Model year guide

2018 Toyota prius c

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2018 Toyota prius c is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2018 Toyota prius c — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2018 Toyota prius c at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints6
Combined46 mpg

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2018 Toyota prius c recalls 2

Hybrid Propulsion System NHTSA Campaign #19V491000 · 26/06/2019

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.

Fix: 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.

Equipment:other:labels NHTSA Campaign #18V176000 · 15/03/2018

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."

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2018 Toyota prius c common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2018 Toyota prius c MPG & running costs

Combined46 mpg
City48 mpg
Highway43 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,450
EPA size classCompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume87 cu ft
Cargo volume17 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$4,750 less

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2018 Toyota prius c costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$7,250
Fuel only$7,250
Per mile$0.10

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2018 Toyota prius c trims & engines on record

Trims
One/Two/Three/Four
Engines
1.5L 4-cyl 72 hp

2018 Toyota prius c vehicles on record

Other Toyota prius c model years

2018 Toyota prius c — frequently asked questions

Does the 2018 Toyota prius c have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2018 Toyota prius c. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Toyota prius c?

Across all 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, vehicle speed control, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Toyota prius c get?

The 2018 Toyota prius c has a U.S. EPA estimate of 46 mpg combined (48 city / 43 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.