Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2016 Toyota Highlander
NHTSA data on file today
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns and 111 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
NCAP overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars, averaged across 2 NHTSA-tested trims.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #18E107000 Water May Enter Windshield Wire Harness NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V775000 Brake Fluid Level Sensor Inoperative/FMVSS 135 NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #16V420000 Incorrect Load Carrying Capacity Label/FMVSS 110 NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Unknown or Other 21 complaints
- Service Brakes 19 complaints
- Electrical System 14 complaints
- Air Bags 10 complaints
- Engine 9 complaints
- Exterior Lighting 9 complaints
Of the 111 complaints on file, 14 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 111 complaints, owners report 11 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,500–$8,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2016 Toyota Highlander demonstrates average reliability with concerns primarily in electrical and brake systems. Recalls addressing electrical issues and a significant number of brake complaints warrant careful monitoring, but it remains a generally dependable vehicle.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| electrical system | 50,000–80,000 miles | $250–$750 | common |
| brake system | 60,000–100,000 miles | $150–$500 | common |
| airbags | 70,000–100,000 miles | $400–$900 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Tire rotations and alignment
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Battery inspection and cleaning
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Dashboard warning lights
- Brake system warning light
- Unusual electrical behavior
- Airbag warning light
- Reduced braking efficiency
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2016 Toyota Highlander at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.