TOYOTA TACOMA · model year

2016 TOYOTA TACOMA

409 NHTSA complaints, 4 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016TOYOTATACOMA carries 409 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 4 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 TACOMA is power train with 132 filings, followed by unknown or other (49) and engine (47). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2016 TACOMA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

409
Complaints
4
Crashes
7
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

409 filings

Crashes Reported

4 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN132
UNKNOWN OR OTHER49
ENGINE47
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
STRUCTURE:BODY19
SERVICE BRAKES18
SEATS18
EXTERIOR LIGHTING15
SUSPENSION14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL10
VISIBILITY/WIPER9
AIR BAGS5
STEERING4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)3

Recalls (4)

17V28500027/04/2017

POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

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.

15V65600014/10/2015

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

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.

17V42500003/07/2017

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

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 detach from the vehicle.

17V35600001/06/2017

ENGINE

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.

Recent Complaints

20260113LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:ELECTRONIC LOCK/LATCH ACTUATOR

The rear passenger door lock actuator on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma failed prematurely, causing the door to no longer lock or unlock properly. The failure required replacement of the entire actuator assembly at a Toyota dealership at a cost of $727.19. This failure occurred without abuse or unusual use and is not consistent with normal wear and tear. I am aware of numerous similar complaints and pending class action lawsuits involving door lock actuator failures across multiple Toyota models, indicating this is a known and recurring defect. A door that cannot reliably lock or unlock presents a safety and security concern, particularly for passengers and children, and increases the risk of unauthorized entry or inability to exit the vehicle in an emergency.

20251203STRUCTURE:BODY

2016 Toyota Tacoma – severe clear coat and paint failure on the hood and roof. The clear coat began peeling in 2022 and has progressively worsened. Large sections of the hood and roof show complete delamination, oxidation, and exposed basecoat. This is a widely reported defect for 2015–2017 Tacomas across multiple paint colors. Toyota Customer Care confirmed today that my VIN is not included in Customer Support Program 23TE08 and that no goodwill repair would be authorized, even though the defect is identical to the vehicles Toyota acknowledges as affected. This appears to be a manufacturing defect that compromises durability and corrosion resistance. Photos and documentation are available upon request.

20251127STRUCTURE:BODY

Paint on hood and roof is fading significantly.

20251113FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

The seat heater pins have melted, leaving black residue. thus showing possibilities of a fire

20251031STRUCTURE

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, there was a musty odor coming from the interior of the vehicle. The contact was unable to locate the source of the odor. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while vacuuming the vehicle, the contact noticed that the carpet and floor mats from the rear passenger’s side were wet. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the rear quarter duct vents had fractured, and water was entering the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the NHSTA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

Mileage: 80,000

20251014ENGINE

Bought 2016 Tacoma in 2022 w/ 53k miles. Hit 58,850 (ish) and had an noticable oil leak… apparently this was a “Well Known” issue, as the mechanic @ Surprise, AZ Dealership (Toyota of Surprise, 13543 N. Auto Show Ave., Surprise, AZ 85388) told my wife and I…. it’s from this same thing that google showed me also: “Engine oil leaks: Reports on Consumer Reports and other forums detail expensive repairs to fix oil leaks from the front seal or timing cover, which can cost $5,000 or more because the engine often needs to be removed for the repair.” And this was 100% my case- and confirmed by the Toyota Dealers Mechanic verbally. Leaks were without engine light indicators “at all”. The dealership added a dye, told me to drive 100-500 miles and return to have a re-inspection done after their initial one came with no results. Initially I spotted this while I was conducting a regular 3,000 mile oil change. (2nd oil change since owning the truck. So my out of pocket was a

20250730ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I am reporting a persistent and unsafe issue with the factory-installed Entune infotainment system in my 2016 Toyota Tacoma. While driving — whether locally or on the highway — the system frequently freezes, becomes unresponsive, or abruptly resets itself, often multiple times per drive. This directly affects my ability to safely use the navigation, backup camera, and audio controls while in motion. The system’s crashes divert my attention from the road, especially when I’m relying on navigation and it either stops functioning or forces me to interact with the screen to regain control. These interruptions increase the risk of distracted driving and could easily contribute to an accident. I have attempted to install the software update provided on Toyota’s official website, but the update is older than the version already installed on my vehicle (0101A0), so the system blocks the update. There is no way for a consumer to reinstall or flash the current version, and any potent

20250630ENGINE

I have experienced two major failures on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with less than 90,000 miles: a leaking coolant crossover pipe, which required partial engine disassembly and cost me approximately $2,500, and a leaking timing chain cover, which required a full front-end teardown and cost over $4,500. Both issues are known problems across 2016+ Tacoma models with the 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS engine), yet Toyota has not issued a recall or warranty enhancement. These failures present safety risks related to overheating and oil loss and result in significant financial burden to owners. Toyota needs to be held accountable for these premature, design-related failures.

20250625STEERING

During a safety inspection, it was found out that the steering rack was leaking. In a quick research on Google, it appears that many people that own this particular year and tacomas are experiencing the same issue. It is the first time for any car that we own and we keep our cars for more than 10 years. To us, this could be a manufacturing defect that should be investigated and a recall issue. We had it fixed so it can pass inspection, but something just doesn't make sense.

20250225SUSPENSION

When using four-wheel drive, the vehicle was unable to make a left turn. I disengaged four-wheel drive, and the vehicle was stuck in four-wheel drive. This happened on two occasions. The first time was approximately August 2022 and the second time was last year. When I took it to the dealership, they said here was nothing wrong with it and they told me that I probably used the four-wheel drive incorrectly. Luckily, I was able to get the truck into a parking lot. The way that I was able to disengage it was to put the truck into reverse and back up a few yards then go forward a few yards and repeat until I hear a loud thump.

20250112SEATS

Heated seat had stopped working, checked and found the problem. The module that controls the heated seats had a melted connector and wires, causing the seat to no longer be able to have heated seats.

20241212ENGINE

Upper Intake manifold flap actuator ( part: Toyota 17190-0P101 ) brakes in the intake resulting in wrong air reading and forcing vehicle into limp mode causing the vehicle to rapidly decrease speed, and creating a potential accident with other vehicles and semi's. this will continue to happen but this will give a person a false sense of security since error codes will reset once vehicle is turned off and on, a reassurance to a person that the issue has resolved itself since this will only happen at high speeds. the part is designed for fuel efficiency, as the flap opens and closes air is controlled properly for emission, but once broken will throw error codes, and force vehicle into limp mode this part is not be repairable, the part needs to be changed completely. this would happen to me while accelerating on highways, up mountain passes and pushing vehicle over 4000 rpm.

20241122ENGINE

Rear Coolant Bypass Joint leak. Coolant leaking through this pipe and accumulating.

20241029UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Paint is chipping off in several places and have read this is a major problem with tacomas in the white color

20241020ENGINE

Coolant leaking

20241011STRUCTURE:BODY

The paint on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma is failing after a few years of owning the truck, it has been well maintained and washed but the problem keeps getting worse. I have searched online and it seems to be an issue with white and magnetic grey colored Toyota cars but no recall on magnetic grey paint.

20240930UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I have recently been made aware of the Super White paint recall and know that is not yet in full force or able to be serviced at this time. That being said, it appears that the recall only covers " paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner fenders under the hood on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color", But there are multiple reports of this entire paint job being defective over multiple generations as well as paint outside of these areas specified. This recall should cover an entire repaint and is extremely frail in quality otherwise.

20240930SEATS

Seat heating module for my driver seat has melted and is further irrepairable without buying the entire harness to fix the issue. There are multiple reports of this happening across forums.

20240930ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Seat heating module for my driver seat has melted and is further irrepairable without buying the entire harness to fix the issue. There are multiple reports of this happening across forums.

20240914POWER TRAIN

I purchased the vehicle new and noticed right away that the transmisson would clunk right away when I put it into gear[ it's an automatic]. I asked the dealership about it and they said it was normal and no issues. Now I'm [XXX] and have owned many cars so.... Anyway, over the years I've asked several times and they say no issue. Now, just this morning, my wife found an article about the issue and Toyota is finally admitting there IS an issue. What can I do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Compare 2016TOYOTATACOMA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA have?
The 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA has 409 NHTSA complaints, 4 crashes, 7 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA?
The 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA?
The most-complained component for the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA is POWER TRAIN with 132 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include UNKNOWN OR OTHER and ENGINE.
Is the 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.