2016 Toyota HIGHLANDER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
109 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
25,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 70 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 109 complaints (19.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 26 | 23.9% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 7.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 6.4% |
| Engine operation | 4 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 1.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 0.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Electrical System | 14 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Engine | 9 |
| Exterior Lighting | 8 |
| Tires | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 |
Unknown Or Other: 21; Service Brakes: 19; Electrical System: 14; Air Bags: 10; Engine: 9; Exterior Lighting: 8; Tires: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 7
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 34 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 34; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (34). 39 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 21 |
| 2020 | 11 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2015: 1; 2016: 11; 2017: 18; 2018: 15; 2019: 21; 2020: 11; 2021: 3; 2022: 10; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 5; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 26 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10893721 · 2016-08-06 (August 6, 2016)
JULY 3, 2016: WE BOUGHT THE CAR. JULY 23 5PM I FILLED UP WITH GAS AT THE CHEVRON. DROVE TO WEST LA FOR 15 MILES ON THE 10 FWY WITH MY FAMILY IN THE CAR, NO PROBLEM TO VISIT MY MOM. 8:30PM WE LEFT HER HOUSE TO GO HOME. WE DROVE ON THE STREET FOR TWO MINUTES AND WE CAME TO A STOP LIGHT I BRAKED TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND THE CAR DIED. THE DASH BOARD SCREEN SAID PUT YOUR CAR IN PARK AND START THE CAR. IT WAS DARK AND MANY CARS WERE BEHIND ME, WAITING FOR ME TO START MY CAR. WE WERE AFRAID THE CAR BEHIND US WOULD HIT US. MY DAUGHTERS WERE SITT…
Owner-reported narrative. 834 miles reported. Look up ODI 10893721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10937219 · 2016-12-23 (December 23, 2016)
MY CAR ENGINE STARTED ON ITS OWN AFTER BEING TURNED OFF. I WENT SHOPPING AT WALMART AND PARKED MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE IN THE PARKING LOT. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND PUSHED THE ENGINE START/STOP BUTTON TO TURN OFF THE CAR. MY FAMILY AND I EXITED THE CAR AND I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO LOCK THE DOORS. WE SHOPPED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MIN. WHEN WE RETURNED TO THE CAR, I USED THE KEYLESS ENTRY PAD TO UNLOCK THE DOORS SO I COULD PUT OUR PURCHASES IN THE TRUNK. AS I GOT CLOSE TO THE VEHICLE I HEARD AN ENGINE RUNNING, BUT THOUGHT IT WAS…
Owner-reported narrative. 640 miles reported. Look up ODI 10937219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10918511 · 2016-10-24 (October 24, 2016)
I OWN A 2016 HIGHLANDER LIMITED PLATINUM AND AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT I HAVE A SERIOUS CONCERN ABOUT THE SAFETY CLAIMS. YESTERDAY MY WIFE WAS IN A ROLLOVER (2 FULL ROTATIONS) ACCIDENT IN HER 2016 HIGHLANDER PLATINUM. CAR WAS DESTROYED, HER HEAD HIT BOTH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE B-PILLAR, BOTH HAVE AIRBAGS. NOT A SINGLE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-MOUNTED SIDE AIRBAGS, DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG, FRONT PASSENGER SEAT-CUSHION AIRBAG AND ALL-ROW ROLL-SENSING SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS = ALL A TOTAL FAIL, NONE OF THAT WORKED. …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10918511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10919975 · 2016-10-29 (October 29, 2016)
I HAD AN ACCIDENT ON MY CAR GOING 50 TO 60 MPH I THE ROAD CURVED AND I DID NOT I WENT INTO THE TOP OF THE DITCH HIT FRONT END AND WENT AIRBORN 30 TO 50 FEET IN THE AIR OVER THE PERSONS DRIVWAY. I LANDED ON MY BACK BUMPER WHICH THEN PROPELLED ME BACK INTO THE AIR AND I FLIPPED END OVER END LANDED ON MY TIRES. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THIS ACCIDENT. THE OFFICER AT THE SCENE WAS SHOCKED. I HIT MY HEAD ON THE STEERING WHEEL THE HEAD REST BROKE I HET IT SO HARD AND THE B PILLAR OF THE CAR. I WAS ON A HIGHWAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10919975 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11063769 · 2018-01-19 (January 19, 2018)
WHENEVER THE WEATHER IS COLDER LIKE 35 DEGREES OR LOWER I AM HAVING ISSUES STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ALREADY CHANGED THE BATTERY BUT IT DID NOT HELP. I HAD THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER FOR 10 DAYS BUT THEY COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT. IN THIS TIME I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR RENTAL AND OTHER EXPENSES. YESTERDAY IT TOOK ME 45 MINUTES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. I SPOKE TO TOYOTA AND THEY ARE NOT VERY HELPFUL.
Owner-reported narrative. 7,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11063769 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11120983 · 2018-08-20 (August 20, 2018)
CAR'S AWD STARTED NOT WORKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THE MAIN WIRING HARNESS WAS "CHEWED" UP BY RODENTS. THEY STATED THEY SEEN IT BEFORE DUE TO A ORGANIC BASED OIL ON THE HARNESS WIRES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11120983 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10859987 · 2016-04-18 (April 18, 2016)
BRAND NEW CAR IN THE SHOP TWICE DURING FIRST WEEK. FOLLOWING REFUELING (NOT TOPPED OFF - STOPPED AT FIRST CLICK) THE CAR STARTS STALLING AT RED LIGHTS OR AT LOW SPEEDS. HAS DONE THIS A DOZEN TIMES. ON THE HIGHWAY CAR STUTTERS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND TRACTION CONTROL BECOMES DISABLED. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS DUE TO OVERFILLING THE GAS TANK AND CHANGED THE CARBON CARTRIDGE FOR THE EVAC THIS IS DEFINITELY NOT THE CASE. A SECOND REFILL AFTER THE REPAIR CONFIRMED THAT THE PROBLEM EXISTS EVEN WHEN FILLING UP VERY CAREFULLY. IF GASOLINE I…
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10859987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11561849 · 2023-12-26 (December 26, 2023)
2016 toyota highlander le model v-6 cylinder. The FUEL PUMP runs after engine has been turned off for several hours, even up to as many as 8 hours. This situation can be heard in a closed in garage, in the completely quiet of night time, and at multiple times during the same time period. It happens intermittently with various levels of gas in the tank. The length of time FUEL PUMP can run can be as little as 10 minutes to over 60 minutes.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11561849 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10971652 · 2017-04-10 (April 10, 2017)
MY WIFE TURNED OFF THE KEYLESS IGNITION OF OUR VEHICLE WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS STILL IN DRIVE. SHE STEPPED OUT OF THE CAR AND IT ROLLED BACKWARDS. FORTUNATELY THE GARAGE DOOR WAS CLOSED OTHERWISE SHE MAY WOULD BEEN HIT BY THE CAR DOOR OR THE CAR WOULD HAVE ROLLED INTO THE STREET. WE LIVE IN A CUL DE SAC WHERE CHILDREN PLAY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA ABOUT THIS AND WAS TOLD THAT IS HOW THE IGNITION IS SUPPOSED TO FUNCTION FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE DRIVER. I SPOKE TO A TOYOTA REP WHO TOLD ME THAT WITH MODERN TECHNOLOGY AND CONVENIENCE SOMETIMES THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 4,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10971652 at NHTSA ↗