2016 Toyota Prius V Safety Report
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Toyota Prius V. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (166) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 14 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Visibility/Wiper | Compare visibility/wiper issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2018 | Compare against the 2018 Toyota Prius V with 1 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Toyota Prius V before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Prius V Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Prius V years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota Prius V | 101 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Prius V | 139 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Toyota Prius V | 1 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Toyota Prius V Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Toyota Prius V, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Visibility/Wiper
32 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
20 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyAir Bags
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Toyota onlyVehicle Speed Control
8 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Vehicle Speed Control issues Toyota onlyEngine
6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
Reliability Score
The 2016 Toyota Prius V receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Prius V:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes Multiple reports of service brakes failing, leading to loss of control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags Air bags malfunctioning, causing potential safety concerns. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Hybrid Inverter Inverter issues in the hybrid propulsion system, leading to recalls. |
High | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Coolant Leak Coolant leaking without warning, causing sudden loss of power. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Toyota Prius V:
Frequent reports of brake failure.
Air bags malfunctioning in some vehicles.
Hybrid system issues leading to recalls.
Coolant leaking without warning.
Recall Details for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2016 Toyota Prius V by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Consequence: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer...
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Toyota Prius V
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Toyota Prius V with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 9 complaints involved crashes. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
On [XXX] at [XXX] I was backing out of a driveway when my 2016 Prius V5 accelerated on its own. When I applied the brakes, nothing happened. I hit a curb, which flattened the front passenger tire. In order to get the car to stop, I took it out of gear and put it in neutral. The car finally came to a stop. My speed while backing out of the driveway was less than 5 mph. It accelerated to about 15 mp...
Car was driving fine one day and then while driving down the interstate I had the Pre collision system malfunction error, Brake light came on, Cruise will not operate, ABS light is on. After much research it seems Prius V has a common issue with brake booster faulting.
The headlights are either too bright or aimed poorly that it blinds oncoming traffic, who frequently flash their high beams at me. This occurs without any load in back and without me using the high beams. Can Toyota either adjust the bulbs or place a film on the headlights to prevent blinding oncoming traffic? Thank you!
Water pump failed without warning and caused irreparable damage to the engine ("blown" engine requiring replacement). Vehicle began to stall and not respond to attempted acceleration while traveling on 4 lane divided highway, 55 mph speed limit. One "Maintenance Required" message was received the previous week, but disappeared. This is the same message that appears for routine oil changes. No ...
Refer to TSB 0135-19 dealer denied repairing under the California emissions defect and performance warranty.
My car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road with message "Hybrid system stopped steering power low". Safety concern to this happen on the middle of road during rain or cold.
Driving on the freeway the car stalled and was unable to accelerate. The issue seems identical to the 2020 recall. 2020-06-23 Recall no. 20V369000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system...
During summer months when temperatures are above 100 degrees when accelerating from a complete stop I can hear the engine rev and the RPMs increase but the vehicle will move at 1-2 mph. Even if the accelerator is to the floor. After 3-4 seconds the tires will squeal and the vehicle will be jolted forward then it will slowly accelerate. This happens occasionally and I have taken it to a Toyota deal...
We were driving in San Diego and had driven oven a bit pothole. About 50 miles after driving over the pothole, the brakes stopped working. We were pressing down hard on the brake, but the brake was soft and did not do its job. We almost rear ended the car in front of us. We brought the car right away to a close by auto shop and they said there were no leaks as the brake fluid was still close to th...
Paint is starting to peel around trunk, clear coat has peeled off of black triangle areas by rear passenger windows on both sides of vehicle. Other 2016 Prius have had a paint recall. My vehicle needs to be included in the recall.
While traveling on NHS CA 99 about 80 miles before taking exit 97, there were pieces of tire debri on the center lane. It couldn’t be spotted and my vehicle drove over it making a big thud sound. It shaked my vehicle and left my family scared. It could have been really dangerous if there was a vehicle right ahead or behind my car. This incident broke the front bumper and caused big dent on my rig...
