Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota prius hybrid. While driving 70 MPH, the windshield trapped rain water, which made it difficult for the contact to see the road. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,800.
2016 Toyota Prius visibility problems
moderate 34 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $350 · see visibility across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$350
When does it fail?
Of the 34 visibility complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Prius, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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
Of the 13 model years of Toyota Prius we track for visibility problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 34.
Owners have filed 34 visibility complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
I had previous problems when I first bought my prius where I received 2 cracks on my windshield within a week of owning the car. I never heard a rock hit my car. I reported it here and Toyota called me to replace my windshield so they could keep my old one for quality control. I was fine with this but just today I go out to my car and see a 6 inch crack that started from the bottom of the…
There is something wrong with the windshield design of the car. I had debris or road gravel hitting the windshield twice in last 2 months and got a crack on windshield in 2 occasions. I was driving car at 65 MPH on highway in both instances. I also realize a flaw with wiper design that the wipers do no clear the full wind shield. This reduces visibility specially winter when there is lot of salt…
A small chip in front windshield and develop a large crack quickly
Had visibility 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 visibility problem on the 2016 Toyota Prius?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 34 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $350 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the visibility typically fail?
Across the 28 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most visibility failures cluster between 14,000 and 30,000 miles, with the median around 20,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 14,000; a quarter make it past 30,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $350 for visibility 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 visibility?
No active recalls currently cover visibility 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.