2016 Toyota Prius recalls, problems & safety ratings
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Prius and 180 owner complaints. The most-reported problem areas are visibility/wiper (42), unknown or other (37), electrical system (26). It earned a 5-star overall NHTSA safety rating. EPA-rated fuel economy is 50–52 mpg combined, depending on engine.
The 2016 ranks #11 of 14 Prius model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (139). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 2.6 per model year.
Recalls 5
Every recall NHTSA lists for the 2016 Toyota Prius. Not every recall applies to every vehicle, so check your VIN. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer.
Electrical system · wiring
Problem: 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.
Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Air bags · side/window
Problem: 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.
Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Hybrid propulsion system · inverter
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Parking brake
Problem: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air bags · frontal · passenger side · inflator module
Problem: 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.
Risk: A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Fix: 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.
Common problems
From complaints owners filed with NHTSA. Complaints aren't verified, but patterns across hundreds of owners point to known weak spots.
Most-reported problem areas
By the numbers
Recent owner reports
I turned on my car in a flat parking lot, reversed out of my spot, and drove up to a traffic light to exit the parking lot. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and tried to accelerate, but nothing happened. After a few seconds, my car lurched forward with a sudden jerk, and I was able to exit, but this behavior (no movement, then sudden jerk) continued to…
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on and running, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a Safe Place”, “See Owner's Manual", "Braking Power Low - Visit the Dealer", and "ABS Malfunction - See Dealer" were displayed. The contact stated that while driving approximate…
Second time !!!! during ownership of car that brakes fail. Same problem as before Brake Actuator/Booster Failures: Multiple reports indicate issues with the ABS actuator or brake booster pump, leading to warning lights ("Braking power low", "ABS system malfunction").
Safety ratings
2016 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for common configurations of the 2016 Toyota Prius.
Prius
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 1.8 L
Regular
Prius c
Auto (variable gear ratios) · 4 cyl · 1.5 L
Regular
Other model years
Questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Prius have?
NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Prius, most recently for electrical system · wiring (09/05/2018). Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer. Enter your VIN to check whether a recall applies to your vehicle.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Prius?
Based on 180 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported areas are visibility/wiper (42), unknown or other (37), electrical system (26).
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius safe?
The 2016 Toyota Prius earned a 5-star overall rating in NHTSA's 5-star safety ratings.
Is the 2016 a good year for the Toyota Prius?
The 2016 ranks #11 of 14 Prius model years for fewest complaints (2012–2025), with more complaints than the average year (139). It has 5 recalls vs. an average of 2.6 per model year.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Prius get?
EPA ratings for the 2016 Toyota Prius range from 50 to 52 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.
Own a 2016 Toyota Prius in South Carolina?
Our mobile mechanics diagnose and fix the problems above at your home, office or fleet lot in Lexington, Columbia and the Midlands, with dealer-grade scan tools.
Related vehicles
Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings APIs; EPA fueleconomy.gov. Data retrieved October 21, 2026. NHTSA model names used: PRIUS, Prius.