The Lemon IndexAll cars · Toyota Highlander · 2016
2016 Toyota Highlander. Advanced data.
The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.
Engines and drivetrains 4
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / hwy / combined | Fuel | Fuel cost/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 20 / 25 / 22 | Regular | $2,850 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 | Regular | $2,950 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | Auto (S6) | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 | Regular | $3,100 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl hybrid | Auto (AV-S6) | AWD | 27 / 28 / 28 | Regular | $2,200 |
EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.
Failure mileage by system
Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 8,200 and 46,500 miles. Median 25,000, from 77 complaints with a mileage.
| System | Median | Middle half | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 28,000 | 17,500–47,000 | 17 |
| Electrical | 25,000 | 8,000–47,000 | 7 |
| Airbags | 10,000 | 4,000–30,000 | 5 |
| Engine | 46,000 | 3,900–69,000 | 5 |
| Lights | 35,000 | 11,000–55,000 | 5 |
Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.
Complaints by system
| System | Share of complaints |
|---|---|
| Brakes | 24% |
| Airbags | 10% |
| Electrical | 8% |
| Wipers & visibility | 7% |
| Seats | 6% |
One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.
Severity, all complaints
| Total | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Tows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 117 | 14 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 12 |
As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.
Recall campaigns 3
18E107000 Nov 2018 Electrical System
Defect. 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).
Risk. The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy. 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.
16V775000 Oct 2016 Electrical System / Wiring
Defect. 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.
16V420000 Jun 2016 Equipment / Other / Labels
Defect. 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.
NHTSA investigations
| Status | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Closed | Pedestrian alert sounds | 2023 | 2023 |
Manufacturer communications 284
Toyota filed 284 service communications for this car with NHTSA.
- "a battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life
- While a vehicle is in inventory, the battery is subject to conditions that can reduce its…
- Front Brake Vibration Key Points: * Issue can occur at any time if improper torque is applied…
Crash ratings by version
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Highlander SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Highlander SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Safety equipment
| Electronic stability | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | Optional | Optional |
YouTube repair topics
100 videos about the 2014–2019 Toyota Highlander, 19.0M views.
| Topic | Videos | Views |
|---|---|---|
| Timing chain & engine | 3 | 622K |
| Infotainment, battery & electrical | 5 | 594K |
| Windows, doors & mirrors | 2 | 471K |
| Oil changes & service | 2 | 204K |
| Spark plugs & ignition coils | 1 | 118K |
| Brakes & ABS | 1 | 76K |
| Steering & suspension | 1 | 57K |
| Cooling system | 1 | 57K |
Nearby model years
Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.
Updated
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