Toyota · Known Issues
2016 Toyota Highlander Problems: 18 Known Issues
2016 model year · 260+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2016 model year · 260+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2016 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 260+ owner reports, the 2016 Toyota Highlander has 18 documented known issues, with 1 rated critical. The most serious is Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93 ($700-$1,100 repair). The most commonly reported issue is AC Blower Motor Failure and Resistor Burnout with 260 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $50 to $2,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota Avalon and Corolla, and certain Lexus NX 300, and ES 350 vehicles on January 13, 2020. On March 4, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include certain 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser, 2018 Avalon, Corolla, 2014 FJ Cruiser, 2017 Sienna and Lexus 2018 ES 350, 2018-2019 GS 300, 2013-2014 GS350, 2014-2015 GX 460, IS 350 and LX 570, 2014 IS F, 2018-2019 IS 350, LC 500H and LS 500H, 2013-2015 LS 460, 2015 NX 200T and RC350, 2017 RC 200T and RX 350. Toyota also removed the 2018-2019 Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser and 2018-2019 Lexus GX 460 and LX 570 and 2019 NX300 from inclusion in this recall. On March 19, 2020, Toyota expanded the recall to include 2015 Lexus GS350 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 260+ owner reports, the 2016 Toyota Highlander has 18 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93, AC Blower Motor Failure and Resistor Burnout, Ignition Coil and Intake/PCV Failure Causing Random Misfire (2.7L 1AR-FE / 2GR V6) — P0300. Of these, 1 is rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2016 Toyota Highlander has 18 known issues documented across 260+ owner reports. 1 issue is rated critical: Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Toyota Highlander issues range from $0 to $2,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Hybrid Inverter Coolant Pump Failure (Inverter Overheat) — P0A05 / P0A93, typically costs $700-$1,100 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
The Highlander Hybrid uses a dedicated electric water pump to circulate coolant through the power inverter/converter, which runs separately from the engine cooling system. The electric pump wears out and stops circulating coolant, allowing the inverter and hybrid electronics to o… Repairs typically run $700-$1,100. Severity: high.
The HVAC blower motor in 3rd-generation Highlanders commonly fails or operates intermittently. The blower motor resistor overheats and burns out, causing the fan to work only on the highest speed setting or stop completely. Moisture intrusion through the cabin air filter housing… Repairs typically run $150-$450. Severity: medium.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
AIR BAGS
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander and Highlander hybrid vehicles. Incorrect seat trim covers on one or both of the front seats can prevent the seat-mounted side air bag from deploying properly.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020 Highlander vehicles equipped with a 3.5 L, V6 (2GR-FKS) gasoline engine. Due to an Engine Control Unit (ECU) programming error, fuel may not be correctly supplied to the engine while using the stop and restart feature.
+ 9 more recalls. Check all on NHTSA.gov
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Highlanders develop random/multiple-cylinder misfires (P0300) plus single-cylinder misfire codes from a cluster of common causes: failing ignition coils, worn spark plugs, a failing PCV valve creating a vacuum leak, and upper intake plenum gasket leaks (especially after a spark-p… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: medium.
Owners report a 'Charging System Malfunction' warning and intermittent hard-start / no-start conditions traced to a failing alternator that no longer maintains battery voltage. A healthy unit should read ~13.5–14.8 V at the battery with the engine running; below ~13 V confirms a… Repairs typically run $350-$950. Severity: medium.
The power liftgate on second- and third-generation Highlanders (and the Hybrid) is prone to the power lift arm/strut breaking away from the gate, which lets the driver-side hinge bow and can leave the hatch stuck open or unable to latch closed. A class action filed in 2025 (Morga… Repairs typically run $250-$1,500. Severity: medium.
Owners report steering-wheel shimmy and brake-pedal pulsation from warped/unevenly-deposited front rotors at surprisingly low mileage (some as early as 10,000–37,000 miles). The mechanism is usually uneven pad-material transfer ('rotor painting') from heat rather than literal war… Repairs typically run $250-$700. Severity: medium.
A widely reported Highlander complaint is a clunk, knock or rattle from the front suspension over bumps and during turns. The most common culprits are worn upper strut mounts (including the bearing, which can also cause a creak when steering), tired struts, control-arm bushings,… Repairs typically run $200-$1,000. Severity: medium.
The 3.5L V6 valve cover gaskets and integrated spark-plug tube seals harden and leak with age. Externally the oil weeps and bakes on the block; internally, oil seeps down the spark-plug tubes and pools around the coil-on-plug boots, fouling the plugs and corroding the coils and c… Repairs typically run $250-$900. Severity: medium.
AWD Highlanders (and platform-mate Sienna/Venza) develop an abnormal whine, hum, roar or growl from the rear that grows louder with vehicle speed. The source is typically the electromagnetic AWD coupling assembly ahead of the rear differential and/or its two supporting ball beari… Repairs typically run $700-$1,800. Severity: medium.
The front-mounted A/C condenser on the Highlander is built with thin fins/tubes that owners say cannot survive a stray rock, so it develops small refrigerant leaks and loses cooling — and because the condenser sits low and forward, it gets struck more often than on many vehicles. Repairs typically run $600-$1,100. Severity: medium.
The engine-driven water pump on V6 Highlanders commonly leaks coolant from its weep hole as the internal seal and bearing wear, typically around 90,000-120,000 miles. Early signs are a pink/green crusty residue or puddle at the front of the engine and sometimes a squeal or whine. Repairs typically run $500-$1,500. Severity: medium.
A very common Highlander check-engine complaint is P0420 (Catalyst Efficiency Below Threshold, Bank 1) and its Bank 2 twin P0430. The downstream oxygen sensor readings track the upstream sensor too closely, indicating the catalytic converter is no longer scrubbing exhaust efficie… Repairs typically run $200-$2,500. Severity: medium.
The Highlander Hybrid cools its high-voltage battery by drawing cabin air through an intake located under the cargo floor, past a filter, through a blower and across the pack. Dust, lint and pet hair progressively clog the filter and cake the fan blades. Airflow drops, cells run… Repairs typically run $60-$400. Severity: medium.
Water pools in the rear cargo area, spare-tire well, and behind the rear interior trim because of leaks at the taillight seals/gaskets and the liftgate/hatch weatherstrip, plus secondary paths through the third (high-mount) brake light, the rear air-deflector/spoiler bracket foam… Repairs typically run $50-$400. Severity: low.
The evaporative-emissions system commonly sets P0441 (incorrect purge flow) and P0455/P0446 (large leak / vent malfunction). The vapor canister purge valve (VSV) sticks open or closed, or the charcoal canister breaks down internally and sheds pellets that clog the system. A class… Repairs typically run $100-$600. Severity: low.
2GR-FE Highlanders produce a low-frequency drone or boom inside the cabin whenever the engine passes through roughly 1,500-2,000 rpm under load, independent of road speed — most noticeable in light-throttle cruise and on gentle hills where the transmission holds a tall gear. It i… Repairs typically run $150-$900. Severity: low.
Third-generation (XU50) Highlanders develop a loud squeak, squawk or groan from the rear suspension when the body moves over bumps, speed humps, driveways and parking-lot transitions. The noise is worst in cold weather and can be reproduced by bouncing the rear of the vehicle by… Repairs typically run $350-$1,100. Severity: low.
Third-generation Highlanders with the Entune head unit commonly suffer the multi-function display freezing or going completely blank — the audio cuts out, the touchscreen and side menu buttons stop responding, and sometimes the screen stays dark on startup. Owners report it happe… Repairs typically run $0-$850. Severity: low.