Toyota Prius C Complaints

191 consumer complaints on file.

#10884799July 14, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS
THE PRIUS C IS MADE IN JAPAN. THEY ARE COATING THE WIRING AND SEAT FOAM WITH SOYBEAN OIL AND PEANUT OIL. MICE ARE NOW EATING THE WIRING AND SEAT FOAM AND ANY ELECTRICAL OR RUBBER PARTS IN THE PRIUS C
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10876858June 27, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
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).
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10874360June 15, 2016
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2012 PRIUS C BOTH REAR TAIL LIGHTS FILLED WITH WATER AND FAIL - TRUE SAFETY HAZARD - NO RESPONSE FROM TOYOTA BUT THERE ARE 100'S OF COMPLAINTS ON USER SITES.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10853183April 3, 2016
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN IN THE HIGH 80S+ OUTSIDE, MY 2012 PRIUS C, BOUGHT NEW, HAS NOT STARTED FROM IN A STOPPED POSITION, WITH ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ACTIVATING &, MANY TIMES, THE HYBRID SYSTEM SHUTTING DOWN WHILE I'M TRYING TO EXIT A DRIVEWAY OR GARAGE, CITY STREET OR PARKING THE VEHICLE, CREATING A SUDDEN STALL & LEAVING ME IN THE PATH OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP MANY TIMES & THEY INSIST MY CAR CAN'T BE DOING WHAT IT'S DOING BECAUSE THEY SEE NO CODES & IGNORE MY SCREENSHOTS, PICS & VIDEO. WHEN I ASK THEM WHY MY CAR HAS SAME "SYMPTOMS" AS OTHERS OF THE SAME MAKE, MODEL & YEAR, THEIR REPLY IS THAT MY SPECIFIC CAR HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. THEY WILL NOT EVEN LOOK TO SEE IF THERE ARE PROBLEMS WITH THE SENSOR, INVERTER OR SOFTWARE. MY CAR HAS ONLY 8700 MILES ON IT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT CAUSE I HAVE NO CLUE WHAT IT'S GOING TO DO & THE DEALERSHIP IS UNCONCERNED. IT SEEMS NEITHER THE NHTSA NOR TOYOTA GIVES A [XXX] ABOUT SAFETY. I THINK THE ISSUE IS THE SOFTWARE IN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROLS OF THE CAR, WITH CURRENT SETTINGS THAT COULD CREATE HEAT IN SOME OF THE TRANSISTORS. 2012 TOYOTA PRIUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: SOFTWARE, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER NHTSA CAMPAIGN #14V053000. SUMMARY: IN THE AFFECTED VEHICLES, THE INTELLIGENT POWER MODULE (IPM) INSIDE THE INVERTER MODULE (A COMPONENT OF THE HYBRID SYSTEM) CONTAINS TRANSISTORS THAT MAY BECOME DAMAGED FROM HIGH OPERATING TEMPERATURES. IF THIS OCCURS, VARIOUS WARNING LAMPS WILL BE ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ...CONSEQUENCE:THE VEHICLE MAY ENTER A FAIL-SAFE/LIMP-HOME MODE THAT LIMITS THE DRIVABILITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE HYBRID SYSTEM COULD ALSO SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. JUST CAUSE MY SPECIFIC CAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DOESN'T MEAN IT SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN WHEN IT IS DOING THE EXACT SAME THING THAT THE OTHER RECALLED CARS ARE DOING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10851386March 24, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DUPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,300.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10822479January 27, 2016
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING MY PRIUS C 2013, WITH 11,484 MILES, FOR 5 MINUTE, THE MESSAGE PANEL INDICATE IMMIEDIATE STOP AT SAFE PLACE WITH ALL PRECAUTIONS. HABRID SYSTEM NOT FUCNTIONING.. 6 OR 7 WARNING LIGHTS APPEAR ON DISPLAY PANEL. AND MOTOR BECOMES UNSTABLE OF ITS RPM'S. AND STARTS HESITATION. CAR IN DEALERS SHOP FOR 3 DAYS WITH NO IDEA OF REASONS FOR THIS OCCURRENCE.FORTUNETLY I WASN'T ON HIGHWAY OR TURNPIKE, I WAS 3 MINUTES FROM MY HOME.. TOYOTA DOES NOT PROVIDE ROADSIDE ASSITTENCE EVEN IF YOU BOUGHT CAR NEW WITHIN 36,000 MILES OR 3 YEAR WARRENTY.??????
