2016 Toyota Tundra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2016 Toyota Tundra has a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th out of 21 model years, with a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 119 complaints, 5 recalls, and 2 crashes for this year, with Electrical System and Brakes as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 35/100
- #14 of 21 Tundra years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 119
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 15
- 13 city / 18 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Toyota Tundra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Trailer brake controllers reportedly fail to send power to trailer brakes even when the foot pedal is depressed, sometimes requiring manual override mode.
- Owners report a humming noise from the rear differential leading to rear wheels locking up and difficulty steering after dealer repairs.
- Dash gauge lights reportedly stay off in daylight unless parking lights or headlights are on, making instruments hard to read.
- Steering wheel vibration at all speeds was reported on a crew max 4x4 model, with Toyota describing it as normal operation.
- Wiper motors on high speed reportedly can't keep up with moderate rainfall, reducing visibility during highway driving.
- One owner reported airbags did not deploy and seat belts did not lock during a collision.
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?
- Compared to other Tundra model years, 2016 rates Good with a complaint index of 35, ranking 14th of 21 years tracked. It has fewer complaints (119) than several other years like 2006 (545) or 2022 (428).
- What problems does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have?
- NHTSA data shows Electrical System complaints made up 29% of reports, followed closely by Brakes at 29% and Structure & Body at 18%. Sample complaints describe trailer brake controller failures and rear differential issues.
- Does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2016 Tundra, covering steering gear assembly, passenger knee airbag mounting bolts, accessory lugnuts, resin rear bumper brackets, and a load capacity label error. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 Tundra compare to other years?
- The 2016 Tundra's complaint index of 35 is better than years like 2006, 2007, and 2022 through 2025, which are all rated Avoid, but worse than years like 2013, 2015, 2017, and 2021, which rate Best.