2016 Toyota Highlander problems, complaints & recalls

2016 Toyota Highlander recalls (2)

• Recall 16V775000Oct 24, 20167,056 vehicles
  ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID

  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."

  Risk: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

• Recall 16V420000Jun 9, 20164,253 vehicles
  EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

  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."

  Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy: 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.

Recent 2016 Toyota Highlander complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026MA1 injuredSeats & Seat Belts

   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. My daughter was sitting in the second row to the right. The seat belt became stuck and extremely tight around her waist/abdomen. After she moved the shoulder…

   NHTSA complaint #11768372 · source
2. Filed Sep 10, 202670,200 miMSLighting

   The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Highlander. 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. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where it was determined that the rear taillight covers needed to be replaced. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11763408 · source
3. Filed Feb 5, 2026FLSteering

   I was on Hwy 27 headed south bound at Bellecita Rd in Davenpoerrt, Fl. This is a busy four way intersection. I moved into the left hand turn lane. When the left turn green light came on I began my U-Turn to head north bound. The steering wheel would not respond to my input and the vehicle kept going straight into oncoming traffic. It took a great deal of bodily force to get the vehicle to respond. When it did respond there was loud popping noise. I had noticed in the past,…

   NHTSA complaint #11715980 · source
4. Filed Jan 20, 2026MACrashTowedTransmission & DrivetrainWheels & Tires

   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. About 15 minutes into my trip, I was on a relatively flat and straight stretch of the road and let up on the gas paddle to avoid going too fast -- was probably traveling ~35 mph. Although the road was straight and flat at that point, my car suddenly started fishtailing, slowly turned…

   NHTSA complaint #11712269 · source
5. Filed Nov 20, 2025WIWheels & Tires

   **Nature of Safety Defect Within 13,000 miles of normal mixed highway and light off-road use on a Toyota Highland, one tire developed a sidewall bubble and all four tires exhibited extreme and uneven tread wear—far below the advertised 50,000-mile treadwear warranty. The remaining tread depth on all four tires is already under 2/32" in multiple locations, with severe cupping and feathering that makes the vehicle vibrate violently above 50 mph and causes unpredictable…

   NHTSA complaint #11700493 · source
6. Filed Oct 27, 2025WACrash1 injuredTowedAirbagsOther / Unknown

   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. I was applying more pressure to my brakes to slow down more as the person in front of me began to slow more quickly. The person in front of me then had to slam their brakes on and I was not able to…

   NHTSA complaint #11695898 · source
7. Filed Aug 15, 2025CAWheels & Tires

   P245/55R19 103T Nitto Crosstek2 BW. Vehicle pulls to different directions when the tires are cross swapped. I have taken the vehicle to 4 to 5 wheel alignments within 3 months and 3 different shops after the purchase of the tire. Recently I took the vehicle Big O Tires and they _verified the tires have "Radial Pull" / Tire Conicity due to Manufacturing Defect of the a belt separation within the tire's structure. _The shop also verified that the alignment is performed…

   NHTSA complaint #11681012 · source
8. Filed May 13, 2025MDDriver Assistance & Safety Tech

   On multiple (3-5), but not all, occasions at the same location my pre collision warning and automatic breaking appear to have been triggered as I approached an expansion plate at the edge of a bridge. The pre collision warning sounded, then the brakes were automatically applied. After a few seconds the braking stopped and my car proceeded normally. If a car had been following closely I may have been struck in the rear.

   NHTSA complaint #11660748 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology