NHTSA lists 117 complaints for the 2016 Toyota Highlander, 14 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 9 complaints mention an injury, with 12 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-08.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as TOYOTA HIGHLANDER.
Model-generated complaint tags
These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.
Failure modes| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| electrical electronic | 30 | 25.6% | 0.86 |
|---|
| mechanical failure | 27 | 23.1% | 0.79 |
|---|
| loss of control | 26 | 22.2% | 0.87 |
|---|
| visibility or lighting | 11 | 9.4% | 0.92 |
|---|
| restraint or airbag | 9 | 7.7% | 0.91 |
|---|
| structural or corrosion | 6 | 5.1% | 0.66 |
|---|
| noise or comfort | 5 | 4.3% | 0.72 |
|---|
| unclear | 2 | 1.7% | 0.75 |
|---|
| fire or overheating | 1 | 0.9% | 0.71 |
|---|
Severities| Label | Count | Share of tagged | Mean confidence |
|---|
| moderate | 64 | 54.7% | 0.87 |
|---|
| low | 28 | 23.9% | 0.72 |
|---|
| high | 23 | 19.7% | 0.91 |
|---|
| none | 2 | 1.7% | 0.74 |
|---|
Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 117 tagged complaints of 117 complaints (100.0%).
Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.
Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.
Recalls
See new recalls and investigations this week.
2 recalls.
Date: 2016-10-24. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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) (excerpt)
Consequence: If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2016-06-09. Systems: EQUIPMENT.
Defect: 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, "T (excerpt)
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Manufacturer communications
284 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 132 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 74 |
|---|
| STRUCTURE | 57 |
|---|
| ENGINE | 12 |
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| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 11 |
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| SERVICE BRAKES | 8 |
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| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 7 |
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| SEATS | 7 |
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11029892
Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
OBSOLETE NOTICE February 13, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0009-26.
11029893
Date: 2026-02-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.
This bulletin includes basic procedures for performing a rescue charge on Ni-MH high voltage (HV) batteries. This bulletin should be used in conjunction with the applicable model and model year Repair Manual while performing a rescue charge. The GRX-5100 should be used wherever the Repair Manual ref
11028712
Date: 2026-01-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Some 2005 a 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedur
11022964
Date: 2025-08-20. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
11020657
Date: 2025-06-13. Type: Service Campaign. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and repairing refrigerant leaks.
11012742
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
11012743
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
11012744
Date: 2024-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
11012735
Date: 2024-12-05. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow the Removal Procedure in this bulletin to remove the RapgardTM protective film wi
11012727
Date: 2024-12-03. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can be identified by the presence of small, red or brown particles on the paint surfa