2016 Toyota Prius Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 41about this part
- Share
- 26%of 155 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,900miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 41 complaints about the visibility of the 2016 Toyota Prius, 26% of the 155 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,900 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 3 ft. Long crack in my windshield that occurred approximately a month and a week ago. It has become a safety risk to drive as the crack reflects sunlight in my eyes when driving during the day, or at the end of the work day during sunset. Toyota is unable to provide a windshield replacement.”
NHTSA complaint #10971170, filed 2017-04, 11,000 miles“There is something wrong with the windshield design of the car. I had debris or road gravel hitting the windshield twice in last 2 months and got a crack on windshield in 2 occasions. I was driving car at 65 MPH on highway in both instances. I also realize a flaw with wiper design that the wipers do no clear the full wind shield. This reduces visibility specially winter when there is lot of salt and snow on roads.”
NHTSA complaint #11157195, filed 2018-12, 20,000 miles“While at highway speeds I was struck by a rock. Windshield cracked. Had to have it replaced. Costly and now I am told it will cost another $400+ to have it calibrated. I am now reading that the Prius is prone to windshield breaks and the cost of recalibration is both expensive and the dealers don't like doing it so the time to get it done is excessive. I now worry if safety features are compromised and it is dangerous to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #11073925, filed 2018-02, 13,798 miles“On my way to work, while switching lanes from left to right, my vehicle windshield was hit with a small oncoming pebble rock that fell from a semi-truck that was approximately 125 feet in front of me. I could not avoid it since it was a last second situation. My current speed was 50 MPH in a 70 MPH zone because traffic in the left lane was moving slower that it should hence why I moved from the left to the right lane. …”
NHTSA complaint #10956961, filed 2017-02, 12,000 miles“The windshield cracked within 3 days of purchasing the car as brand new. I didn't hear a rock hitting it and I can't see an impact pattern. I woke up one morning and the crack was over a foot and it spread from there into multiple cracks. There was no chance to get the windshield repaired at all and it needed to be replaced but I don't have the 1300 dollars that the dealer is saying it takes to get it replaced and they claim it was a rock and not a defect which I'm disputing.”
NHTSA complaint #10985691, filed 2017-05, 150 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244115Aug 21, 2023TSB: The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. Follow the procedures outlined in…
- 10202452Sep 3, 2021TT: When used in conjunction with the Repair Manual, these Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Recognition Camera, and Front Millimeter Wave Radar tips leverage SSTs and readily…
- 10145739Aug 22, 2018TT: When used in conjunction with the Repair Manual, these Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Recognition Camera, and Front Millimeter Wave Radar tips leverage SSTs and readily…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 6% |
| 2024 | 1 | 4% |
| 2022 | 2 | 8% |
| 2019 | 1 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 16% |
| 2017 | 17 | 19% |
| 2016 | 41 | 26% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 12 | 6% |
| 2013 | 8 | 2% |
| 2012 | 30 | 7% |
| 2011 | 13 | 2% |
| 2010 | 21 | 1% |
| 2009 | 2 | 0% |
| 2008 | 15 | 1% |
| 2007 | 27 | 1% |
| 2006 | 14 | 1% |
| 2005 | 15 | 1% |
| 2004 | 10 | 2% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2016 Toyota Prius
31 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsElectrical system
20 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
15 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsBody and structure
11 complaintsAir bags
7 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 29, 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