We were driving on the highway on 5/16/20. We were driving around 65 MPH straight. We were driving on black asphalt and then when we drove over a bridge with white/grayish concrete, the car's emergency braking system activated and applied sudden braking even though we were normally driving. The car jolted and slowed down and all passengers were stopped by auto-locking seatbelts.
The worst 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Brakes3
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes3
- Acceleration1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Steering1
- Wheels1
Recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid 121
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Obsolete notice
- This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries
- Condition in which a musty odor is present
- Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air...
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical...
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used...
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix...
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal...
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad...
What 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Brake booster is bad. Brake is spongy. Repeated attempts to take to dealer lead to no action after complaining loudly and the dealer said my wife just has high blood pressure. But that is not the case, my highlander has low brake pressure not "high blood pressure. Toyota does not share information about this defect by pretending defect doesn't exist and not notifying dealers. Check prius booster recall. Similar technology that doesn't seem to change.
I was stopped and in park with the vehicle running when the "check vsc system," "check ABS, brake malfunction" warning lights came on. They have since gone away and returned intermittently. Fortunately, there was no failure while in motion, but dealer estimated $4600 for repair. If this is the same problem for which warranty coverage was extended for 2006-07 models, this appears to be an ongoing issue.
Stopped in intersection waiting to make a left turn. When attempting to accelerate engine did not start hybrid warning stated hybrid system failure stop immediately. Glided to a parking space. Attempted to restart engine continue to get same warning. After three attempts called aaa and toyota dealership. I was urged to tow the vehicle. After approximately 20 minutes, attempted to start again the vehicle turned on as if nothing happened. All warning lights at that time were extinguished. Dealership found a general warning on vehicle computer. Dealership could find nothing wrong with the vehicle.
The door on the drivers side top corner struck me in the temple and caused bleeding and a headache. The door has a sharp angle. It was stationary I closed the door and was exiting the vehicle to go in a crowded restaurant. In a private parking lot.
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 toyota highlander hybrid. While driving 40 MPH using the factory compact spare tire, the contact lost control of the steering when driving over grooved roads. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer, but there was no resolution. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Compare the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Other model years
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Questions about the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
Is the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid reliable?
Owners have filed 6 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid, close to a typical Highlander Hybrid model year.
What is the most common problem with the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid?
Brakes, with 3 complaints. Next is acceleration (1).
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Highlander Hybrid have?
No recalls on record.
What year does the Toyota Highlander Hybrid have bad brakes?
The Toyota Highlander Hybrid model years with the most brakes complaints are 2006 (137 complaints), 2008 (113 complaints) and 2007 (46 complaints).
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