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EnginePart report

2016 Toyota Prius Engine Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
11%of 155 total for the year
Median mileage
40,100miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Toyota Prius, 11% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,100 miles.

Example complaints

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

“Car does not accelerate from a stop when pressing the gas petal while car is in drive. This seems to happen only in the summer months. While pulling up to a red light I slowed the car to a stop. When the light turned green I let my foot off the brake, car motioned forward a bit but when I pressed my foot on the gas petal the engine would rev but would not accelerate in any way. I put the car in reverse to try and get out of main road traffic but car continued to have no power. I then put the car into drive, put my foot on the gas petal and again, engine would rev but car would not accelerate. …”

NHTSA complaint #11350160, filed 2020-08, 40,100 miles

“Vehicle feels like it wants to go forward as soon as the gas engine turns on to charge the hybrid battery when it is stationary, is in park gear with the foot parking brake fully on and on a flat surface. When the car is running off of battery mode and the battery becomes depleted the gas engine turns on to charge the hybrid battery, you can feel the car sending power to the wheels for a slight two seconds and can also hear the brakes creaking as a result of the engine feeling engaged to the wheels even when the park gear (/button) is selected. …”

NHTSA complaint #10956818, filed 2017-02, 2 miles

“The coating on the wiring system attracted rodents to my car, the rodents ate through the electrical and tried to nest in the engine bay. The results were massive systems malfunctions and the car wasn't safe to drive. I had to get it towed to Toyota and they stated that this is a common problem. They've seen alot of this recently”

NHTSA complaint #10917459, filed 2016-10

“During summer months when temperatures are above 100 degrees when accelerating from a complete stop I can hear the engine rev and the RPMs increase but the vehicle will move at 1-2 mph. Even if the accelerator is to the floor. After 3-4 seconds the tires will squeal and the vehicle will be jolted forward then it will slowly accelerate. This happens occasionally and I have taken it to a Toyota dealership and a chain mechanic shop, neither have been able to recreate the problem. There are no warnings and no error codes. …”

NHTSA complaint #11600638, filed 2024-07

“We were driving kids to camp and the thermometer light went on. It was blinking for a while, then turned off and then turned steadily on. We weren't sure what to do, so we called our trusty mechanic who said bring it in right now. We did and it turned out that this was a broken head gasket. Our car is regularly maintained by a trusted Prius mechanic and has less than 78K miles, despite its age. From our mechanic: We found the engine coolant was low in the radiator. We filled the system and pressure-tested, found no external leaks. The thermostat and fans operate normally. …”

NHTSA complaint #11526097, filed 2023-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202228%
2021233%
202017%
2019620%
201838%
20171213%
20161711%
201585%
2014178%
2013379%
2012317%
2011479%
20101405%
2009194%
2008493%
2007372%
2006252%
2005151%
200491%
200121%

Other parts of the 2016 Toyota Prius

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
41 complaints
Other or unknown
31 complaints
Brakes
20 complaints
Electrical system
20 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
15 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints
Body and structure
11 complaints
Air bags
7 complaints
Tires
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Suspension
5 complaints
Wheels
4 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Toyota Prius

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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