Model year guide

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 4 on record.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints108
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined28 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Visibility/wiper
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 16.9% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2016 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid MPG & running costs

Combined28 mpg
City28 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,400
EPA size classStandard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
TransmissionAutomatic (AV-S6)
Engine start-stopYes

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$12,000
Fuel only$12,000
Per mile$0.16

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
191.3 in
Width
76.0 in
Height
68.1 in
Wheelbase
109.8 in
Curb weight
4,828 lb
Front track
64.2 in
Rear track
64.2 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

NHTSA defect investigations 1

Pedestrian alert sounds Closed

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. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that…

NHTSA #DP22005 · Electrical System · opened Jan 2023 · closed Aug 2023

An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.

Manufacturer service bulletins 281

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 281.

This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 shoul…

Bulletin T-SB-0009-26 · Engine · Feb 2026

OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.

Bulletin T-SB-0119-15 Rev2 · Engine · Feb 2026

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to p…

Bulletin T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Jan 2026

Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.

Bulletin T-TT-0790-25 · Electrical System · Aug 2025

The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.

Bulletin T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Electrical System · Jun 2025

Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid,…

Bulletin T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before th…

Bulletin T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especiall…

Bulletin T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to r…

Bulletin T-SB-0061-23 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, r…

Bulletin T-SB-0062-23 Rev2 · Structure · Dec 2024

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the HIGHLANDER HYBRID AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 2

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Electrical

Issue: This recall is for certain block heater kits installed on certain vehicles or sold as accessories at Toyota or Lexus dealerships. On certain vehicles, the engine block heater cable may not have enough heat protection and could be damaged by high temperatures. If this happens, the cable could short circuit while plugged in, and cause the wiring to overheat or melt. Note:…

Transport Canada #2021723 · Nov 2021

Electrical

On certain vehicles, the electrical power cords of some dealer installed block heaters may have been improperly manufactured, causing the wires to contact each other, resulting in a short circuit. A short circuit could lead to a fire which would increase the risk of injury and/or damage to property. Correction: For vehicles where the subject block heater was approved for instal…

Transport Canada #2017363 · Jul 2017

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander , also known as the Toyota Kluger in some markets, is a mid-size crossover SUV with three-row seating produced by Toyota since 2000.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid vehicles on record

Other Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years

2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid — frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?

Across all 108 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, electrical system, air bags.

What is the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 4★).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid get?

The 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid has a U.S. EPA estimate of 28 mpg combined (28 city / 28 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.