REAR SHOCK NUT COMES LOOSE AND TOYOTA HAS ISSUED TSB 0144-16, TO TIGHTEN THE NUT. THIS IS COMMON AMONG PRIUS. THIS MUST BE A RECALL OTHERWISE IT IS DANGEROUS IF THE SHOCK BECOME LOOSE. INITIALLY THE DEALER TOLD ME TO REPLACE SHOCKS BUT FORTUNATELY I FOUND OUT ABOUT TSB AND THE DELEAR FIXED IT FREE.
2016 Toyota Prius
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Prius do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 164.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Prius years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100 reports with mileage · 54 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Visibility/wiper. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Suspension complaints
5 reports2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY, 2017 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR AND FRONT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES AND THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE IS GETTING WORSE AND…
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2016 TOYOTA PRIUS VIN#[XXX] I PURCHASED THIS CAR IN JULY, 2017 AND I AM HAVING PROBLEMS WITH A CLICKING OR POPPING SOUND UNDER THE VEHICLE ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT, REAR AND FRONT. I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES AND THE TOYOTA REPAIR SHOP CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG. THE CLICKING AND POPPING NOISE IS GETTING WORSE AND I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THIS CAR. I HOPE FOR THE SAFETY OF THE TOYOTA CUSTOMERS THAT THE TOYOTA CORPORATION IS TAKING THESE COMPLAINTS SERIOUSLY. I ALSO HAVE A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WINDSHIELD. WHILE DRIVING A PEBBLE HIT THE WINDSHIELD AND IN A AND WITHIN 5 MINUTES THE LINE SPREAD AND A WINDSHIELD REPAIR COMPANY TOLD ME THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THERE IS A MAZE OF CRACKS COVERING THE WINDSHIELD. IF THE CAR WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, I FEEL THAT THIS WOULD A DISASTER BECAUSE OF THE SUBSTANDARD QUALITY. I HAVE PURCHASED SEVEN TOYOTAS IN THE LAST 20 YEARS AND HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THESE TYPE OF PROBLEMS. THE PAINT ON THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO VERY POOR QUALITY, THERE ARE AREAS WHERE THE PAINT HAS COME OFF AND GRAY AREAS APPEAR. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND IF THESE COMPLAINTS ARE BEING SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED. I SUPPOSE THAT WHEN LIVES ARE LOST BECAUSE OF SUBSTANDARD WINDSHIELDS OR OTHER PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VEHICLE, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION AND THE TOYOTA CORPORATION WILL ADDRESS THESE ISSUES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
REAR SUSPENSION CREAKING AND FEELS SOFT IN THE REAR. WHILE DRIVING OR GOING ONTO A DRIVEWAY THE REAR SUSPENSION CREAKS AND POPS. DRIVING NORMALLY THE REAR END SEEMS TO BOB AROUND OFTEN AND FEELS SUPER SOFT.
UNDER T-SB-0144-16. ALOT OF 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING A CLICK NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. I CONFIRMED THROUGH PRIUS CHAT UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0144-16 THAT CLICKING NOISE IS FROM THE SUPPORT NUTS ON THE REAR SHOCKS. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT FIX AS A RECALL. THE TOYOTA SERVICE REPAIR IN SA…
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UNDER T-SB-0144-16. ALOT OF 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING A CLICK NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. I CONFIRMED THROUGH PRIUS CHAT UNDER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 0144-16 THAT CLICKING NOISE IS FROM THE SUPPORT NUTS ON THE REAR SHOCKS. I ATTEMPTED TO HAVE IT FIX AS A RECALL. THE TOYOTA SERVICE REPAIR IN SAN BRUNO CALIFORNIA SAID MY BASIC WARRANTY EXPIRED & THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT EVEN THOUGH THE ISSUE IS A POTENTIAL SAFETY-RELATED DEFECTS AND THERE ARE ADEQUACY OF EXISTING SAFETY COMPLAINT WITH MANY PRIUS CUSTOMERS VIA PRIUS CHAT/TSB.
WHEN BREAKING WHILE TRAVELING OVER BUMPS/RIPPLES ON THE ROAD OR OVER ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS POTHOLES OR ROADWORK, THE VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH THE BREAKS ARE SKIPPING OR FAILING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONDITIONS. THERE IS A SENSATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THAT THE CAR IS NOT GOING T…
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WHEN BREAKING WHILE TRAVELING OVER BUMPS/RIPPLES ON THE ROAD OR OVER ROUGH ROAD CONDITIONS SUCH AS POTHOLES OR ROADWORK, THE VEHICLE FEELS AS THOUGH THE BREAKS ARE SKIPPING OR FAILING. THIS HAS OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES UNDER THE SAME OR SIMILAR CONDITIONS. THERE IS A SENSATION WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THAT THE CAR IS NOT GOING TO STOP IN TIME OR THAT YOU HAVE LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE'S ABILITY TO STOP SAFELY.
Official recalls
518V579000 · Electrical System:wiring
Sep 5, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
18V085000 · Air Bags:frontal; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Air Bags:side/window
Jan 31, 2018
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Air Bags:side/window
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. 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.
Consequence: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. 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.
Consequence: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Air Bags:frontal
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. 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.
Consequence: If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
17V658000 · Hybrid Propulsion System: Inverter
Oct 18, 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
16V741000 · Parking Brake
Oct 14, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.
16V672000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Sep 16, 2016
Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
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