ToyotaHighlander2016Overview/toyota/highlander/2016/base/

2016 Toyota Highlander

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Highlander.

Body SUV

The 2016 Toyota Highlander is an SUV that drew 109 owner complaints—clustered most heavily in the “Unknown Or Other” category—and three recalls during its model year. Across the nameplate’s 1997–2026 history, complaint volume peaked at 475 for the 2021 model and bottomed out at one for the 1997 debut, placing the 2016 edition well below that peak. That comparatively moderate complaint load situates the 2016 Highlander as a relatively uneventful entry in the model’s long reliability record.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI S55D23DL · 360 CCA battery, OE oil filter 9030179006. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI S55D23DL · 360 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/55R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter9030179006 alt 9672335028
Engine air filter178010P051 alt 17801YZZ14
Fuel filter770240E091 alt 233000A020
Spark plug9091901247 alt 9091901233
Battery2880031293
Front wiper blades852120E050 alt 852220E050
Serpentine belt99367K0810 alt 90916A2020
Thermostat90916A3002 alt 90916A3003
Cabin air filter8713950100 alt 8713907020

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width76 in
Overall height68.1 in
Wheelbase109.8 in
Curb weight4486 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)55/45

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Highlander of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.0–7.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.00 sec — 2017 Hybrid Limited
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.00 sec15.40 sec306 hpAWD
2017XLE 3.5L V67.00 sec15.60 sec295 hpAWD
2017SE 3.5L V67.20 sec15.50 sec295 hpAWD
2017SE 3.5L V67.70 sec16.00 sec295 hpAWD
2014LE Plus 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec270 hpFWD
2014XLE 3.5L V67.10 sec15.40 sec270 hpAWD
2014Limited 3.5L V67.30 sec15.60 sec270 hpAWD
2014Hybrid Limited 3.5L V6 + Elec7.40 sec15.60 sec280 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine 75W-85 · GL-5 in the differential, SAE J1703 · DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 30.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0
Brake FluidSAE J1703 · DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Differential Gear Oil75W-85 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.0 qt
Engine Coolant Capacity10.7 qt

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts61 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsLower: 15 ft/lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15
Main Bearings16
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug10.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug30.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs7 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug36.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubInstall a new nut and torque to 217.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)650 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)1300 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)600-700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)850-950 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.70-2.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.81-2.03 lbs
Oil TypeND 11 Oil
Oil Capacity6.90-7.40 oz

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)44-50 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)55-61 @ idle or fuel pump running psi
Residual Pressure21 After 5 min, engine off psi
Engine Compressionpsi 142-210 max variation 15 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 128-178 max variation 10 psi
Engine Compressionpsi 142-203
Engine Compressionpsi 109 - 145

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 25; Rear: 20 /; Front: 25; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 77; Rear: 69 /; Front: 77; Rear: 70
ABS Sensor Torque5.5 / NS
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.039; Rear: 0.039 in
Minimum Shoe Thickness0.039 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .984; Rear: .335
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .002; Rear: .0059
Maximum Drum DiameterParking brake 8.310

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17 ft. lbs., Step 2: 127 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
127.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90 degrees Step 3: 90 degrees Bolts should be checked for stretching using a straight edge. Ay bolts that show stretching should be replaced.27 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs at 120,000 mi; coolant every 50,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 50,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 5,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Floor Mat (inspect) · Tire & Wheel Assembly (rotate) · Universal Vehicle Operation (inspect all fluid levels) · Windshield Wiper Blade (inspect)
Every 10,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning Condenser (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft Flange Yoke (torque) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level)
Every 30,000 miBrake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace)
Every 50,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 100,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 120,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miHybrid Inverter (drain, flush & refill coolant)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Toyota Highlander represents a notable improvement in reliability within its generation, particularly when viewed in the context of the federal complaint and recall trends. Complaints dropped to 109 in 2016—significantly lower than the 186 in 2015 and well below the 261 spike in 2017—while recalls remained modest at three, consistent with the prior year. This places the 2016 model in a favorable position within the arc of the third-generation Highlander (2014–2019), where complaint volumes fluctuated but generally trended upward in later years, peaking at 465 in 2019. The top complaint areas for 2016—such as service brakes and electrical systems—are not unique to this year, though their frequency is comparatively low. With only one fire-related complaint and 14 crash-related reports, the 2016 model demonstrates a relatively clean safety record. This data suggests the 2016 Highlander is one of the stronger years in its generation to purchase, offering a balance of lower complaint volumes and stable recall activity before the uptick in issues seen in subsequent model years.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
269
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
109
Owner complaints
14 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 109 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Unknown Or Other16
Service Brakes13
Electrical System8
Visibility/Wiper6
Exterior Lighting6
Steering5
Tires5
Engine5

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18E107000Electrical SystemReported 27/11/2018

Fujian Wanda Automobile Glass Industry (Wanda) is recalling certain aftermarket Replacement Windshields sold for use in 2014-2018 Toyota Highlander vehicles. The windshields have an attached wire harness that water may… Remedy: Wanda will notify owners, and service centers will replace the windshields, and inspect the ECM for damage, having it replaced, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began…

16V775000Electrical System:WiringReported 24/10/2016

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Highlander vehicles manufactured May 26, 2016, to September 16, 2016. The brake fluid level sensor may not be connected to the wire… Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, connect the wire harness to the sensor, free of charge. The recall began November 14, 2016. Owners may…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 269 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
T-SB-0055-24 Rev22026-01-07Unknown Or OtherSome 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a…
T-TT-0790-252025-08-20Electrical SystemSome customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using…
T-SB-0058-23 Rev12025-06-13Electrical SystemThe air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the…
T-SB-0035-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureAcid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to…
T-SB-0038-24 Rev22024-12-06StructureTo prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Highlander. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 Highlander have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.