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.
Suspension, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2020
TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. HAS A 1-3 SECOND DELAY. IN ADDITION THIS SLIP MOTION CREATED A LOUD GEAR CRANKING NOISE AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON A U-TURN. THE TRUCK DID NOT MOVE OR SHIFT DESPITE HEARING THE ENGINE ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED BY THE METALLIC GEAR-LIKE GRIND SOUND. SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO A STICK CAR WHEN YOU TRY TO ENGAGE A SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH (BUT MY TRUCK IS 2016 AUTOMATIC TRD-SPORT). LASTLY, WHEN TAKING SPEED BUMPS OR HARD SHIFTING MOTION (UP-DOWN) YOU CAN HEAR THE SUSPENSIONS MAKE A LOUD CLANK NOISE AS THE TRUCK SHIFTS IN THE SPEED BUMP MOTION.
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 13, 2020
THIS CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME WHILE TOWING A BOAT... WHILE TURNING LEFT ON A HIGH SPEED TWO LANE ROAD AND SECOND WHILE GOING 45 TOWARDS A GREEN LIGHT. BOTH TIMES THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED...TWICE! TOYOTA SAYS "FIXED' THE PROBLEM "TWICE". WE ASKED THEM TO BUY THE CAR BACK AFTER THE SECOND TIME, AS WE NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN IT.......THEY REFUSED. AS A GESTURE OF "GOOD WILL" THEY OFFERED US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH WE HAD ALREADY GOTTEN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR SO IT WAS POINTLESS. WE CREATED A CASE WITH THEM AFTER IT OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME. THE MOST RECENT RECALL THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AND IT NEEDS TO. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE..THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WE DON'T FEEL SAFE IN BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT DO THE RIGHT THING. HOPEFULLY BY US REPORTING OUR PROBLEM IT WILL SAVE SOMEONE ELSE LIFE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2020
THE BLUETOOTH ON THE IPHONE 11 PRO MAX AND THE TACOMA ARE NOT COMMUNICATING CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE I CAN NOT TALK HANDS FREE AS I AM SUPPOSE HAVE THE ABILITY TO DO SO. THE ENTIRE HEADSET WILL TURN OFF AND ON CONSTANTLY , THE ONLY WAY TO STOP THIS IS TO EITHER TURN OFF THE BLUETOOTH ON THE IPHONE OR REMOVE THE IPHONE FROM THE TACOMA. I HAVE READ ON LINE THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND EITHER TOYOTA OR APPLE IS DOING ANYTHING TO RESOLVE IT, CAUSING A SAFTEY ISSUE.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Engine, Jan 23, 2020
CAR HESITATES WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS PUSHING ,NOT DOWN SHIFTING FAST ENOUGH. THE DIFFERENTIAL BANG AT TIME WHEN COMING TO A STOP, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS NOT DISENGAGING. I THINK THERE IS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADMITTING TO. I ALSO HEARD THAT THERE IS A BLOWER ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THEN DON'T AND THEN DO. CAR GOES INTO NEURTAL HUNTING FOR A GEAR
Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2020
I LEFT MY CAR RUNNING ENGINE AND STAR SMELLING GASOLINE.
Exterior lighting, Dec 27, 2019
THIRD LIGHT LEAKS WATER DAMAGED WIRING/ DAMAGED CARPET / MILDEW PROBLEM
Electrical system, Seats, Dec 2, 2019
DRIVING HOME APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY (SPEED LIMIT OF 50MPH) AND NOTICED THE OEM/FACTORY INSTALLED DRIVER HEATED SEAT STOPPED WORKING. PROCEEDED TO SMELL BURNT PLASTIC BUT IT WAS LATE AT NIGHT AND I CONVINCED MYSELF THAT NOTHING OUT OF THE NORMAL HAD OCCURRED SINCE MY PASSENGER DID NOT SEEM CONCERNED. THE FOLLOWING DAY I DID A BIT OF RESEARCH AND TESTED THE HEATED SEAT WHICH NO LONGER GOT WARM LIKE THE PASSENGER SIDE. UNDERNEATH THE SEAT IS AN "AMPLIFIER" FOR THE HEATED SEAT WHICH LOOKS TO HAVE SHORTED OUT. BOTH THE AMPLIFIER AND THE MALE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAD BURNT/MELTED ON ONE OF THE TERMINALS. THE PLUG LOOKS COMPLETELY RUINED AND I PRESUME THE AMPLIFIED IS NOW BROKEN. ALL OTHER FUSES AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS APPEARED FINE.
Structure, Nov 7, 2019
TRAVELING ON I95 IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH WHEN MY SUNROOF SUDDENLY EXPLODED WITH A LOUD BANG. BROKEN PIECES OF GLASS RAINED DOWN IN THE CAB OF MY TRUCK AND ON ME. NO OBJECTS STRUCK MY VEHICLE NOR WAS I TRAVELING UNDER AN OVERPASS AT THE TIME. I HAD OPENED THE SUNSHADE SEVERAL MINUTES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT BUT THE GLASS ITSELF WAS FULLY CLOSED. THERE WERE NOT ANY CRACKS, CHIPS OR DAMAGE OF ANY KIND TO THE GLASS BEFORE THE SUNROOF FAILURE OCCURRED. AFTER EXITING THE HIGHWAY I INSPECTED THE GLASS AND FOUND THAT THE EDGES AROUND THE JAGGED HOLE PROTRUDED OUTWARDLY. I AGAIN FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF THE VEHICLE BEING STRUCK BY ANY FOREIGN OBJECTS.THIS EVENT OCCURRED ON NOVEMBER 6TH, 2019 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:00 PM. WEATHER WAS CLEAR AND TEMPERATURES WERE AROUND 60 DEGREES.
Suspension, Power train, Engine, Sep 14, 2019
TRANSMITION SLEEP ALSO PUSH GAS PEDAL AND GO DOWN SPEED AND JUMP ASTER ACELERATE AND DELAY WENT I STAR 1RS GEAR NOT MOVE AFTER FEW SECONDS MOTOR MAKE WEAR NOISES LIKE NOKING ONLY HAVE 67000 MILES SUSPENTION IS BAD SEP ON CURVES AND TURN AT 25 MIKES PRE HOURS SO BAD SCARRY BACK PART IS MOVING SO BAD AND PULL ME OUT THE ROAD AND I SEE THE ON OTHER TACOMA SAME 2016
Other or unspecified, Sep 9, 2019
BUEN DIA HACE UNOS MESES CUANDO DESCUBRI QUE MI CARRO TENIA UN RECALL DEL ABANICO DEL BLOWER DEL AIRE ACONDICIONADO HABLE A TOYOTA DE MI LOCALIDAD Y AGENDE UNA CITA, CUANDO ME RECIBIERON EL CARRO Y EMPEZARON A INGRESAR LA INFORMACION, ME DIJERON QUE NO PODIAN REPARAR ESE RECALL DEBIDO A QUE MI CARRO ERA SALVAGE, POR LO QUE NO HICIERON LA REPARACION. MI PREGUNTA ES PORQUE OTRAS AGENCIAS SI HACEN LAS REPARACIONES AUN SI EL CARRO ES SALVAGE, TUVE HACE UNOS AOS UN PROBLEMA SIMILAR CON UN CARRO NISSAN Y ELLOS SI ME LO REPARARON SIN IMPORTAR QUE FUERA SALVAGE EL TITULO DEL CARRO.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 27, 2019
BSM SENSORS STOP WORKING AND AFTER FEW BACK TO WORK WEEK LATTER STOP WORK AND DEALERS CAN NOT FOUND THE REASIN TO FAIL 3 TIMES ON DEALERS STILL NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM AND SAY ONLY TOYOTA HAVE THE SOLUTION TO APROBE A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUE
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.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jul 25, 2019
I WAS DRIVING MY 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA THROUGH A DRIVE-THRU CAR WASH AND WATER STARTED TO DRIP THOUGH THE CEILING. MY TOYOTA TACOMA WAS IN MOTION AS IT WAS ROLLING THROUGH THE CAR WASH CYCLE. AFTER READING MULTIPLE FORUM POSTS, OTHER TOYOTA TACOMA OWNERS DESCRIBED THAT THEIR VEHICLES LEAKED WATER FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT ON TOP OF THE CAB BECAUSE OF A A DAMAGED SEAL OR BEING IMPROPERLY SEALED.
Vehicle speed control, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 10, 2019
DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 70 MPH, ENGINE QUITS. 2 DASH LIGHTS COME ON TRUCK MAXES OUT AT 40MPH OUT OF NOWHERE. PULLED OVER SHUT TRUCK OFF AND STARTED IT UP NO RAN FINE NOTE: CHECK ENG LIGHT IS NOW ON. BAD GAS DIAGNOSIS. GAS REPLACED HAPPENS 1 MORE TIME. DIAGNOSED WITH BAD FUEL INJECTORS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, CAUSE WAS BAD GAS. THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES.
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.
Other or unspecified, Jun 5, 2019
MY VEHICLE IS JUST OVER 3 YEARS OLD WITH ABOUT 34000 MILES. I'VE HAD MULTIPLE VEHICLES PRIOR TO MY TACOMA AND HAVE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE EVAPORATOR CORE. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT A LOT OF TACOMAS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE. MY CONCERN IS THAT FROM 2016 AND UP THE TACOMAS STARTED USING THE NEW FREE ON, TYPE 1234YF, WHICH I BELIEVE IS FLAMMABLE, UNLIKE R134. TOYOTA SHOULD REALLY LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE AND IT SHOULD BE A RECALL.
Other or unspecified, May 9, 2019
WE LIVE IN A BORDER TOWN WITH MEXICO AND GOING AND COMING BACK SOMETIMES THERE ARE LONG LINES AT THE BRIDGES SO IN ONE OF THOSE TIMES TEMPERATURE STARTED TO GO UP IN THE TRUCK IT WAS OVERHEATING
Electrical system, May 6, 2019
MY TRUCK WAS RUNNING FINE WITH NO PROBLEMS. THEN ONE MORNING I WENT TO CRANK IT AND IT WOULD NOT START. ALL IT DID WAS TURN OVER AND OVER. I HAD TO HAVE A WRECKER COME TO MY HOUSE AND TAKE IT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THEY KEPT MY TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND NEVER DID COME UP WITH A REASON FOR WHAT HAPPENED. THEY REPLACED THE DASH HARNESS AND THE COMPUTER. THEY SAID THAT SOMETHING HAD SHORTED OUT THE HARNESS AND COMPUTER. IT COST ME ALMOST 3000 DOLLARS TO GET MY TRUCK BACK. MY TRUCK ONLY HAD 15,406 MILES ON IT. THEY TRIED TO TELL ME THAT LIGHTNING HAD HIT MY TRUCK. BUT THERE WAS NO PROOF OF IT. THIS ALL SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE HARNESS BUT I CANT PROVE IT. HELP PLEASE !
Seats, Mar 22, 2019
SEAT HEATER MODULE CONNECTOR HAS FAILED AND BURNED/MELTED THE CONNECTOR. APPEARS TO BE A FIRE CONCERN.
Other or unspecified, Mar 12, 2019
MY WARNING LIGHTS ON MY SIDE MIRRORS THAT TELL ME THERE IS A VEHICLE ON MY LEFT R RIGHT AND WARNING LIGHTS AND ALARM THAT ARE SUPPOSED TO SOUND WHEN SOMETHING IS BEHIND ME WORKS INCONSISTANTLY SOMETIMES THEY WORK AND A MAJORITY OF TIME THEY DO NOT WORK CAUSING SAFETY ISSUES I AM RIDING IN CAR OR BACKING UP
Seats, Mar 6, 2019
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER STOPPED WORKING IN MY 2016 TACOMA LIMITED 4X4 DELIVERED IN JANUARY 2016. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS INTO THE SEAT HEATER AMP HAD A MELTED WIRE, DAMAGING BOTH THE AMP AND THE WIRING HARNESS. OTHER INSTANCES OF THIS SAME SEAT HEATER FAILURE WITH MELTED WIRING WERE FOUND ONLINE IN THE TACOMAWORLD.COM FORUMS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CONFIRM THE ISSUE AND HAVE HAVE A QUOTE TO FIX IT. MILEAGE IS 33,900
Suspension, Service brakes, Engine, Jan 30, 2019
'TAKITA RECALL ' SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE TAKEN MY PICKUP TO THE DEALER FOR A CLING, SPRING SOUND WHEN YOU ARE APPLY BRAKES. AND THE ENGINE HAS LOUD TICKING SOUND .THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE ON A BAD ROAD DISCLOSE THEY CANT HEAR ANYTHING. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING EVEN TO THE BRAKE NOISE THAT THEY SAID WAS A PART OF HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THEY TAKE YOUR VEHICLE HAVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN PRETEND TO WORK ON IT THEN GIVE IT BACK TO YOU AND NEVER FIND ANYTHING. THEN YOU THE CUSTOMER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THESE ANNOYING UNSAFE EXPERIENCES. YOU GET SO DISCOURAGED BECAUSE THEY NEVER CAN FIND ANYTHING AND WHEN THEY DO IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS MADE THEN BY THE TIME YOU KEEP GOING BACK AND WITH THE SAME RESPOND THE WARRANTY IS CLOSE TO END. LAST TIME I TOOK THE PICKUP IN WAS JANUARY 28,2019 AND THEY RETURNED IT ON THE 30TH WITH NO DOCUMENT TO WHAT THEY DID.
Other or unspecified, Jan 22, 2019
I HAVE NOT BEEN INFORMED ABOUT A SAFETY RECAL UNTIL I CAME TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME.
Power train, Dec 22, 2018
TRANSMISSION SHAKES VEHICLE IN LOWER GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND HARD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE .
Power train, Other or unspecified, Dec 21, 2018
WHILE DRIVING IN CITY MY TRUCK SHAKES AND VIBRATING HORRIBLY WHEN GOING INTO 2ND GEAR. AND CONTINUES TO SHAKE LIGHTLY AS I CONTINUE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK COULD BE A TIRE ISSUE. SO GOT MY TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. PROBLEM STILL RESUMES. AND STILL NO ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE ONLY 69,276 MILES ON THE TRUCK BUT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY APPARENTLY. ON HIGHWAY DRIVING THE PROBLEM IS LESS NOTICEABLE BUT CAUSES NO POWER TO CLIMB HILLS OR PASS OTHER MOTORIST.