2016 Toyota Prius Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 5%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,250miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the air bags of the 2016 Toyota Prius, 5% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,250 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are 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.
“We were traveling at approximately 70miles an hour on a divided highway. The cruise control was activated. My husband was driving, I was the passenger. We both were wearing our seat belts. My husband suffered some sort of medical incident causing him to lose control of the vehicle. We crossed through the median, became airborne, crossed two lanes of opposing traffic and headed up a steep incline. The car came to rest on a pile of debris and hung up on a wire fence. My husband suffered a subarachnoid hemorrhage from striking something on the dash of the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10911046, filed 2016-10, 4,100 miles“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 feels explainable to me... …”
NHTSA complaint #10915494, filed 2016-10, 500 miles“My steering wheel controls, including odometer, cruise control, horn, and airbag light is on. I took it to the dealership and they said it is the spring (clocking) cable in the steering wheel. Looking up a recall there are quite a few years and models where this exact issue has been recalled on Toyotas, but the dealership says my 2016 Toyota Prius is not cover (same exact issue). I submitted a ticket through Toyota customer service but they have done nothing about this safety issue for the 2016 Toyota Prius. …”
NHTSA complaint #11462220, filed 2022-04“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while driving at a very low speed a second vehicle suddenly crashed into the rear of the vehicle pushing it into the rear end of a third vehicle positioned ahead. During the incident the vehicle sustained significant damage to the front end and was destroyed but the air bags did not deploy. The front passenger sustained neck and back injuries which required medical treatment. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11385206, filed 2020-12, 45,000 milesRelated recalls
- 18V085000Jan 31, 2018Toyota 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…Covers: Toyota Prius 2016, Lexus NX 2015–2016, RX350 2016 +1 more
- 16V672000Sep 16, 2016Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14…Covers: Toyota Prius 2016
Related service bulletins
- 10244113Aug 17, 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most…
- 10227898Nov 23, 2022TSB: Some 2005 ? 2022 model year Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty smell is present. Follow the procedures in this…
- 10224102Jun 3, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions…
- 10190460Mar 17, 2021Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements
- 10187263Jan 15, 2021Job Aid: G0W Prius Front Passenger Air Bag Return Shipping Instructions
- 10172823Feb 5, 2020The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles are equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to…
- 10172822Feb 5, 2020The Data Communication Module (DCM) in the subject vehicles is equipped with software to identify the location of the vehicle using the Global Positioning System (GPS) to support…
- 10132410Jul 20, 2017TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 20, 2017 Rev1: Applicability has been updated to exclude 2007 ? 2017 model year Avanza vehicles. Some hazardous material treatment and handling…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2024 | 3 | 11% |
| 2022 | 3 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 7% |
| 2019 | 4 | 13% |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% |
| 2017 | 3 | 3% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 14 | 7% |
| 2013 | 18 | 4% |
| 2012 | 28 | 7% |
| 2011 | 46 | 9% |
| 2010 | 84 | 3% |
| 2009 | 17 | 3% |
| 2008 | 41 | 3% |
| 2007 | 50 | 3% |
| 2006 | 30 | 2% |
| 2005 | 44 | 4% |
| 2004 | 18 | 3% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 3 | 2% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Toyota Prius
41 complaintsOther or unknown
31 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsTires
7 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsSuspension
5 complaintsWheels
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 Toyota Prius
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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