2016 Toyota Highlander
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Service brakes is the leading concern among 110 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 23rd highest complaint count among 25 Highlander model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 14 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 10 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Electrical systemNov 27, 2018
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).
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18E107000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, wiringOct 24, 2016
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."
If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V775000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 9, 2016
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."
An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 16V420000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
110 reports, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH on the highway, the contact pulled over and heard water dripping. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence and then to the dealer where it was diagnosed as the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. The contact stated that the failure speed was actually 0 mph and the mileage was 90,723. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure.
Electrical system, Apr 25, 2022, fire
I had bought my vehicle 5 months ago in an authorized Toyota dealer, on Easter Day we got on the vehicle drove 15 minutes from home to the park, parked my vehicle, turn it off and went to the park are next to where my vehicle was parked, from where i was sitting i was able to see my vehicle and we wasn't that far, not even 5 minutes after that i walked near the vehicle and notice it was on fire. No light was on in the dashboard, everything was working fine, the vehicle just had an oil change at the begging March 2022 and now in April 2022 it caught fire. This was my dream vehicle and i worked hard to get it. Fire fighters arrived at the scene, police department as well, the police gave me a report number, also a fire department investigator was called to the scene where he certified it was a short circuit and gave me a report number as well.
Exterior lighting, Feb 20, 2022
Rear passenger tail light lift gate has water inside tail light housing, if this continues it will cause brake light to be burned off or malfunction and cause vehicle behind these cars unable to see the tail light and cause an accident. The problem has been seen all over toyota forum and a quick google search will provide adequate evidence or recurring problem with this vehicle and similar vehicle with the same tail light manufacturer. Some people has brought their car to the dealerships under warranty for the same issue. I thought these will resolve itself but it has not. So I'm submitting request for recall to solve these problem since removing the housing is a difficult task and might cause more electrical problems.
Visibility/wiper, Feb 2, 2022
I was driving and I started to lower my sun visor and something broke and visor went all the way down and I could not see and had to pull over and remove the visor from the arm. I have been told Toyota had a problem before but they are not willing to fix the problem ( they should replace the whole sun visor.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2022
UNKNOWN please investigate this vehicle. The recalls we're never addressed. The dealership I purchased the car from, AutoNation Honda Roseville refused to service this car after a maintenance required warning light and tire pressure warning light came on and gasoline averaging 9mpg I complained about on 1-5-2022
Other or unspecified, Nov 11, 2021
After shopping, we went to open the trunk of our Highlander by pressing the button. As it opened, we heard a crunching sound from the top but the trunk continued to open. It then reached the point where suddenly the top spoiler was dislodged and the back window's glass exploded outward in a thousand small pieces all over my husband. At no point did a safety mechanism turn on to stop the trunk from opening. We had a few prior experiences with the trunk failing to stop if something was in its way, demonstrating that there is an issue with the sensor or there is no sensory system in the car that would prevent it from crushing something or someone. After contacting Toyota, they stated that this was not covered under the warranty of the vehicle.
Electrical system, Engine, Jul 13, 2021
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would shut-off without warning. The contact would be able to restart the vehicle a few minutes after the failure. The contact had taken the vehicle to an unknown dealer. The dealer attempted to charge him a diagnostic fee and the contact refused. The manufacturer had been notified of the failure and they sided with the dealer and insisted that he pay a diagnostic fee to have the vehicle serviced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
Engine, Apr 4, 2021
ENGINE IS MAKING A AUDIBLE KNOCKING SOUND THAT INCREASES WITH ENGINE RPM. THE SOUND IS EMITTING FROM THE BOTTOM RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE ENGINE (UNDERNEATH/TO THE RIGHT OF THE OIL PAN ON THE SIDE NEAREST TO THE PULLEYS AND SERPENTINE BELT). I HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO RELIABLE TOYOTA IN SPRINGFIELD MISSOURI. DEALER CLAIMS THE SOUND IS NORMAL EVEN AFTER VIDEO EVIDENCE WAS PROVIDED. HOWEVER, I HAVE NOT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM OTHER HIGHLANDERS. A NON DEALER MECHANIC WAS CONSULTED AND HE HEARD TO NOISE AND ADVISED MY TO RETURN TO THE DEALER SO THEY MAY SOLVE THE ISSUE UNDER WARRANTY,
Engine, Dec 11, 2020
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR INOPERATIVE DURING NORMAL USE
Steering, Nov 3, 2020
MONDAY 2, 2020 AND ON THE FRIDAY BEFORE AND 2 OTHER TIMES ,THE STEERING WHEEL ICON WOULD SHOW ON DASH. AND ON AT LEAST TWICE WHILE DRIVEING STEERING WOULD LOCK UP SO BAD ,IT REQUIRED YOUR WHOLE BODY WEIGHT TO TURN A SMALL AMOUNT . THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO BE KILLED! PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF ENGINE AND RESTARTED ENGINE AND THAT PUTS SEERING BACK TO NORMAL FOR A LITTLE WHILE. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP 11/02/2020 THEY SAID NOT UNDER WARRANTY, { 56125 MILES} BY THE WAY! TOLD ME 1400.00 PLUS TAX! THEY SAID THEY NEVER SEEN THIS BAD TOLD I SHOULDN'T DRIVE IT HOME, HAD TO FIND A RIDE HOME. THE Y WILL REPLACE THE ECU WHICH IS 700.00 BY ITSELF ON 11/03/2020. IM NOT SURE TOYOTA IS WHAT THEY USED TO BE. AND WE HAVE OWNED 5 TOYOTA'S!