Starting in about 2019, the exterior black panel behind the rear right mirror began peeling. Soon, the blue exterior paint on the car began to show damaged spots, lining up with the parts of the car most exposed to the sun: the roof most of all, but the top panel behind the rear window and the top of the trunk showing signs of damage as well. The beginnings of this damage are also appearing on a c...
While driving vehicle on the freeway it stated braking power low, stop in a safe place, antilock brake system malfunction, pre-collision system malfunction, lane departure alert malfunction. I was almost in a major scary accident.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated while driving at approximately 70 MPH, the steering wheel stopped operating and the vehicle began to shut down. The contact stated that a yellow blinking light and a hybrid system malfunction warning light illuminated the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the hybrid battery was low...
Coolant is leaking. There were no indicator that coolant is low. Suddenly while trying to get on the freeway the car would not get up to speed regardless how much pressure was put on the pedals. On the way back home, all of a sudden the engine temperature light flashed on then off twice. The car operated like normal but it was still concerning and we had it checked out. Coolant was leaking but no...
I reported issues with this car in 2018. Clicking sounds under the car which is still happening, peeling paint on exterior and inside door areas, substandard windshield that spread in a very unusual pattern when hit by a small rock. The NHTSA ID Number that was assigned to these complaints is [XXX] . None of these problems have been addressed. There are other owners that have experienced the s...
We were driving kids to camp and the thermometer light went on. It was blinking for a while, then turned off and then turned steadily on. We weren't sure what to do, so we called our trusty mechanic who said "bring it in right now." We did and it turned out that this was a broken head gasket. Our car is regularly maintained by a trusted Prius mechanic and has less than 78K miles, despite its age. ...
Driving on freeway my prius V started shaking violently from what appeared to be overheating of water pump failure or the coolant invertor pump. I believe this to be a known issue Toyota is aware of when I took my Prius into Camelback Toyota in Phoenix they said they could not recreate the issues. I know this was powertrain failure that could have caused me to crash on the freeway.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Mastercraft, Tire Size: 195/65/15, DOT Number: (Not Available). The contacted stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle began to violently shake and vibrated. After stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the passenger’s side rear tire had experienced sidewall steel belt separation. The ca...
On September 2022 (at 46K) Dealer did TSB related fix on my 2016 Prius. PFA for service record. They replaced Exhaust Front Pipe, which is suggested work from Toyota PFA for Toyota Technical Bulletin. T-SB-0135-19 At 51,747 on March 1st 2023 around 8 40 am, while we are driving on highway at 70 mph suddenly Check Engine Light, Coolant light, Hybrid related lights were on Vehicle lost the control,...
Showing 20 of 166 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota Prius V
Has the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V have?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V has 166 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 14 involved crashes. 8 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V involve visibility/wiper (32 complaints), unknown or other (20 complaints), service brakes (9 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, vehicle speed control, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V have?
There are 14 crash reports associated with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V out of 166 total complaints (8.4% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
8 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 166 complaints, 1 recalls. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (32 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (20 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (9 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 5. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (8 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 32 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
Be cautious of potential brake and air bag issues, and be aware of hybrid inverter recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V has 166 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 166 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 14 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Service Brakes and Air Bags.
What are the known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V?
Known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS V include: Service Brakes, Air Bags, Hybrid Inverter, Coolant Leak. These are based on patterns found across 166 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 Toyota Prius V?
Yes, there are recalls related to the hybrid inverter system.
What are the common issues with the service brakes?
Service brakes have been reported to fail, leading to loss of control.
Are there any coolant leak issues?
Yes, coolant leaks have been reported without any warning signs.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of potential brake and air bag issues, and be aware of hybrid inverter recalls. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota Prius V
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota Prius V. The data includes 166 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 14 reported crashes, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16