TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ? 2023 model year vehicles may be available provided the requests meet the criteria listed in this Service Bulletin. Follow the Procurement Procedure in this bulletin to request a replacement certification label or VIN plate.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Prius cruise control problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Toyota Prius have filed 11 NHTSA complaints about the cruise control at roughly $600 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See cruise control across all vehicles →
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$600
| Model year | cruise control complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Prius | 20 |
| 2013 Prius | 16 |
| 2014 Prius | 12 |
| 2016 Prius (this page) | 11 |
| 2017 Prius | 9 |
| 2019 Prius | 3 |
4crashes
When does it fail?
Of the 11 cruise control complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
No new NHTSA cruise control complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 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 cruise control 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.
Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 01013E), Entune? Audio Plus (version 010156 or 01015C), or Entune? Premium Audio (versions 010171, 010170, or 01017D) may exhibit one or more of the following conditions: ?Head unit reboots at a specific location. ?Abnormal Destination Search app operation. ?Rebooting caused by no songs on the USB-connected iPhone. ?A one-time reboot after ignition is cycled to ACC-ON. ?Audio stays muted after the key is cycled. Some 2016 ? 2018 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with Entune? Audio (version 010144), Entune? Audio Plus (version 01015E), Entune? Premium Audio (version 010182), or earlier may exhibit one or more o
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report unintended acceleration as the dominant failure mode across 11 complaints. Five complaints describe sudden full-throttle acceleration in low-speed maneuvers—parking, pulling into spaces, reversing in driveways—where the vehicle struck parked cars, walls, or curbs. One owner at 46K miles experienced an unrelated engine overheat and stall on the highway following a TSB exhaust repair. One complaint involves the accelerator pedal mechanically stuck to the floorboard after catching on the center console plastic ridge. Another describes jerky braking behavior over potholes, though this appears unrelated to acceleration control. Two complaints address unrelated cluster issues: speedometer display limited to MPH only (problematic when crossing into Canada), and a cruise-control system failure at 70K miles alongside an illuminated collision-avoidance indicator.
Owners dispute manufacturer claims of operator error. One owner provided EDR data showing throttle application and no brake input, then argued the brief timeframe made braking impossible. Another owner references prior Toyota recalls for broken throttle return switches and cites online repair guidance. No repairs are documented for the primary acceleration complaints; dealers have not diagnosed root causes.
Same Toyota Prius cruise control reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2014
Failure modes owners describe
Unintended acceleration—low-speed maneuvers
Vehicle accelerates at full throttle during parking, pulling into spaces, or reversing without driver input or with foot off pedal. Strikes obstacles (walls, parked cars, curbs) within seconds. Owner dispute centers on Toyota's claim of throttle application shown in EDR data; owner argues no time existed to apply brake before acceleration began.
When: Varied mileage; incidents noted at low speeds in confined spaces
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden full-throttle acceleration while foot off accelerator pedal; Loss of vehicle control during parking maneuvers; Vehicle strikes parked cars, walls, curbs; Incident occurs within 2–3 seconds of onset
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota references EDR data showing accelerator pedal application and no brake input; disputes owner claims. Owner cites prior Toyota recalls for broken throttle return switches but Toyota denies applicability to this vehicle.
Accelerator pedal mechanical sticking
Plastic ridge on center console catches driver's shoe and holds accelerator pedal to floorboard. Owner cannot release pedal during driving. Occurred at 7,700 miles.
When: 7,700 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Accelerator pedal stuck to floorboard; Pedal cannot be released by driver; Plastic ridge on center console entangles driver's shoe
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota referred owner back to dealer for investigation. No resolution documented.
Cruise control failure with collision-avoidance malfunction
Cruise control stops functioning and collision-avoidance indicator remains illuminated at startup. Failure at 70K miles. Dealer unable to diagnose or repair.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Cruise control does not engage; Collision-avoidance indicator illuminated and stays on during operation
Engine overheat and stall on highway
Vehicle at 51,747 miles suddenly loses power on highway at 70 mph following TSB exhaust work (Exhaust Front Pipe replacement per T-SB-0135-19). Check Engine Light, Coolant Light, and Hybrid system lights illuminate. Engine stalls; vehicle loses control momentarily before safe stop. Dealer reports overheating but no detailed diagnostics provided.
When: 51,747 miles; March 1, 2023, approximately 8:40 AM, after TSB service at 46K miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check Engine Light illuminated; Coolant Light illuminated; Hybrid system lights illuminated; Engine speed drops suddenly; Vehicle stalls on highway; Temporary loss of control
Repairs/costs cited: Exhaust Front Pipe replaced per Toyota T-SB-0135-19 at 46K miles, September 2022
Braking instability over road imperfections
Vehicle lurches or shakes side-to-side when braking over potholes or rough road surfaces. Occurs consistently at any braking force except very light braking. Owner feels unsafe despite limited intensity.
When: Recurring issue; not tied to specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle jerks forward or shakes side-to-side while braking; Occurs every time braking over potholes; Happens at any road speed except very slow speeds
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota prius. While attempting to start the vehicle, the collision avoidance indicator remained illuminated and the cruise control failed to work. The contact took the vehicle to gates Toyota (640 w ireland rd, south bend, in 46614), but it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.
Had cruise control trouble with your 2016 Toyota Prius?
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 cruise control problem on the 2016 Toyota Prius?
It's a meaningful issue. 11 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $600.
At what mileage does the cruise control typically fail?
Based on the 11 complaints filed, cruise control issues most often appear around 37,225 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 $600 for cruise control 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 cruise control?
No active recalls currently cover cruise control 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/Prius.
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.