2016 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst among 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Transmission & Powertrain complaints dominate at 42% of all reports, with a median failure mileage of 11,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #11 of 21 Tacoma years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 323
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 19 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain136 (42%)
- Electrical System53 (16%)
- Engine53 (16%)
- Other50 (15%)
- Structure & Body45 (14%)
- Brakes21 (7%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires16 (5%)
- Fuel System14 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers10 (3%)
- Airbags5 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission shows a delayed engagement of up to 7 seconds after shifting into drive on a cold start, sometimes leaving the truck stalled while backing out of a driveway.
- Transmission slips or bangs into gear when cold or after the truck has sat for an hour or two, especially when moving from reverse into drive.
- Driver's seat heater electronics have burned out or melted, in some cases producing a burning smell or a small fire while driving at highway speed.
- Airbags have deployed unexpectedly during a minor slide off the road, or failed to deploy in a crash.
- Windshields have cracked from minor road debris shortly after purchase.
2016 Toyota Tacoma recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V425000Jul 3, 2017Other3,547 vehicles
Equipment
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.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 17V356000Jun 1, 2017Engine31,824 vehicles
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.
Risk: An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 17V285000Apr 27, 2017Transmission & Powertrain227,732 vehicles
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2016 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2016 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Tacoma a complaint index of 50 and a Caution verdict, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years. Transmission & Powertrain issues make up 42% of its complaints.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
- Transmission & Powertrain is the top problem area, with 136 complaints (42% of the total) and a median failure mileage of 11,000.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 Tacoma, covering an airbag mounting bolt issue, an engine crank position sensor, a rear differential oil leak, and an aftermarket hood scoop adhesive problem. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Tacoma compare to other Tacoma years?
- Its complaint index of 50 is worse than the 2013–2015 and 2017–2018 model years, which earned Best or Good verdicts, but better than years like 2006 and 2009, which rated Avoid with indexes of 90 and 95.