2016 Toyota Tacoma: problems, recalls and what it’s worth

Known problems on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma

No generation-wide weak spot is flagged in GarageIntel’s research for this year and model. A specific car can still have its own problems, so get it inspected.

2016 Toyota Tacoma recalls

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Repairs are free at a dealer for the brand, and a dealer can confirm by VIN which were already done.

• Transmission & drivetrain

  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.

  Details 17V285000

  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.

  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.

• Engine & cooling

  An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.

  Details 17V356000

  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.

  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.

• Body structure

  If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Details 17V425000

  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.

  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.

• Airbags

  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.

  Details 15V656000

  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.

  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.

2016 Toyota Tacoma safety investigations and free repairs

No open safety investigations.

Free repairs to ask about (warranty extensions):

• Paint: 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.
• Warranty extension: Technical instructions for warranty enhancement program zka certain 2016 through 2017 model year tacoma
• Heat and A/C: Technical instructions: technical instructions for special service campaign j0n hvac blower motor certain 2016-2017 model tacoma

A dealer for the brand can check these by VIN.

Source: NHTSA, Sep 24, 2026.

2016 Toyota Tacoma safety and fuel

From NHTSA’s crash tests and the EPA’s fueleconomy.gov.

What owners complain about

323 complaints filed with NHTSA for this year and model, which is a lot.

Other Toyota Tacoma years

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024