The 2016 Toyota Highlander is associated with 115 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 3 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Other / Uncategorized, accounting for 16 reports (14% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 5 certified vehicle configurations spanning 3.5L 6-Cyl hybrid, 2.7l 4-cyl, and 3.5l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 20 to 28 MPG combined. The 2016 Toyota Highlander belongs to the 3rd generation (XU50) Highlander platform spanning model years 2015–2019.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 115 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 3 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Other / Uncategorized (16 / 14%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 14 crash / 1 fire / 8 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 20–28 MPG (5 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
| Variant | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Highway | Combined | EV Range | Est. Annual Fuel Cost |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD Hybrid | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 27 MPG | 28 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Highlander Hybrid AWD LE Plus Hybrid | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (AV-S6) | 28 MPG | 28 MPG | 28 MPG | — | $2,200 / yr |
| Highlander 2WD | 2.7L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 20 MPG | 25 MPG | 22 MPG | — | $2,800 / yr |
| Highlander 2WD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 19 MPG | 25 MPG | 21 MPG | — | $2,950 / yr |
| Highlander AWD | 3.5L 6-Cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 18 MPG | 24 MPG | 20 MPG | — | $3,100 / yr |
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.
| Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant | Overall Rating | Frontal Crash | Side Crash | Rollover Rating | Rollover Risk |
| SUV FWD | | | | | 18.5% |
| SUV AWD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
| HV SUV AWD | | | | | 16.900000000000002% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as Optional in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Toyota Highlander models.
View complete 2016 Toyota Highlander crash test & safety breakdown →
Top Reported Problem Categories
Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA
Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.
View all 2016 Toyota Highlander problems & component breakdown (37 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Defect Summary: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Free Manufacturer Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 29, 2019. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Defect Summary: 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."
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2016 Toyota Highlander recalls & campaign history (3 campaigns) →