Most common 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Share of the 6 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Highlander Hybrid complaints by model year
Best Highlander Hybrid years: 2017, 2011, 2013. Years to avoid: 2021, 2010, 2006, 2008, 2007. Compare all years →
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into a possible defect involving the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid:
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
What 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Brakes
Brake booster is bad. Brake is spongy. Repeated attempts to take to dealer lead to no action after complaining loudly and the dealer said my wife just has high blood pressure. But that is not the case, my Highlander has low brake pressure not "high blood pressure. Toyota does not share information about this defect by pretending defect doesn't exist and not notifying dealers. Check prius booster recall. Similar technology that doesn't seem to change.
I was stopped and in park with the vehicle running when the "check vsc system," "check ABS, brake malfunction" warning lights came on. They have since gone away and returned intermittently. Fortunately, there was no failure while in motion, but dealer estimated $4600 for repair. If this is the same problem for which warranty coverage was extended for 2006-07 models, this appears to be an ongoing issue.
2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | CVT | AWD | 27 / 28 / 28 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid a good car?
Based on 6 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Highlander Hybrid rates better than average: 65% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Highlander Hybrid at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The brakes — 3 complaints, 50% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the steering (1) and wheels & tires (1).
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2011 and 2013. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2021, 2010, 2006, 2008 and 2007. See the full Toyota Highlander Hybrid years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 52,000 miles; 50% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.