Model year 2016 · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
2016 Toyota Highlander: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Highlander at 20–28 mpg combined across 5 versions. NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 117 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
2
EPA combined mpg
20–28
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
NHTSA lists this vehicle as HIGHLANDER HYBRID.
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Toyota Highlander recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 2 safety recalls for the 2016 Toyota Highlander, newest first.
Electrical system: Wiring and 1 more component
NHTSA 16V775000Reported Oct 24, 2016
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. G03)
Components
Electrical system: Wiring; Service brakes, hydraulic: Fluid
Units affected
7,056 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. SET-16C)
Units affected
4,253 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Toyota Highlander fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Toyota Highlander crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Toyota Highlander NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Toyota Highlander HV SUV AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
Optional
2016 Toyota Highlander SUV AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
16.9%
Optional
2016 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
18.5%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Toyota Highlander owner complaints
Owners have filed 117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Highlander, most recently on Oct 1, 2026. 14 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 12 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Toyota Highlander complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Service brakes
22
Unknown or other
22
Electrical system
14
Air bags
10
Engine
9
Exterior lighting
8
Steering
7
Tires
7
Visibility/wiper
7
Structure: Body
5
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
