2016 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
417 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 4 recall campaigns and 1 defect investigation. It scores 35/100 on the trouble index — a below-average year for this model. Transmission & drivetrain leads the reports, typically around 12,500 miles.
Below average
Where 2016 sits among all Tacoma years
What owners report
“Shifting from reverse to drive there is a delay so when i go to take off it slams into drive.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Tacoma
“My dealership has had my truck for over 8 weeks and has given me no indication when it will be repaired or when i will get it back.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Tacoma
“My 2016 tacoma safety recall for rear differential leak. I drop my tacoma off @ ron tonkin dealer on june 16th, 2017 and it over a month i had not hear any update from the dealer when my truck will be fixed. Contacted the dealer on 7/22/17, they said part still not available; however, the recall…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Tacoma
“While driving on the freeway, the vehicle started lurching and loosing power then abruptly shut off.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2016 Tacoma
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 224 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 20,504 miles. Half of those reports fall between 8,200 and 45,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (4)
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to…
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine. The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts…
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tacoma trucks manufactured August 20, 2015, to September 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 20V024.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma drew 417 complaints in federal safety records — a below-average year for this model. Its trouble index is 35/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The top reported problems for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma are transmission & drivetrain (136 complaints), electrical (55), and other (53).
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?
Owners most often report 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems around 20,504 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 8,200 and 45,000 miles.
Does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
4 recall campaigns apply to the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.