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.
2016 Toyota Prius
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Prius do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 164.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prius 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
100 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
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.
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Structure complaints
11 reportsStarting 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 d…
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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 couple of parts of the side doors, making it clear that the underlying problem applies to all of the blue exterior paint. It seems as if the exterior layer - some sort of sealant or finish - is not holding up properly in the sun. By contrast, our red-painted 2014 Prius, which has been exposed to the same conditions but for a longer period of time - shows none of this damage. The damage is quite extensive and visible, and it's unclear to what extent the protective qualities of the paint are now compromised. The service department at the dealership has inspected the paint, as has a third-party shop, and all agree that there is a serious paint problem. The issue is available for further inspection. The safety issue here is the potential for corrosion of the body due to the compromised paint integrity.
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 ha…
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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 same problems, apparently their issues have not been addressed. These problems should have been sent by you to the Toyota Corporation, but apparently was not. I have owned many Toyota vehicles and have not experienced these problems. I also own a 2012 Toyota Prius which I drive when I when I am traveling on the interstate, because I feel that the clicking noises on the 2016 Toyota Prius is a safety issue that seems to be coming from the steering section underneath the car. When traveling the speed limit on the on Interstate highways, what would be the outcome if the steering mechanisms underneath the car did not work properly. It is a shame that this safety issue has not been addressed by you, and it is also a shame that I have to drive my older toyota at these times to feel safer when driving. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At the beginning of this week, I was checking fluid levels and upon dropping my hood, I watched a crack in the windshield extend up from the base of the windshield. Then, while I was driving, I watched the crack extend and branch into a second crack. Upon further inspection, it appears cracking started under the windshield wiper…
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At the beginning of this week, I was checking fluid levels and upon dropping my hood, I watched a crack in the windshield extend up from the base of the windshield. Then, while I was driving, I watched the crack extend and branch into a second crack. Upon further inspection, it appears cracking started under the windshield wiper and arched downward to the base of the windshield and another a new crack extend upward. I am the only person who drives this car. I do not park under a tree or anything that might fall on the windshield. I have not experienced any rocks hitting the windshield recently. I have not driven in the rain in several weeks. The only time the windshield wipers moved recently is when I cleaned my windshield over the weekend and lifted the wipers to reach underneath. Best as I can tell, the crack started due to the windshield wiper being picked up and let back down. This concerns me a great deal considering that is not a great amount of force.
I HAVE NOW HAD MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOP CRACKS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON JANUARY 8, 2018. I WAS DRIVING BEHIND A LARGE TRUCK, AND A PEBBLE WAS KICKED UP BY THE TRUCK'S REAR TIRE THAT STRUCK THE MIDDLE OF THE BASE OF MY WINDSHIELD. A CRACK DEVELOPED THE NEXT DAY, AND STARTED SPREADING. I HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE SECOND WIN…
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I HAVE NOW HAD MY WINDSHIELD DEVELOP CRACKS TWICE. THE FIRST TIME WAS ON JANUARY 8, 2018. I WAS DRIVING BEHIND A LARGE TRUCK, AND A PEBBLE WAS KICKED UP BY THE TRUCK'S REAR TIRE THAT STRUCK THE MIDDLE OF THE BASE OF MY WINDSHIELD. A CRACK DEVELOPED THE NEXT DAY, AND STARTED SPREADING. I HAD MY WINDSHIELD REPLACED. THE SECOND WINDSHIELD CRACK OCCURRED ON 11/6/2018. MY SPOUSE AND I HAD RETURNED FROM DINNER, AND HE NOTICED A CRACK AT THE BASE OF THE WINDSHIELD, JUST TO THE RIGHT OF CENTER, BEFORE WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AFTER WE HAD PARKED IN OUR INDOOR GARAGE. THIS TIME, I DO NOT RECALL ANY OBJECTS, SUCH AS A PEBBLE, GRAVEL, OR HAIL, HITTING MY WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO THE CRACK DEVELOPING.
THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS CRACKED FOR NO REASON. I PARKED MY PRIUS IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR LATER, THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD (OVER A FOOT LONG), AND THE CRACK CURVED DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK ALL OF A SUDDEN. T…
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THE WINDSHIELD ON MY 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS CRACKED FOR NO REASON. I PARKED MY PRIUS IN A COVERED PARKING GARAGE. WHEN I RETURNED TO MY CAR LATER, THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK IN THE WINDSHIELD (OVER A FOOT LONG), AND THE CRACK CURVED DOWN TO THE BOTTOM OF THE WINDSHIELD. I DON'T KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE WINDSHIELD TO CRACK ALL OF A SUDDEN. THERE WERE NO SIGNS OF DEBRIS OR IMPACT. I BELIEVE THE WINDSHIELD MAYBE DEFECTIVE OR WAS SET ON MY CAR IMPROPERLY IN THE FACTORY, WHICH CAUSED STRESS ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH LED TO THE LARGE CRACK.
