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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-TOYOTA-TACOMA
2016 · toyota

toyota Tacoma problems

1 safety recall. 320 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

powertrain
130 reports · avg $2,500
moderate
electrical
34 reports · avg $850
severe
body
18 reports · avg $1,500
severe
engine
18 reports · avg $3,100
moderate
lighting
17 reports · avg $250
moderate
suspension
14 reports · avg $900
moderate
brakes
13 reports · avg $450
moderate
visibility
9 reports · avg $350
moderate

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.…
12/23/2016 · NHTSA ODI #10937293.0
2016 Tacoma · powertrain
TRANSMISSION SHAKES VEHICLE IN LOWER GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND HARD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE .
12/22/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11163157.0
2016 Tacoma · powertrain
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…
12/21/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11561317.0
2016 Tacoma · powertrain
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…
12/21/2018 · NHTSA ODI #11162967.0

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 15V656000 14/10/2015

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tacoma trucks manufactured August 20, 2015, to September 10, 2015

The incorrect bolts may loosen over time and affect the performance of the driver's knee air bag, increasing the risk of driver injury during a crash that necessitates deployment of the air bags.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is F0T.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.0 out of 10 based on 320 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 130 complaints filed. 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. 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 320 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 aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 14 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with toyota. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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