Some customers may experience echoing on the line calling the vehicle when using Bluetooth Hands Free. This is caused by the phone Hands Free volume being too low.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2016 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems
severe Owners of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have filed 34 NHTSA complaints about the electrical, typically surfacing around 36,000 miles at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
34
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
| Model year | electrical complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 Tacoma | 18 |
| 2013 Tacoma | 12 |
| 2014 Tacoma | 7 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 7 |
| 2016 Tacoma (this page) | 34 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 20 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 13 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 20 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 6 |
3fires
When does it fail?
Of the 34 electrical complaints filed for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 34 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 20 model years of Toyota Tacoma in our records for electrical problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only. MagSafe devices, that are not Qi Certified, may not charge as expected with Qi Wireless Chargers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Customers have expressed concerns about the performance of Qi Wireless Chargers. Wireless chargers on applicable vehicles are designed to work with Qi Certified devices only. MagSafe devices, that are not Qi Certified, may not charge as expected with Qi Wireless Chargers.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: The Immobilizer and Smart Key Reset is a feature that allows the registration of new keys when all master keys are lost. Once the system is reset, all previously registered keys will be erased. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to reset a vehicle Immobilizer or Smart Key system.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Electronic Parts Catalog (EPC) does not include notes requiring ordering the Protector Heater seals when replacing the air conditioning Evaporator Core (88511- #####) or Radiator Heater Unit SubAssembly (87107- #####
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 34 complaints cluster around three core electrical problem areas. Seat heating: Driver-side seat heater amplifiers and connectors melt or arc at mileage ranging from 36,000 to 135,000 miles, with at least one case producing a burning hole through the seat fabric and owner's jacket. Toyota acknowledged the issue in one case (case #2103011304) but claimed no prior knowledge and offered to split costs; no recall exists.
Moisture and wiring harness failure: Water from driver-side floor mats wicks into the primary wiring harness in the kick panel, corroding connectors and triggering shorts in ignition, engine shutoff, temperature sensors, ABS, blind-spot monitoring, fuel gauge, and forward lighting systems. One owner reported Toyota Customer Engagement stated the company was aware but had no obligation to fix it.
Rodent damage: Multiple owners report rodents chewing soy-based wiring harnesses in the engine bay as early as 4,000 to 21,600 miles, costing $850 to $5,000 per repair. Owners cite pending class-action lawsuits and note no manufacturer solution exists.
Secondary issues include Entune infotainment freezing and rebooting during driving, transmission shift failures at 10,000 miles, unexpected engine shutoffs while driving, BSM sensor failures, and loss of directional lights. Dealership response varies—some diagnose sensors; others blame owners or delay service.
Same Toyota Tacoma electrical reports on nearby years: 2013 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019
Failure modes owners describe
Driver-side seat heater connector/amplifier melt-down
Driver's seat heater amplifier module and connector terminals electrically arc and melt, rendering the heating element inoperable and creating a fire risk. Passenger-side heater typically unaffected. Fuse does not blow as expected during the failure.
When: Mileage varies from 36,000 to 135,998 miles; also reported at 45,000 and 63,404 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Driver seat heater stops heating despite button operating normally; Burned or melted plastic connector under driver seat; Burning odor inside cabin; Darkened, arced, or destroyed red and green wires at connector; Seat heater amplifier melted or charred
Repairs/costs cited: Owners cite costs ranging from half-paid by Toyota (case #2103011304) to full replacement of connector/amplifier/harness. One owner ($850 estimate mentioned in another complaint); another ($1,000+ for full unit replacement)
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota acknowledged the issue in at least one case (case #2103011304) but claimed no prior knowledge; offered to split repair costs in one instance. No formal recall identified in narratives.
Moisture ingress into driver-side wiring harness via floor mat
Water from driver's-side floor mat wicks upward into the primary wiring harness in the kick panel, corroding connectors and conductors, causing shorts in critical vehicle systems including ignition, engine shutoff, temperature sensors, ABS, blind-spot monitoring, fuel gauge, forward lighting, security, traction control.
When: Reported early 2023; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Security alarm sounding uncontrollably in parking lot; Keyless entry and key-fob unresponsive; BSM system failure light; ABS system failure; Engine will not turn off via normal ignition or emergency shutdown; High beams trigger unexpectedly and fail to turn off; Fuel gauge reading unintelligible; Temperature and climate control display erratic values
Repairs/costs cited: Full wiring harness replacement required; not covered under warranty per dealership determination
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota Customer Engagement team stated company was aware of the problem but had no interest or obligation to rectify it, despite safety concerns
Entune infotainment system freezing and crashes
Factory Entune infotainment system freezes, becomes unresponsive, or reboots unexpectedly during driving, affecting navigation, backup camera, and audio controls. Software version conflicts prevent consumer-initiated updates; dealership repairs incur fees.
When: Affects 2016 model; occurs frequently during normal driving
Symptoms owners cite: System freezes while driving; Touchscreen unresponsive; Unexpected system reboots multiple times per drive; Navigation fails or stops functioning mid-route; GPS routing lost; Driver distraction and potential accident risk
Codes mentioned: Software version 0101A0 (owner's version); newer version unavailable for consumer self-update
Repairs/costs cited: Software update available on Toyota website is older than installed version; system blocks update. Fix available only at dealership for a fee
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No recall or service bulletin issued despite owner claims of dozens of similar reports on Tacoma and Prius forums
Rodent damage to wiring harness (soy-based insulation)
Rodents chew through vehicle wiring harnesses, particularly engine-bay and under-hood harnesses. Owners report soy-based wiring insulation as attractant. Multiple owners cite pending class-action lawsuits against Toyota, Honda, and Ford. Damage triggers check-engine lights, ABS warnings, and system failures.
When: Reported as early as 4,000 miles; 8,000 miles; 15,406 miles; 21,600 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Check engine light illumination; ABS light on; Traction control off warning; Camshaft sensor wiring harness chewed; Multiple wires destroyed under hood; Vehicle may fail to start or run
Codes mentioned: Check engine (OBD unspecified), ABS warning
Repairs/costs cited: Repairs cited at $1,197.97 (plus tow and rental car), $3,000+, $5,000 for full harness replacement. Not covered under standard warranty. Owners note no manufacturer solution available.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Pending litigation mentioned; Toyota corporate could not be reached for comment per owner reports. No recalls issued
Airbag, check engine, traction control, and transmission shift failure cascade
At approximately 10,000 miles, multiple warning lights illuminate (airbag, check engine, traction control). Cruise control becomes inoperative. Transmission fails to shift or delays shifting until high RPMs (5,000+), then shifts with extreme force, causing secondary jerking and double-shift that bypasses third gear. Dealership initially blamed sensors but underlying electrical/transmission control failure is suspected.
When: 10,000 miles; occurred in early stages of ownership
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag light on; Check engine light on; Traction control light on; Cruise control inoperative; Transmission delayed shift (no engagement until 5,000 RPM); Violent shift with full-truck jerk motion; Double-shift event bypassing third gear; Inability to drive over 40 mph safely; Loss of vehicle control while on freeway
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership initially diagnosed as sensor issue; owner disputes and notes brand-new truck ($35,000) with critical drivability failure
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership attempted to blame owner; no resolution documented
Unexpected engine shutdown while driving
Engine shuts off abruptly while operating at speed (45 mph to highway speeds during turning maneuver). Occurs at least twice for one owner; vehicle restarts but shutdown creates immediate safety hazard. Toyota has 'fixed' the problem twice but recurrence continues.
When: No specific mileage reported
Symptoms owners cite: Engine shut-off while driving at highway speed during left turn; Engine shut-off while driving at 45 mph toward green light; Abrupt power loss with no warning
Repairs/costs cited: Toyota claims 'fixed' the problem twice; nature of fix not disclosed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Toyota refused to buy back vehicle after second shutdown. Offered extended warranty as gesture of goodwill (which owner already had). Most recent recall for this issue does not include this model year per owner report
Blind-spot monitoring (BSM) sensor failure
Blind-spot monitoring error light illuminates from first day of operation or comes on repeatedly during driving. Dealer diagnoses bad sensor requiring replacement but customer is not called back for service scheduling.
When: From first drive off dealer lot; recurs 3–4 times per week; also reported at 26,567 miles
Symptoms owners cite: BSM error message light on continuously or intermittently; System unable to provide blind-spot detection
Repairs/costs cited: Sensor replacement required per dealer diagnosis; one owner waited 4+ months without callback
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One owner reports Toyota issued a bulletin for replacement within 3 years/36,000 miles, but dispute arises when vehicle has low mileage (26,567) after 4.5 years of ownership
Loss of directional and hazard light function
All directional signals and hazard lights fail without warning. Vehicle lacks a separate flasher relay. Other Toyota Tacoma owners report the same issue.
When: No mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: All directional lights inoperative; Hazard lights inoperative; No warning prior to failure
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle at dealership; component not inspected by manufacturer per report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Should be recalled per owner; Toyota did not honor previous electrical issue request
Traction control and check engine light intermittent activation
Traction control off and check engine lights come on periodically. Owner uses workaround (disconnect battery, remove and replace gas cap) to clear codes. Owner suspects gas cap seal is the culprit but dealership denies recall exists.
When: Recurring periodically; no mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Traction control off light; Check engine light; Periodic illumination; temporary resolution with battery disconnect and gas cap reset
Codes mentioned: Check engine (unspecified)
Repairs/costs cited: Owner workaround: disconnect battery, remove gas cap, reinstall gas cap, reconnect battery
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership denies gas cap seal recall exists
Inaccurate fuel economy display
Estimated MPG displayed on message board is inaccurate. Computer reset does not resolve the issue. Manufacturer notified.
When: 1,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Displayed fuel economy inaccurate; Display shows zero MPG when vehicle is idling
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer performed computer reset; failure persisted
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified; no resolution documented
HVAC blower motor failure
Fan blower motor fails, eliminating AC, heat, and defrost function.
When: No mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Blower motor non-functional; No AC output; No heat output; No defrost output
Rear power window rattle
Rear power window rattles when in down position, most notably when car door closes. Suggests loose component.
When: No mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from rear window when down; Rattle most pronounced during door closure
Over-the-air (OTA) firmware update disables navigation
Toyota OTA firmware push disables onboard navigation system. System displays 'Driver Easy Speak' and 'software incompatible' messages. Multiple Toyota models affected. Dealer refuses warranty repair, wants $1,000 for replacement unit.
When: No mileage specified; occurred after OTA update
Symptoms owners cite: Navigation system completely disabled after OTA update; 'Driver Easy Speak' appears unexpectedly; 'Software incompatible' message on head unit display
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer quoted $1,000 for navigation unit replacement
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer contact fruitless; letter to Toyota corporate yielded no response
Bluetooth connectivity dropout with iPhone
Bluetooth connection between iPhone 11 Pro Max and Tacoma Entune system fails to maintain pairing. Headset turns off and on constantly. Owners report many others experiencing same issue on forums.
When: Affects 2016 model; no specific mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Bluetooth headset turns off and on repeatedly; Unable to use hands-free calling; iPhone and Tacoma Bluetooth not communicating
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Neither Toyota nor Apple addressing the issue per owner; no recall or fix available
Synthesized from 34 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Driving home approximately 20 miles on a 2 lane highway (speed limit of 50mph) and noticed the OEM/factory installed driver heated seat stopped working. Proceeded to smell burnt plastic but it was late at night and I convinced myself that nothing out of the normal had occurred since my passenger did not seem concerned. The following day I did a bit of research and tested the heated seat which…
I recently purchased a 2106 Toyota tacoma, this vehicle has been owned for about 4 months and has less than 4,000 miles on it. I was alerted of a check engine light and took this to the dealer for repairs. I was told that the wiring harness had been chewed by a rodent and this was very common at this dealership. I didn't think anything of it until I went online and notice thousands having the…
Had electrical trouble with your 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a meaningful issue. 34 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Across the 22 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most electrical failures cluster between 10,000 and 52,500 miles, with the median around 36,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 10,000; a quarter make it past 52,500. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Toyota/Tacoma.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.