Model year guide

2016 Toyota prius c

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Toyota prius c is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 45 on record.

2016 Toyota prius c — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2016 Toyota prius c at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints162
Overall safety4 / 5 ★
Combined50 mpg
Typical price$14,206

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

2016 Toyota prius c recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2016 Toyota prius c.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. 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.

2016 Toyota prius c common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
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.
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.

2016 Toyota prius c safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 11.8% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2016 Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2016 Toyota prius c MPG & running costs

Combined50 mpg
City53 mpg
Highway46 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$1,350
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$5,250 less

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

What's a 2016 Toyota prius c worth?

Low
$12,100
Typical price
$14,206
High
$18,655

From 6 comparable 2016 Toyota prius c listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Toyota prius c costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$6,750
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,650
Total$10,400
Per mile$0.14

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($14,206) with the same model 4 model-years older ($11,276), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
157.5 in
Width
66.9 in
Height
57.1 in
Wheelbase
100.4 in
Curb weight
2,496 lb
Front track
57.1 in
Rear track
56.7 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2016 Toyota prius c. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

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…

NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 359

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 359.

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

Bulletin T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Engine · Feb 2026

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 shoul…

Bulletin T-SB-0009-26 · Engine · Feb 2026

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to p…

Bulletin T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Jan 2026

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Bulletin T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Electrical System · Jun 2025

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high voltage (HV) Ni-MH and Li-ion batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing the battery r…

Bulletin T-SB-0110-20 Rev2 · Engine · Dec 2024

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid,…

Bulletin T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before th…

Bulletin T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especiall…

Bulletin T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to r…

Bulletin T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, r…

Bulletin T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the PRIUS C FWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota prius c. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note:…

Transport Canada #2021723 · Nov 2021

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the electrical power cords of some dealer installed block heaters may have been improperly manufactured, causing the wires to contact each other, resulting in a short circuit. A short circuit could lead to a fire which would increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: For vehicles where the subject block heater was approved for instal…

Transport Canada #2017363 · Jul 2017

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Toyota prius c

The Toyota Prius c (c stands for "city"), also known as the Toyota Aqua (Japanese: トヨタ・アクア, Hepburn: Toyota Akua); "aqua" is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles. The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2016 Toyota prius c trims & engines on record

Engines
1.5L 4-cyl 72 hp

2016 Toyota prius c vehicles on record

Other Toyota prius c model years

2016 Toyota prius c — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Toyota prius c have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2016 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 done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota prius c?

Across all 162 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are visibility/wiper, electrical system, service brakes.

What is the 2016 Toyota prius c safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2016 Toyota prius c an overall crash-test rating of 4 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 4★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota prius c get?

The 2016 Toyota prius c has a U.S. EPA estimate of 50 mpg combined (53 city / 46 highway).

How much is a 2016 Toyota prius c worth?

Comparable 2016 Toyota prius c listings run roughly $12,100–$18,655, typically around $14,206 (from 6 vehicles).

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