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY, 2017 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR AND FRONT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES AND THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE IS GETTING WORSE AND…
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2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY, 2017 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR AND FRONT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES AND THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE IS GETTING WORSE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. I HOPE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TOYOTA CUSTOMERS THAT THE TOYOTA CORPORATION IS TAKING THESE COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY. I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD. WHILE DRIVING A PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IN A AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE LINE SPREAD AND A WINDSHIELD REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THERE IS A MAZE OF CRACKS COVERING THE WINDSHIELD. IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD A DISASTER BECAUSE OF THE SUBSTANDARD QUALITY. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVEN TOYOTAS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO VERY POOR QUALITY, THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THE PAINT HAS COME OFF AND GRAY AREAS APPEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND IF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED. I SUPPOSE THAT WHEN LIVES ARE LOST BECAUSE OF SUBSTANDARD WINDSHIELDS OR OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND THE TOYOTA CORPORATION WILL ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. WINDSHIELD GOT HIT BY A ?ROCK? AND HAD A SMALL STAR. WITHIN DAYS IT HAS GROWN TO COVER THE ENTIRE WINDSHIELD IN SEVERAL DIFFERENT PATTERNS. WINDSHIELD IS TOTAL LOSS AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
LEASED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 MAJOR CRACKS TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE FIRST ONE WAS CAUSED BY PROBABLY A SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING MID SPEED AND SPREAD IMMEDIATELY FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE PERIMETER. THE SECOND ONE WAS CAUSED BY UNKNOWN, MAYBE A ROCK, AS I DID NOT SEE NOR HEAR ANYTHING BUT OVER…
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LEASED THE VEHICLE FOR LESS THAN 1 YEAR AND HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 MAJOR CRACKS TO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE FIRST ONE WAS CAUSED BY PROBABLY A SMALL ROCK WHILE DRIVING MID SPEED AND SPREAD IMMEDIATELY FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE PERIMETER. THE SECOND ONE WAS CAUSED BY UNKNOWN, MAYBE A ROCK, AS I DID NOT SEE NOR HEAR ANYTHING BUT OVERNIGHT SAW A CRACK IN THE CENTER THAT SPREAD VERY QUICKLY. THE THIRD CRACK WAS CAUSED BY PROBABLY A SMALL ROCK THAT STARTED ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE PERIMETER. I HAVE OWNED NICER CARS THAN THE PRIUS AND ALSO ONES LESS PRESTIGIOUS. WHILE OWNING THESE CARS FOR 5+ YEARS AND DRIVING EXTENSIVELY, I HAVE NEVER, EVER SUFFERED MORE ROCK IMPACTS BY A WINDSHIELD THAT CAUSED EXTENSIVE DAMAGE THAN WHEN I HAVE DRIVEN THIS 2016 PRIUS. THIS CAR SHOULD BE RE-EXAMINED FOR SAFETY AND ANGLES. IN ADDITION, TOYOTA SUPPOSEDLY HAS HAD A BACKORDER OF THIS PARTICULAR TYPE OF WINDSHIELD AND HAS NOT ALLOWED AFTER-MARKET PRODUCTION SO I AM FORCED TO EITHER USE MY INSURANCE OR PAY AN EXORBITANT AMOUNT OUT OF POCKET.
I HAD VERY SMALL WINDSHIELD CRACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 10 FRWY COVINA CA , I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD WAS VERY HOT DAY JUST HEARD TING AND I SHAW CRACK BUT WITHIN A DAY WAS VERY LONG ABOUT 2FT CRACK .I TOOK LONGO TOYOTA AT EL-MONTE THEY SAID IT DON'T COVER BY DEALER OR TOYOTA COMPANY SO THEY GIVE ME $1265 EST. …
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I HAD VERY SMALL WINDSHIELD CRACK WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON 10 FRWY COVINA CA , I DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING HIT MY WINDSHIELD WAS VERY HOT DAY JUST HEARD TING AND I SHAW CRACK BUT WITHIN A DAY WAS VERY LONG ABOUT 2FT CRACK .I TOOK LONGO TOYOTA AT EL-MONTE THEY SAID IT DON'T COVER BY DEALER OR TOYOTA COMPANY SO THEY GIVE ME $1265 EST. COST TO FIX IT.IT WAS MY 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS MILES 17K ONLY AND UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH 2016 PRIUS IS BODY COLOR POPUP SO EASY IT JUST COMEUP SO SO EASY LOOK LIKE THEY JUST PAINT SO EASY ... I HAVE SO BAD EXPERIENCE WITH PRIUS CAR FEEL LIKE I JUST WAST MY 30K FOR JUST PIECE OF [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Official recalls
518V579000 · Electrical System:wiring
Sep 5, 2018
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 & remedy
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.
18V085000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Air Bags:side/window
Jan 31, 2018
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 & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags:side/window
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.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
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.
Air Bags:frontal
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.
17V658000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Oct 18, 2017
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 & remedy
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.
16V741000 · Parking Brake
Oct 14, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
16V672000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Sep 16, 2016
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 & remedy
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.
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
1DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
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-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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