2016 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Power train is the leading concern among 323 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 10th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2016 reports, 4 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hood, hinge and attachmentsJul 3, 2017
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.
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Campaign 17V425000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineJun 1, 2017
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.
An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0H.
Campaign 17V356000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, differential unitApr 27, 2017
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.
If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 and gasket. If the rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0G.
Campaign 17V285000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, knee bolsterOct 14, 2015
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.
The incorrect bolts may loosen over time and affect the performance of the driver's knee air bag, increasing the risk of driver injury during a crash that necessitates deployment of the air bags.
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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is F0T.
Campaign 15V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: exterior lighting
17 reports, newest first. Show all
Exterior lighting, Dec 17, 2023
Just like with the other double cab Tacoma recalls I am hearing about, the third rear tail light is leaking water into my access cab. The interior smells like mildew. I’m not sure why my truck is not covered by the recall, but it is experiencing the exact same situation. Water leaking through the deteriorated seal of the break-light. I think with accompanying mold build up.
Exterior lighting, Jul 8, 2022
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the driver’s side fog light housing melted. There was an abnormal odor of smoke. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,749.
Exterior lighting, Feb 28, 2022
We paid $638.42 to repair a leak issue which later became a recall. We we are now having difficulty getting Toyota to reimbursement that money.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Mar 4, 2021
I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED WHEN I WAS SOLD THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR WAS ON BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A QUICK CONNECTION ERROR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS VERY DIM AND DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WELL. I CONTACTED CROWN DODGE OF FAYETTEVILLE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. THIS WAS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AFTER BECAUSE LIFE HAPPENS AND I WORK WITH THE MILITARY. I DON'T HAVE A REGULAR SCHEDULE. I DO HAVE A WARRANTY BUT I'M NOT USING MY WARRANTY TO COVER SOMETHING THEY SHOULD FIX. WHEN I CALLED TO TALK TO A SALES MANAGER NO ONE WOULD ANSWER IT RANG AND RANG. THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT LEAST.
Exterior lighting, Feb 19, 2021
THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES LOOSE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRUCK CAB. IT IS EITHER A RUBBER GASKET DEFECT OR IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED IN NUMEROUS VENUES FOR THE 2016-2020 MODEL YEARS OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA. MINE LEAKS WHILE DRIVING OR STANDING STILL.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 31, 2021
WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES INSIDE THE CABIN AROUND BRAKE LIGHT AND SOAKS THE SEATS. I NOTICED THIS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STATIONARY. I THINK IT'S COMING AROUND THE BRAKE LIGHTS GASKET THE WHOLE BACK IF WET ON THE DRIVER SIDE LOOKS LIKE WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE HEADLINER. I'VE ALSO SEEN OTHER VIEWS OR REPORTS ON THIS INCIDENT
Exterior lighting, Jan 4, 2021
THE CAB MOUNTED THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FIXTURE IS ALLOWING A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THE SEATS AND CARPET ARE GETTING SOAKED EVERY TIME THERE IS HEAVY RAIN. EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT WILL FAIL AND MOLD AND MILDEW WILL RESULT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. TOYOTA DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I THINK IS A DEFECTIVE GASKET IN THIS FIXTURE. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO TOYOTA.
Exterior lighting, Structure, Jun 28, 2020
INTERIOR LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS OR WHENEVER VEHICLE GETS WET. A HEALTH HAZARD, SAFETY CONCERN, AND POTENTIAL RISK TO PASSENGERS AS WELL. CAUSE OF PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL. OF COURSE TOYOTA MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EASILY REPLACE THE LIGHT OR SEAL AS YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE INTERIOR CEILING TO GET TO BOLTS. SAD I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT LEAKS WATER BUT SINCE WARRANTY JUST ENDED, THEY WILL NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT FIXING THIS ISSUE. IF A LAWSUIT RESULTS ABOUT OF THIS COUNT ME IN, HOPEFULLY A RECALL TAKES PLACE SOON BECAUSE DUCT TAPE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH PLUS WHO WANTS TO DRIVE AROUND WITH DUCT TAPE ON THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT.
Exterior lighting, May 20, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF LOGAN (297 E MAIN ST, LOGAN, OH 43138), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC RETRIEVED DTC CODES: C1380 AND C1422. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STOP LIGHT RELAY MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS DUE TO BE INSPECTED AND TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSION INHIBITER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,495.
Exterior lighting, Air bags, Seat belts, May 18, 2020
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA PURCHASED FROM STOKES BROWN TOYOTA NEW. THE SEATBELT AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BLINKS CONTINUALLY EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND OFF. *TR
Exterior lighting, May 10, 2020
3RD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL DEFECTIVE. RAIN WATER ENTERS BACK OF CABIN AND STAINS INTERIOR ROOF FROM DEFECTIVE SEAL AROUND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2019
THIRD LIGHT LEAKS WATER DAMAGED WIRING/ DAMAGED CARPET / MILDEW PROBLEM
Exterior lighting, Aug 20, 2019
POOR INTERIOR LIGHTING. BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT DIM AT NIGHT MEANING IT BLINDS THE OPERATOR WHEN BACKING AT NIGHT. DASHBOARD LED DISPLAY IS SO POORLY DESIGNED THAT, UNDER MOST DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, OPERATOR CANNOT READ THE ODOMETER OR DETERMINE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN THE MANUAL SHIFT MODE AS THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO KNOW IF YOU'RE SHIFTING FROM 2D TO 3D OR 3D TO 4TH. IT ALSO MAKES IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE MILES TO NEXT INTERSTATE EXIT WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR ODOMETER. TRYING TO STARE AT THE DISPLAY TAKES EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR FAR TOO LONG. DASHBOARD LIGHTING IS SO POOR THAT OPERATOR CANNOT READ SPEEDOMETER UNDER MANY DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WEARING SUNGLASSES.
Exterior lighting, Jun 14, 2019
BACK SEATS AND FLOOR WERE FOUND TO BE WET. DIDN'T KNOW WHY UNTIL WE WERE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AND WATER CAME IN BACK WINDOW AROUND 3RD BREAK LIGHT. TOOK TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED.
Exterior lighting, Oct 29, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE WET EVERY TIME IT RAINS WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER PETERSON TOYOTA (4381 FAYETTEVILLE RD, LUMBERTON, NC 28358, (910)-375-4996) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSED TESTING APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF THERE WAS WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Exterior lighting, Seats, Aug 14, 2018
3RD BRAKE LIGHT OVER TORQUED AT FACTORY RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE SEAL AND EVENTUALLY CRACKED LIGHT FIXTURE. THIS RESULTS NOT ONLY IN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT SERIOUS LEAKING INTO CABIN - AFFECTING REAR SEAT, ROOF, AND FLOORING. LEAK NOTICED AFTER RAIN STORMS AND NOTICING WET FLOOR/SEATS AND DAMP FLOORS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AFFECTING 3RD GENERATION TACOMAS ON TOYOTA FORUMS SUCH AS TACOMAWORLD.COM.
Exterior lighting, Apr 10, 2017
2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEADLIGHTS FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NIGHT LIGHTING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTING WAS ESPECIALLY POOR DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE STANDARDS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE REVIEWED. *JS