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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-TOYOTA-TACOMANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Toyota
2016 Toyota Tacoma problems
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has 323 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, and what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has 323 NHTSA owner complaints and 4 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 131 complaints, typically surfacing around 19,969 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Tacoma?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Electrical system: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–52,500 mi
Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average
4 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
4 / 5 overall
Overall★★★★★4/5
Frontal crash★★★★★4/5
Side crash★★★★★5/5
Rollover★★★★★4/5
Driver-assist features on the tested model:
Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
Buying a used 2016 Toyota Tacoma? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 131 owner reports
· tends to show around 19,969 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
electrical — 34 owner reports
· tends to show around 38,248 mi · ~$850 to fix
body — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 42,068 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
engine — 18 owner reports
· tends to show around 25,838 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 38,248 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 4 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.4/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 Tacoma· powertrain
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota tacoma. While driving various speeds, the vehicle began to make an abnormally loud noise. The contact noticed that the transmission would shift between gears independently and the four wheel drive feature would not engage after being activated.…
AT shifter was stiff from purchase. I thought this was normal. Sometimes it shifted OK, most times not. Had independent repair shops lubricate the shifter multiple times to no avail. Then the shifter wouldn't move at all and I was in a traffic lane causing a dangerous…
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…
Had a problem with your 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine
An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.4 out of 10 based on 323 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Electrical system: 34 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 10,000–52,500 mi; Reliability score 6.4/10 — around the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 131 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,969 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 323 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 19,969 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 131 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 19,969 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 19,969 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Toyota Tacoma has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 323 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Toyota/Tacoma.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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