AI Damage2016 Toyota Highlander: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Toyota Highlander filed 111 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 150 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 111
- involving a crash
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 150
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 17% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 13% of all complaints
- 3 Air bags 9% of all complaints
- 4 Engine 8% of all complaints
- 5 Exterior lighting 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 8% of all complaints
- 7 Tires 6% of all complaints
- 8 Steering 5% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 19 complaints (17% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Electrical system: 14 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 29.
- Air bags: 10 complaints (9% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Engine: 9 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Exterior lighting: 9 complaints (8% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3.5 L · hybrid · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- CVT
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 111 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 19 | 7 | 5 |
| Electrical system | 14 | 1 | 29 |
| Air bags | 10 | 6 | 4 |
| Engine | 9 | 0 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| Visibility | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| Tires | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Steering | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Structure | 4 | 1 | 44 |
| Wheels | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| Seats | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 1 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
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.
As a result, the vehicle rolled downhill into a busy intersection and was struck by another vehicle on the passenger side door. The air bags did not deploy. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed at total lose by the contacts insurance provider.
The contact's vehicle sustained significant front end damage, but the air bags did not deploy. The front passenger sustained chest injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed from the scene. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired.
Even though she was traveling downhill she said the brakes did not engage the abs and then toward the end of the crash, before hitting the third tree the car accelerated on its own. Upon hitting the third tree all air bags deployed and fire, police, and ambulance arrived at the scene and took them all to the hospital.
I had an accident on my car going 50 to 60 mph I the road curved and I did not I went into the top of the ditch hit front end and went airborn 30 to 50 feet in the air over the persons drivway. I landed on my back bumper which then propelled me back into the air and I flipped end over end landed on my tires.
The component involved was the vehicle's seat belt/restraint system. While my daughter was wearing the seat belt, it became stuck around her waist/abdomen and became extremely tight. The belt continued to tighten and would not loosen or release normally. The seat belt had to be cut in an emergency to free my daughter.
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.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 532 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Highlander has 229 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 111, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
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…
- 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.
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
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…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
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…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
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…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
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…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
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…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
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…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 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…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
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.
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for…
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life…
This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC)…
NHTSA lists 150 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, air bags. Total complaints: 111. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (10%), warning lights, check engine (8%), headlights and tail lights (5%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
NHTSA lists 150 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota Highlander from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.