The Lemon Index
2015
20174th generation
102 owner complaints, first 3 years 52–56 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Chevrolet Volt 892016 Kia Forte 502016 Mazda3 37
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2016 Toyota Prius
- Engine stalling8 complaintsmostly at 20,000–71,000 miles (32,000–114,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 184 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota Prius (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 25,000 miles (8,000–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 80 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 18V579000 (electrical), 18V085000 (airbags) and 17V658000 (hybrid propulsion system) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Toyota sent dealers 302 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Toyota's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 102 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 5K to 25K miles (8K to 40K km) on the car (80 of all 102 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Toyota of surprise is saying that they can't fix our Prius recall for the emergency brake until january 2018.
2016 Toyota Prius owner · NHTSA complaint 10944144
More owner reports
A small chip in front windshield and develop a large crack quickly
NHTSA complaint 11052136
My windshield randomly cracked and looking on-line this seems to be a common occurrence on the Prius 4th generation vehicles.
NHTSA complaint 10918653
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 19.9M views · 2016–2022 Toyota Prius
Most-watched topics
- Infotainment, battery & electrical441K views
Toyota Prius (2016-2022): Hybrid Battery Air Filter Replacement.Morozov Automotive · 173K views · 5 videos - Cooling system234K views
2018 Toyota Prius Losing Coolant & Smoking... The REAL Problem Solved(Not Engine)The Solutionist · 207K views · 2 videos - Oil changes & service134K views
How to Change Engine Oil and Filter Toyota Prius 2016-2023 | EASY!2CarPros · 40K views · 5 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door111K views
2017 Prius Losing Coolant? White Smoke EASY FIX-Heater Exchange Bypass hoses at CATALYTIC CONVERTER!DIYBigGuy · 42K views · 3 videos
Show 2 more
- Gauges, lights & wiring54K views
How To Reset The Oil Life On 2016 - 2022 Toyota Prius - Clear Maintenance Required Soon LightPYR Automotive · 54K views - Spark plugs & ignition coils21K views
2016 Toyota Prius spark plug replacement (EASY AND SIMPLE!!!)Jabo The Mechanic · 21K views
Before you buy, watch
Toyota Prius Plus 2015-2019 | EVERYTHING you need to know... | should YOU buy one??Car and Driving - Car Reviews · 63K views
Toyota Prius 4th Gen 2016 to 2021 common problems, issues, defects, recalls and complaintsHOWSTUFFINMYCARWORKS · 30K views
Used 4th Gen Prius (2016-2022) Still a Smart Buy? Common Problems & ReliabilityAnother Lap · 26K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2016 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 302 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Hv batteries have liquid filled cell modules, to prevent leakage from cells, it is very important
- 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…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2018
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 system · recall issued 2017
A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
Show all 5 recalls
- Parking brake · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Prius 5 HB FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Prius C 5 HB FWD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $1,150–$1,250 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
Every Toyota Prius year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 24 Toyota Prius years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/toyota-prius/?y=2016" title="Toyota Prius reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="767" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/toyota-prius/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Toyota Prius reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 98; 100 is average, lower is better). 2016 is one of the better years of a model that draws 1.8× the average car's complaints. The Toyota Prius year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2021.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Prius problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are wipers & visibility (34%), brakes (14%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Prius have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Prius get?
52 to 56 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Toyota Prius safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Prius problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 5,000 and 25,000 miles (8,000–40,000 km) (the middle half of the 80 complaints, of all 102 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2016 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2016 Toyota Prius have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2016 Toyota Prius cost in fuel a year?
About $1,150 to $1,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Toyota Prius have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Toyota Prius year is better than the 2016?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (less than a sixth as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2021 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works