2016 Toyota Prius Complaints

POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/05/2026

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, but this behavior (no movement, then sudden jerk) continued to happen. I was scared that I would get into an accident, so I pulled over and turned the car off and on. The behavior continued. I drove to a safe location, and parked the car. I noticed the engine kept revving up and down, even though I was parked, and the hybrid battery indicator showed no charge. I turned off the car, and had dinner for about an hour. After I finished dinner, I started the car, and it was driving normally again (creeping forward as soon as I took my foot off the brake), but I was afraid the problem would happen again, at a dangerous moment. There were no warning lights or messages while this problem was happening. I explicitly checked that the parking brake was not set.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM — Filed 05/26/2026

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 displayed. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH and depressing the brake pedal, the brake pedal was firm. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, and DTC: C14B6 was retrieved, indicating that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired; however, the code was cleared. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic, where the information from the dealer was relayed that the brake booster needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,028.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 05/12/2026

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").

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 04/01/2020

The car has a very strong gas smell, especially when full.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 08/04/2025

Found coolant leak from heat exchanger into exhaust pipe. Looks like, T-SB-0135-19.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 04/28/2025

Car was driving fine one day and then while driving down the interstate I had the Pre collision system malfunction error, Brake light came on, Cruise will not operate, ABS light is on. After much research it seems Prius V has a common issue with brake booster faulting.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING — Filed 04/11/2025

The headlights are either too bright or aimed poorly that it blinds oncoming traffic, who frequently flash their high beams at me. This occurs without any load in back and without me using the high beams. Can Toyota either adjust the bulbs or place a film on the headlights to prevent blinding oncoming traffic? Thank you!

ENGINE — Filed 03/08/2025

Water pump failed without warning and caused irreparable damage to the engine ("blown" engine requiring replacement). Vehicle began to stall and not respond to attempted acceleration while traveling on 4 lane divided highway, 55 mph speed limit. One "Maintenance Required" message was received the previous week, but disappeared. This is the same message that appears for routine oil changes. No other warning messages were noted at the time of the incident, no unusual noises, and no smoke or other sign of overheating. Driver was able to steer vehicle to safety, but this failure could result in stranding on a busy, dangerous interstate highway. For such a critical piece of the vehicle (i.e., the water pump), there should be obvious warning message(s) and dedicated monitoring of the equipment.

ENGINE — Filed 01/25/2025

Refer to TSB 0135-19 dealer denied repairing under the California emissions defect and performance warranty.

STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE — Filed 01/16/2025

My car suddenly stopped in the middle of the road with message "Hybrid system stopped steering power low". Safety concern to this happen on the middle of road during rain or cold.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — Filed 10/05/2024

Driving on the freeway the car stalled and was unable to accelerate. The issue seems identical to the 2020 recall. 2020-06-23 Recall no. 20V369000 Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Prius and 2014-2017 Prius V vehicles not included in recall 18V-684. Excessive voltage in the Intelligent Power Module (IPM) within the inverter may cause the hybrid system to shut down, causing the vehicle to stall while being driven. I was told by the service center that my car is not on the recall list so they are unable to work it as a recall.

AIR BAGS — Filed 01/15/2022

While going 70 MPH, I hid a feral hog. Although the front end of my car crumpled up, and we came to a sudden stop, the air bags did not deploy.

SEATS — Filed 12/02/2021

The contact owned a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while switching lanes, the vehicle was rear-ended by another vehicle driving at 30 MPH. The contact's front driver's side seat backrest inadvertently moved backward, which caused her shins to hit the dashboard under the steering wheel during impact. None of the air bags deploy upon impact. The contact later received medical attention at the hospital for injuries to her shins. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard and deemed totaled by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 88,000.

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS — Filed 07/02/2021

I was hit when someone ran a stop sign. Pushed into oncoming traffic and hit a truck. My Toyota Prius was totaled. No air bags deployed. Seatbelt did not tighten either. I have contacted Toyota. Someone retrieved the data from recorder. I have a copy but it was to long to send with pics. Toyota claim # [XXX] (sorry for one pic I couldn’t delete) INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).”

AIR BAGS — Filed 04/25/2021

Airbags failed to deploy upon impact with guardrail. Drivers side front corner hit the guardrail at approx. 45% angle at 50-60mph. The vehicle was inspected by an insurance rep. and was deemed a total loss. The car is available for inspection.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 04/20/2021

WHILE SLOWING AND PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, IN FRONT OF THE DENTIST OFFICE WHERE MY WIFE HAD AN APPOINTMENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. IT JUMPED THE CURB, AND SHE STEERED HARD RIGHT TO AVOID THE BUILDING DIRECTLY IN FRONT OH THE PARKING SPACE. SHE SIDESWIPED THE FRONT OF 2 VEHICLES PARKED NEXT TO THE SPACE SHE WAS MOVING INTO, AND THE CAR CONTINUED TOWARD THE STREET. IT HIT THE CURB GOING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. A PERSON CAME TO THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE CAR AND ASKED MY WIFE IF SHE WAS OK, AND SAID SHE SHOULD TURN THE CAR OFF - WHICH SHE DID.