Steering, Oct 25, 2020
2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER 30,000 MILES EPS FAILURE STEP ON THE BREAK IN THE MORNING EPS FAILURE WITH THE FLASHING LIGHT SHUT IT OFF STEP ON THE BREAK AGAIN START IT AND SOMETIMES IT'S BACK TO NORMAL READ ABOUT THE 2015 HAVING THIS PROBLEM TRULY THING THIS TRUCK WAS BUILT TOWARDS 2015 MORE THAN INTO 2016 THINK IT SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO I KNOW THEY HAD PROBLEMS IN 2015 WITH IT FOR A 2016 WITH 30,000 MILES YOU SHOULD HAVE NO PROBLEMS. TRULY WOULD LIKE TO RESPOND IN SOME SORT INVESTIGATION TO SEE IF IT WAS BUILT TOWARDS THE TAIL END OF 2015. STATIONARY ALWAYS HAPPENED STARTING IT UP HAPPENED TWICE IN DECEMBER2019 DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT STARTED HAPPENING FREQUENTLY SEPTEMBER 2020
Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2020
HAS THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS IN MY VEHICLE THAT I HAVEN'T ADDRESSED OR TAKEN CARE OF? I AM ON THE ROAD QUITE A BIT AND WAS NOTED OF SEVERAL PAST RECALLS. THANK YOU . [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2020
MY SUV S SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING ON A SUBURBAN STREET WITH TWO KIDS IN CAR SEATS BEHIND ME . IT SOUNDED LIKE AN EXPLOSION . GLASS IS ALL OVER THE CAR , IT HAS TO BE TOWED AND I NEED A RENTAL CAR AND I HAVE TO FILE A CLAIM FOR MY INSURANCE NOW.
Exterior lighting, Aug 31, 2020
WATER INSIDE LEFT TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY AS PURCHASED USED FROM DAVE EDWARDS TOYOTA, AS CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, May 9, 2020
THE IPHONE 11 IS NOT COMPATIBLE WHICH CAUSES YOU NOT TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE HANDS FREE. EVERY TIME I TURN ON MY CAR AND CONTEXT MY PHONE MY CAR AUDIO DISCONNECTS. I CONFIRMED ON THE TOYOTA WEBSITE THAT THE IPHONE 11 IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH TOYOTA CARS WHICH MAKES IT IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE HANDS FREE. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2020
THE LIFTGATE HIT MY 73 YEAR OLD MOTHER IN THE HEAD KNOCKING HER BACKWARDS WITHOUT ANY SAFETY FEATURE STOPPING OR REVERSING THE DOOR AS IT CLOSED.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 24, 2020
INTERIOR LIGHTS ON AND OFF; WARNINGS E.G .HOOD OPEN WHEN NOT; DID NOT (LIGHT) ALERT CARS ALONG SIDE OR PASSING; MODULE CRACKED BY TAPPING TO DELETE PHONE #S PUT INTO SYSTEM BY TOYOTA TECH, NAVIGATION STARTED ON ITS OWN AND IT WAS INCORRECT!; MAPS INCORRECT TO LOCATION; MAP SHOWING NORTH AS SOUTH AND EAST AS WEST ALL WHEN CAR IN MOTION
Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2020
HEADED TO WORK AT 5:35 AM ON WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 15, 2020, AT 55 MPH ON MY DAILY COMMUTE IN MY 2016 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER, WESTBOUND ON I-70 BETWEEN THE CENTRAL PARK AND 270 EXITS, AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED. 22 DEGREES, CLEAR DAY, MODERATE TRAFFIC WITH STEADY FLOW, NO TURNS OR FREQUENT BRAKING, NO OBJECTS THAT COULD HAVE PLAYED A ROLE IN SITE, AND NO WARNING SIGNS OF WHAT WAS TO COME. SOUND REMINISCENT OF A GUNSHOT OCCURRED, AND AS I LOOKED AROUND I REALIZED THAT SHARDS OF GLASS WERE FALLING ONTO ME FROM MY PANORAMIC SUNROOF. THE FRONT PANEL OF MY SUNROOF IS BLOWN OUTWARD. 67,784 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WITH NO AFTERMARKET PARTS ASIDE FROM THE LED HEADLIGHTS. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO CAR OR MYSELF. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VARIOUS MANUFACTURERS, INCLUDING TOYOTA. I HAVE REACHED OUT TO TOYOTA AND AM WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.
