VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota Highlander problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2016 Toyota Highlander is among the quieter years of the Highlander on NHTSA's books: 137 complaints (42% below the model's median year), 3 recalls, and no open investigations. Complainants reported 17 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across other (21), brakes (19), and electrical system (18), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

137

NHTSA complaints

3

Recalls

0

Investigations

22

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

17

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Highlander years?

Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted613 complaints1997: 1 complaints1998: 1 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 0 complaints2001: 158 complaints2002: 335 complaints2003: 316 complaints2004: 337 complaints2005: 289 complaints2006: 344 complaints2007: 159 complaints2008: 502 complaints2009: 178 complaints2010: 272 complaints2011: 229 complaints2012: 228 complaints2013: 280 complaints2014: 158 complaints2015: 245 complaints2016: 137 complaints2017: 364 complaints2018: 342 complaints2019: 613 complaints2020: 348 complaints2021: 590 complaints2022: 291 complaints2023: 219 complaints2024: 54 complaints2025: 9 complaints2026: 1 complaints
Highlander NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Highlander years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Highlander problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other2115%
Brakes1914%
Electrical System1813%
Tires & Wheels118%
Airbags107%
Engine107%
Visibility & Wipers97%
Lighting86%
Steering64%
Driver Assistance43%
Seats43%
Speed Control43%
Body & Structure43%
Fuel System43%
Suspension21%
Seat Belts11%
Latches & Locks11%
Transmission11%

Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18E107000Visibility & WipersNovember 27, 2018 · 8,202 units

Defect

Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).

Consequence

The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.

16V775000Electrical SystemOctober 24, 2016 · 7,056 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness, preventing the sensor from detecting the brake fluid level. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Consequence

If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, connect the wire harness to the sensor, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this G03.

16V420000OtherJune 9, 2016 · 4,253 units

Defect

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Consequence

An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I was traveling on an interstate going home from work. My speed was approximately 65mph. I noticed traffic slowing up ahead. I began to drop my speed (cost down), as I was approaching the traffic the car in front of me was applying their brakes; I had already began to apply mine. I was applying…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 21, 2025 · crash

“I WAS IN A PARKING LOT TRYING TO PARK MY CAR I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BREAK TO STOP THE CAR AND PUT INTO REVERSE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED INSTEAD OF STOPPING. THE HARDER I PUSHED THE BREAKS THE FASTER IT ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 26, 2017 · crash

“PARKING SENSORS AND PARK ASSIST RANDOMLY TURNS ITSELF OFF. WILL NOTICE THE SENSORS NOT DETECTING WHILE BACKING UP AND NOTICE DASH LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED. NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN BACKING AND PARKING.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 7, 2019 · crash

“I was driving on a 2-lane road early in the morning with light snowfall. There was about 1" of snow on the road, with the roads not yet plowed or treated as it was the beginning of the snowfall. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of the road and let up on…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 17, 2026 · crash

“WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS COLDER LIKE 35 DEGREES OR LOWER I AM HAVING ISSUES STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALREADY CHANGED THE BATTERY BUT IT DID NOT HELP. I HAD THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER FOR 10 DAYS BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. IN THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR RENTAL AND OTHER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 1, 2018

2016 Toyota Highlander — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Highlander reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 137 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Highlander year, with 3 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 Highlander problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are other (21 complaints), brakes (19 complaints), electrical system (18 complaints).

Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota Highlander. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Highlander years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Highlander years to avoid are 2019, 2021, 2008, 2017. The cleanest record among Highlander years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Highlander?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Toyota Highlander earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.