AI Damage2016 Toyota Tundra: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Toyota Tundra filed 120 complaints with NHTSA, most often about service brakes and electrical system. The maker issued 136 service bulletins for this year. We found 2 repair videos on YouTube. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 120
- involving a crash
- 2
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 136
- YouTube repair videos
- 2
What fails most often
- 1 Service brakes 28% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 22% of all complaints
- 3 Structure 18% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 13% of all complaints
- 5 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 6 Engine 5% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 5% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 4% of all complaints
- Service brakes: 34 complaints (28% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 7.
- Electrical system: 26 complaints (22% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 25.
- Structure: 21 complaints (18% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 34.
- Exterior lighting: 15 complaints (13% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Steering: 7 complaints (6% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 4.6 L · petrol · 8 cyl
- 5.7 L · petrol · 8 cylnamed in 1 complaints
- automatic, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 120 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 34 | 1 | 7 |
| Electrical system | 26 | 1 | 25 |
| Structure | 21 | 0 | 34 |
| Exterior lighting | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 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.
Consumer states that air bags did not deploy and seat belts did not lock during collision.
The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. While driving approximately 65-70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown warning light was displayed after the failure. There was an abnormal fuel odor before and after the failure.
After the analysis it was determined the fuel pump over heated burning out conector and wiring ,but the pump was still working. According to toyota TSB 0166-19 this is a problem the can arise if the alcohol fuel density ID is not updated.
Bed is rusting out from the bottom in a fashion that looks very similar to a previous Tundra bed rusting issue that had a TSB and remedy from Toyota. On the driver's side bed bolt closest to the cab, the sheet metal tack welded to the bed has separated and is rusting out.
The fuel pump component or system failed or malfunctioned the engine tried cranking but would not start. The problem has been reproduced to an independent service center, where I was notified of a safety recall on Toyota Tundra. No other inspections have been performed.
The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer to be diagnosed.
The power steering went out during routine around-town driving. One moment it was steering fine, the next moment it became extremely difficult and sluggish. There were no warning lights or warning of any sort until the steering wheel started jerking unevenly as I tried to turn.
The frame of the truck is extremely rusted. I am unsure if it can be fixed. It is available for inspection. This 2016 Tundra has 71,000 miles and is used as a third car. It has been serviced at the same dealership (Northshore Toyota, Covington, LA) and we were never informed of the damage by the dealership.
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 501 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 24% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tundra has 161 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 120, below average.
What to check before buying
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- 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.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
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…
- 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.
- The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air…
The air conditioning dye injection tool kit has been developed to aid in identifying the location of air conditioning refrigerant leaks. The procedures outlined in this Service Bulletin aid in locating, inspecting, and…
- 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…
- Some 2005 – 2024 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2024 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 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.
- This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for…
This Service Bulletin provides updated non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 – 2025 model year Toyota vehicles.
- This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life…
This is to advise of various price adjustments that will affect Toyota Genuine Motor Oil and Long Life Coolant, effective March 1, 2024. These products are ordered through the Toyota Complete Maintenance Care (TCMC)…
NHTSA lists 136 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.
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2016 Toyota Tundraamount per author: 100 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Rebuilding a Wrecked 2016 Toyota Tundra Part 2amount per author: 1,700 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: service brakes, electrical system, structure. Total complaints: 120. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: headlights and tail lights (11%), warning lights, check engine (8%), fuel system, fuel smell (3%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
NHTSA lists 136 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 Tundra 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.