Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Accessory Hood Scoop may Detach
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Crank Position Sensor Malfunction may cause Stall
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- 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.
Rear Differential may Leak
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Driver's Knee Air Bag Module Bolts may Loosen
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (323)
323 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The power train is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 323 |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 136 | 42.1% |
| Unknown or other | 50 | 15.5% |
| Engine | 47 | 14.6% |
| Electrical system | 36 | 11.1% |
| Seats | 22 | 6.8% |
| Structure | 22 | 6.8% |
| Service brakes | 18 | 5.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 5.3% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 14 | 4.3% |
| Suspension | 14 | 4.3% |
How 2016 compares with other Tacoma years
Best and worst Tacoma years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 295 | 7 |
| 2013 | 125 | 6 |
| 2014 | 93 | 4 |
| 2015 | 101 | 4 |
| 2016 | 323 | 4 |
| 2017 | 239 | 5 |
| 2018 | 206 | 3 |
| 2019 | 218 | 4 |
| 2020 | 87 | 1 |
| 2021 | 80 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Crash tests: 4 stars overall
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2016 Toyota Tacoma pu/cc 2wd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 424 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 | 424 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 24 / 21 | $3,200 | 431 |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 22 / 20 | $3,350 | 442 |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 / 21 / 20 | $3,350 | 449 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 / 23 / 20 | $3,350 | 444 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 21 / 19 | $3,550 | 470 |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 / 20 / 18 | $3,700 | 483 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Tacoma for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Toyota Tacoma FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 17V425000 (structure), 17V356000 (engine), 17V285000 (power train), 15V656000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Owners filed 323 complaints with NHTSA. Power train (136), Unknown or other (50), Engine (47) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA rates the 2.7 L 4-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 19 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
What safety rating did the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?
NHTSA rated the 2016 Toyota Tacoma pu/cc 2wd 4 stars overall, with 4 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (14.7% rollover risk).
How does the 2016 Tacoma compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Toyota Tacoma model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (80) and the 2016 the most (323). The 2016 drew 323. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.