← New search

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 →

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.

8 crash reports0 fire reports4 injury reports

Tires complaints

7 reports
Clear category filter
20,000 miles · Apr 3, 2023
Tires

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…

Read full complaint

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 cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 20,000.

NHTSA ODI #11515151

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2018
Tires

2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE TIRES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES HAD A BROWN SUBSTANCE ON THEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE NOT NEW LIKE THE DOCUMENT FROM THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE. THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSIST…

Read full complaint

2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ISSUE WITH VEHICLE TIRES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE TIRES HAD A BROWN SUBSTANCE ON THEM. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TIRES WERE NOT NEW LIKE THE DOCUMENT FROM THE DEALER STATED THEY WERE. THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #11123748

30,508 miles · Apr 15, 2018
Tires

WE PURCHASED A NEW 2016 PRIUS FROM LONGO TOYOTA IN MARCH 2016. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL MARCH 2018 WHEN WE HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE NEXT MORNING A TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT WHEN IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE OE TIRES ARE TOYO NANOENERGY A29 P195/65R15. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED A THIRD TIME, APRIL 15, 201…

Read full complaint

WE PURCHASED A NEW 2016 PRIUS FROM LONGO TOYOTA IN MARCH 2016. EVERYTHING HAS BEEN FINE UNTIL MARCH 2018 WHEN WE HAVE HAD TWO INCIDENTS WHERE THE NEXT MORNING A TIRE WAS COMPLETELY FLAT WHEN IT WAS PERFECTLY FINE THE NIGHT BEFORE. THE OE TIRES ARE TOYO NANOENERGY A29 P195/65R15. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED A THIRD TIME, APRIL 15, 2018. IT IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE OVERNIGHT SO ITS IMPOSSIBLE TO BE TAMPERED WITH. ALL THREE INSTANCES HAVE BEEN EXACTLY THE SAME. THE CAUSE HAS BEEN A SMALL HOLE IN THE OUTSIDE SIDEWALL. I HAVE TO BELIEVE THAT THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE SINCE IT HAS NOW HAPPENED TO 3 OUT OF THE 4 ORIGINAL TIRES. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE OF A NAIL, SCREW, DEBRIS, ETC., THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS SMALL HOLE/TEAR. WE HAVE 30K MILES ON THE TIRES AND THE TREAD IS STILL PRETTY DECENT.

NHTSA ODI #11085102

15,900 miles · Nov 22, 2017
Tires

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA BLUEARTH S34 TIRES, SIZE: P215/45R/17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME UNSTABLE AND A THUMPING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR END. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTING IT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER …

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS EQUIPPED WITH YOKOHAMA BLUEARTH S34 TIRES, SIZE: P215/45R/17 (NA). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BECAME UNSTABLE AND A THUMPING NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR END. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTING IT, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WAS FLAT. AFTER REMOVING THE TIRE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT INSIDE THE TIRE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WERE BOTH NOTIFIED ALONG WITH THE LOCAL TIRE DEALER (LES SWAUB AND GOODYEAR). THE VIN AND DOT NUMBER WERE UNKNOWN. THE TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,900.

NHTSA ODI #11047972

22,000 miles · Oct 2, 2017
Tires

AT HIGHWAY SPEED TIRE TREAD SEPARATED COMPLETELY FROM SIDEWALL ON BOTH SIDES OF RIGHT REAR TIRE. VEHICLE: 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS TWO ECO. TIRES - MANUFACTURER: TOYO - MODEL: NANOENERGY A29 - DOT CODE: N39N SIZE:195/6515 TIRE - DATE OF MANUFACTURE: 1216 (DECEMBER 2016)

NHTSA ODI #11031356

3,875 miles · Feb 18, 2017
Electrical SystemEquipmentTires

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 14 AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 AM, MY SON'S VEHICLE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OFF. HE SUMMONED ASSISTANCE TO AAA WHO CAME AND PUT THE SPARE TIRE IN, HE SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE THE CAR TO SIERRA TOYOTA IN LANCASTER CA AND CHANIN YESCAS SERVICE DEPT MGR ASSISTED WITH HAVING THE CAR CHECK. I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS VEHICL…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON HWY 14 AT APPROXIMATELY 1100 AM, MY SON'S VEHICLE LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OFF. HE SUMMONED ASSISTANCE TO AAA WHO CAME AND PUT THE SPARE TIRE IN, HE SUBSEQUENTLY DROVE THE CAR TO SIERRA TOYOTA IN LANCASTER CA AND CHANIN YESCAS SERVICE DEPT MGR ASSISTED WITH HAVING THE CAR CHECK. I AM CONCERNED WITH THIS VEHICLE IT IS THE 2ND INCIDENT WITH HAVE HAD WITH THE VEHICLE WITHIN A WEEK. PLEASE ASSIST ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #10955451

3,000 miles · Jan 9, 2017
TiresWheels

IF THE TIRE PRESSURE IS DECREASED BY THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS COOL THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK TO SERVICE 4 TIMES DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER OF 2016. THEIR SCAN SHOWS NO FAULT. I PURCHASED THE PRIUS IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTI…

Read full complaint

IF THE TIRE PRESSURE IS DECREASED BY THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. IF THE TEMPERATURE IS COOL THE LIGHT WILL GO ON AND STAY ON. I'VE BROUGHT IT BACK TO SERVICE 4 TIMES DURING NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER OF 2016. THEIR SCAN SHOWS NO FAULT. I PURCHASED THE PRIUS IN FEBRUARY 2016 AND DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM UNTIL NOVEMBER. THE LIGHT MAY COME ON WHILE DRIVING OR SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS FIRST STARTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10943978

Official recalls

5

18V579000 · 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

1

DP22005 · 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.