The best Highlander year of the decade
The 2016 Highlander has less than half the model's average complaints per car sold. It keeps the older 6-speed automatic, which avoids the whine of later years.
Updated November 2026 · based on 117 owner complaints and 3 recalls
61 57% below the Highlander average
3 free to fix at a dealer
Every Highlander year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Shattered panoramic sunroof
A few panoramic roofs shattered while driving.
Fix: Glass replacement $1,000 to $1,800, often covered by insurance.
Body
Soft or inconsistent brakes
Some owners report brake feel complaints over the years.
Fix: Brake service $300 to $700.
Brakes
Wiring recall
Recall 16V775 covers a wiring issue on some cars.
Fix: Free under recall.
Electrical
Recalls
The ECM damage may result in the engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
If the brake fluid level is low and is not detected, the braking performance may be decreased, increasing the risk of a crash.
An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2016 Toyota Highlander
- Confirm recalls 16V775 and 18E107 show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2016 Highlander has 3 recalls on record, listed below.
- Brake firmly and check the pedal feels consistent.The brake booster makes the pedal easy to press. A pedal that goes hard, sinks or a hissing sound means the assist is failing, so stopping takes much more effort.22 of the 117 owner complaints about the 2016 Highlander involve the brakes (19%).
- Inspect the sunroof glass for chips.Large glass roofs can shatter on their own, and drain tubes can clog and leak water inside. A small chip at the edge can grow into a full shatter.
Questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Highlander reliable?
The best Highlander year of the decade. The 2016 Highlander has less than half the model's average complaints per car sold. It keeps the older 6-speed automatic, which avoids the whine of later years.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Highlander have?
3 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Highlander problems?
Shattered panoramic sunroof; Soft or inconsistent brakes; Wiring recall.
Crash rating shown for the 2016 Toyota Highlander SUV FWD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.