ToyotaPrius C2019Overview/toyota/prius-c/2019/base/

2019 Toyota Prius C

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2019 Prius C.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (variable gear ratios)

The 2019 Prius C is a compact passenger car built on Toyota’s hybrid platform and equipped with an automatic transmission that varies gear ratios to optimize efficiency. Its 3.9‑quart 0W‑20 oil capacity pairs with an EPA rating of 48 mpg city, 43 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined, underscoring the model’s fuel‑conserving design. Across its 2013‑2019 production span the vehicle logged a modest 29 total owner complaints and three recalls, with the lowest complaint year recorded in 2018 at just six reports, indicating that the 2019 iteration sits toward the more reliable end of the model’s history.

Model year202120202019201820172016201520142013

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque76 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy48/43/46 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI LN0 Vented to the outside. · 280 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 LN0 Vented to the outside. · 280 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnCANHOEM · verified
Tire sizeP175/65R15 84HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter90915YZZN1
Engine air filter1780121060
Spark plug9091901265
Battery2880021213
Front wiper blades8522252270 alt 8521252220
Thermostat1632647020 alt 1603121010
Cabin air filter8713907020 alt 8713950100

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 / combined48 / 43 / 46 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 holds 3.9 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Dot 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 76 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity3.5 qt
Brake FluidDot 3
Engine CoolantHOAT
Engine Coolant Capacity5.6, Inverter
Engine Oil0W-20
Engine Oil Capacity3.9 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.9 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts94.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)14.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)32.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)15.0 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts15 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts76 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub159.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1000 Checking Speed rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerToyota
Spark Plug Gap.028
Spark Plug Torque13 ft-lbs
Ignition Timing12

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity0.812 - 1.037 lbs
Oil GroupPOE
Oil TypeND-11 or equivalent
Oil Capacity3.90 - 4.40 oz
Standard BCI Group NumberLN0 Vented to the outside.
Standard BCI Cranking Performance280 cca

Service checks

RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0
RPM44.0-50.0 @ Idle rpm
Residual Pressure21.0

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25.0 ft-lbs; Rear: NS
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 79.0 ft-lbs; Rear: NS
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.0394; Rear: 0.0394 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .748
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002 Measure
Maximum Drum DiameterRear: 9.040

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.11 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Turn 90°, Step 3: Turn 90°.22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90°. Step 3: Repeat Step 2.22 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
116 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°.16 ft. lbs

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)
At 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (inspect)
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 (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · 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)

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 2019 Toyota Prius C represents the culmination of a clear downward trend in reported issues across the generation. Federal complaints plummeted from a high of 403 in 2013 to zero in 2019, while recalls dropped from a peak of 5 in 2016 to just 1, and investigations remained at a low of 1. Technical Service Bulletins also fell sharply, from 550 in 2013 to 106 in 2019, indicating that most design and manufacturing concerns were resolved early in the model run. Although the target year’s top complaint areas include “Unknown or Other” (5) and minor brake and air bag mentions, the data does not specify root causes, and the overall complaint volume is negligible. This model year sits at the very end of the generation’s improvement arc, suggesting exceptional reliability. For a used purchase, the 2019 Prius C is a standout choice.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
138
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
29
Owner complaints
7 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 29 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other5
Service Brakes2
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes2
Air Bags2
Tires2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Service Brakes,Lane Departure,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V876000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 11/12/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Prius vehicles. An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the flash memory chip (ROM) production date, and if necessary, replace it along with the combination meter circuit board, free…

19V544000Electronic Stability Control (Esc)Reported 24/07/2019

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 138 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-TT-0790-252025-08-20Electrical SystemSome customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using…
T-TT-0784-25 Rev12025-06-17EngineSome ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-TT-0784-252025-06-13EngineSome ECUs can set a DTC that is common with other ECUs. This can lead to accidental use…

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

How much oil does the 2019 Prius C take?

3.9 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2019 Prius C have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Prius C get?

EPA figures are 48 city / 43 highway / 46 combined mpg.