Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2016 Toyota Prius recalls
Electrical system: wiring
NHTSA campaign 18V579000 · reported September 5, 2018 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 192,347 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal, sensor/control module-inactive · Air bags: frontal · Air bags: side/window
NHTSA campaign 18V085000 · reported January 31, 2018 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 48,672 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
Hybrid propulsion system: inverter
NHTSA campaign 17V658000 · reported October 18, 2017 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 6 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The 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.
- The 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.
Parking brake
NHTSA campaign 16V741000 · reported October 14, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 91,585 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- 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.
- The fix
- 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.
Air bags: frontal, passenger side, inflator module
NHTSA campaign 16V672000 · reported September 16, 2016 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing · 7,817 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Oct 6, 2026 · Vehicle speed control
I turned on my car in a flat parking lot, reversed out of my spot, and drove up to a traffic light to exit the parking lot. When the light turned green, I took my foot off the brake and tried to accelerate, but nothing happened. After a few seconds, my car lurched forward with a sudden jerk, and I was able to exit…
Jun 29, 2026 · Traction control system · 100,028 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on and running, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a Safe Place”, “See Owner's Manual", "Braking Power Low - Visit the Dealer", and "ABS Malfunction - See Dealer" were…
May 12, 2026 · Service brakes
Second time !!!! during ownership of car that brakes fail. Same problem as before Brake Actuator/Booster Failures: Multiple reports indicate issues with the ABS actuator or brake booster pump, leading to warning lights ("Braking power low", "ABS system malfunction").
Apr 21, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system
The car has a very strong gas smell, especially when full.
Aug 4, 2025 · Unknown or other
Found coolant leak from heat exchanger into exhaust pipe. Looks like, T-SB-0135-19.
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received October 6, 2026.