AIR BAGS — Filed 12/23/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA PRIUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A VERY LOW SPEED A SECOND VEHICLE SUDDENLY CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE PUSHING IT INTO THE REAR END OF A THIRD VEHICLE POSITIONED AHEAD. DURING THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END AND WAS DESTROYED BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AWAY. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 08/27/2020

SPONTANEOUS ACCELERATION INCIDENT. I WAS SLOWLY PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN A PARKING GARAGE. AS I STRAIGHTENED IT OUT TO COMPLETE THE MANEUVER, THE CAR TOOK OFF ON ITS OWN AND HIT THE WALL OF THE PARKING GARAGE THERE WAS SOME DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. A SIMILAR INCIDENT OCCURRED ONCE BEFORE WITH NO DAMAGE. TOYOTA HAS HAD RECALLS IN PRIOR YEARS FOR THIS PROBLEM - BROKEN THROTTLE RETURN SWITCH - BUT THEY INSIST THIS ISN'T THE PROBLEM HERE. ESSENTIALLY THEY ARE CLAIMING THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN, THAT WHAT I EXPERIENCED WITH THE CAR JUST TAKING OFF ON ITS OWN DIDN'T HAPPEN. THE CAR ISN'T SAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT GETTING THIS REPAIRED, BUT THEY CLAIM IT DOESN'T NEED REPAIR. IN THEIR RESPONSE LETTER, TOYOTA SAID, "THE EVENT DATA RECORDER (EDR) RECORDED THAT THERE WAS ACCELERATOR PEDAL APPLICATION AND NO BRAKE APPLICATION LEADING UP TO THE IMPACT." OF COURSE THERE WAS NO BRAKE APPLICATION, THERE WAS NO TIME TO APPLY THE BRAKE! THE CAR TOOK OFF LIKE A BAT OUT OF HELL AND RAMMED INTO THE WALL IN 2-3 SECONDS! THIS IS NOT ONLY A DANGER FOR ME AND MY CAR BUT COULD BE FOR OTHER PRIUS OWNERS AS WELL. I HAVE A YOUTUBE VIDEO ON HOW TO DO THE REPAIR BUT I CAN NOT UPLOAD IT HERE.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 07/28/2020

CAR ACCELERATING WITH NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP WHEN APPLYING BRAKE, CAR WAS PUT IN REVERSE AND TOOK OFF WITH ENGINE RACING IN HOME DRIVEWAY.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL — Filed 02/12/2020

TOYOTA PRIUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. *LD THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON IT'S OWN STRIKING 2 VEHICLES. *JS

AIR BAGS — Filed 05/26/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 TOYOTA PRIUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED AND TOWED TO A BODY SHOP WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,000.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE — Filed 10/01/2018

WHILE PARKING MY VEHICLE AND SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER A PARKING SPACE, I EASED OFF THE BRAKE TO PULL INTO THE SPACE WHEN I HEARD THE ENGINE REV LOUDLY AND THEN THE CAR ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO PUMP THE BRAKES, RELEASE THE BRAKES WITHOUT TOUCHING ANY PEDAL AND ALSO TRYING TO PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AT ALL. I WAS AFRAID FOR MY LIFE AND TRIED EVERYTHING TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS AS THE CAR ACCELERATED GREATLY. I STEERED THE CAR TO TRY AND AVOID A SLIGHT EMBANKMENT AND CURVE BUT WITH THE RAPID SPEED OF THE CAR, IT BECAME HARD TO MANEUVER THE CAR. THE VEHICLE JUMPED THE CURB STRIKING A TREE AND THEN A CONCRETE POST. THE CAR CAME TO REST ON ITS SIDE AFTER IMPACT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS.

SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 02/07/2018

FEBRUARY 7, 2018 !01 FRWY NORTH APPROACHING SANTA ROSA/ PLEASANT VALLEY OFF RAMP ON THE DOWNGRADE OUT OF NEWBURY PARK AT 25 MPH IN THE RIGHT LANE. A.BRAKE LIGHTS ARE SEEN IN CAR AHEAD. B.THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS UP RED WITH THE WORD BRAKE IN RED C.A LOUD PULSATING AUDIO NOISE CAN BE HEARD COMING FROM THE SPEAKERS. D.THE DRIVER TOUCHES THE BRAKES AND THE CAR GOES INTO FULL ABS EMERGENCY BRAKING REDUCING SPEED FROM 25 MPH TO 12 MPH IN LESS THAN 1/2 SECOND E.THE DRIVER AND THE PASSENGERS EXPERIENCE A VIOLENT LURCH WHICH PRODUCES WHIP LASH. F.THE SEAT BELTS ENGAGE CAUSING PAIN TO THE SHOULDERS. G.THE INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 25 MPH. THIS HAS OCCURRED OVER 6 TIMES IN THE PAST YEAR. A PDF IS ATTACHED OF THE HISTORY OF PROBLEM AS PRESENTED TO THOUSAND OAKS TOYOTA AND TOYOTA NATIONAL IN NOVEMBER 2017. VIDEO CAMERAS WERE INSTALLED IN THE CAR IN DECEMBER 2017 TO CAPTURE THIS AS THOUSAND OAKS TOYOTA AND TOYOTA NATIONAL SAID THIS NEVER HAPPENED. HERE ARE THE LINKS TO THE VIDEO OF THE ABOVE INCIDENT: ACCIDENT STARTS AT 30 SECONDS HTTPS://VIMEO.COM/254847752 HTTPS://YOUTU.BE/62AO8Z0IGDY [XXX] - DRIVER [XXX] - PASSENGER FRONT SEAT [XXX] - PASSENGER REAR LEFT SEAT CAMERA 1 MOUNTED IN BACK CEILING CAMERA 2 MOUNTED ON CONSOLE INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES — Filed 06/01/2016

AS I TOOK A HIGHWAY EXIT, FOLLOWING BEHIND OTHER CARS DOING THE SAME, MY PRIUS REFUSED TO BRAKE EFFICIENTLY WHEN ANOTHER CAR ABRUPTLY INVADED OUR LINE. IT FELT AS IF THE BRAKES MADE A SLIGHT RELEASE OR COULDN'T REACH A FULL STOP. I HAD ENOUGH SPACE TO STOP, AND I PRESSED THE BRAKES ON TIME BUT THERE WAS ALMOST NO BRAKE REACTION AND I CRASHED INTO THE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS PROBABLY GOING 20-30 MPH, SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE... SO NOT EVEN THAT FAST. BEST PART IS THAT THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T INFLATE, EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS ALMOST TOTALED. THIS FEELS EXPLAINABLE TO ME... I HAD IT FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS THUS FAR. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO OTHERS.

AIR BAGS — Filed 07/15/2016

WE WERE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 70MILES AN HOUR ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, I WAS THE PASSENGER. WE BOTH WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS. MY HUSBAND SUFFERED SOME SORT OF MEDICAL INCIDENT CAUSING HIM TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE CROSSED THROUGH THE MEDIAN, BECAME AIRBORNE, CROSSED TWO LANES OF OPPOSING TRAFFIC AND HEADED UP A STEEP INCLINE. THE CAR CAME TO REST ON A PILE OF DEBRIS AND HUNG UP ON A WIRE FENCE. MY HUSBAND SUFFERED A SUBARACHNOID HEMORRHAGE FROM STRIKING SOMETHING ON THE DASH OF THE CAR. WHEN THE CAR STOPPED HE WAS SLUMPED OVER THE WHEEL BLEEDING.. HE ALSO SUFFERED A MILD L4 COMPRESSION FRACTURE. AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT I HAD LIGAMENT DAMAGE IN THE CHEST AREA. AS A RESULT HE WAS TAKEN BY AMBULANCE TO THE REGIONAL HOSPITAL AND THEN AIR-EVACUATED TO LAS VEGAS. OUR SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED BUT NOT THE FRONTAL BAGS. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CRASH WAS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THEM TO NFLATE BUT MY HUSBAND'S INJURIES WOULD TEND NOT TO SUPPORT THAT. AN ENGINEER DID REMOVE THE "BLACK BOX" FROM THE VEHICLE TO TEST IT. HE PROMISED HE WOULD GET BACK TO US WITH THE RESULTS. WHEN I DID NOT HEAR FROM HIM I CALLED AND HE TOLD ME THAT ALL RESULTS HAVE BEEN SENT TO TOYOTA. HE WAS RELUCTANT TO SAY MORE. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAD LOOKED AT THE CASE AND THAT THE RESULTS HAD BEEN SENT TO LEGAL, THE ATTIITUDE OF THE PEOPLE THERE HAS GONE FROM HELPFUL TO ABRUPT. MY HUSBAND IS STILL UNDER THE CARE OF A NEUROLOGIST BECAUSE OF THE INJURY AND TO DETERMINE WHAT CASED THE INCIDENT. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE A CAUSE FOR HIS BLACKOUT BUT WE HAVE BEEN ASSURED VIA CT SCAN THAT THE BLEEDING HAS STOPPED INTO HIS BRAIN. IF HE HIT SOMETHING IN THE CAR HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF INJURY IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. .