2016 Toyota Tundra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (28) · Structure:body (15) · Exterior Lighting (14)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Toyota Tundra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
81 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (6)
Steering:rack And Pinion 2021-12-23 · campaign 21E103000 · 151 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Steering:hydraulic Power Assist System 2021-11-23 · campaign 21V920000 · 22,462 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Air Bags:knee Bolster 2017-06-29 · campaign 17V416000 · 5 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Tundra vehicles. The affected vehicles have a passenger knee air bag module that was attached to the instrument panel mounting brackets with incorrect bolts.
Risk: The incorrect bolts may cause the air bag module to loosen over time, affecting the performance of the knee airbag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: All of the affected vehicles have been inspected and any incorrect knee air bag mounting bolts have been replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0K.
Wheels:lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs 2017-05-11 · campaign 17V311000 · 1,325 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.
Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.
Structure:body:bumpers 2017-01-24 · campaign 17V051000 · 72,847 vehicles
Defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles equipped with a resin rear step bumper and resin reinforcement brackets (vehicles with chrome step bumpers are not affected). In the event of an impact to the corner of the bumper, the resin bracket may be damaged but not be noticed.
Risk: If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of the bumper may break away, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones, and replace the rear bumper tread, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0C.
Equipment:other:labels 2016-06-09 · campaign 16V420000 · 4,253 vehicles
Defect: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Service bulletins (227)
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
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.
Electrical System 2025-06-13 · T-SB-0058-23 Rev1 · Service Campaign
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 repairing refrigerant leaks.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0039-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 remain on a painted vehicle surface, especially the horizonal areas of the hood, roof,
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0038-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 weather elements and initial rust before the vehicle is delivered to the customer.
Structure:body 2024-12-06 · T-SB-0035-24 Rev2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 areas such as the hood, roof, and decklid, significant damage to the painted surfa
Showing the 6 most recent of 227 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-09-25 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal · 77,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 toyota tundra. 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 failu…”
2026-07-23 · Fuel/Propulsion System“2016 flex fuel toyota tundra with 118,00 miles was towed to toyota dealer in las cruces with a no fuel issue. 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. …”
2026-06-14 · Structure:body“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. approximately 7 inches to the drivers side from that bolt. the seam sealer i…”
2026-05-22 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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. there are no warning lamps messages visible on the vehicle in question. the …”
2026-04-21 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 67,000 mi“the contact owns a 2016 toyota tundra. 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 contact was informed that the fuel pump and other fuel pump-related parts needed to be…”
2026-02-19 · Steering“the steering rack internal seal inside the steering rack failed/ "blew" per mechanic and is leaking. i could lose my ability to steer at any time while driving my vehicle and wreck. it is currently at the toyota services center in gladstone, or and has been diagnosed. no other representatives have inspected the vehicle. there were no warnings …”
2025-12-16 · Steering“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. i was able to get control of the vehicle and pull it to the side of th…”
2025-05-24 · Exterior Lighting“my right front headlamp is getting moisture inside the headlamp assembly. it can be inspected any time. chance that headlamp will not work. did not take to a dealer.…”
2025-05-07 · Electrical System:instrument Panel:speedometer/Odometer · 250,000 mi“odometer fraud. the contact purchased a 2016 toyota tundra. the contact stated while going through prior service paperwork found in the vehicle, he discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. the vehicle was a private sale. the contact also stated that the vehicle was once sold at a private auction. at the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage…”
2025-03-20 · Structure:body:hood“i have had multiple incidents where the front hood bulge has blown off going down the interstate and nearly hit other cars. it’s not been worth buying a new one with the risk of them flying off. it’s definitely a saftey concern and a hazard. …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.