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820898January 19, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BRAKE BOOSTER W/ MASTER ECM COMMUNICATION MALFUNCTION -UNABLE TO COMMUNICATE AND PERFORMS ABS, ANTI SLIPPERY AND BRAKE PEDAL TO LOW. THE MALFUNCTION INCLUDES WARNING LIGHTS PANEL TO STAY ON.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10820801January 18, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
"TAKATA REPORT" COMUNICATION CIRCUIT MALFUNCTION C 1203 ECM - BRAKE BOOSTER W/MASTER, DURING OPERATION ALL INDICATOR LIGHTS AT THE DASH WENT ON PERMANENTLY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10819384January 11, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKES ARE VERY SENSITIVE DURING WET WEATHER. IT TAKES GREAT EFFORT TO AVOID A SKID. ONCE THE BRAKES WARM UP THE PERFORMANCE IS NORMAL. THE DEALER RESURFACED THE FRONT ROTORS WHICH FIXED THE PROBLEM IN THE SHORT TERM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM IS RETURNING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10818023January 5, 2016
AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS
CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A 18+ CAR ACCIDENT. TRAVELING AT APPROX 55MPH ALL TRAFFIC CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. THE CAR DID STOP BEFORE IMPACT. DRIVER PRESSED HIMSELF TO THE SEAT WHILE SLAMMING ON BREAKS. A CAR SLAMMED INTO THE BACK OF THE PRIUS WHICH SHOT THE PRIUS FORWARD, WEDGING IT BETWEEN THE 2 VEHICLES IN FRONT OF IT. UPON IMPACT WITH THE CARS IT WAS SLAMMED INTO THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK. DRIVER FLEW FORWARD BREAKING BONES IN HIS FACE AND OBTAINED INJURIES TO A KNEE FROM IMPACTING THE CONSOLE, AND WHIPLASH. A CHILD PASSENGER IN THE BACK SEAT OBTAINED A KNOT ON HEAD AND WHIPLASH. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE BELT ELR DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#10782327October 15, 2015
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED, AND THE BRAKES HESITATED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE COMPUTER NEEDED TO BE RESET. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V053000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,000. UPDATED 1/15/16 *CN UPDATED 11/30/2017*JS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10749290August 17, 2015
AIR BAGS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10704787April 9, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS MOISTURE WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT CAUSED MOLD TO GROW INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10691187February 27, 2015
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I HAVE HAD MY TOYOTA PRIUS C FOR 1.5 YEARS. I WAS ASSURED IT WAS A SAFE CAR. HOWEVER THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS. THE CAR HAS AN AUTO TRACTION CONTROL THAT WILL TURN ON DURING FLURRIES OR IF THERE ARE WET LEAVES OR RAIN. WHEN THE TRACTION CONTROL (A SAFETY FEATURE) TURNS ON MY WHEELS STOP,MY BRAKES STOP, I CANNOT CONTROL MY STEERING AND I AM BASICALLY AT THE MERCY OF THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN IN SEVERAL NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS 55-65 MPH, AND ON BACK ROADS 25MPH+ AND ON TURNS WHERE I AM GOING 2-4 MPH AT A GLIDE, OR ON HILLS, BECAUSE THE CAR WILL TURN ON THE AUTO TRACTION AND I LOSE COMPLETE CONTROL. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS BASED ON THIS FEATURE OF THE CAR (WHICH OTHER CARS HAVE A FEATURE TO TURN OFF THE TRACTION) YET TOYOTA HAS DONE NOTHING. PEOPLE HAVE FOUND A WAY TO SHUT OFF THE TRACTION THEMSELVES IN NEWER MODELS THROUGH A SET OF STEPS THAT COULD BLOW THE ENGINE, YET THEY SAY THE RISK IS THE SAFER OPTION. A GOOGLE SEARCH WILL SHOW THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE THEIR LIFE IS IN DANGER BECAUSE OF HOW BAD THIS FEATURE IS IN BAD WEATHER. THIS CAR CANNOT HANDLE ANY TYPE OF BAD WEATHER. I TRIED TO GO TO A TOYOTA MECHANIC (JONES JUNCTION IN BEL AIR MARYLAND) AND WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND I WOULD JUST HAVE TO CRASH MY CAR IN A POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T WANT TO BE LIABLE. I FEEL LIKE MY LIFE AND THOSE AROUND ME ARE IN DANGER BECAUSE THE CAR SO EASILY GOES OUT OF CONTROL. I CAN'T EVEN GET IN MY OWN DRIVEWAY OR MOVE IF THERE IS 1 INCH OF SNOW BECAUSE EVERYTHING SHUTS OFF AND I GET STUCK IN THE STREET. I'M SCARED IN THIS CAR BUT I CANNOT RETURN IT BECAUSE I WOULD LOSE SO MUCH MONEY. THIS "SAFETY FEATURE" PUTS LIVES IN DANGER AND THERE IS NO OPTION TO TURN IT OFF UNLIKE OTHER BETTER CAR MODELS. