2018 Toyota Prius C Safety Report

2018 Toyota Prius C: Good Crash Ratings, Two Recalls Including Loss of Drive Risk, and Reports of Pre-Collision System Failures and Exploding Moonroofs

6Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
1Crash Reports
3Injuries
Most reported components: Unknown Or Other (2)Power Train,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine (1)Electrical System (1)Steering,Unknown Or Other (1)Visibility/Wiper (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Toyota Prius C

The 2018 Toyota Prius C presents a generally solid safety profile, earning 4 out of 5 stars in Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover crash tests from NHTSA. This indicates good performance in controlled crash scenarios. However, the vehicle has been subject to 2 recalls, one of which addresses a critical safety concern related to the hybrid propulsion system's DC-DC converter, which could lead to a loss of drive and increase crash risk. The other recall pertains to missing air bag and child occupant seating position labels, potentially leading to improper restraint usage and increased injury risk. NHTSA complaint data, though limited with only 6 total complaints, reveals some concerning patterns. There was 1 reported crash and 3 injuries. A significant complaint pattern involves the 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' category, with 2 complaints, one of which describes a pre-collision system malfunction leading to the car stopping and steering locking while driving. Another 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' complaint details an exploding moonroof, causing injury. The 'POWER TRAIN, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE' category also has a complaint describing the car stopping itself and steering locking due to a pre-collision system malfunction. Specific issues highlighted in complaints include the pre-collision system malfunctioning or not working since new, and the unexpected explosion of the moonroof, which resulted in injuries. There's also a unique complaint regarding the lack of OEM or aftermarket replacement for the 12V battery, which, while not directly a safety issue, could lead to vehicle immobility. Despite the good crash test ratings, the recalls and specific complaints about critical system failures and unexpected component explosions warrant attention.

Reliability Score

The 2018 Toyota Prius C receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2018 Toyota Prius C

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Toyota Prius C:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Dc-Dc Converter Failure
Recall issued for DC-DC converter failure, potentially leading to auxiliary battery not receiving power and a loss of drive, increasing crash risk.
High Occasional N/A miles
Pre-Collision System Malfunction/Failure
System malfunction reported, causing the car to stop itself and steering to lock while driving. Also reported as never working since new.
High Occasional new-unknown miles
Exploding Moonroof
Moonroof unexpectedly exploded while driving, showering glass and causing injury.
High Rare unknown miles
Missing Air Bag/Child Restraint Labels
Recall issued for missing labels, potentially leading to improper restraint usage and increased injury risk in a crash.
Medium Occasional N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Toyota Prius C:

Unknown Or Other 33% of complaints

Includes issues like pre-collision system malfunction leading to vehicle stopping/steering lock, and exploding moonroof.

Power Train, Vehicle Speed Control, Engine 17% of complaints

One complaint describes the car stopping itself and steering locking due to a pre-collision system malfunction.

Electrical System 17% of complaints

Complaint regarding the lack of OEM/aftermarket replacement for the unique 12V battery.

Visibility/Wiper 17% of complaints

One complaint related to an exploding moonroof.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Toyota Prius C

Is the 2018 Toyota Prius C safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 Toyota Prius C received good crash test ratings (4 stars overall, frontal, side, and rollover). However, it has two recalls, one for a DC-DC converter failure that can cause a loss of drive, and another for missing safety labels. There are also complaints about the pre-collision system malfunctioning and an exploding moonroof, indicating some critical safety concerns despite good crash test performance.

What are common problems with the 2018 Toyota Prius C?

The most reported issues, based on limited NHTSA complaints, include malfunctions with the pre-collision system (leading to the car stopping and steering locking), and unexpected moonroof explosions. There's also a recall for a DC-DC converter that could cause a loss of drive.

Are there any recalls for the 2018 Toyota Prius C?

Yes, there are two recalls for the 2018 Toyota Prius C. One is for the HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM (DC-DC converter failure) which can lead to a loss of drive, and the other is for EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS (missing air bag/child occupant labels) which could increase injury risk.

How does the 2018 Toyota Prius C perform in crash tests?

The 2018 Toyota Prius C performed well in NHTSA crash tests, receiving 4 out of 5 stars for Overall, Frontal, Side, and Rollover safety ratings.

What should I know about the pre-collision system in the 2018 Toyota Prius C?

NHTSA complaints indicate that the pre-collision system in the 2018 Toyota Prius C has been reported to malfunction, with one instance leading to the car stopping and steering locking while driving, and another complaint stating it never worked since the car was new.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2018 Toyota Prius C has good crash test ratings, be aware of two recalls, particularly the one for potential loss of drive, and investigate if the pre-collision system and moonroof issues have been addressed or are common concerns.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Toyota Prius C

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Toyota Prius C. The data includes 6 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 1 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 Toyota Prius C an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 4 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.