2016 Toyota Highlander
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 26 of 115 complaints (23%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 194 in 2015 to 115 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,250–3,100 | 2,150–2,850 | 2,150–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–28 | 20–28 | 20–28 | 22–29 | 22–29 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 18–28 / 24–28 | 19–30 / 24–28 | 19–30 / 24–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 313–437 | 313–437 | 313–437 | 305–407 | 305–407 | |
| Complaints filed | 137 | 194 | 115 | 268 | 269 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 17 | 14 | 18 | 24 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 16 | 11 | 26 | 25 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
Brakes: 26 of 115 NHTSA complaints (23%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Highlander get?
EPA rates it 20–28 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota Highlander?
EPA estimates $2,250–$3,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.7L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 25 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 398 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 19 mpg | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 425 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 18 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | $3,100 (high) | 437 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 27 mpg | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 320 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (AV-S6) | 6 | 3.5L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | $2,250 (low) | 313 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 14 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 26 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 10 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 22 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD · Campaign 18E107000 · Nov 30, 2018
Defect: Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may leak into, possibly causing damage to the vehicle's Engine Control Module (ECM).
Consequence: The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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. Owners may contact Wanda customer service at 1-864-281-2760.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FLUID; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 16V775000 · Oct 24, 2016
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) No. 135, "Light Vehicle Brake Systems."
Consequence: 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 16V420000 · Jun 9, 2016
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, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: 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.