2016 Toyota Highlander recalls and problems

The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 2 safety recalls and 111 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

111

Crashes / fires

14 / 1

Injuries / deaths

11 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2016 Toyota Highlander vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2016 Toyota Highlander recalls

Recall 16V-775: Electrical System, Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported Oct 24, 2016 · 7,056 vehicles affected · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Problem: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire harness, preventing the sensor from detecting the brake fluid level. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."

Risk: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, connect the wire harness to the sensor, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this G03.

Recall 16V-420: Equipment

Reported Jun 9, 2016 · 4,253 vehicles affected · Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC

Problem: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

2016 Toyota Highlander problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Unknown or Other	21
Service Brakes	19
Electrical System	14
Air Bags	10
Engine	9
Exterior Lighting	9
Visibility/Wiper	7
Tires	7
Steering	6
Seats	4
Vehicle Speed Control	4
Structure	4

Most reported parts

Structure › Body — 4
Forward Collision Avoidance › Automatic Emergency Braking — 3
Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 1
Forward Collision Avoidance › Warnings — 1
Exterior Lighting › Tail Lights — 1

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 25,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2016 Toyota Highlander complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Exterior Lighting · at 70,200 miles · reported Sep 10, 2026

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the rear taillight covers cracked due to the high outdoor temperatures, and there was condensation inside the taillight housing. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was determined that the rear taillight covers needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the rear taillight covers needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 70,200.

Steering · reported Feb 5, 2026

I was on Hwy 27 headed south bound at Bellecita Rd in Davenpoerrt, Fl. This is a busy four way intersection. I moved into the left hand turn lane. When the left turn green light came on I began my U-Turn to head north bound. The steering wheel would not respond to my input and the vehicle kept going straight into oncoming traffic. It took a great deal of bodily force to get the vehicle to respond. When it did respond there was loud popping noise. I had noticed in the past, that when Iwas turning or changing lanes on the hwy, the steering had a small glitch before it centered. I thought this…

Power Train · reported Jan 20, 2026

I was driving on a 2-lane road early in the morning with light snowfall. There was about 1" of snow on the road, with the roads not yet plowed or treated as it was the beginning of the snowfall. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of the road and let up on the gas paddle to avoid going too fast -- was probably traveling ~35 mph. Although the road was straight and flat at that point, my car suddenly started fishtailing, slowly turned 180 degrees and sliding to the other side of the road, ending up on the opposite edge of the road. When it hit the edge…

Tires · reported Nov 20, 2025

**Nature of Safety Defect Within 13,000 miles of normal mixed highway and light off-road use on a Toyota Highland, one tire developed a sidewall bubble and all four tires exhibited extreme and uneven tread wearâfar below the advertised 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. The remaining tread depth on all four tires is already under 2/32" in multiple locations, with severe cupping and feathering that makes the vehicle vibrate violently above 50 mph and causes unpredictable handling, especially in wet & snowconditions. These conditions render the tires objectively dangerous and unfit for continued…

Unknown or Other · reported Oct 27, 2025

I was traveling on an interstate going home from work. My speed was approximately 65mph. I noticed traffic slowing up ahead. I began to drop my speed (cost down), as I was approaching the traffic the car in front of me was applying their brakes; I had already began to apply mine. I was applying more pressure to my brakes to slow down more as the person in front of me began to slow more quickly. The person in front of me then had to slam their brakes on and I was not able to stop in time to avoid collision with the car in front of me. That driver did not come in contact with any other vehicle.…

Other Toyota Highlander years

2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 201720162015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001

Compare all Toyota Highlander years · All Toyota models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Highlander: 16V-775 (electrical system, service brakes, hydraulic), 16V-420 (equipment). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Toyota Highlander?

Owners report unknown or other problems most often (21 reports), followed by service brakes (19). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 25,000 miles.

Are Toyota recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Toyota dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.