Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Toyota Prius owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I reported issues with this car in 2018. Clicking sounds under the car which is still happening, peeling paint on exterior and inside door areas, substandard windshield that spread in a very unusual pattern when hit by a small rock. The NHTSA ID Number that was assigned to these complaints is [redacted] . None of these problems have been addressed. There are other owners that have experienced the same problems, apparently their issues have not been addressed. These problems should have been sent by you to the Toyota Corporation, but apparently was not. I have owned many Toyota vehicles and have not experienced these problems. I also own a 2012 Toyota Prius which I drive when I when I am traveling on the interstate, because I feel that the clicking noises on the 2016 Toyota Prius is a safety issue that seems to be coming from the steering section underneath the car. …
Moments ago, I entered my 2016 Toyota Prius to find that my windshield had mysteriously cracked while parked over night. The crack was not present when I last drove the car last night. Based on some online research for windshield replacement cost, I've learned that Toyota was faced with a class action lawsuit regarding 2016-17 Toyota Prius containing defective windshields; in which these windshields are known to unexpectedly crack while parked or under ordinary driving conditions. Furthermore, my Toyota Prius is equipped with safety features (such as pre-collision system, lane departure alert with steering assist, automatic high beams and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control) that require a front camera to function properly. …
At the beginning of this week, I was checking fluid levels and upon dropping my hood, I watched a crack in the windshield extend up from the base of the windshield. Then, while I was driving, I watched the crack extend and branch into a second crack. Upon further inspection, it appears cracking started under the windshield wiper and arched downward to the base of the windshield and another a new crack extend upward. I am the only person who drives this car. I do not park under a tree or anything that might fall on the windshield. I have not experienced any rocks hitting the windshield recently. I have not driven in the rain in several weeks. The only time the windshield wipers moved recently is when I cleaned my windshield over the weekend and lifted the wipers to reach underneath. Best as I can tell, the crack started due to the windshield wiper being picked up and let back down. …
On my way to work, while switching lanes from left to right, my vehicle windshield was hit with a small oncoming pebble rock that fell from a semi-truck that was approximately 125 feet in front of me. I could not avoid it since it was a "last second" situation. My current speed was 50 MPH in a 70 MPH zone because traffic in the left lane was moving slower that it should hence why I moved from the left to the right lane. What I am trying to report is that I believe as well as many other 2016/2017 Toyota Prius owners who have cracked windshields, is that Toyota is using windshield glass that is not up to current safety standards. Judging by the crack in my windshield, which is now well over a foot long, you can tell how much thinner the glass is compared to other current make and model vehicles. …
2 months after getting the Prius, I was driving about 50 MPH on a elevated, single-lane highway overpass with no cars in front of me when I heard a crack and noticed a chip in the windshield on the passenger side. I had it repaired that day, but it still shows up. It has not changed since then. 8 months later, I was driving at around 50 MPH on a highway and saw a man in a pickup truck throw his arm out of his open window, like he was tossing something. Almost instantly I heard a crack and there was already a crack a few inches high, from the bottom of the windshield, on the lower-left of the drivers side of the windshield. I took a picture of the truck with the license plate, just in case it might help. When I had gotten to my destination, I checked the crack and where it looked like it had started, from a small chip near the bottom edge of the windshield. …
In early June I walked out from a bookstore in oceanside, ca to find my windshield, on my parked/stationary Prius, had about an 8 to 10 inch crack on the passenger side. I filed an insurance claim with aaa and found that when I attempted to use two different vendors for repair as well as the carlsbad, ca dealership, each one conveyed to me that there is a national shortage on Prius windshields. The crack has expanded on its own at this time, making the car unsafe to drive. It is almost across the entire windshield. I'm renting a car, but my rental will expire on July 20th. If I renew the rental, it will be at my expense. According to the carlsbad Toyota dealership, the replacement windshield will not be available until August 8th which is nearly a month away from now. The claim was reported in early June. …
I was driving to work on the highway and a small rock hit my windshield. Within minutes, a 6 inch crack had developed. By the time I arrived at work (about 15 minutes later), the crack has extended to over a foot. I called a local Toyota dealership and asked if any known defects existed. I was told no recalls exists for my windshield. Spoke with my insurance agent and referred to safelite autoglass for replacement, since it could not be repaired. The next morning, I drove car to work again and noticed crack has progress a few more inches overnight. By the time I left work, the lateral extending crack has now started extending towards the middle of the windshield, formed a jagged c-shape. Visibility was now limited from the crack and from the glare from the sunlight reflecting off the cracks. …
While driving, with no other vehicle within 100 yards, an approximately 12 inch long crack appeared from the lower passenger side windshield. I did not have the radio on and did not hear or see anything strike the windshield. When I arrived at my destination I inspected the crack and saw no chip or other evidence that something struck the windshield. After a few hours I came back to leave and noticed that the crack had grown even longer. I assume from being parked in direct sunlight, although it was only about 80f degrees. I have always been proud of Toyota's durability and have owned everything from the Prius to the tundra. I've even gotten many of my friends and family members to switch to Toyota. I now have to wonder if Toyota has started to "cheap out" like many other manufacturers. I am especially disappointed at the fact that this appears to be a "fit and finish" defect. …
For the second time in my ownership of this Toyota 2016 Prius, the windshield has cracked considerably due to tiny road debris making contact with it. I was driving along the highway when a small pebble from the road made contact with my windshield causing a crack which has grown in size and has snaked along my windshield considerably since the crack occurred earlier this week (7/13/2020). The total replacement of the windshield along with the calibration of the equipped ads camera system is very expensive, especially considering that this will be the second time that I must replace and re-calibrate. Although I would prefer to use a Toyota dealership, it would be very difficult for me to do so as the estimated cost is over $1K. …
I had a very small pebble hit my windshield while driving slowly on a residential street. The initial impact caused several significant cracks running lengthwise and widthwise across my windshield instead of just staring or pitting as traditionally occurs. This is my third Prius and I have never experienced a windshield responding this way. It appears online that this has become a very common problem and it is extremely costly since they currently do not have an aftermarket available. As well as requiring $600+ recalibration. I am extremely disappointed in Toyota. I am concerned that I am going to pay $1500 to get this fixed (since my insurance uses my deductable) only for it to break again due to a minor instance (as many have complained online). My understanding is that the new windshield is thinner/ lighter for mpg. Is this not covered on some sort of warranty or recall? …
Window & Wiper complaints in other Prius years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2016 Toyota Prius?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2016 Toyota Prius, 26% of the model year's 155 complaints. The component named most often is rearview mirrors/devices › interior (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2016 Toyota Prius window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2016 Toyota Prius, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Prius window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 74% before 25,000 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.