VIN Fácil

Toyota Prius 2016 recalls, problems, complaints and safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls issued for the Toyota Prius 2016 and 180 complaints filed by owners. It's the model year with the most complaints for the Toyota Prius between 2016 and 2025.

These are recalls issued for this model and year, not for your specific car. A car may already be repaired or may not be included. Confirm with your VIN on NHTSA.

Own or buying a Toyota Prius 2016? Enter its VIN to see its exact trim and engine, and confirm on NHTSA whether its recalls were repaired.

Free: vehicle details and recalls issued for its model. No sign-up.

Where do I find the VIN?
1 2 3
  1. Dashboard, driver side: visible from outside through the windshield.
  2. Sticker on the driver's door frame.
  3. Paperwork: title, registration and insurance card.

Recalls issued for the Toyota Prius 2016

Electrical system
NHTSA campaign 18V579000 · 2018-09-05

What happens

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

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 18V579000

Air bags
NHTSA campaign 18V085000 · 2018-01-31

What happens

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 18V085000

Hybrid system
NHTSA campaign 17V658000 · 2017-10-18

What happens

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

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 17V658000

Parking brake
NHTSA campaign 16V741000 · 2016-10-14

What happens

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

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V741000

Air bags
NHTSA campaign 16V672000 · 2016-09-16

What happens

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

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.

The repair is free at any dealer of the brand.

NHTSA 16V672000

Complaints from other owners

180 complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of this model.

13 with a crash · 8 injuries

Most reported problems on the Toyota Prius 2016

Complaints are written by owners and NHTSA doesn't verify each one. They're useful to spot trends.

What to check before buying a Toyota Prius 2016

Safety rating (NCAP)

OverallFrontalSideRollover
2016 Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★☆

Toyota Prius recalls by year

Guides for this check

Frequently asked questions

How many recalls does the Toyota Prius 2016 have?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls issued for the Toyota Prius 2016. That doesn't mean every car has them open: confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. The repair is free at the dealer.

What is the most common problem with the Toyota Prius 2016?

In complaints filed with NHTSA, the most mentioned component is: wipers (42 of 180 complaints). Complaints aren't verified one by one, but they show trends.

Model-level information from official NHTSA sources. Confirm by VIN on NHTSA. Not a substitute for a mechanical inspection.

Last updated: October 16, 2026. Sources: NHTSA vPIC (decoding), NHTSA Recalls, NHTSA Complaints and NHTSA NCAP (5-Star Safety Ratings).