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.
The worst 2018 Toyota Prius C problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Acceleration1
- Electrical1
- Engine1
- Steering1
- Transmission1
- Visibility1
Recalls 2
Hybrid propulsion system
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 19V491000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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."
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 18V176000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2018 Toyota Prius C
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency 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 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, the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency 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 the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2018 Toyota Prius C 172
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited...
- Although the Brake Booster and Brake Booster Pump Assemblies are covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited...
- Condition in which the brake, ABS, and/or TRAC warning lights are on, and/or a Check VSC message display
- Obsolete notice
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
2018 Toyota Prius C fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.5L 4‑cyl Hybrid | FWD | 48 | 43 | 46 |
What 2018 Toyota Prius C owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
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
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...
Compare the 2018 Toyota Prius C
Other model years
Questions about the 2018 Toyota Prius C
Is the 2018 Toyota Prius C reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2018 Toyota Prius C, fewer than a typical Prius C model year.
What is the 2018 Toyota Prius C year score?
The 2018 Toyota Prius C scores 90 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Toyota Prius C: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2018 Toyota Prius C?
Acceleration and speed control, with 1 complaint. Next is electrical (1).
How many recalls does the 2018 Toyota Prius C have?
2 recalls, covering hybrid propulsion system and equipment.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota Prius C get?
Official estimates for the 2018 Toyota Prius C range from 46 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.5L 4-cyl hybrid, FWD) gets 48 city and 43 highway.
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