Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 Prius C.
The 2021 Toyota Prius C utilizes an automatic transmission with variable gear ratios to deliver EPA fuel economy ratings of 54/50/52 mpg. This model year records zero recalls and a total of six owner complaints, with the fuel and propulsion system identified as the top complaint area. While model complaint history from 2013 to 2019 shows a peak of 403 complaints in 2013, the 2021 figure matches the lowest recorded volume of six complaints from 2018, positioning this year at the most reliable end of the vehicle's documented history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (variable gear ratios) |
| Overall length | 178.7 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3064 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.2 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 60/40 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 54 / 50 / 52 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2021 Toyota Prius C represents the final model year of its generation, and the federal data reveals a clear downward trend in complaints and recalls as the lineup matured. Complaints peaked at 403 in 2013, steadily declining to zero by 2019, with only two isolated complaints in 2021—one related to minor fuel/propulsion and speed control issues, and another involving a crash incident (no fire complaints were recorded). Recalls followed a similar trajectory, dropping from five in 2016 to just one in 2019, with no recalls issued for the 2021 model year. The 2021 Prius C’s near-zero complaint volume and absence of recalls place it at the most stable point in the generation’s reliability arc, suggesting Toyota had resolved earlier issues. While the data doesn’t specify root causes for the few remaining complaints, their rarity implies they are likely isolated rather than systemic. **This makes the 2021 Prius C one of the strongest used-year choices in the lineup, assuming a well-documented service history.**
All 6 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 116 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| T-SB-0106-22 Rev2 | 2026-01-30 | Electrical System | OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26. |
| T-SB-0001-26 | 2026-01-28 | Electrical System | Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic… |
| T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 | 2026-01-07 | Unknown Or Other | Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a… |
| T-TT-0784-25 Rev1 | 2025-06-17 | Engine | Some ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use… |
| T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 | 2025-06-13 | Electrical System | The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 54 city / 50 highway / 52 combined mpg.