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Electrical systemPart report

2016 Toyota Highlander Electrical system Problems

Complaints
14about this part
Share
13%of 111 total for the year
Median mileage
25,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Toyota Highlander, 13% of the 111 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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 the car next to us. …”

NHTSA complaint #10937219, filed 2016-12, 640 miles

“Interior lights on and off; warnings e.g .hood open when not; did not (light) alert cars along side or passing; module cracked by tapping to delete phone #s put into system by Toyota tech, navigation started on its own and it was incorrect!; maps incorrect to location; map showing north as south and east as west all when car in motion”

NHTSA complaint #11301574, filed 2020-01, 8,000 miles

“Vehicle pre-collision system activating randomly with no other vehicles nearby. Dash display lights up with warning accompanied with rapid beeping while driving. Multiple times noted on video from dash-cam. Has come on while changing lanes and can cause an accident by the distraction. Has happened on freeway as well as city driving. While coasting and accelerating. Date listed below is approximate.”

NHTSA complaint #11244731, filed 2019-08, 25,000 miles

“Two separate issues: 1. Rain sensing wipers activate randomly on clear days, sun shining. Wipers will wipe on time while driving randomly. A severe distraction. 2. Cruise control display activating randomly while driving with no vehicles nearby in front (active cruise control vehicle). Display will be normal and then go back and forth the the set display screen. Distracting while driving on freeway.”

NHTSA complaint #11244733, filed 2019-08, 25,000 miles

“Parking sensors and park assist randomly turns itself off. Will notice the sensors not detecting while backing up and notice dash light is not illuminated. Not functioning when backing and parking.”

NHTSA complaint #11244734, filed 2019-08, 47,000 miles

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025110%
2024614%
2023126%
2022239%
2021285%
2020186%
20195611%
2018249%
20174617%
20161413%
20155227%
20143526%
20132613%
20122916%
20112313%
20105325%
20092015%
20084411%
20072319%
2006269%
20052511%
2004186%
2003156%
2002134%
200154%

Other parts of the 2016 Toyota Highlander

Other or unknown
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine
9 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSeats
4 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Toyota Highlander

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology