The 2016 Toyota Prius is associated with 181 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 5 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Visibility & Wipers, accounting for 33 reports (18% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 4 certified vehicle configurations spanning 1.8L 4-Cyl hybrid and 1.5L 4-Cyl hybrid configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 41 to 56 MPG combined.
Key Data Findings
- • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 181 reports
- • Safety Recall Campaigns: 5 campaigns
- • Top Reported Defect Area: Visibility & Wipers (33 / 18%)
- • Safety Incident Signals: 13 crash / 0 fire / 6 injury reports
- • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: 5 / 5 Stars
- • EPA Efficiency: 41–56 MPG (4 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 |
| Prius Eco Hybrid | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 58 MPG | 53 MPG | 56 MPG | — | $1,100 / yr |
| Prius Hybrid | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 54 MPG | 50 MPG | 52 MPG | — | $1,200 / yr |
| Prius c Hybrid | 1.5L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 53 MPG | 46 MPG | 50 MPG | — | $1,250 / yr |
| Prius v Hybrid | 1.8L 4-Cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | 43 MPG | 39 MPG | 41 MPG | — | $1,500 / 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 |
| 5 HB FWD | | | | | 10.7% |
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as Optional and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Toyota Prius models.
View complete 2016 Toyota Prius 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 Prius problems & component breakdown (54 categories) →
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
Affected Component: HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER
Defect Summary: 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.
Free Manufacturer Remedy: 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.
View all 2016 Toyota Prius recalls & campaign history (5 campaigns) →