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. The dealer diagnosed that the software failed for the transmission and needed to be updated. The vehicle was repaired,…
2016 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate 131 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
131
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
When does it fail?
Of the 131 powertrain 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
Of the 20 model years of Toyota Tacoma we track for powertrain problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 131.
Powertrain accounts for 41% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 11 categories tracked.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
Transmission shakes vehicle in lower gears when slowing down to a stop. Transmission hesitates and hard jerks when shifting from reverse to drive .
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 situation. Had truck towed to an independent repair shop that found a second way to lubricate the shaft. Curious how many…
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 no answer as to what the issue is. I have only 69,276 miles on the truck but it's out of warranty apparently. On highway…
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 40 to 65 MPH, the vehicle randomly upshifted and/or downshifted and accelerated or decelerated on its own. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was driven to the dealer and a software update was performed. The issue recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The…
Had powertrain 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 powertrain problem on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 131 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Across the 69 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most powertrain failures cluster between 5,799 and 22,550 miles, with the median around 13,938. A quarter of owners report trouble before 5,799; a quarter make it past 22,550. 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 $2,500 for powertrain 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 powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain 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.