2016 Toyota Tundra Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
40/100
#10 most-complained of 16 Tundra years
The 2016 Toyota Tundra has a Complaint Index of 40 and ranks 10th worst out of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict. It has 119 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crashes reported, with electrical system issues topping the list.
- Complaints
- 119
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
Top 2016 Toyota Tundra problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System35 (29%)
- Brakes34 (29%)
- Structure & Body21 (18%)
- Other15 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (8%)
- Engine7 (6%)
- Fuel System7 (6%)
- Steering7 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (4%)
- Airbags4 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report the integrated trailer brake controller fails to send power to trailer brakes even when the pedal is fully depressed, sometimes only working in manual override mode.
- Several owners describe the rear differential and limited-slip differential causing the rear wheels to lock up or rotate sluggishly after dealer repairs.
- Some owners say dash gauge lights stay off during daylight unless parking or headlights are turned on, a change from prior behavior.
- One owner reports the steering wheel vibrates at all speeds, which the dealer described as a normal characteristic of the truck.
- A few owners report the windshield wipers on high speed are too slow to clear heavy rain, forcing them to slow down significantly.
- One owner reports much lower fuel economy than expected, estimating around 12 mpg versus the window sticker figures.
2016 Toyota Tundra recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V920000Nov 23, 2021Steering22,462 vehicles
Steering:rack and pinion
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
- NHTSA 17V416000Jun 29, 2017Airbags5 vehicles
Air bags:knee bolster
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Tundra vehicles. The affected vehicles have a passenger knee air bag module that was attached to the instrument panel mounting brackets with incorrect bolts.
Risk: The incorrect bolts may cause the air bag module to loosen over time, affecting the performance of the knee airbag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: All of the affected vehicles have been inspected and any incorrect knee air bag mounting bolts have been replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0K.
- NHTSA 17V311000May 11, 2017Suspension, Wheels & Tires1,325 vehicles
Wheels:lugs/nuts/bolts/studs
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.
Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.
2016 Toyota Tundra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 13 MPG
- Highway
- 18 MPG
- Combined
- 15 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,300
- 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 Tundra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 Tundra a Complaint Index of 40 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 10th worst among the 16 model years with data, so it performs better than most other Tundra years.
- What problems does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have?
- NHTSA complaints center on the electrical system (35 complaints, 29% share) and brakes (34 complaints, 29% share), including trailer brake controller failures and dash lighting issues, followed by structure and body concerns (21 complaints).
- Does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2016 Tundra, covering steering gear assembly, airbag mounting bolts, accessory wheel lugnuts, a resin rear step bumper, and a load capacity label error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Tundra compare to other years?
- With a Complaint Index of 40, the 2016 model sits in the middle of the pack; years like 2015, 2017, 2020, and 2021 score lower and are rated "Best," while 2022-2025 models score much higher and are rated "Avoid."
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
- EPA rates the 2016 Tundra at 15 mpg combined (13 city/18 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,300.