Car Yearsto Avoid

2016 Toyota Prius Problems

What owners have reported about the 2016 Toyota Prius, which problems come up most, at what mileage, and which recalls to check.

From NHTSA owner complaints and recalls. Updated Oct 17, 2026.

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius a good year?

It's one of the better years for the Prius. Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 13 Prius model years. The most reported problems involve the wipers and visibility, electrical system and brakes.

155 complaints 5 recalls, 1 fire risk 9th worst of 13 Prius years

Top 2016 Toyota Prius problems

1

Wiper and visibility problems

41 complaints (27%) name the wipers and visibility, most often the interior and windshield.

Complaints 41 · Usually at 11,000–27,000 miles

2

Electrical problems

20 complaints (13%) name the electrical system, most often the 12v / 24v / 48v battery and fuses and circuit breakers.

Complaints 20 · Usually at 17,000–97,000 miles · Recall 18V579000

3

Brake problems

19 complaints (12%) name the brakes.

Complaints 19 · Usually at 3,000–23,000 miles

4

Engine problems

17 complaints (11%) name the engine, most often the pump.

Complaints 17 · Usually at 36,000–109,000 miles

Which parts fail most

Share of complaints that name each system. One complaint can name several.

Wipers and Visibility 27%
Unknown or Other 19%
Electrical 13%
Brakes 12%
Engine 11%
Transmission 10%
Acceleration 9%
Body 7%
Airbags 5%
Tires 5%

Mileage when it failed

Each dot is a complaint that gave a mileage (93 of 155). The amber line is the middle value, about 20,000 miles.

When problems were reported

Complaints by the year the problem happened.

2016 Toyota Prius recalls

Wiring

Fire risk

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. An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V579000 · Sep 2018

Frontal, Sensor / control module-inactive

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

Fix: 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.

Recall 18V085000 · Jan 2018

Inverter

Can stall

A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing. 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.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017.

Recall 17V658000 · Oct 2017

Parking brake cable may disengage

Crash risk

The parking brake cable can come loose from its mechanism. If the car is left in a gear other than Park with the engine on and the driver gets out, it can roll away unexpectedly and raise the risk of a crash.

Fix: The dealer will install a clip at the end of the parking brake cable to keep it from disengaging, and this repair is free.

Recall 16V741000 · Oct 2016

Inflator module

An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag. A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge.

Recall 16V672000 · Sep 2016
Check your VIN for open recalls

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We check NHTSA every month. If a new recall or safety investigation covers the 2016 Toyota Prius, you'll hear about it the same week.

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Prius years to avoid

Total NHTSA complaints by model year. Newer years have had less time on the road, so their totals will keep climbing. See the full comparison.

2010 Prius 2,823
2008 Prius 1,497
2011 Prius 521
2009 Prius 502
2012 Prius 424
2013 Prius 412
2014 Prius 208
2015 Prius 166
2016 Prius 155
2017 Prius 91
2018 Prius 37
2019 Prius 30
2024 Prius 27

Common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius a reliable year?

It's one of the better years for the Prius. Owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA, the 9th most of 13 Prius model years. The most reported problems involve the wipers and visibility, electrical system and brakes.

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Prius problems?

Owners most often report problems with the wipers and visibility, electrical system, brakes and engine. 41 complaints (27%) name the wipers and visibility, most often the interior and windshield.

At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Prius wipers and visibility problems start?

Reported mileage ranged widely, but most complaints fell between about 11,000–27,000 miles, with a middle value near 18,000 miles.

How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Prius have?

5. Wiring (18V579000); Frontal, Sensor / control module-inactive (18V085000); Inverter (17V658000). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if the work was done.

Should I buy a used 2016 Toyota Prius?

Ask for service records covering the wipers and visibility, confirm the recall work was done, and compare with the 2024, 2019 and 2018 models, which have the fewest complaints.

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls databases. Complaints are unverified owner reports. Counts include each complaint once per model year.