Photo: Kārlis Dambrāns from Latvia / CC BY 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2016 Toyota Prius: common problems and reliability
One of the weaker Prius years.
508 owner complaints, most about visibility/wiper. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2016 Prius?The 2016 Toyota Prius has 508 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2016 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Prius years only. How we score it
Is 2016 a good year for the Prius?
Across the 26 Prius model years we track, complaint volume runs from 4 (2000) to 5,652 (2010). With 508 complaints, the 2016 Prius sits about the same as the model's median of 502.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2016 Prius
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 17V658000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 18V579000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module
Campaign 16V672000Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.
air bags:side/window
Campaign 18V085000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
Show 2 more recalls
parking brake
Campaign 16V741000Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
hybrid propulsion system: inverter
Campaign 20V369000Toyota 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.
What owners say across generations
Overwhelmingly positive sentiment across multiple generations, with the Prius consistently praised as the quintessential rational transportation appliance.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Prius. See the full Prius owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used Prius listings typically run $12,797–$27,748.
Other Prius model years
Compare every Prius year side by side to see how 2016 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Prius against its rivals
Looking at a specific car?
We're building a full check by VIN: the exact trim and engine, its known problems and recalls, what to inspect, a fair price, and how it compares with its rivals. Get an email when it's ready.
One email when it launches. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy