2016 Toyota Highlander: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Toyota Highlander: 2 recalls, 111 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #16V420000 · 2016 · 4,253 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: An incorrect label May lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Electrical, Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V775000 · 2016 · 7,056 vehicles
What's wrong: 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."
Why it matters: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance May be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Visibility (wipers, glass), Electrical Equipment recall #18E107000 · 2018 · 8,202 vehicles
What's wrong: The windshields have an attached wire harness that water May leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's engine control module (ECM).
Why it matters: The ECM damage May result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 11 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Other / unknown (21): the most common themes are noise or vibration (2).
- Brakes (19): the most common themes are brake failure / soft pedal (6).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are door / lock issues (4), electrical failure (4), noise or vibration (3).
- Airbags (10): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 111 owner complaints, ranking #23 of 28 Highlander model years for complaints (well below the 205 average). Complaints peaked in 2019 (21 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 25,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (192 complaints, 1 recalls), 2017 (270 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 25 | 22 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 25 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 24 | 20 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Toyota Highlander.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Toyota Highlander, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Highlander problems?
Owners have filed 111 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are other / unknown (21), brakes (19), electrical (14).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (2.7 L, Automatic (S6)), across 3 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Toyota Highlander repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.