VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota Prius problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Toyota Prius sits mid-pack among Prius years: 215 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 211, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across visibility & wipers (42), other (31), and electrical system (23), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

215

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

6

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Prius years?

See all Prius years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Prius problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Visibility & Wipers4220%
Other3114%
Electrical System2311%
Brakes209%
Engine188%
Transmission147%
Speed Control136%
Tires & Wheels115%
Body & Structure115%
Airbags84%
Fuel System63%
Suspension52%
Seats31%
Lighting31%
Driver Assistance31%
Seat Belts21%
Steering21%

Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have recalls?

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

18V579000Electrical SystemSeptember 5, 2018 · 192,347 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.

Consequence

An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.

18V085000AirbagsJanuary 31, 2018 · 48,672 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.

Consequence

If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.

17V658000Fuel SystemOctober 18, 2017 · 6 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.

Consequence

If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.

16V741000BrakesOctober 14, 2016 · 91,585 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.

Consequence

If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.

16V672000AirbagsSeptember 16, 2016 · 7,817 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.

Consequence

A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

WINDSHIELD CHIPPED EASILY AND DEVELOPED INTO VERY LONG CRACK AFTER SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. POSSIBLE SOURCE OF INITIAL CRACK WAS UNSEEN PEBBLE/DEBRIS THAT HIT THE WINDSHIELD DURING FREEWAY DRIVING. REPLACEMENT CLAIMED THROUGH AUTO INSURANCE. THE RAPID AND GREAT INCREASE IN LENGTH OF CRACK IS VERY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · June 16, 2017

THE 2016 PRIUS IV WE JUST PURCHASED 2 WEEKS AGO COMES WITH A WHITE DASH! THE WHITE DASH CREATES A HORRIBLE GLARE WHEN TRYING TO LOOK OUT EITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER WINDOW! THE ONLY WAY TO AVOID GLARE IS DRIVE WITH WINDOWS DOWN ALL OF THE TIME. VISIBILITY IS GREATLY HAMPERED BY THE WHITE DASH…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 6, 2016

THE COATING ON THE WIRING SYSTEM ATTRACTED RODENTS TO MY CAR, THE RODENTS ATE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL AND TRIED TO NEST IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTS WERE MASSIVE SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 18, 2016

AS I TOOK A HIGHWAY EXIT, FOLLOWING BEHIND OTHER CARS DOING THE SAME, MY PRIUS REFUSED TO BRAKE EFFICIENTLY WHEN ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY INVADED OUR LINE. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES MADE A SLIGHT RELEASE OR COULDN'T REACH A FULL STOP. I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, AND I PRESSED THE BRAKES ON TIME BUT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · June 1, 2016 · crash

THE COATING ON THE WIRING SYSTEM ATTRACTED RODENTS TO MY CAR, THE RODENTS ATE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL AND TRIED TO NEST IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTS WERE MASSIVE SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 18, 2016

2016 Toyota Prius — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?

It is close to typical for the Prius: 215 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2016 Prius problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are visibility & wipers (42 complaints), other (31 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints).

Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota Prius. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Prius years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Prius years to avoid are 2010, 2007, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2011, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015. The cleanest record among Prius years belongs to 2000.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Prius?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Toyota Prius 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.