2016 Toyota Prius Safety Report
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Toyota Prius
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Toyota Prius. 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 | High (5) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (176) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | 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 | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Toyota Prius with 6 complaints and 0 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Toyota Prius before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Prius 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 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 | 100 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Prius | 147 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Toyota Prius | 34 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota Prius | 28 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Prius | 14 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Prius | 6 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Toyota Prius Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Toyota Prius, 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
33 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility/Wiper issues Toyota onlyUnknown Or Other
22 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota onlyService Brakes
10 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 onlyTires
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Tires issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota Prius
Reliability Score
The 2016 Toyota Prius receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Prius
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
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Prius:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter A capacitor issue in the inverter can cause the hybrid propulsion system to stop, leading to a loss of steering power and low braking power. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Electrical System Wiring Recalled due to potential issues with wiring in the electrical system, which can lead to various malfunctions. |
Medium | Rare | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bags (Frontal Passenger Side) Recalled due to a faulty inflator module that can cause the air bag to deploy improperly, posing a safety risk. |
High | Rare | 0-100k miles |
| Parking Brake Recalled due to a potential failure of the parking brake, which can lead to sudden and unexpected vehicle movement. |
Medium | Rare | 0-100k 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:
Issues with the hybrid propulsion system, including the inverter, have been reported.
Problems with the electrical system, particularly wiring, have been reported.
Air bag malfunctions, especially in the passenger side frontal air bag, have been reported.
Parking brake failures have been reported, leading to potential safety concerns.
Recall Details for the 2016 Toyota Prius
The following 5 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota Prius by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
Summary: 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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Toyota Prius
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Toyota Prius with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
Found coolant leak from heat exchanger into exhaust pipe. Looks like, T-SB-0135-19.
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...
See attached document for complaint
Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted. This is a manufacturing quality issue.
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.
Showing 20 of 176 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Toyota Prius
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Electrical System:Propulsion System
Opened 2023-01-27 · Closed 2023-08-07
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-spe...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota Prius
Has the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS has 5 recalls 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 have?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS has 176 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. 8 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS involve visibility/wiper (33 complaints), unknown or other (22 complaints), service brakes (10 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, vehicle speed control, tires.
How many crash reports does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
8 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS is acceptable with caveats. It has 176 complaints, 5 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS are: 1. VISIBILITY/WIPER (33 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (22 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (10 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (8 complaints), 5. VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (8 complaints). VISIBILITY/WIPER is the single most-reported problem area with 33 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and be aware of potential electrical and hybrid system problems. Regular maintenance is crucial. The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS has 176 NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
The 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 176 owner complaints, 5 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter and Electrical System Wiring.
What are the known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS?
Known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS include: Hybrid Propulsion System Inverter, Electrical System Wiring, Air Bags (Frontal Passenger Side), Parking Brake. These are based on patterns found across 176 NHTSA complaints. 5 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2016 Toyota Prius?
Visibility and wiper issues, cruise control and parking brake malfunctions, and air bag malfunctions are the most common issues.
Are there any recalls related to the 2016 Toyota Prius?
Yes, recalls have been issued for hybrid propulsion system inverter issues, electrical system wiring problems, air bag malfunctions, and parking brake failures.
What should I do if I experience sudden brake failure?
Pull over to a safe location, check for any visible issues, and contact a mechanic for further inspection and repair.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of visibility and wiper issues, and be aware of potential electrical and hybrid system problems. Regular maintenance is crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota Prius
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota Prius. The data includes 176 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 5 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 8 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Toyota Prius an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
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