Other or unspecified, Jan 9, 2020
LACK OF HANDS FREE PHONE CALLING. TOYOTA AND APPLE IPHONE 11'S ARE NOT SYNCING AND CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE.
Service brakes, Oct 30, 2019
I'VE HAD TWO SERIOUS INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE CAR'S AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM WE BOUGHT AS PART OF A SAFETY PACKAGE. BOTH WERE IDENTICAL. EACH TIME I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY AND THE CAR DETECTED A POTENTIAL SIDE IMPACT CRASH. BOTH TIMES, I SAW THE HAZARD IN TIME AND GIVEN THE CLOSE PROXIMITY OF TRAFFIC BEHIND BE AND THE HIGH RATE OF TRAFFIC FLOW SPEED I DETERMINED MY BEST CHANCE AT AVOIDING THE CRASH WAS TO ACCELERATE PAST THE SIDE IMPACT HAZARD. THE CAR DISAGREED AND SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. THIS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST LOSE CONTROL OF THE CAR BECAUSE MY SPEED BOTH TIMES WAS >70 MPH. AND IT WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS MULTI-CAR COLLISION FROM BEHIND. THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURRED I WENT STRAIGHT TO A TOYOTA DEALER AND ASKED HOW TO 'TURN OFF' THE SYSTEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T WITHOUT DISMANTLING EVERY ASPECT OF THE CAR'S SAFETY FEATURES. AFTER WATCHING ANOTHER TOYOTA GO THROUGH WHAT I BELIEVE WAS A SIMILAR INCIDENT WHILE DRIVING THROUGH A TUNNEL RECENTLY, I AGAIN VISITED A TOYOTA. THEY SEEMED INTERESTED IN THE COMPLAINT BUT HAD NO IDEAS FOR ME AS TO WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. SAID THEY'D RECEIVED NO OTHER COMPLAINTS, WHICH I FIND DIFFICULT TO BELIEVE.
Service brakes, Sep 24, 2019
BRAKES DID NOT WORK AND CAR WENT THROUGH A 4 WAY STOP SIGN. DATES WENT OUT: SEPTEMBER 2019, OCTOBER 2019. BRAKES FAILED ON A NORMAL DAY DRIVING UNDER 30 MPH IN RESIDENTIAL AREA.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 12, 2019
WHEN DRIVING, PERIODICALLY, UNDER NO PARTICULAR ROAD OR WEATHER CONDITION, THE "CHECK AWD SYSTEM," "ABS," "BRAKE" AND "STABILITY CONTROL" WARNING LIGHTS LIGHT UP. WHEN WARNING LIGHTS ARE ON, ONLY THE FRONT WHEELS WILL DRIVE AND STABILITY CONTROL IS INACTIVE. REAL WHEELS ARE NOT ACTIVE. THIS CONDITION MAY LAST FIVE TO TEN MINUTES, THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS HAS OCCURRED 10 TO 15 TIMES IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS.
Other or unspecified, Aug 28, 2019
WINDSHELD CRACKED OVERNIGHT WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE WITH NO REASON. I CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND DIDN'T GET A SOLUTION FROM THEM. THIS MUST BE SOMETHING THING RELATED TO THE COMPANY. FINALLY, I REPLACED IT WITH MY INSURANCE
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2019, crash
PARKING SENSORS AND PARK ASSIST RANDOMLY TURNS ITSELF OFF. WILL NOTICE THE SENSORS NOT DETECTING WHILE BACKING UP AND NOTICE DASH LIGHT IS NOT ILLUMINATED. NOT FUNCTIONING WHEN BACKING AND PARKING.
Electrical system, Aug 18, 2019
TWO SEPARATE ISSUES: 1. RAIN SENSING WIPERS ACTIVATE RANDOMLY ON CLEAR DAYS, SUN SHINING. WIPERS WILL WIPE ON TIME WHILE DRIVING RANDOMLY. A SEVERE DISTRACTION. 2. CRUISE CONTROL DISPLAY ACTIVATING RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING WITH NO VEHICLES NEARBY IN FRONT (ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL VEHICLE). DISPLAY WILL BE NORMAL AND THEN GO BACK AND FORTH THE THE SET DISPLAY SCREEN. DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY.