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
323 reports, newest first.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Apr 17, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED HESITATION AND THE ENGINE DE-POWERING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ONCE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BEFORE THE VEHICLE RECOGNIZED THE SPEED THE SOFTWARE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DE-POWER FOR INTERVALS OF ONE TO TWO SECONDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD OPERATE NORMALLY. A REMEDY WAS NOT DISCLOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,005.
Power train, Apr 15, 2017
REAR END DIFFERENTIAL GEAR HOWLING FROM 52-59MPH - ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TOYOTA SAYS IT IS 'NORMAL' HOWEVER IT ONLY DOES IT ON A FEW VEHICLES.
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
Power train, Mar 18, 2017
HAVE A SERIOUS VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE TOOK THE TRUCK IN 4 TIMES THEY DID THE UPGRADE ON THE COMPUTER IT DID HELP. NOW THE PROBLEM IS BACK THEY HAVE NO ANSWER'S FOR ME. GOT TOLD BY 50,000 MILES IT SHOULD WORK ITSELF OUT. CALLED TOYOTA TO COMPLAIN THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS. I GOT TOLD THEY HAVE NO ANSWER'S HOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM. MY COMPLAINT IS THEY HAVE ISSUES WITH THE 2016 AND 2017.THEY ARE NOT FIXING THEM BUT YET STILL RIPPING PEOPLE OFF BUY SELLING TRUCKS WITH A MAJOR PROBLEM. I USE TO LOVE MY TOYOTA BUT NOW I'M DONE AND WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN SINCE THEY DON'T BACK THEM UP ANYMORE AND RIP PEOPLE OFF.
Electrical system, Mar 10, 2017
IT COST ME $850.00 BECAUSE TOYOTA USED SOY BASED WIRING ON MY VEHICLE. A RAT CHEWED WIRES UNDER THE HOOD CAUSING THIS DAMAGE. THERE ARE CLASS ACTION SUITS AGAINST TOYOTA FOR THIS PROBLEM.
Steering, Feb 16, 2017
VEHICLE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AND BOUNCES UP AND DOWN AT FREEWAY SPEEDS(65 MPH) INTERMITTENTLY.
Power train, Feb 6, 2017
THIS VEHICLE HAS A PRONOUNCED VIBRATION IN THE GAS PEDAL, FLOOR AND STEERING WHEEL BETWEEN 2,000 AND 2,400 RPM WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR AND UNDER LOAD. IT ALSO VIBRATES WHEN IN GEAR AND AT IDLE.
Service brakes, Feb 2, 2017
THE FRONT BRAKES LOCK WHEN BRAKING HARD, THE ANTI-LOCK SHOULD NOT ALLOW THE WHEEL TO SKID.
Suspension, Power train, Jan 31, 2017
TRANSMISSION HAS A FLARE,SHUDDER, JERKY AND CLUNK. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH IT SINCE 07-16-2016
Power train, Jan 27, 2017
I HAVE A VIBRATION THAT COME THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL AND GAS PEDAL AT 2,000 - 2,500 RPM. IT IS VERY PRONOUNCED AND DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING. TOYOTA HAS DRIVEN AND IDENTIFIED THE ISSUE BUT SAYS IT IS "INHERENT" TO THE VEHICLE AND IS "OPERATING AS DESIGNED". PLEASE CHECK THE FORUMS ON THIS ISSUE, MAINLY TACOMA WORLD. SEEMS TO HAPPEN, AS MINE DID, STARTING AT AROUND 500 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. SPOKE WITH TOYOTA CORPORATE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO SINCE A TSB HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AS IT LITERALLY NUMBS YOUR FINGERS DRIVING FOR LONGER PERIODS IN THAT RPM RANGE. *TR
Air bags, Jan 20, 2017, crash
MY HUSBAND AND I WERE DRIVING HOME ON A SNOWY NIGHT WHEN OUR CAR SLIPPED AND SLID DOWN AN EMBANKMENT ALMOST INTO A RIVER. LUCKILY, OUR CAR WAS STOPPED BY A LARGE BOULDER RIGHT AT THE WATERS EDGE. UNBEKNOWNST TO US AT THE TIME, WE HAD STOPPED COMPLETELY OUT OF THE WATER HOWEVER WE WERE NOT SURE BECAUSE EVERY AIRBAG IN OUR CAR DEPLOYED, COVERING ALL OF THE WINDOWS. IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE HIT THE BOULDER, WE TRIED RELENTLESSLY TO GET OUT OF BOTH FRONT DOORS AS WELL AS THE BACK DOOR, HOWEVER WE WERE UNABLE TO GET TO THE DOOR HANDLES BECAUSE THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEFLATE AS THEY SHOULD HAVE. AT THAT POINT, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO RIP THROUGH HIS FRONT DOOR AIRBAG TO REACH THE HANDLE AND GET BOTH OF US OUT OF THE CAR SAFELY. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS THAT IF WE HAD ENDED UP IN THE RIVER WE WOULD HAVE DROWNED DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING AIRBAGS. *TR
Power train, Jan 8, 2017
THE REAR WHEELS ON MY 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA LOCKED UP AS I WAS TRAVELLING STRAIGHT AT APPROX. 55 MPH ON THE 110 NORTH FREEWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. THE TRUCK WENT INTO A FISHTAIL WHICH I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL AND BRING TO A STOP THE DEALER TELLS ME THE BOLTS ON THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL CAME LOOSE AND THE OIL DRAINED OUT CAUSING THE REAR DIFF TO SEIZE AND STOP THE TIRES FROM ROTATING. TRUCK HAS 12,500 MILES ON IT AND JUST A YEAR OLD. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED SO NO REPORT WAS FILED. CHP WAS ON THE SCENE UNTIL A TOW TRUCK CAME TO TOW ME OFF THE HIGHWAY.
Other or unspecified, Jan 8, 2017
I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2012 GMC PICK UP WITH LARGE CRACK OVER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Visibility, Jan 5, 2017
WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY A SMALL PEBBLE STUCK MY WINDSHIELD CAUSING A 10 INCH CRACK. WHILE RESEARCHING COST OF NEW WINDSHIELD I FOUND THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE ARE DEALING WITH THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST AND DRIVE ON GRAVEL ROADS DAILY AND HAVE HAD HUNDREDS OF ROCKS HIT MY WINDOW CAUSING CHIPS THAT CAN BE REPAIRED BUT NEVER A CRACK LIKE THIS ESPECIALLY FROM SUCH A SMALL IMPACT. *TR
Power train, Dec 23, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT BETWEEN GEARS INDEPENDENTLY AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE FEATURE WOULD NOT ENGAGE AFTER BEING ACTIVATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SOFTWARE FAILED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 325.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Dec 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 TO 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE RANDOMLY UPSHIFTED AND/OR DOWNSHIFTED AND ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND A SOFTWARE UPDATE WAS PERFORMED. THE ISSUE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,000.
Service brakes, Dec 16, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT 5 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,943.
Seats, Dec 7, 2016
THE REAR SEATS DO NOT LOCK. FOR EXAMPLE, THE REAR SEATS HAVE A LOCKING MECHANISM UNDER THE SEAT. WHEN SEAT IS PUT BACK INTO ITS NORMAL POSITION IT DOES NOT LOCK. I HAD A 2001 AND THE SEAT LOCKED ONCE PUT INTO ITS NORMAL SITTING POSITION.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2016
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2106 TOYOTA TACOMA, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN OWNED FOR ABOUT 4 MONTHS AND HAS LESS THAN 4,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS ALERTED OF A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND TOOK THIS TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE WIRING HARNESS HAD BEEN CHEWED BY A RODENT AND THIS WAS VERY COMMON AT THIS DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL I WENT ONLINE AND NOTICE THOUSANDS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS NOT JUST A ONE TIME THING OR A CHANCE OCCURRENCE. THERE ARE SEVERAL PENDING CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS AGAINST TOYOTA FOR DEFECTIVE WIRING AND ENGINE COMPONENTS THAT ARE MADE OF A SOY BASED PRODUCT THAT IS A PRINCIPAL SOURCE OF SOME RODENTS DIET. THIS MAKES THE ENGINE COMPONENTS IRRESISTIBLE TO RODENTS. HONDA, TOYOTA AND FORD HAVE ALL BEEN EXPERIENCING HIGHER THAN NORMAL ISSUES WITH THIS SINCE SWITCHING TO THIS PRODUCT. WHAT MAKES THIS WORSE IS THAT THERE IS NO SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM. I CANNOT MOVE OR RELOCATE BECAUSE OF THE WILDLIFE, SQUIRRELS ARE EVERYWHERE. ADDITIONALLY, THE DEALERSHIP SNICKERED WITH PUT SOME MOTH BALLS OR MAKE SOME HOMEMADE RODENT REPELLENT. UNFORTUNATELY WHATEVER SPRAY OR TOXIC REPELLENT YOU USE AROUND THE ENGINE, WILL EVENTUALLY BE BREATHED INTO THE CABIN WHICH COULD BECOME DEADLY. THIS ALSO COULD AFFECT DRIVE THAT ARE IN MOTION OR COULD LEAVE THEM STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. LUCKILY FOR ME, MY CAR WAS PARKED AND I WAS ALERTED BY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP. OF COURSE THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT COVER THIS ON THE WARRANTY AND TOYOTA COULD NOT BE REACHED FOR COMMENT DIRECTLY DUE TO PENDING LITIGATION. THIS HAS COST ME OVER 3,000 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS AND THERE IS NO TELLING HOW MANY MORE TIME I WILL HAVE TO PAY THIS BEFORE TOYOTA FIXES THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Nov 22, 2016
-TRANSMISSION IS TOO QUICK TO UPSHIFT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO BOG DOWN. -TRANSMISSION CAUSES THE TUCK TO LURCH FORWARD AT LOW SPEEDS. -SHIFTING FROM R TO D ON A HILL CAN SOMETIMES CAUSE THE TRUCK TO ROLL BACKWARDS AS IF THE TRUCK WAS IN NEUTRAL -IN GENERAL, THE TRANSMISSION IS INCONSISTENT IN OPERATION. IN THE SAME SITUATION IT MAY REACT DIFFERENTLY -DURING HARD ACCELERATION AFTER YOU LET UP ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE RPM'S WILL STAY HIGH AND SLOWLY COME BACK DOWN. IF YOU PRESS THE GAS AGAIN DURING THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WILL EITHER CAUSE THE ENGINE TO REV BUT THE TRUCK WON'T ACCELERATE, OR WILL SLAM INTO A GEAR CAUSING THE TRUCK TO LURCH.
Structure, Nov 22, 2016
DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOWS RATTLE WHEN ROLLED DOWN .5" TO 3". IT'S VERY LOUD AND ANNOYING.
Structure, Nov 22, 2016
THE ADHESIVE USED TO BOND THE SHEET METAL TO THE FRAME OF THE HOOD IS FAULTY. THIS CAUSES THE HOOD TO FLEX AND SHAKE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2016
THE 2016 TACOMA WILL NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER WITH USB FLASH DRIVE PLUGGED IN WITH MUSIC. CONTROL THE BROWSING ALBUM OR SONG LIST WITH STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS. AS PER THE 2015 TACOMA DID. THIS IS IN ALL ASPECTS. OF OPERATION PARKED, MOVING, ETC. I SEE THIS AS A SAFETY ISSUE. HAVING TO TAKE YOUR EYES OFF THE ROAD TO PRESS THE BROWSE BUTTON ON THE HEAD UNIT AND THEN USE SCROLL BUTTONS TO MOVE THROUGH THE LIST OF ALBUMS AND THEN SCROLL THROUGH A LIST OF SONGS TO SELECT ONE. THEN AT THAT POINT I AM ABLE TO USE THE UP AND DOWN ARROW ON THE LEFT STEERING WHEEL CONTROL TO JUST GO THROUGH THE PARTICULAR ALBUM IAM IN. I THINK IT IS A PROGRAM FEATURE THAT WAS OVER LOOKED IN THE HEAD UNIT AND COULD CAUSE WRECK OR DAMAGE WHEN NOT FULLY FOCUSED ON THE ROAD.
Power train, Nov 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL, THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE TO APPROXIMATELY 200-300. THE FAILURE WOULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SURGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOW ON TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOFTWARE NEEDED TO BE RE-FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING PROPERLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,863....UPDATED 12/12/16 *BF UPDATED 12/12/16.*JB
Visibility/wiper, Nov 2, 2016
MY WINDSHIELD "POPPED" AND CAUSED A CRACK. NOTHING HIT THE WINDSHIELD. WHEN I TRIED TO GET THE HALF INCH CRACK REPAIRED, THE CRACK SPREAD TO OVER 18 INCHES.