The 2016 Highlander continues the model’s reputation for reliability with less than 100 registered complaints and only three minor recalls with the NHTSA. Some of the most noteworthy issues include shattering sunroofs and rear hatches, and airbags not deploying properly.
Key Points
- The 2016 Toyota Highlander has a mixed bag of 80 registered complaints with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration, while its three recalls aren’t too serious and impact less than 10,000 units each.
- Several owners claim that their panoramic sunroof and rear hatch have randomly shattered, while others note the windshield forming cracks for no apparent reason.
- The Highlander’s seats have generated a few complaints, ranging from premature wear on the leather finish to “squeaks” coming from the second row.
- The most serious complaints about the 2016 Highlander are few in number and include sudden brake failure and the airbags not deploying properly.
Highlander’s Recalls Include a Defective Windshield, Faulty Brake-related Sensor, and Inaccurate Load Capacity Label
Three recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota Highlander, though the number of units affected isn’t too high. The recall relates to a problem with water entering the windshield due to a worn wiring harness, which has impacted 8,202 units that have aftermarket replacement windshields. As explained by the NHTSA, moisture can penetrate these windshields and damage the vehicle’s electronic control module, which can cause the engine to stall.
Another 7,053 Highlanders are included on an inoperative brake fluid level sensor recall. The danger is that low brake fluid levels can go undetected, leading to decreased braking performance. Lastly, 4,253 units came with an incorrect load-carrying capacity label, which may cause drivers to overload the vehicle unknowingly.
Panoramic Sunroof and Rear Hatch on the Highlander May Suddenly Shatter, and the Windshield is Prone to Cracking
Multiple complaints filed with the NHTSA allege that the Highlander’s panoramic sunroof can shatter out of nowhere. Owners detail hearing a gunshot-like noise while driving at highway speeds, followed by the sunroof either fracturing or exploding into shards that fill the cabin. Notably, the complainants say they didn’t collide with any airborne objects (rocks, road debris, ice, etc.) when these incidents occurred.
The Highlander’s rear hatch is also noted to shatter unprovoked, according to some other complaints to the NHTSA. But unlike the panoramic sunroof—which primarily shatters at highway speeds—the rear hatch is alleged to shatter either at very low speeds or when the car is parked.
Continuing this theme, the Highlander’s windshield is reported to crack on its own, though luckily there haven’t been reports of it shattering completely.
One driver complains that a crack formed after the windshield defroster was put on high. Meanwhile, another driver describes four cracks developing in separate parts of the windshield in less than a year, unrelated to any sort of collision.
Highlander’s Seats Allegedly Squeak and Stain Easily, and Seat Belt Mounts May be Poorly Designed
Some owners have complained about the quality of the 2016 Highlander’s leather seats, alleging that they develop stains and other signs of wear too easily. In addition, the middle-row seats are reported to “squeak” at speed, which one driver attributes to the folding mechanism.
Two more owners complain that the front seatbelts are poorly designed, because they’re mounted to the floorboard behind the front seats. This apparently can lead to rear passengers stepping on the floor-mounted seat belts, which pulls and tugs on the front passengers.
Owners Report Isolated Incidents of Brake Failure, Though the Exact Causes Remain a Mystery
A few owners describe how their Highlanders have failed to come to a stop, even with the brake pedal fully depressed. Some of these incidents led to collisions with other vehicles, traffic barriers, and other obstacles, making the allegations especially concerning.
In each case, the Highlander’s braking system would operate as normal immediately afterward, which could suggest air contaminating the brake lines. However, the exact circumstances surrounding these incidents are still unclear.
Two of the complainants say they took their vehicles to a Toyota dealer after their brakes failed, which only deepened the mystery, as no problems were diagnosed. So while braking problems endemic to the 2016 Highlander can’t be ruled out, these incidents can also be due to factors beyond the manufacturer’s control, including improper maintenance and poor-quality aftermarket components.
Small Handful of Complaints Allege that the Highlander’s Airbags Failed to Deploy in a Serious Accident
One driver complains that the airbag in their 2016 Highlander failed to activate—even after a collision that resulted in “significant front-end damage” to the vehicle. A Farmington, Minnesota driver offers a more serious account, in which none of the Highlander’s airbags inflated following a double-rollover wreck.
A third complainant from an unknown location also alleges total airbag failure during a “50 to 60 mph” crash in which the vehicle went “airborne.” Still, these incidents—while undoubtedly terrifying—make up just three of the 80 complaints registered by the NHTSA about the 2016 Highlander, which may not be enough to indicate a widespread issue.
Overall, the 2016 Toyota Highlander has Proven to Be One of the Best Bets in its Segment
While the 2016 Highlander isn’t entirely free of problems, this model is a compelling choice if you’re in the market for a mid-size SUV. A quick look at its competitors should drive this point home. The 2016 Honda Pilot, for instance, has 753 complaints registered with the NHTSA, with 342 related to the “electrical system” alone.
The 2016 Ford Explorer, meanwhile, has a whopping 1,202 complaints, 11 recalls, and one investigation. The 2016 Highlander fares much better, with just 80 complaints total. Still, other 2016 model-year SUVs like the Hyundai Santa Fe and Buick Enclave give the Highlander a run for its money, as each has even fewer recalls and complaints.
Photos: Toyota
