AI Damage2016 Toyota Tacoma: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma filed 324 complaints with NHTSA, most often about powertrain and engine. The maker issued 267 service bulletins for this year. We found 1 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 324
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 267
- YouTube repair videos
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Powertrain 42% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 15% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 11% of all complaints
- 4 Structure 7% of all complaints
- 5 Seats 7% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 6% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 5% of all complaints
- 8 Suspension 4% of all complaints
- Powertrain: 136 complaints (42% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 17.
- Engine: 47 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Electrical system: 37 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 32.
- Structure: 22 complaints (7% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 114.
- Seats: 22 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 5-speednamed in 4 complaints
- manual, 6-speednamed in 4 complaints
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 324 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain | 136 | 0 | 17 |
| Engine | 47 | 0 | 6 |
| Electrical system | 37 | 0 | 32 |
| Structure | 22 | 1 | 114 |
| Seats | 22 | 0 | 2 |
| Service brakes | 18 | 0 | 6 |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 0 | 4 |
| Suspension | 14 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility | 10 | 0 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 10 | 0 | 4 |
| Air bags | 5 | 2 | 4 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 5 |
| Electronic stability control | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was involved in an accident and the airbags on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma did not deploy.
Unbeknownst to us at the time, we had stopped completely out of the water however we were not sure because every airbag in our car deployed, covering all of the windows.
The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact noticed there was fluid emerging from the rear of the vehicle near the tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall or leak. The vehicle was not repaired.
The original low pressure fuel pump failed at 114,700 miles. The symptoms of the failure were loss of power on the freeway, quickly followed by the engine stumbling, then shutting off completely forcing me to change lanes without power. The vehicles has had to be towed on 2 occasions because of this.
2016 Toyota Tacoma is known to have an issue with the timing cover leaking oil. This is a Fire Hazard: Oil leaking onto hot engine components can vaporize and ignite, posing a fire risk to the vehicle and surrounding areas and can cause environmental pollution.
Hit 58,850 (ish) and had an noticable oil leak… apparently this was a “Well Known” issue, as the mechanic @ Surprise, AZ Dealership ([dealer], [address], Surprise, [ZIP]) told my wife and I….
I am reporting a persistent and unsafe issue with the factory-installed Entune infotainment system in my 2016 Toyota Tacoma. While driving — whether locally or on the highway — the system frequently freezes, becomes unresponsive, or abruptly resets itself, often multiple times per drive.
These failures present safety risks related to overheating and oil loss and result in significant financial burden to owners. Toyota needs to be held accountable for these premature, design-related failures.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 195 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 9% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tacoma has 141 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 324, above average.
What to check before buying
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner…
Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White…
- 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.
- Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR FRAMES, FRONT INNER FENDERS AND A-PILLARS CERTAIN 2016-2022 MODEL YEAR TACOMA
- Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along…
Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along the exterior window door frames, inner fender edges under the hood, and/or A-pillars. The affected panel(s)…
- 21TD03 Final Reminder
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
- Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal…
Toyota vehicles are currently protected with RapgardTM protective film designed to protect the horizontal painted surfaces. This material protects from acid rain, environmental fallout, and rail contamination. Follow…
- Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad…
Vehicles may occasionally be subjected to contamination by airborne iron particles shed from railroad tracks, train wheels, exposure to heavy machinery facilities, grinding, welding, etc. This type of contamination can…
NHTSA lists 267 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: powertrain, engine, electrical system. Total complaints: 324. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: A/C or heater (6%), warning lights, check engine (6%), smoke, burning smell, fire (6%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 267 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2016 Toyota Tacoma from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2016 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.