyota Prius C Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2015 Toyota Prius C, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Electrical526.3%
- Engine315.8%
- Brakes315.8%
- Other / unspecified210.5%
- Body & structure210.5%
- Airbags210.5%
- Exterior lighting15.3%
- Interior & seats15.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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???
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 LEAVE STORAGE SITE EXPOSSING IT TO ME AS THE DRIVER. TIRE WARRANTY STATES CITY IS RESPONSIBLE TO CLEARING ROADS TO PREVENT UN EVEN TREAD OF TIRES ROLLING OVER CONCRETE PATH WAYS, TOYOTA ALLOWED TIRES TO RE ENTER CITY ROADS WITHOUT FILING WARRANTY UP TO 2 YEARS, MUST HAVE PURCHASE PAPERS TO FILE, TOYOTA BATTER COVERED FOR 8 YEARS, MY RES=2276 ORCHARD ST, LINCOLN, NE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
Unknown brake issues
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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 LEAVE STORAGE SITE EXPOSSING IT TO ME AS THE DRIVER. TIRE WARRANTY STATES CITY IS RESPONSIBLE TO CLEARING ROADS TO PREVENT UN EVEN TREAD OF TIRES ROLLING OVER CONCRETE PATH WAYS, TOYOTA ALLOWED TIRES TO RE ENTER CITY ROADS WITHOUT FILING WARRANTY UP TO 2 YEARS, MUST HAVE PURCHASE PAPERS TO FILE, TOYOTA BATTER COVERED FOR 8 YEARS, MY RES=2276 ORCHARD ST, LINCOLN, NE
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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 LEAVE STORAGE SITE EXPOSSING IT TO ME AS THE DRIVER. TIRE WARRANTY STATES CITY IS RESPONSIBLE TO CLEARING ROADS TO PREVENT UN EVEN TREAD OF TIRES ROLLING OVER CONCRETE PATH WAYS, TOYOTA ALLOWED TIRES TO RE ENTER CITY ROADS WITHOUT FILING WARRANTY UP TO 2 YEARS, MUST HAVE PURCHASE PAPERS TO FILE, TOYOTA BATTER COVERED FOR 8 YEARS, MY RES=2276 ORCHARD ST, LINCOLN, NE
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .