← New search

2016 Toyota Prius V

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
Compare all Prius V years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 6 of 16 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

6 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

What owners actually said

16 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2025
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrash

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 …

Read full complaint

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 mph. I was told that because the tire flattened due to the force of impact with the curb, Toyota considered it an accident. Toyota had me complete an "Unintended Acceleration" form so they could investigate the situation. A case number ([XXX]) was assigned. I was also told that I needed to contact Toyota's Brand Engagement Center at (800) 331-4331. Toyota assigned Engineering Analysis Associates (EAA) to perform a thorough inspection and read out the Event Data Recorder (EDR) of my vehicle at Findlay Toyota. Anne Chapman with EAA did the inspection and sent a copy of the report to me on 09/15/25, the day of the inspection. She suggested that I keep the copy because I may need it if I needed to contact an attorney. My insurance company, USAA, sent an adjuster to examine the extent of the damage. Findlay Collision Center completed the repairs on 09/26/25, which cost $3,433.92. The accelerator nor the brakes were addressed. On 10/09/25, Toyota provided a response to the incident: they were not at fault. They claimed operator error. Unintended acceleration and unresponsive brakes have been an issue with Toyota's in the past. At that time, instead of fixing the problem, they told dealerships to educate their buyers on how to take the car out of gear. Approximately one week after picking up my car from the repair shop, the vehicle accelerated on its own again. Fortunately, the brakes worked this time. Because I felt very unsafe, I got rid of the car shortly after that incident. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #11704813

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2025
Electrical SystemService BrakesVehicle Speed Control

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.

NHTSA ODI #11657666

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

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 Intellig…

Read full complaint

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 to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven. I was told by the service center that my car is not on the recall list so they are unable to work it as a recall.

NHTSA ODI #11618479

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2024
Structure

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 ca…

Read full complaint

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 right door. This is a big monetary hole in my pocket. This is big concern and should be immediately addressed to avoid incidents further. Kindly let me know if there is a way to file a claim with NHST

NHTSA ODI #11590827

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2023
Power Train

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 fail…

Read full complaint

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.

NHTSA ODI #11515500

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2022
Air BagsCrash

While going 70 MPH, I hid a feral hog. Although the front end of my car crumpled up, and we came to a sudden stop, the air bags did not deploy.

NHTSA ODI #11461252

Mileage unknown · May 28, 2021
Air BagsCrash

Airbags failed to deploy upon impact with guardrail. Drivers side front corner hit the guardrail at approx. 45% angle at 50-60mph. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance rep. and was deemed a total loss. The car is available for inspection.

NHTSA ODI #11418913

70,000 miles · Apr 20, 2021
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHILE SLOWING AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, IN FRONT OF THE DENTIST OFFICE WHERE MY WIFE HAD AN APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURB, AND SHE STEERED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID THE BUILDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OH THE PARKING SPACE. SHE SIDESWIPED THE FRONT OF 2 VEHICLES PARKED NEXT TO THE SPACE SHE WAS MO…

Read full complaint

WHILE SLOWING AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, IN FRONT OF THE DENTIST OFFICE WHERE MY WIFE HAD AN APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURB, AND SHE STEERED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID THE BUILDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OH THE PARKING SPACE. SHE SIDESWIPED THE FRONT OF 2 VEHICLES PARKED NEXT TO THE SPACE SHE WAS MOVING INTO, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TOWARD THE STREET. IT HIT THE CURB GOING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. A PERSON CAME TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND ASKED MY WIFE IF SHE WAS OK, AND SAID SHE SHOULD TURN THE CAR OFF - WHICH SHE DID.

NHTSA ODI #11413018

17,801 miles · Dec 1, 2020
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

I PREVIOUSLY SENT IN A COMPLAINT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPMENTS AND I NEEDED TO EXPLAIN MORE CLEARLY. OUR TOYOTA HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. DESPITE THIS, OUR VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE EARLIER THIS MONTH. IT STARTED BY FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS 2 WEEKS AGO AND THEN WOULDN'T S…

Read full complaint

I PREVIOUSLY SENT IN A COMPLAINT BUT THERE HAVE BEEN DEVELOPMENTS AND I NEEDED TO EXPLAIN MORE CLEARLY. OUR TOYOTA HAS LESS THAN 18,000 MILES AND HAS BEEN VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF. DESPITE THIS, OUR VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN OPERATION SINCE EARLIER THIS MONTH. IT STARTED BY FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS 2 WEEKS AGO AND THEN WOULDN'T START UP. SATURDAY WHEN I OPENED THE DRIVER DOOR TO GET SOMETHING OUT OF THE INOPERABLE VEHICLE, THIS INITIATED A VERY LENGTHY TERRIBLE SOUND COMING FROM UNDER HOOD ON DRIVER'S SIDE. IT SOUNDED LIKE SOMETHING WOULD EXPLODE UNDER THE HOOD. THIS HORRIBLE PROCESS APPEARANTLY DRAINED THE WHOLE BATTERY. IT HAS ABSOLUTELY NO SIGNS OF LIFE NOW. ALL OF THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

NHTSA ODI #11377389

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2020
Unknown Or Other

OUR VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE BATTERY WORKS BUT THE VEHICLE FLASHES ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND WILL NOT START UP. WE BELIEVE THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO RODENTS AS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP POINTED OUT RODENT ISSUE IN CABIN AIR FILTER LAST TIME WE WENT THERE FOR SOME SAFETY RECALL. IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE ISSUE WITH PRIUS AN…

Read full complaint

OUR VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY INOPERABLE. THE BATTERY WORKS BUT THE VEHICLE FLASHES ALL KINDS OF WARNING LIGHTS AND WILL NOT START UP. WE BELIEVE THAT IT MAY BE DUE TO RODENTS AS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP POINTED OUT RODENT ISSUE IN CABIN AIR FILTER LAST TIME WE WENT THERE FOR SOME SAFETY RECALL. IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE ISSUE WITH PRIUS AND WE WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT ONE HAD TOYOTA BEEN UPFRONT WITH THE RODENT ISSUES THAT THEY HAVE WITH THEIR VEHICLES. ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OR CLASS ACTION SUIT RELATED TO THIS RODENT ISSUE AND THEIR USING SOY BASED WIRING AND FAILING TO CLOSE UP RODENT ACCESS TO CABIN AIR FILTER ETC.? THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME!

NHTSA ODI #11376721

Official recalls

1

20V369000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter

Jun 24, 2020

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 & remedy

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 service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.