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Toyota Highlander HybridModel year report

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
47,012miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall
EPA fuel economy
28 mpgcombined, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid AWD · 27 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by fuel system (1) and other or unknown (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 50% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,012 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 121 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 4 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Brakes: “We were driving on the highway on 5/16/20. We were driving around 65 MPH straight. We were driving on black asphalt and then when we drove over a bridge with white/grayish concrete, the car's emergency braking system activated and applied sudden braking even though we were normally driving. The car jolted and slowed down and all passengers were stopped by auto-locking seatbelts.”

NHTSA complaint #11326887, filed 2020-06, 42,000 miles

Fuel system: “Stopped in intersection waiting to make a left turn. When attempting to accelerate engine did not start hybrid warning stated hybrid system failure stop immediately. Glided to a parking space. Attempted to restart engine continue to get same warning. After three attempts called aaa and Toyota dealership. I was urged to tow the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes, attempted to start again the vehicle turned on as if nothing happened. All warning lights at that time were extinguished. Dealership found a general warning on vehicle computer. …”

NHTSA complaint #11124768, filed 2018-09, 75,170 miles

Steering: “The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. While driving 40 MPH using the factory compact spare tire, the contact lost control of the steering when driving over grooved roads. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer, but there was no resolution. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11092839, filed 2018-05, 28,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

50% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 28,000 and 75,170 miles.

0%0–1017%10–2533%25–5017%50–7517%75–1000%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 47,012 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2018420192020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Highlander Hybrid · SUV AWD★★★★★4 / 5554 · 16.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2016 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2015: same overall rating; 2017: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Highlander Hybrid AWD3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT272828$2,400
Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus3.5L 6-cyl · hybridCVT282828$2,400

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 121 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 121 bulletins →

Other model years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2023913,0006535—Too new
2022632,5004535—Not enough data
20211527,3004535—Rising
2020928,5004535—Not enough data
201966,8000529—Not enough data
201858500529—Not enough data
2016647,0120528—Not enough data
2013547,6000—28—Not enough data
2012986,0000—28—Not enough data
2011572,0001—28—Not enough data
20102243,5004—26—Stable
20094063,1004—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Stable
2008197110,0006—26Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years)Rising
2007110105,0002—26Not compared (before 2008)Stable
200637093,5506—27Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is reported most often?

Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by fuel system with 1.

Has the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 5 out of 5 stars overall. Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid (Highlander Hybrid AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl · hybrid) at 28 mpg combined, 27 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,400 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,012 miles and the middle half falls between 28,000 and 75,170 miles; 50% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.