Recall 16V672 covers 7,817 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles for an unintended front passenger air bag inflation defect. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 7,817 2016 Prius vehicles because an air bag inflator manufacturing error can trigger unintended partial inflation of the front passenger air bag. That unexpected inflation can increase the risk of a crash or injury, and Toyota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The front passenger air bag inflator in the 2016 Toyota Prius is the metal canister inside the passenger air bag module. In a crash that calls for the passenger air bag, the inflator is supposed to produce gas in a controlled way so the bag fills at the right moment. The air bag system depends on that inflator staying sealed and inactive until the control module commands deployment.
On affected Prius vehicles, Toyota identified an inflator manufacturing error tied to production at the supplier facility. The filing describes the issue as potential mis-assembly or improper welding. That defect can let the front passenger air bag partially inflate when it has not been commanded to deploy.
There is no warning sign before failure. An owner should not expect a light, sound, or change in driving feel before the passenger air bag begins to inflate.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Toyota Prius | front air bag |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 7,817 |
Not every 2016 Toyota Prius is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific hatchback is included.
What's the safety risk?
A front passenger air bag that inflates when it should not can increase the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the repair soon and use extra caution until the front passenger air bag assembly is replaced. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Toyota Prius is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free front passenger air bag assembly replacement that fixes the inflator error.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota sent one. If not, reference recall number 16V672 when you call.
- Keep passengers out of the front passenger seat until the repair is complete, and drive directly to the dealer for service.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician replaces the front passenger air bag assembly covered by recall 16V672. The repair is open now, and the replacement parts and labor are free under the recall. Tell the service desk you are scheduling Toyota recall G0W for a 2016 Prius, then ask whether the vehicle needs any handling instructions before the appointment. Toyota customer service is listed at 1-800-331-4331 for recall questions.
Timeline
| September 13, 2016 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| September 13, 2016 | Dealer notification ended |
| September 16, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 10, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
| November 13, 2016 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V672?
Recall 16V672 covers 7,817 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles with a front passenger air bag inflator manufacturing error. The air bag can partially inflate without a crash, increasing the risk of a crash or injury. Toyota dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Toyota Prius is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Prius is included in recall 16V672. If it is, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the front passenger air bag assembly replacement. Reference recall 16V672 or Toyota recall G0W when you call. The repair is free.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Toyota's recall remedy states that dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly free of charge. Any franchised Toyota dealer can perform the recall repair, and Toyota customer service is available at 1-800-331-4331 for recall G0W questions.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is unintended partial inflation of the front passenger air bag. That unexpected deployment can increase the risk of a crash or injury. If your VIN is included, schedule the free dealer repair so Toyota can replace the affected air bag assembly.
What if I bought my Toyota Prius used?
The recall still applies to the vehicle. If Toyota never mailed you a notice, check your VIN to confirm whether your specific 2016 Prius is included in recall 16V672. If it is, call a franchised Toyota dealer and ask for the free recall repair.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V672000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V672 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V672000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →