2016 Toyota Tacoma problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (116) · Engine (20) · Structure:body (17)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Tacoma model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
190 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Equipment 2017-07-03 · campaign 17V425000 · 3,547 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Engine 2017-06-01 · campaign 17V356000 · 31,824 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine. The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0H.
Power Train:driveline:differential Unit 2017-04-27 · campaign 17V285000 · 227,732 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Risk: If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and gasket. If the rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0G.
Air Bags:knee Bolster 2015-10-14 · campaign 15V656000 · 306 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tacoma trucks manufactured August 20, 2015, to September 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module.
Risk: 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.
Service bulletins (410)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Unknown Or Other 2026-01-07 · T-SB-0055-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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. the purpose of this service bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures
Structure:body 2025-11-11 · 23TE08 · Service Campaign
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 paint color. although the vehicle paint is covered by toyota’s new vehicle limited w
Electrical System 2025-08-20 · T-TT-0790-25 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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.
Structure:body 2025-07-31 · 23TE08 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
customer support program 23te08 paint repair process job aid
Structure:body 2025-07-31 · 23TE08 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Structure:body 2025-07-31 · 23TE08 · Service Campaign
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 paint color. although the vehicle paint is covered by toyota’s new vehicle limited w
Showing the 6 most recent of 410 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-19 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 229,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2016 toyota tacoma. it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 132,000 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 229,000.…”
2026-07-06 · Structure:body“toyota has a paint problem on the tacomas. the paint is the bright white, .040 . they have painted all 4 doors,both front fenders and the pillars on each side of the windshield. i’m having the same problem on my hood,top of windshield and bed . toyota refuses to take responsibility for these areas. they call this a customer satisfaction program ins…”
2026-05-19 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“the contact owns a 2024 ford edge. 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 m…”
2026-05-08 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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. the pump was replaced at 114,700 miles by a toyo…”
2026-04-11 · Unknown Or Other“dear toyota japan customer experience team, i am the owner of a 2016 toyota tacoma currently registered in guam, u.s.a. i am writing to request your assistance regarding a water leak issue from the rear brake light area, which has caused the carpets and seats to become wet and develop mold. i originally purchased this vehicle in saipan and recent…”
2026-03-17 · Structure:body“severe clear coat and paint fading on hood, roof and sides of truck. …”
2026-03-07 · Power Train“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.…”
2026-01-13 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:electronic Lock/Latch Actuator“the rear passenger door lock actuator on my 2016 toyota tacoma failed prematurely, causing the door to no longer lock or unlock properly. the failure required replacement of the entire actuator assembly at a toyota dealership at a cost of $727.19. this failure occurred without abuse or unusual use and is not consistent with normal wear and tear. i…”
2025-12-03 · Structure:body“2016 toyota tacoma – severe clear coat and paint failure on the hood and roof. the clear coat began peeling in 2022 and has progressively worsened. large sections of the hood and roof show complete delamination, oxidation, and exposed basecoat. this is a widely reported defect for 2015–2017 tacomas across multiple paint colors. toyota customer ca…”
2025-11-27 · Structure:body“paint on hood and roof is fading significantly.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.