Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Owners filed 108 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Jan 2025. The most-cited component is service brakes (22).
Complaints
108
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
12
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
10
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Service brakes22
- Electrical system14
- Engine9
- Air bags9
- Exterior lighting8
- Visibility/wiper7
- Tires5
- Structure5
- Steering5
- Vehicle speed control5
- Electronic stability control (esc)4
- Fuel/propulsion system4
- Seats4
- Wheels4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
11
18
19
22
12
3
10
6
5
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 18 |
| 2018 | 19 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 10 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Service brakes
22 reports7 crashes
“The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed low speeds on a decline, the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard. As a result, the vehicle rolled downhill into a busy intersection and was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed at total lose by the contacts insurance provider. A police report was filed with no injuries reported. The manufacturer was notified of the failure; a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was 62,000.”
Electrical system
14 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the trunk power switch failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the trunk power switch was enabled to unlock, however the trunk door did not unlock. The contact stated that the trunk power switch failed to unlatch the trunk door and the trunk door was stuck. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with battery failure due to a lack of voltage. The contact was informed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that a Representative provided remedy options over the phone. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred intermittently. The failure mileage was approximately 48,000.”
Engine
9 reports
“The water pump on my 2016 Toyota Highlander XLE disintegrated while I was driving in heavy traffic. The pulley came loose from the water pump shaft. I have the water pump. Our safety was at risk because this happen in heavy traffic and it could have effected my control of the vehicle if it had came off completely. The pulley was wedge between the wheel well and fame. I sent a claim to Toyota and it was rejected due to the vehicle be out of warranty. I'm saying this is a manufacturing defect. No warning before it happen.”
Air bags
9 reports5 crashes
“I have had problems with the brakes since I bought the vehicle new in 2016. I have the brakes checked every year and when I had problems but they never found the problem why the brakes do not work. The worse accident was on November 19, 2022 when my wife was using the car. She was in the car alone. She went to brake and the brakes did not engage, she slammed on the brakes 4 times and the car did not even slow down and she rear-ended the car in front of her. The air bags did not engage and she was injured. The brakes do not always work, I have gone through stop signs and red lights but the dealership says there is no problem.”
Exterior lighting
8 reports
“The tail lights on the back tailgate hatch are leaking and have been leaking. The leaks are getting progressively worse and the lights are filling up with water. The vehicle has been garage kept, has low mileage, and has never been wrecked. I feel like this is a manufacturer defect.”
Visibility/wiper
7 reports1 crash
“The side view mirrors are positioned in a way that completely blocks visibility on the sides of the car, especially when making a left-hand turn. After owing the vehicle for several weeks, I collided with another car when making a left-hand turn. I couldn't see the car when turning until it was too late. I've been driving for 30+ years and have never had an accident before. I had another close call several weeks ago, and my husband almost didn't see a pedestrian because of the visibility issue. I looked up the problem online and see that many other have had this same problem. Please look into it. I called Toyota but they don't have a recall and said they couldn't help. I plan to change out my side view mirrors but wanted to bring this to your attention so that no one gets hurt by this issue. Thank you.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.