2016 Toyota Tacoma problems and recalls

Owners have filed 323 complaints on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, and NHTSA has issued 4 recalls. The most cited component is the Power Train (136 complaints).

323
Complaints
4
Recalls
4
Crash reports
4
Fire reports
1
Injuries
25.8
Severity index

Severity index 25.8 Low. The index weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints. How it is calculated.

Middle half of all tracked vehiclesThis vehicle: 25.8p25 46p75 80cleanestworst
Severity index against the quartile range for all tracked vehicles.

Ranked 137 of 141 by severity index among 2016 vehicles with at least 40 complaints, highest first. 3% of those vehicles scored lower. Full 2016 ranking.

Components cited in complaints

Power TrainPower Train: 136 complaints (42.1%)136 42%Unknown Or OtherUnknown Or Other: 50 complaints (15.5%)50 15%EngineEngine: 47 complaints (14.6%)47 15%Electrical SystemElectrical System: 36 complaints (11.1%)36 11%StructureStructure: 22 complaints (6.8%)22 7%SeatsSeats: 22 complaints (6.8%)22 7%Service BrakesService Brakes: 18 complaints (5.6%)18 6%Exterior LightingExterior Lighting: 17 complaints (5.3%)17 5%
A single complaint can cite more than one component, so shares total over 100%.
ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
POWER TRAIN13642.1%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5015.5%
ENGINE4714.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3611.1%
STRUCTURE226.8%
SEATS226.8%
SERVICE BRAKES185.6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING175.3%

Complaints filed per year

0551102015: 22016: 572017: 1052018: 362019: 182020: 262021: 162022: 192023: 142024: 132025: 102026: 7 (partial year)151617105181920212223242526
Complaints by the calendar year they were filed. The hatched bar is the current year to date.
YearComplaints
20152
201657
2017105
201836
201918
202026
202116
202219
202314
202413
202510
2026 (year to date)7
Filings in 2023 to 2025 were close to 2020 to 2022 (37 against 61).

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
17V42500003/07/2017STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTSSoutheast 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.
17V35600001/06/2017ENGINEToyota 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.
17V28500027/04/2017POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNITToyota 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.
15V65600014/10/2015AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTERToyota 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.

Other Toyota Tacoma model years

Severity index for every other model year on file. Compare all 14 years side by side.

Source. NHTSA public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports. Totals vary with units sold and years on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.