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2016 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

189 reports with mileage · 134 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 136 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 47 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports4 fire reports1 injury reports

Power Train complaints

136 reports
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8,000 miles · Jun 9, 2017
Power Train

RECALL FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAKING.

NHTSA ODI #10994101

20,000 miles · Jun 3, 2017
Power Train

BROUGHT MY 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA IN FOR 20,000 MILE SERVICE TO RIGHT TOYOTA ON MAY 5TH 2017. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER MY TRUCK REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AND WAS UNDER RECALL. THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOLD MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN TOYOTA WOULD COME UP WITH A REPAIR. I CALLED RIGHT TOYOTA ON MAY 30TH TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE …

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BROUGHT MY 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA IN FOR 20,000 MILE SERVICE TO RIGHT TOYOTA ON MAY 5TH 2017. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE MANAGER MY TRUCK REAR DIFFERENTIAL WAS LEAKING AND WAS UNDER RECALL. THEY WOULD HAVE TO HOLD MY VEHICLE. THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN TOYOTA WOULD COME UP WITH A REPAIR. I CALLED RIGHT TOYOTA ON MAY 30TH TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS ANY CLOSER TO BEING REPAIRED. WAS TOLD TOYOTA STILL DOES NOT HAVE A PROCEDURE FOR REPAIR YET. NOR DID THEY KNOW WHEN THEY WOULD. MY VEHICLE ALSO HAD A HESITATION WHEN I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE. SO I STILL DON'T HAVE MY TRUCK BACK THAT I USE FOR MY BUSINESS. THEY SAY IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. NO TIME FRAME OF HOW LONG FOR REPAIR. HAS BEEN A MONTH NOW.

NHTSA ODI #10993012

14,798 miles · May 23, 2017
Power Train

TOOK MY TRUCK TO DEALER FOR 15K ROUTINE SERVICE/OIL CHANGE. THEY ANNOUNCED A RECALL REGRADING A "LEAKING REAR DIFFERENTIAL" ADVISED KEEPING THE TRUCK UNTIL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED,(PROVIDED RENTAL) BUT NO TIME FRAME FOR COMPLETION. THIS IS CAUSING A HARDSHIP ON BOTH MY PERSONAL AND WORK RELATED TRAVEL (I GO OUT OF STATE A LOT)

NHTSA ODI #10991121

13,200 miles · May 10, 2017
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE BOLTS AND THE CARRIER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE SALES MANAGER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MONTHS FOR THE PARTS …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, A LEAK WAS FOUND IN THE REAR AXLE DIFFERENTIAL WHERE THE BOLTS AND THE CARRIER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WAS NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. THE SALES MANAGER STATED THAT IT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 1 TO 2 MONTHS FOR THE PARTS AND TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE MONTH. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER THE SECOND TIME AND WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WERE NOT SURE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. CASE NUMBER: 1705042710 WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,200.

NHTSA ODI #10984672

5,799 miles · May 1, 2017
Power Train

REAR DIFFERENTIAL ON MY TRD OFF ROAD MODEL 4X4 TRUCK IS SHOWING SEEPAGE DESPITE NOT BEING INCLUDED IN RECALL FROM TOYOTA

NHTSA ODI #10981617

26,000 miles · May 1, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

CHIRPING NOISE COMES AND GOES. VERY LOUD. ALSO A CONSTANT CLICKING. ANYTHING THAT MAKES NOISE LIKE THAT WILL FAIL SOON. ALSO HAD A GRINDING NOISE WHILE IN FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON BEACH AND TRUCK STARTED TO LOSE POWER.GRINDING WENT AWAY BUT HAPPENS OFTEN.

NHTSA ODI #10981550

17,167 miles · Apr 29, 2017
Power Train

I TOOK MY TACOMA TO HEADQUARTER TOYOTA IN MIAMI FLORIDA, REASON WAS FOR THE RECALL ISSUED ON THE 4/27/17 THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME AS THE RECALL "DONE" WHEN I INSPECT THE VEHICLE ITS STILL LEAKING DIF FLUID AND I CALL THE SERVICE ADVISER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORMED THE RECALL B/C THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS..…

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I TOOK MY TACOMA TO HEADQUARTER TOYOTA IN MIAMI FLORIDA, REASON WAS FOR THE RECALL ISSUED ON THE 4/27/17 THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME AS THE RECALL "DONE" WHEN I INSPECT THE VEHICLE ITS STILL LEAKING DIF FLUID AND I CALL THE SERVICE ADVISER AND HE TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT PERFORMED THE RECALL B/C THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS...... SO AT THIS POINT YOU LET ME KEEP MY CAR WITHOUT LETTING ME KNOW THAT NO PARTS WERE CHANGED... CMON TOYOTA...

NHTSA ODI #10981407

5 miles · Apr 19, 2017
Power Train

THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT <10,000 DUE TO A LOUD HOWLING NOISE WHEN CRUISING AT 55 MPH. THE NOISE WAS NOTED WHEN I FIRST PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE VOLUME GOT MUCH LOUDER OVER TIME. EVEN MY 4 YEAR OLD CHILD ASKED, "WHAT'S THAT SOUND?" THE SERVICE RECORDS NOTED METAL "SILVER SHAVINGS" WERE …

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THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AT <10,000 DUE TO A LOUD HOWLING NOISE WHEN CRUISING AT 55 MPH. THE NOISE WAS NOTED WHEN I FIRST PICKED UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE VOLUME GOT MUCH LOUDER OVER TIME. EVEN MY 4 YEAR OLD CHILD ASKED, "WHAT'S THAT SOUND?" THE SERVICE RECORDS NOTED METAL "SILVER SHAVINGS" WERE FOUND IN THE DIFFERENTIAL. EVEN AFTER REPLACING THE DIFFERENTIAL, THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE HOWLING SOUND AT 55 MPH. I'M CONCERNED THE DIFFERENTIAL IS DEFECTIVE. MANY OTHER TACOMA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE EXACT SAME SYMPTOM. [HTTPS://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/THREADS/3RD-GEN-POLL-REAR-END-NOISE-HOWLING-WHEN-FEATHERING-THROTTLE.442341/] TO MY KNOWLEDGE, NO ONE HAS REPORTED A SUCCESSFUL FIX.