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THEIR PRIUS AND PRIUS C AND PRIUS V CARS SO OWNERS CAN HAVE THE OPTION OF TURNING ON OR OFF THE TRACTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10672743January 15, 2015
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
WE HAVE REPLACED 3 HEAD LAMP BULBS IN THE PAST 6 WEEKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10668239December 25, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
AT APPROXIMATELY 2:10PM ON MONDAY DECEMBER 10, 2014 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM A BRIEF TRIP. I WAS MAKING THE 90 DEGREE RIGHT TURN INTO MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I FELT MY CAR, A PRIUS, ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. BUT THIS ACCELERATION WAS NOT LIKE WHAT YOU GET WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS. IT WAS AS IF THE CAR HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN AND IT WAS GOING TO GO! THIS CAR HAS A LOW HORSEPOWER ENGINE AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ME BEING ABLE TO "LAY RUBBER" WITH THIS VEHICLE AND YET THE PHOTOS MY HUSBAND TOOK LATER CLEARLY SHOW TIRE MARKS ON THE ASPHALT DRIVEWAY. THE CAR HIT MY NEIGHBOR'S CONCRETE BLOCK RETAINING WALL AND CLIMBED IT. THE UPWARD THRUST WAS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE CAR FLIPPED OVER AND CAME TO REST ON ITS WINDSHIELD. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED, BUT NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS UPSIDE DOWN, HANGING FROM THE SEAT BELT AND SHOULDER HARNESS. I WAS NOT HURT AS FAR AS I CAN DETERMINE, WHICH IS PRETTY AMAZING. I WAS ABLE TO EFFECT AN EXIT FROM THE VEHICLE, WITH ASSISTANCE, THROUGH THE SHATTERED WINDOW. OUR DRIVEWAY IS PRETTY SHORT SO ALL THIS HAPPENED WITHIN LESS THAN 3 SECONDS AND ~20 FEET. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653875November 10, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
BRAKING OFTEN BECOMES EXTREMELY AGGRESSIVE WHEN MOISTURE IS PREVALENT. INITIAL APPLICATION IS NORMAL, UNTIL DEEPER INTO THE BRAKING CYCLE. ONCE VEHICLE IS COMMITTED TO STOPPING AN ADDITIONAL (HARD BRAKE) SURGE THEN RENDERS SYSTEM INTO BECOMING FAR TOO AGGRESSIVE. THIS IS UNDER NORMAL BRAKING SCENARIOS REQUIRING ACTIVE OPERATOR ADJUSTMENTS TO STOP NORMALLY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10653254November 7, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA PRIUS C. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BACK AND KNEE INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND YARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10644776October 15, 2014
SEATS
METAL COMING THRU RIGHT SIDE OF SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10632714September 12, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT BEHIND TRAFFIC, MY CAR SUDDENLY SURGED. I WAS JUST SITTING THERE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD HIT ME FROM BEHIND, BUT WHEN I LOOKED UP THERE WAS NO CAR BEHIND ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND HAD PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE WHEN I FELT THE SURGE. I DID REPORT THIS WHEN I TOOK MY CAR IN TO BE SERVICED, ORR TOYOTA, SEARCY, ARKANSAS. THEY TOLD ME TO TELL THEM IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. SO FAR IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AGAIN. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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