Problems · NHTSA complaints
2016 Toyota Prius problems
Owners filed 181 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Prius with NHTSA between Feb 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (42).
Complaints
181
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
8
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Visibility/wiper42
- Electrical system26
- Service brakes22
- Engine20
- Vehicle speed control18
- Power train16
- Structure12
- Air bags11
- Tires9
- Fuel/propulsion system7
- Suspension5
- Exterior lighting4
- Wheels4
- Seats3
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 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
27
45
31
12
19
11
9
5
11
6
5
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 45 |
| 2018 | 31 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 19 |
| 2021 | 11 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 11 |
| 2025 | 6 |
| 2026 | 5 |
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
Visibility/wiper
42 reports
“I reported issues with this car in 2018. Clicking sounds under the car which is still happening, peeling paint on exterior and inside door areas, substandard windshield that spread in a very unusual pattern when hit by a small rock. The NHTSA ID Number that was assigned to these complaints is [XXX] . None of these problems have been addressed. There are other owners that have experienced the same problems, apparently their issues have not been addressed. These problems should have been sent by you to the Toyota Corporation, but apparently was not. I have owned many Toyota vehicles and have not experienced these problems. I also own a 2012 Toyota Prius which I drive when I when I am traveling on the interstate, because I feel that the clicking noises on the 2016 Toyota Prius is a safety issue that seems to be coming from the steering section underneath the car. When traveling the speed limit on the on Interstate highways, what would be the outcome if the steering mechanisms underneath the car did not work properly. It is a shame that this safety issue has not been addressed by you, and it is also a shame that I have to drive my older toyota at these times to feel safer when driving.”
Electrical system
26 reports1 crash1 related recall
“Car was driving fine one day and then while driving down the interstate I had the Pre collision system malfunction error, Brake light came on, Cruise will not operate, ABS light is on. After much research it seems Prius V has a common issue with brake booster faulting.”
Service brakes
22 reports2 crashes
“Second time !!!! during ownership of car that brakes fail. Same problem as before Brake Actuator/Booster Failures: Multiple reports indicate issues with the ABS actuator or brake booster pump, leading to warning lights ("Braking power low", "ABS system malfunction").”
Engine
20 reports1 crash
“The front exhaust pipe assembly (heat exchanger) on my 2016 Toyota Prius leaked engine coolant internally into the exhaust system. Toyota has documented this condition in Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19 ("Low Coolant, MIL ON DTC P148F00, and/or Poor Heater Performance") for 2016-2019 Prius vehicles and released a redesigned replacement part (17410-37D40). In [October 2026], at about [97,000] miles, I found the engine coolant reservoir was emptying about every night (nearly a full reservoir) with no external leak. A shop pressure test found no leak. Coolant collected inside the tailpipe after the car sat overnight, and white steam came intermittently from the exhaust while driving. The car stored code P148F00. On [October 26, 2026], a Toyota dealer ([DEALER NAME], Bloomington, Indiana) confirmed coolant leaking from the front exhaust pipe heat exchanger, per T-SB-0135-19, repair order #[RO NUMBER], and quoted $1,870 to replace the front exhaust pipe with the updated part. My concern is that a vehicle losing coolant this fast can run low without warning and overheat while driving, which can cause engine damage or loss of power, and the white steam from…”
Vehicle speed control
18 reports5 crashes
“I turned on my car in a flat parking lot, reversed out of my spot, and drove up to a traffic light to exit the parking lot. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and tried to accelerate, but nothing happened. After a few seconds, my car lurched forward with a sudden jerk, and I was able to exit, but this behavior (no movement, then sudden jerk) continued to happen. I was scared that I would get into an accident, so I pulled over and turned the car off and on. The behavior continued. I drove to a safe location, and parked the car. I noticed the engine kept revving up and down, even though I was parked, and the hybrid battery indicator showed no charge. I turned off the car, and had dinner for about an hour. After I finished dinner, I started the car, and it was driving normally again (creeping forward as soon as I took my foot off the brake), but I was afraid the problem would happen again, at a dangerous moment. There were no warning lights or messages while this problem was happening. I explicitly checked that the parking brake was not set.”
Power train
16 reports
“My car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road with message "Hybrid system stopped steering power low". Safety concern to this happen on the middle of road during rain or cold.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.