Verdict
2016 Toyota Prius c: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2016 Toyota Prius c — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most hatchback.
Owners filed 12 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 75% of 2016 hatchbacks. Tires leads the reports (25%). No safety recalls on record.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2016 hatchbacks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
12
Reports to NHTSA, 2016
Safety recalls
0
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
50
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 75% of 2016 hatchbacks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2016 hatchbacks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Tires issues lead owner complaints (25% of 12 reports), followed by electrical system (17%).
Share of all 12 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11609943, ODI 11607627, ODI 11681053.
Recalls
0 recalls — none issued for this model year as of Jul 2026. Recall records can change as NHTSA publishes new campaigns.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
1 NHTSA investigation on record
Investigations are agency reviews, not findings that a vehicle is defective.
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
Crash-test ratings
2016 Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD NHTSA source
- Overall
- Frontal
- Side
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius c | 1.5L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 53 | 46 | 50 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2016 Toyota Prius c: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2016 Toyota Prius c?
Owners filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the 2016 Toyota Prius c — fewer complaints than 75% of comparable 2016 hatchbacks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2016 Toyota Prius c?
The most-reported problem areas are Tires (25% of complaints) and electrical system (17%).
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Prius c have?
No safety recalls are on record for the 2016 Toyota Prius c as of Jul 2026.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Prius c get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Prius c at 50 mpg combined.