Most common 2016 Toyota Prius v problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Prius v complaints by model year
Best Prius v years: 2017, 2016, 2015. Years to avoid: 2012, 2013, 2014. Compare all years →
2016 Toyota Prius v recalls (1)
Hybrid propulsion system › Inverter
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter…
What 2016 Toyota Prius v owners say
Speed control & acceleration
On [redacted] at [redacted] I was backing out of a driveway when my 2016 Prius V5 accelerated on its own. When I applied the brakes, nothing happened. I hit a curb, which flattened the front passenger tire. In order to get the car to stop, I took it out of gear and put it in neutral. The car finally came to a stop. My speed while backing out of the driveway was less than 5 mph. It accelerated to about 15 mph. I was told that because the tire flattened due to the force of impact with the curb, Toyota considered it an accident. Toyota had me complete an "Unintended Acceleration" form so they could investigate the situation. A case number ([redacted]) was assigned. I was also told that I needed to contact Toyota's Brand Engagement Center at [phone]. …
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.
Electrical system
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.
I have owned several Toyota vehicles over the years - a tercel, a rav4, a tacoma and a Prius v. Recently I was hit with a $1680 + repair to my 2016 Prius v due to 'rodent damage' to my wiring. This included damage to 3 out 4 brake lines, an o2 sensor line, a fuel line sensor and possibly a fuel pump wiring harness. The check engine light came on while driving at 60mph. I was driving on 1 working brake line!! My car was in the Toyota shop for 3 days. I've read that Toyota denies responsibility for using wiring that attracts rodent chewing. I have been forced to take this loss of use and damage to my auto insurance policy and am extremely concerned that I will face this type of damage in the future with more catastrophic results like an accident. This possibility makes the ownership of a my Prius financially and practically untenable!!! …
Air bags
Airbags failed to deploy upon impact with guardrail. Drivers side front corner hit the guardrail at approx. 45% angle at 50-60mph. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance rep. and was deemed a total loss. The car is available for inspection.
Tl* the contact owns a 2015 Toyota Prius. While driving approximately 40 MPH, the contact crashed into the front passenger side of another vehicle. The air bag did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries that required medical attention. The vehicle was damaged and towed to a body shop where it was repaired. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The cause of the failure was not determined. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.
2016 Toyota Prius v engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4-cyl hybrid | CVT | FWD | 43 / 39 / 41 |
EPA ratings. Class: Wagon.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius v a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Prius v rates better than average: 60% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Prius v at the same age. It is one of the best Prius v years by this measure. 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 Prius v?
The speed control & acceleration — 4 complaints, 25% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (4) and air bags (4).
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Prius v have?
There is 1 recall for the 2016 Toyota Prius v, the most recent from June 24, 2020 (inverter). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Prius v?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2017, 2016 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2012, 2013 and 2014. See the full Toyota Prius v years comparison.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Prius v problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 28,000 miles; 83% 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.