Every 2016 Toyota Prius recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 20V369000
Jun 24, 2020Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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 assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.
Full recall details for 20V369000 →Electrical System · NHTSA 18V579000
May 9, 2018Electrical System:Wiring
- Problem
- Toyota 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.
- Risk
- An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
Full recall details for 18V579000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 18V085000
Jan 31, 2018Air Bags:Side/Window
- Problem
- Toyota 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.
- Risk
- If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Full recall details for 18V085000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 17V658000
Oct 18, 2017Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
- Problem
- Toyota 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.
- Risk
- If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.
Full recall details for 17V658000 →Parking Brake · NHTSA 16V741000
Oct 14, 2016Parking Brake
- Problem
- Toyota 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.
- Risk
- If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.
Full recall details for 16V741000 →Air Bags · NHTSA 16V672000
Sep 16, 2016Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator Module
- Problem
- Toyota 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.
- Risk
- A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.
Full recall details for 16V672000 →
2016 Toyota Prius complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 183 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Prius, reporting 14 crashes, 8 injuries. Toyota has issued at least 302 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Visibility/Wiper42
- Unknown Or Other37
- Electrical System26
- Service Brakes24
- Engine19
- Vehicle Speed Control19
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (413)
- Electrical System (256)
- Structure (143)
- Equipment Adaptive/Mobility (39)
- Engine (37)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (30)
Read Toyota Prius owner complaints and bulletins, every year
What people reported
Owners have filed 183 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Prius. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
“P 175/65r15 I was driving on a slight curve on the I-10 in El Paso, TX when the rear bumper exploded. The car started swaying and swerving then I pulled over. I then realized that the tread on the tire was gone floating across the highway.”
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS CAug 16, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11681053
Crash
“While going 70 MPH, I hid a feral hog. Although the front end of my car crumpled up, and we came to a sudden stop, the air bags did not deploy.”
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VApr 18, 2022
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11461252
Crash
“I was hit when someone ran a stop sign. Pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a truck. My Toyota Prius was totaled. No air bags deployed. Seatbelt did not tighten either. I have contacted Toyota. Someone retrieved the data from recorder. I have a copy but it was to long to send with pics.”
2016 TOYOTA PRIUSJul 21, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11425866
“Prinx HiCITY HH2 175/65R15 84H Bought this tire in November 2022. About 15000 miles into it, on Aug 6, 2024, the passenger front tire just busted. After swapping with the spare tire, and upon inspection, there was no nail nor it hit the curb, but the side wall is busted.”
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS CAug 9, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11607627
Crash
“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.”
2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VMay 28, 2021
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11418913
Check your Prius by VIN
Not every 2016 Toyota Prius is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Toyota dealer.
Run a free VIN recall check →