ToyotaPrius C2016Overview/toyota/prius-c/2016/base/

2016 Toyota Prius C

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Prius C.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2016 Toyota Prius C is a passenger car equipped with an automatic transmission utilizing variable gear ratios and an EPA-rated fuel economy of 53/46/50 mpg. With five recalls and 162 total owner complaints—primarily centered on visibility and wipers—this model year occupies a middle ground in the 2013-2019 production run. It represents a significant decrease in issues from the model's peak of 403 complaints in 2013, though it remains well above the 2018 low of six complaints.

Model year202120202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy53/46/50 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S34B20R · 270 CCA battery, OE oil filter 90915YZZN1. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S34B20R · 270 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnCANHOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175/65R15, P195/50R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.0, 6.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121060
Spark plug9091901265
Battery2880021182
Front wiper blades8522252270 alt 8521252220
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1603121010
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (variable gear ratios)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length157.5 in
Overall width66.9 in
Overall height57.1 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2496 lb
Track (front / rear)57.1 / 56.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined53 / 46 / 50 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Engine CoolantHOAT
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Gap.028 - .032 (4) in
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing14 degrees
Ignition Timing Acceptable Variance2 degrees

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.80-1.10 lbs
Oil TypeND 8 oil
Standard BCI Group NumberS34B20R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance270 cca

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-50 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Engine Compressionpsi 96-126 / max variation 15 psi
Intake Valve Lash0.006-0.010 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.010-0.014 in

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque25 / Front: 25; Rear: NA
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt Torque79 / Front: 79; Rear: NA
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .748; Rear: NA
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002
Maximum Drum DiameterParking Brake 9.040

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAir Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Hybrid Inverter (inspect coolant level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miEngine Valves (inspect valve lash)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Toyota Prius C sits at a transitional point in the model's lifecycle: while complaints had been declining from 403 in 2013 down to 132 in 2015, 2016 shows an uptick to 162 complaints—though this remains well below the 2013 peak. Notably, 2016 carries the highest recall count in the generation at 5, compared to 2-3 for surrounding years, while TSBs dropped to 360 (down from 402 in 2015 and continuing a downward trajectory). The single investigation is also the lowest of the generation, suggesting reduced regulatory scrutiny. The top complaint areas—Visibility/Wiper at 32, Service Brakes at 11, and Tires at 8—indicate specific hardware or component issues that Toyota addressed through the elevated recall activity. By 2017, complaints fell to 101 and TSBs to 282, confirming the model stabilized after this model year. Given the higher recall count but improving trend afterward, the 2016 represents a slightly higher-risk year within the generation—worth negotiating a lower price and confirming all recall work has been completed before purchase.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
360
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
162
Owner complaints
8 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 162 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Visibility/Wiper32
Unknown Or Other20
Service Brakes11
Tires8
Vehicle Speed Control7
Engine6
Structure5
Exterior Lighting4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 360 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0119-15 Rev22026-02-13EngineOBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
T-SB-0009-262026-02-13EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high…
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0110-20 Rev22024-12-10EngineThis bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge at battery on high…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Prius C. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Prius C have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius C get?

EPA figures are 53 city / 46 highway / 50 combined mpg.