Automakers research and develop and then test vehicles to ensure they are as safe and as reliable as possible. Sometimes problems occur only after owners have used those vehicles for thousands of miles. Manufacturers then have to issue recalls when wide-scale problems occur, with the goal of reducing the risk to drivers.
Are there any recalls on the 2015 Toyota Prius C?
Yes, as of September 2020, there have been two recalls issued for this vehicle. There have also been a number of consumer complaints about the vehicle. The recalls include:
- Hybrid system may shutdown and cause stall
- TPMS incorrectly calibrated
In this article, we’ll cover the recalls and discuss some of the most common complaints on the 2015 Toyota Prius C. Remember, these recalls and concerns can change over time. To stay up to date, always check the Vehicle History, especially before buying this car.
Consumer Complaints on the Toyota Prius C
As of September of 2020, over 75 complaints have been issued for the 2015 Prius C. The most significant complaints relate to the service brakes. Drivers report the brakes failing completely or failing to slow for a stop.
They also note a lack of warning lights that the brakes are not working properly. Numerous consumers report the vehicle’s brakes simply failed, without any wet conditions present. Owners also reported not being able to stop and, as a result, being involved in a crash.
Another area of concern relates to the electrical system in this vehicle. Owners report concerns related to the electrical system failing. Some drivers report a sudden loss of power to the electrical system, leading to the car stalling out.
There seems to be a significant amount of concern about the electrical system as the car moves from higher speeds down to 10/15 miles per hour. In these cases, there is no warning. The system simply stops working. This has led to instances of accidents.
Powertrain concerns also exist in some vehicles. This includes the engine not moving from one gear to the next, or there is a lack of power when the car is moved into a drive position.
Others report the car jolting or jerking forward, often leading to, or preceded by, a loss of power to the system. This happened to some people at full speed, leading to a sudden stop and injuries.
Other types of consumer complaints relate to the steering of the system, exterior lighting, and electronic stability control. There are some reports of airbags failing to deploy as they should.
There are also structure concerns related to the sunroof, wiper blades, and roof. There are several reports of the sunroof exploding, leading to flying debris.
Hybrid System May Shutdown and Cause Stall
NHTSA Recall ID: 20V369000
This recall was issued in June of 2020. It relates to the hybrid propulsion system. It may explain some of the related consumer complaints related to the powertrain, but not all. The affected vehicles may suffer excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM).
This component is located within the inverter. It can cause the hybrid system to simply stop working. This can lead to the vehicle stalling out.
If the system fails while a person is operating the vehicle, this can lead to a risk of an accident occurring. This tends to happen suddenly, leaving the vehicle at risk of being in an accident.
To fix this issue, Toyota notified owners of the problem. They then issued an upgrade to the hybrid system’s software. In situations where an inverter failure has occurred, the company would repair it or replace it before the software update.
This was only applicable in those vehicles where specific hybrid system faults had occurred as a result of this problem. The repairs for this recall began in July of 2020.
TPMS Incorrectly Calibrated
NHTSA Recall ID: 15V514000
In August of 2015, Toyota issued a recall related to the Prius C’s tires. This applies only to the 2015 Prius C vehicles made between April 20, 2015 and June 30, 2015. In these vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) has the wrong calibration to it. This may lead to the TPMS failing to warn drivers of low tire pressure.
This type of incident is a direct failure to comply with number 138 “Tire Pressure Monitoring System,” of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard. Should a driver be operating the vehicle and the tire pressure fails, the system may fail to alert the driver. That may lead to a sudden failure of the tire. That increases the risk of an accident occurring.
Toyota issued a recall by notifying owners of affected vehicles. They had the owners bring vehicles in to the dealership to recalibrate the TPMS. These repairs began in September of 2015.
How Do You Handle an Open Recall on the 2015 Toyota Prius C?
Are you unsure if the 2015 Toyota Prius C has a recall on it related to a problem you’re having? You can check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website for more information. Enter the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the car if you have it.
This will bring up a full list of recalls related to the car. It also outlines the recalls that still need to be serviced. You can then call Toyota’s recall customer service representatives at 1-866-405-4226. They will provide specific information about where to schedule service.
