What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Prius?

Visibility and wipers is the biggest group with 40 complaints, followed by unknown or other reports. Brakes and the electrical system each have 20 complaints.

Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have recalls?

Yes. The file shows 5 recalls for this year. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Toyota Prius?

See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?

NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on file. See the crash ratings and the by-year comparison sections to judge how it stacks up.

Is 2016 the best year for the Toyota Prius?

The by-year comparison section on this page shows how 2016 sits next to other years. Counts there are not adjusted for sales.

2016 Toyota Prius Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Prius^[1]. The biggest group names visibility and wipers, with 40 complaints^[2].

155owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[3]

52–56MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

5★NHTSA overall rating^[5]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups in the NHTSA file, biggest first.

Visibility and wipers. 40 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe cracked windshields, a rear view mirror that does not dim at night, and rain water that pools on the glass.
Unknown or other. 30 complaints^[6]. These reports do not fit a named component group.
Brakes. 20 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a pedal that feels like it lets go for a moment over bumps or potholes, and a few describe waiting on parts for a repair.
Electrical system. 20 complaints^[8]. Owners describe rodent damage to wiring, trouble with the radio and navigation screen, and a speedometer that would not switch units.
Engine. 17 complaints^[9]. In the stories we read, owners describe oil use and a car that hesitates or will not move when they pull away from a stop.
Power train. 15 complaints^[10].
Speed control. 14 complaints^[11].
Structure. 11 complaints^[12].

These are unverified reports sent in by owners, and one complaint can name more than one component.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2016 Prius is necessarily included.

Electrical System › Wiring (18V579), September 2018. About 192,347 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[13]
Air Bags › Side/Window (18V085), January 2018. About 48,672 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[14]
Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter (17V658), October 2017. About 6 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of drive power. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[15]
Parking Brake (16V741), October 2016. About 91,585 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, reduced braking. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[16]
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module (16V672), September 2016. About 7,817 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[17]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[18]	54 / 50 / 52	$1,300
Prius Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive^[4]	58 / 53 / 56	$1,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
5 HB FWD^[5]	5	4	5	4	10.7%

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine	Horsepower
2016 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder^[19]	82 hp
2016 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder^[20]	96 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
PRIUS 5DR LIFTBACK^[21]	179 in	69 in	58 in	106 in	3,064 lb
PRIUS C 5DR HATCHBACK^[22]	157 in	67 in	57 in	100 in	2,496 lb
PRIUS V 5DR HATCHBACK^[23]	182 in	70 in	62 in	109 in	3,318 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Prius model year. The 2016 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2001	165	3
2002	167	2
2003	99	1
2004	610	6
2005	1,051	6
2006	1,439	6
2007	2,003	4
2008	1,497	4
2009	502	6
2010	2,829	10
2011	522	6
2012	449	7
2013	426	4
2014	222	4
2015	171	2
2016	155	5
2017	91	3
2018	37	1
2019	30	3
2020	14	0
2021	6	0
2022	24	1
2023	21	4
2024	27	4
2025	18	2
2026	10	1

NHTSA's counts for the Prius show 155 complaints and 5 recalls for 2016^[3]. Among the 27 model years listed, 12 have fewer complaints than 2016 and 14 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2010 (2,829)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2016 Prius?

The 2016 Toyota Prius has 155 complaints on file^[1]. The largest group is about visibility and wipers^[2], and owners there often describe windshield trouble. Among the named groups, brakes and the electrical system follow with 20 complaints each^[7]^[8]. The file also lists 5 recalls for this year^[3], so check the Recalls section below. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a guide and not a score.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Prius?: Visibility and wipers is the biggest group with 40 complaints^[2], followed by unknown or other reports^[6]. Brakes and the electrical system each have 20 complaints^[7]^[8].
Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have recalls?: Yes. The file shows 5 recalls for this year^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the full list.
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Toyota Prius?: See the Fuel economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?: NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on file^[1]. See the crash ratings and the by-year comparison sections to judge how it stacks up.
Is 2016 the best year for the Toyota Prius?: The by-year comparison section on this page shows how 2016 sits next to other years. Counts there are not adjusted for sales^[3].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Toyota Prius

2007 2,003 complaints, 4 recalls
2008 1,497 complaints, 4 recalls
2010 2,829 complaints, 10 recalls
2013 426 complaints, 4 recalls
2014 222 complaints, 4 recalls
2015 171 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 this page
2017 91 complaints, 3 recalls
2025 18 complaints, 2 recalls
2026 10 complaints, 1 recall

Compare all model years of the Toyota Prius

Other Toyota models from 2016

2016 Toyota Corolla 215 complaints, 1 recall
2016 Toyota Highlander 117 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 Toyota Land Cruiser 4 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 Toyota RAV4 257 complaints, 3 recalls
2016 Toyota Sienna 76 complaints, 5 recalls
2016 Toyota Tacoma 324 complaints, 4 recalls

All Toyota models

Similar cars from 2016: midsize cars

2016 Cadillac CTS 31 complaints, 4 recalls
2016 Chevrolet Malibu 865 complaints, 10 recalls
2016 Chrysler 200 344 complaints, 2 recalls
2016 Dodge Challenger 78 complaints, 1 recall
2016 Ford Fusion 1,724 complaints, 13 recalls
2016 Honda Accord 611 complaints, 4 recalls

All midsize cars we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 155 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Toyota Prius (8 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
40 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,900). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Toyota Prius model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Prius Eco, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 58 city / 53 highway / 56 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 5 HB FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 10.7%. NHTSA vehicle records
30 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 9,500). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,400). NHTSA vehicle records
20 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 25,500). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 55,550). NHTSA vehicle records
15 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 24,000). NHTSA vehicle records
14 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 13,250). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 17,658). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 18V579, filed September 5, 2018: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
Recall 18V085, filed January 31, 2018: Air Bags › Side / Window. NHTSA recall database
Recall 17V658, filed October 18, 2017: Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V741, filed October 14, 2016: Parking Brake. NHTSA recall database
Recall 16V672, filed September 16, 2016: Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Prius, 1.8L 4-cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 54 city / 50 highway / 52 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $1,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2016 Toyota Prius with 1.5L 4-cylinder: rated 82 hp. www.epa.gov
EPA Test Car List, 2016 Toyota Prius with 1.8L 4-cylinder: rated 96 hp. www.epa.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS 5DR LIFTBACK: length 179 in, width 69 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 3,064 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS C 5DR HATCHBACK: length 157 in, width 67 in, height 57 in, wheelbase 100 in, curb weight 2,496 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, PRIUS V 5DR HATCHBACK: length 182 in, width 70 in, height 62 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,318 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.

2016 Toyota Prius: problems, recalls and fuel economy