2016 Toyota PRIUS problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
154 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
19,600 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 100 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 40 of 154 complaints (26.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 23 | 14.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 6.5% |
| Steering behavior | 7 | 4.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 1.9% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 1.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 0.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 40 |
| Unknown Or Other | 30 |
| Service Brakes | 18 |
| Electrical System | 17 |
| Engine | 17 |
| Power Train | 14 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Structure:Body | 10 |
Visibility/Wiper: 40; Unknown Or Other: 30; Service Brakes: 18; Electrical System: 17; Engine: 17; Power Train: 14; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Structure:Body: 10
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 63 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 24 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 63; 25,000 to 49,999: 24; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 2
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (63). 54 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 24 |
| 2017 | 40 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 9 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2021 | 9 |
| 2022 | 7 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 5 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2016: 24; 2017: 40; 2018: 29; 2019: 9; 2020: 17; 2021: 9; 2022: 7; 2023: 4; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 23 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 10881749 · 2016-06-30 (June 30, 2016)
WHEN GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT, AND THE RIGHT WHEEL HITS A 1 AND 1/8 INCH DEEP DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY MOMENTARILY RELEASE. THE DEPRESSION IS FOR A 9 INCH DIAMETER CITY WATER COVER, AND THE OVERALL DIAMETER OF THE DEPRESSION IS 12 INCHES, AND IT IS 1 AND 1/8 INCHES DEEP. THIS CAN BE REPLICATED AT THIS LOCATION AND WE HAVE ALSO NOTICED THE SAME THING HAPPENING ELSEWHERE IN TOWN.
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10881749 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915494 · 2016-10-12 (October 12, 2016)
AS I TOOK A HIGHWAY EXIT, FOLLOWING BEHIND OTHER CARS DOING THE SAME, MY PRIUS REFUSED TO BRAKE EFFICIENTLY WHEN ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY INVADED OUR LINE. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES MADE A SLIGHT RELEASE OR COULDN'T REACH A FULL STOP. I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, AND I PRESSED THE BRAKES ON TIME BUT THERE WAS ALMOST NO BRAKE REACTION AND I CRASHED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PROBABLY GOING 20-30 MPH, SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE... SO NOT EVEN THAT FAST. BEST PART IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T INFLATE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ALMOST TOTALED. THIS FE…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915494 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10887682 · 2016-07-22 (July 22, 2016)
RODENT DAMAGED WIRING AND CASINGS BY EATING/DAMAGING BOTH AT A COST SO FAR OF $2700. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE WARRANTY DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE. I ASKED ABOUT WHERE THE DEALERSHIP STORED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ITS DELIVERY TO ME. I WASN'T SATISFIED WITH THEIR EXPLANATION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10887682 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917459 · 2016-10-20 (October 20, 2016)
THE COATING ON THE WIRING SYSTEM ATTRACTED RODENTS TO MY CAR, THE RODENTS ATE THROUGH THE ELECTRICAL AND TRIED TO NEST IN THE ENGINE BAY. THE RESULTS WERE MASSIVE SYSTEMS MALFUNCTIONS AND THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO TOYOTA AND THEY STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. "THEY'VE SEEN ALOT OF THIS RECENTLY"
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10917459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435515 · 2021-10-05 (October 5, 2021)
I bought my 2016 Prius brand new in November of 2016. Over the past 2 years or so my OEM leather like steering wheel wrap started to wrinkle. it is now cracking and starting to peel. it hasn't caused any stealing control issues, it is just ugly an slight distracting on the palm of the hand. I do worry that if might start causing gripping issues on that side of the steering wheel if the wrap becomes loose.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435515 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11437574 · 2021-10-20 (October 20, 2021)
Moments ago, I entered my 2016 Toyota Prius to find that my windshield had mysteriously cracked while parked over night. The crack was not present when I last drove the car last night. Based on some online research for windshield replacement cost, I've learned that Toyota was faced with a class action lawsuit regarding 2016-17 Toyota Prius containing defective windshields; in which these windshields are known to unexpectedly crack while parked or under ordinary driving conditions. Furthermore, my Toyota Prius is equipped with safety features (s…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11437574 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413149 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
WHEN PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK AND THEN ENGAGING THE FOOT PARKING BRAKE ON A SLOPE, SUCH AS MY DRIVEWAY, AND THEN TURNING OFF THE CAR, THE CAR ROLLS BACK SIGNIFICANTLY. THEN, WHILE EXITING THE CAR, THE REAR BRAKES MAKE LOUD GRINDING AND CREAKY NOISES AS THE CAR SETTLES DOWNWARDS SLIGHTLY. THEN, WHEN ENTERING THE CAR, THE BRAKES MAKE THE SAME CREAKY AND GRINDING SOUNDS. WHEN HOLDING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO POWER ON THE CAR, THEN DISENGAGING THE FOOT PARKING BRAKE, THEN SHIFTING THE CAR FROM PARK TO REVERSE OR DRIVE, THE CAR JERKS ABRUPTLY AND AT TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 31,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413149 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11413150 · 2021-04-21 (April 21, 2021)
THIS ISSUE HAPPENS RANDOMLY. WHEN POWERING THE CAR ON, AND WHILE THE CAR IS DOING ITS ROUTINE DASHBOARD LIGHT-UPS AND THE DINGING SOUNDS, SOMETIMES THE FORWARD SONARS WOULD BEEP AND DETECT THE OBJECT IN FRONT OF THE CAR. THE FORWARD WARNING INDICATOR SHOWS UP ON THE MULTI-INFORMATION SCREEN EVEN WHEN THE CAR IS STILL IN PARK AND WHILE THE NORMAL SYSTEM STARTUP IS TAKING PLACE. IT IS NOT SUPPOSE TO DO THAT, AS THE TRANSMISSION IS STILL IN PARK AND RUNNING THE SYSTEM STARTUP TESTS.
Owner-reported narrative. 31,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11413150 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10926286 · 2016-11-15 (November 15, 2016)
ON FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2016 WHILE DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR SLOWED BUT ALL OF A SUDDEN THE BRAKE SUDDENLY DEPRESSED EVEN FURTHER DOWN AND THE CAR JERKED AND SEEMED TO STALL BEFORE PUSHING FORWARD. I HAD BEEN PRESSING THE BRAKE AS FAR DOWN AS IT WOULD GO AND IT SEEMED AS IF THERE WOULD BE SOME KIND OF BRAKE FAILURE. ON OCTOBER 31, 2016 WHILE DRIVING OVER ANOTHER POTHOLE, I AGAIN STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AND SUDDENLY THE PEDAL AGAIN DEPRESSED FURTHER DOWN AND THERE WAS A CREAKING AND SQUEALING SOUND. THEN ON NOVEMBER …
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10926286 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11420359 · 2021-06-09 (June 9, 2021)
Vehicle stalls for 5-10 seconds when stopped at a red light. Seems to happen sporadically and is difficult to reproduce. There have been other reports of it online here: https://priuschat.com/threads/tsb-nimh-only-reduced-power-when-accelerating-from-a-stop.187455/ https://priuschat.com/threads/2017-prius-2-no-acceleration-movement-from-full-stop.209317/ https://priuschat.com/threads/2016-prius-2-stalling.200606/
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11420359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11732860 · 2026-04-21 (April 21, 2026)
The car has a very strong gas smell, especially when full.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11732860 at NHTSA ↗