Is the 2016 Toyota PRIUS reliable?

The 2016 Toyota PRIUS has 213 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota PRIUS?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (42 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (32 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (20 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Toyota PRIUS?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, PARKING BRAKE. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota PRIUS?

The 2016 Toyota PRIUS gets 52 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $923. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Toyota PRIUS?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Toyota PRIUS is approximately $1,390/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Toyota PRIUS

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota PRIUS has 213 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.7x the segment average of 127. The most common issue is visibility problems (20% of all complaints), specifically: my windshield randomly cracked and looking on-line this seems to be a common occurrence on the prius 4th generation vehicles.. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

4 crash reports 2 injuries

213

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

42 complaints

20%

• MY WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED AND LOOKING ON-LINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE PRIUS 4TH GENERATION VEHICLES.
• WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, REAR VIEW INTERIOR MIRROR DOES NOT DIM AS TRAFFIC APPROACHES FROM REAR. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN SHINED LIGHT FROM IPHONE ONTO MIRROR AND IT DIMMED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT DOES NOT! ON A RECENT 2 HOUR NIGHTTIME DRIVE, AS CAR LIGHTS APPROA
• WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, REAR VIEW INTERIOR MIRROR DOES NOT DIM AS TRAFFIC APPROACHES FROM REAR. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER, TECHNICIAN SHINED LIGHT FROM IPHONE ONTO MIRROR AND IT DIMMED PROPERLY. HOWEVER, UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS IT DOES NOT! ON A RECENT 2 HOUR NIGHTTIME DRIVE, AS CAR LIGHTS APPROA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“MY WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED AND LOOKING ON-LINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE PRIUS 4TH GENERATION VEHICLES.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Toyota PRIUS

Based on 135 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 18K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 35 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 19 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 26K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 13K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

TRANSMISSION

In line with typicalmedian 24K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM: INVERTER18/10/2017

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.

Risk: If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota PRIUS

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$923

Per month

$77

Per mile

7.7¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$889/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$960/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota PRIUS

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,390

Full coverage / month

$116

Liability only / year

$574

vs US avg

-17%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1390

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota PRIUS Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 PRIUS, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 213 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: MY WINDSHIELD RANDOMLY CRACKED AND LOOKING ON-LINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE ON THE PRIUS 4TH GENERATION VEHICLES.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE CENTER DISPLAY HAS A MIRROR HIGH GLOSS/GLARE FINISH. BECAUSE OF THIS MIRROR FINISH, WHEN THE SUN IS AT AN ANGLE COMING THROUGH EITHER THE SIDE OR BACK WINDOWS, THE SUN IS REFLECTED BACK INTO THE DRIVER'S EYES. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THE CAR TO REPLACE CENTER DISPLAY TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: RODENT DAMAGED WIRING AND CASINGS BY EATING/DAMAGING BOTH AT A COST SO FAR OF $2700. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR ONE MONTH. I'VE BEEN TOLD THE WARRANTY DOES NOT INCLUDE THE DAMAGE. I ASKED ABOUT WHERE THE DEALERSHIP STORED THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO ITS DELIVERY TO ME. I WASN'T SATISFIED WITH THEIR EXP
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: WHEN GENTLY APPLYING BRAKES FOR A STOP LIGHT, AND THE RIGHT WHEEL HITS A 1 AND 1/8 INCH DEEP DEPRESSION IN THE ROAD, THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY MOMENTARILY RELEASE. THE DEPRESSION IS FOR A 9 INCH DIAMETER CITY WATER COVER, AND THE OVERALL DIAMETER OF THE DEPRESSION IS 12 INCHES, AND IT IS 1 AND 1/8 I
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)