2016 Toyota Prius Recalls, Problems & MPG

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 183 owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Prius. The EPA rates it 41 to 56 MPG combined, depending on engine and drivetrain.

Recalls
6
Owner complaints
183
Crashes / fires reported
14 / 0
EPA combined
41–56 MPG

2016 Toyota Prius recalls

  • Hybrid Propulsion SystemJun 24, 2020 · NHTSA 20V369000+

    Risk: An unexpected hybrid power system shut down may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software update for the hybrid system. If the vehicle has experienced an inverter failure with certain hybrid system faults related to this condition, the inverter assembly will be repaired or replaced, prior to software update. All repairs will be performed free of charge. This recall began July 24, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TB10 / 20TA10.

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven.

  • Electrical SystemSep 5, 2018 · NHTSA 18V579000+

    Risk: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.

    Fix: 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.

    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.

  • Air BagsJan 31, 2018 · NHTSA 18V085000+

    Risk: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

    Fix: 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.

    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.

  • Hybrid Propulsion SystemOct 18, 2017 · NHTSA 17V658000+

    Risk: If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: 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.

    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.

  • Parking BrakeOct 14, 2016 · NHTSA 16V741000+

    Risk: If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.

  • Air BagsSep 16, 2016 · NHTSA 16V672000+

    Risk: A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.

    Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.

Recall repairs are free. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours still needs one.

Most reported 2016 Toyota Prius problems

Owner complaints to NHTSA by system. One complaint can name more than one system.

  • Visibility/Wiper42
  • Unknown or Other37
  • Electrical System26
  • Service Brakes25
  • Vehicle Speed Control19
  • Engine19
  • Power Train16
  • Structure12

2016 Toyota Prius gas mileage

EPA ratings for each version (city / highway / combined).

VersionEngineCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Prius Eco1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)585356$1,150
Prius1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)545052$1,250
Prius c1.5 L 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)534650$1,300
Prius v1.8 L 4 cyl, Automatic (variable gear ratios)433941$1,550

Real-world mileage depends on how and where you drive. Logbay compares your actual MPG with these EPA numbers.

Questions

Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2016 Toyota Prius, most recently for the hybrid propulsion system (Jun 24, 2020). Recall repairs are free at a dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Prius problems?

Owners filed 183 complaints with NHTSA. The most reported areas are visibility/wiper (42), unknown or other (37), electrical system (26).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Prius get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Prius at 41 to 56 MPG combined (best version: 58 city / 53 highway).

Sources: NHTSA recalls and owner complaints (api.nhtsa.gov), EPA fuel economy (fueleconomy.gov). Updated Oct 26, 2026. Complaint counts are unverified owner reports.