2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Highlander. This model year has 109 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Uncategorized Issues.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2016 Toyota Highlander Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Uncategorized Issues
Brake System
Electrical Faults
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Toyota Highlander. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Uncategorized Issues | 21 | 1 | — | — | |
| Brake System | 19 | 7 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 14 | 1 | 1 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 10 | 6 | — | — | |
| Engine Problems | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility/Wiper | 7 | 1 | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 6 | — | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota Highlander. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 109 most recent complaints
Steering column can become worn prematurely causing loose steering and possibly loose control
I was on Hwy 27 headed south bound at Bellecita Rd in Davenpoerrt, Fl. This is a busy four way intersection. I moved into the left hand turn lane. When the left turn green light came on I began my U-Turn to head north bound. The steering wheel would not respond to my input and th…
I was driving on a 2-lane road early in the morning with light snowfall. There was about 1" of snow on the road, with the roads not yet plowed or treated as it was the beginning of the snowfall. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of t…
**Nature of Safety Defect Within 13,000 miles of normal mixed highway and light off-road use on a Toyota Highland, one tire developed a sidewall bubble and all four tires exhibited extreme and uneven tread wear—far below the advertised 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. The remainin…
I was traveling on an interstate going home from work. My speed was approximately 65mph. I noticed traffic slowing up ahead. I began to drop my speed (cost down), as I was approaching the traffic the car in front of me was applying their brakes; I had already began to apply mine.…
P245/55R19 103T Nitto Crosstek2 BW. Vehicle pulls to different directions when the tires are cross swapped. I have taken the vehicle to 4 to 5 wheel alignments within 3 months and 3 different shops after the purchase of the tire. Recently I took the vehicle Big O Tires and they …
On multiple (3-5), but not all, occasions at the same location my pre collision warning and automatic breaking appear to have been triggered as I approached an expansion plate at the edge of a bridge. The pre collision warning sounded, then the brakes were automatically applied.…
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander equipped with Cooper Tires, Tire Line: Evolution H/T, Tire Size: 245/55/R19, DOT Number: UPPIILE. The contact stated that while his wife was driving approximately 55-65 MPH, the rear driver's side tire unexpectedly had a blowout. The cont…
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 ve…
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 vehicl…
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 …
The driver side rear passenger door can not be opened,either by remote or manually. This poses a threat to the safety of passengers in the rear seat area in the event of a crash. First responders would need to take other measures to tend to any injured passengers.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving approximately 20 MPH, the front right passenger's side view mirror suddenly fractured. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was no…
2016 toyota highlander le model v-6 cylinder. The FUEL PUMP runs after engine has been turned off for several hours, even up to as many as 8 hours. This situation can be heard in a closed in garage, in the completely quiet of night time, and at multiple times during the sa…
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 turni…
Had cv boot and control arm work at 30k miles caught it in time in 2021 and dealer fixed it. 2 years later same issue if i had bot taken it to dealer and just did oil changes myself cv boot and control arm would break during operation. Seems like they have serious issues with c…
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…
brakes did not work in January 13, 2023 when backing out of driveway. Have had numerous dealership look at it multiple times in last 4 years.
Description of Problem (electrical issue affecting multiple systems): Engine shuts off while driving. All instrument/electronic displays shut off or flicker while driving. Steering wheel locks and vibrates. Liftgate does not open. Vehicle cannot be unlocked with fob. Vehicle doe…
DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND SUNROOF EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUN SHOT.
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Highlander.
Recalls for 2016 Toyota Highlander
3 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Highlander. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2016 Toyota Highlander — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2016 Toyota Highlander reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 109 NHTSA owner complaints, 14 crash-related, and 3 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Uncategorized Issues (21 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Highlander?▾
#1: Uncategorized Issues (21 complaints). #2: Brake System (19 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (14 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Toyota Highlander?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 14 crash-related complaints and 1 fire reports out of 109 total NHTSA complaints. 10 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?▾
Yes — 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Toyota Highlander. The largest issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota Highlander?▾
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Uncategorized Issues issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Toyota Highlander reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2016 Toyota Highlander
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.