Southeast Toyota Accessory LED Fog & DRL 2 in 1 light inoperative. Provide Accessory lamp diagnostics and manufacturing date inspection information.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Highlander lighting problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Toyota Highlander have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the lighting at roughly $250 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See lighting across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$250
| Model year | lighting complaints |
|---|---|
| 2013 Highlander | 3 |
| 2015 Highlander | 9 |
| 2016 Highlander (this page) | 7 |
| 2017 Highlander | 3 |
| 2018 Highlander | 3 |
| 2019 Highlander | 4 |
When does it fail?
Of the 7 lighting complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Highlander, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 13 model years of Toyota Highlander in our records for lighting problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA lighting complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering lighting on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Southeast Toyota Accessory LED Fog/DRL lights and/or On Board Vacuum may cause water intrusion through hood release cable grommet. TSB provides revised routing and service kit part numbers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Southeast Toyota (SET) offers onboard vacuum and LED fog & DRL 2n1 Light
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Brakes have a slight vibration when traveling at high speeds in the city and someone is stopped on the freeway. My lights have dimmed dramatically since I first purchased new. The passenger side daytime running light is full of moisture. Most importantly, the temperature sensor and/or ac fan/motor is halfway functioning at 38k! By this, I mean that the ac in the front of the car kicks on and off…
Had lighting trouble with your 2016 Toyota Highlander?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the lighting problem on the 2016 Toyota Highlander?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $250 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the lighting typically fail?
Based on the 7 complaints filed, lighting issues most often appear around 29,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $250 for lighting repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to lighting?
No active recalls currently cover lighting issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Toyota/Highlander.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.