CarBrief

Owners filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Highlander, and brakes are tied for the most named component group with 22[1][2]. Two recalls cover this model year, and both have a free remedy[3][4].

117owner complaints[1]
2recalls[5]
20–28MPG combined (EPA)[6]
5★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 117 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Highlander[1]. Of these, 14 mention a crash, 1 mentions a fire and 12 mention injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one component. The counts are also not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Here are the component groups with the most complaints.

Component group Complaints Crashes Injuries
Unknown or other[8] 22 1 1
Brakes[2] 22 7 5
Electrical system[9] 14 1 1
Air bags[10] 10 6 6
Engine[11] 10 0 0
Exterior lighting[12] 9 0 0
Steering[13] 7 0 0
Visibility/wiper[14] 7 1 0

Brakes tie with the unknown or other group for the top spot. The median mileage at failure for brake complaints is 28,000 miles[2].

Brakes. In the sample of brake complaints we read, owners describe the car not slowing as expected when they press the pedal. Some of these end in a low-speed bump or a crash. Others describe shaking under braking that they link to the rotors[2].

Air bags. This group is small, but 6 of its 10 complaints mention a crash[10]. In the sample we read, some owners say the air bags did not deploy in a crash. NHTSA does not verify these reports, so they show what owners say happened, not what caused it.

Electrical system. In the sample we read, owners describe the engine starting or shutting off on its own. Others describe glitches in driver-assist features, wipers, parking sensors, phone pairing and navigation[9]. The single fire in the 2016 complaint total sits in this group[1][9].

Engine. None of the 10 engine complaints mention a crash, fire or injury, and the median mileage at failure is 51,000 miles[11]. Owners in the sample describe stalling, hard starting, odd noises and water pump trouble[11].

Recalls

NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2016 model year, newest first.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2016 Highlander at 28 combined MPG for the hybrid and between 20 and 22 combined MPG for the gasoline versions[15][16][17][6][18]. All use regular fuel.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Est. annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl[15] 20 / 25 / 22 $3,050
2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl[16] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200
AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl[17] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
Hybrid AWD[6] 27 / 28 / 28 $2,400
Hybrid AWD LE Plus[18] 28 / 28 / 28 $2,400

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2016 Highlander 5 stars overall[7]. Frontal crash and rollover each get 4 stars, and side crash gets 5 stars[7]. The front-wheel-drive version has the same star ratings[19], and so does the hybrid[20].

The rollover risk is 16.9% for the all-wheel-drive version[7] and 18.5% for the front-wheel-drive version[19].

Engine and size

The 2.7L 4-cylinder engine is rated at 185 hp[21]. The 3.5L 6-cylinder is rated at 245 to 270 hp depending on version[22].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FWD[23] 191 in 76 in 68 in 110 in 4,244 lb
AWD[24] 191 in 76 in 68 in 110 in 4,486 lb
Hybrid[25] 191 in 76 in 68 in 110 in 4,828 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

2001: 137 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 301 complaints, 2 recalls2003: 258 complaints, 2 recalls2004: 286 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 225 complaints, 6 recalls2006: 648 complaints, 11 recalls2007: 234 complaints, 6 recalls20072008: 602 complaints, 12 recalls2009: 174 complaints, 10 recalls2010: 238 complaints, 11 recalls20102011: 186 complaints, 5 recalls2012: 191 complaints, 2 recalls2013: 212 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 138 complaints, 4 recalls2015: 196 complaints, 1 recalls2016: 117 complaints, 2 recalls11720162017: 274 complaints, 3 recalls2018: 274 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 506 complaints, 3 recalls20192020: 330 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 546 complaints, 5 recalls2022: 269 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 197 complaints, 9 recalls2024: 43 complaints, 7 recalls2025: 10 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Highlander model year. The 2016 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20011373
20023012
20032582
20042865
20052256
200664811
20072346
200860212
200917410
201023811
20111865
20121912
20132123
20141384
20151961
20161172
20172743
20182744
20195063
20203305
20215465
20222696
20231979
2024437
2025104
202640

With 117 complaints, 2016 has the fewest of any Highlander model year from 2001 through 2023[5]. The next lowest are 2001 with 137 and 2014 with 138[5]. Only 2024, 2025 and 2026 show fewer, with 43, 10 and 4[5]. At the other end, 2006 has 648 complaints and 2008 has 602[5].

The 2016 year has 2 recalls[5]. Only 2015 with 1 and 2026 with 0 have fewer[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so read this as a comparison between years of the same model, not a reliability score.

Should you buy a used 2016 Highlander?

The 2016 Highlander has fewer complaints than any other model year from 2001 through 2023[5]. It earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[7], and both of its recalls come with a free remedy[3][4]. Brakes are the most named complaint group, tied with unknown or other, and owners in the sample we read describe the car not slowing as expected[2][8]. Ask the seller for brake service records and proof that recall 16V775 was handled on the exact car. Fuel use differs a lot by version, from 20 to 28 combined MPG, so check which one you are looking at[17][6].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Brakes and the unknown or other group each have 22 of the 117 complaints on file[1][8][2]. Electrical system follows with 14[9].
Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes, two. One covers a brake fluid level sensor that may not be connected (16V775) and one covers a load label (16V420). Both have a free remedy[3][4].
How many miles per gallon does the 2016 Highlander get?
EPA rates the gasoline versions at 20 to 22 combined MPG and the hybrid at 28 combined MPG[15][16][17][6][18].
What safety rating does the 2016 Highlander have?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for frontal crash and rollover and 5 stars for side crash[7].
Is the 2016 Highlander a good year compared with others?
It has the fewest complaints of any year from 2001 through 2023, at 117[5]. That count is not adjusted for sales and is not a reliability score.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 117 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Highlander (14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 22 complaints name the brakes component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 16V775, filed October 24, 2016: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V420, filed June 9, 2016: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Highlander model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 27 city / 28 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 22 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 14 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 10 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 10,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 10 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 9 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 7 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 28,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 7 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 2.7L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,050. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Highlander 2WD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Highlander AWD, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus, 3.5L 6-cyl, Automatic (AV-S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 28 city / 28 highway / 28 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 16.9%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Toyota Highlander with 2.7L 4-cylinder: rated 185 hp. www.epa.gov
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Toyota Highlander with 3.5L 6-cylinder: rated 245 to 270 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER FWD 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,244 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER AWD 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,486 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, HIGHLANDER HYBRID 4DR SUV: length 191 in, width 76 in, height 68 in, wheelbase 110 in, curb weight 4,828 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.