NHTSA ODI #10979358

10,000 miles · Apr 18, 2017
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE IS PRODUCING A HOWL DURING THROTTLE FEATHERING AT 50-60MPH. THE SOUND IS COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BUT TOYOTA HAS CHARACTERIZED AS "NORMAL OPERATION". I HAVE TEST DRIVEN OTHER TACOMA VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEAR BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE SOUND.

NHTSA ODI #10979044

9,500 miles · Apr 15, 2017
Power Train

REAR END DIFFERENTIAL GEAR HOWLING FROM 52-59MPH - ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS. TOYOTA SAYS IT IS 'NORMAL' HOWEVER IT ONLY DOES IT ON A FEW VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10978615

Official recalls

4

17V425000 · Equipment; Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

Jul 3, 2017

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 & remedy

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment

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.

Structure:body:hood:hinge And Attachments

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.

17V356000 · Engine

Jun 1, 2017

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 & remedy

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.

17V285000 · Power Train:driveline:differential Unit

Apr 27, 2017

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 & remedy

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.

15V656000 · Air Bags:knee Bolster

Oct 14, 2015

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA19001 · Electrical Overstress

Opened Apr 19, 2019 · Closed Sep 19, 2024

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module

The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect.  During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Electronic Control Unit (ECU) manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The ECU receives signals from crash sensors mounted in the vehicle and deploys the vehicle air bags and seat belt pretensioners in accordance with manufacturer design specifications.  The ECU in the subject vehicles contains a model DS84 application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) which controls the communication of the crash sensor signal, firing commands (i.e., when to deploy the airbag(s) and/or pretensioners), and fault information (e.g., diagnostic trouble codes). In September 2016, FCA announced recall 16V-668 for certain model year (MY) 2010 to 2014 Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep products manufactured with the subject ZF-TRW ACU.  In this recall, FCA discussed an EOS condition that resulted in a failure of the subject DS84 ASIC, which caused air bag non-deployment.  FCA noted that the defect condition had only been observed in vehicles equipped with sensor harnessing routed across the front of the vehicle.  Other FCA vehicles that also used the subject ACU, but were not equipped with cross-car harnessing, had not experienced EOS failures, despite similar time in service. During the course of this investigation, ODI sent two separate Information Request (IR) letters to six vehicle manufactures (including FCA, Hyundai, Honda, Kia, Mitsubishi, and Toyota) and one IR letter to ZF-TRW.  These IR letters resulted in ODI receiving comprehensive data from these manufacturers and suppliers. Studies of this data found that the DS84 ASIC does not have sufficient protection against negative electrical transients or electrical overstress (“EOS”) that can be generated in certain severe crashes.  An electrical transient occurs when the electrical power supplied to a circuit changes momentarily over a short duration of time.   In these severe crash cases, the crash sensors and other powered wiring can be damaged and short circuited so as to create a negative electrical transient of sufficient intensity and duration (that are outside the vehicle manufacturer's specification) to damage the ASIC before the restraint device deployment signal is received by the SRS ECU.  This damaged signal can lead to incomplete or nondeployment of the air bags and/or pretensioners.  Airbag non-deployment and/or lack of pretensioner operation can increase the risk or severity of injury in a crash.A total of 8 fatalities and 14 injuries were associated with known EOS events. The common element in all investigated manufacturers vehicles is the SRS ECU containing a DS84 ASIC manufactured by ZF-TRW.  The risk associated with the ASIC is equally shared among all OEMS involved in the investigation.  The actual real-world risk can be mitigated by other factors which were assessed by ODI during this investigation. The first mitigating factor involves protections built into the ACU design which protect the DS84 ASIC from damage.  There are multiple strategies and levels of protection employed by different OEMs that provide effective EOS mitigation.  The two most common strategies at the ACU level are circuit protection diodes on the remote senor signal lines, and current limiting resistors that protect critical components. The second mitigating factor is found at the vehicle level and involves the location and routing of the wires leading from the crash sensors to the SRS ECU.  If the wires are well protected in a crash and are not routed with other power wires carrying large currents, the risk for an EOS event is significantly reduced or eliminated. These design specific factors combine to produce a spectrum of risk for the vehicles equipped with ACUs using the DS84 ASIC.  Given the many of years of field exposure, it is possible to divide the subject population into two groups; vehicles which have experienced EOS events, and vehicles which have not experienced EOS field events. Four of the six OEMs involved in this investigation have experienced EOS field events on at least one of their models equipped with a DS84 ASIC.  All vehicle models (including the Toyota models identified in the Failure Report Summary of the opening resume for this investigation) with field events have been recalled.  In an abundance of caution, ODI kept this investigation open five years to monitor field performance and did not identify any field events on vehicles not included in existing safety recalls. Given the spectrum of risk identified in this investigation and that all vehicles with a demonstrated unreasonable risk have been recalled, ODI is closing this investigation. ODI is closing this investigation with the following manufacturer safety recalls: 16V-668, 18E-043, 18V-137, 18V-363, and 20V-024.  With the recall actions taken by the subject vehicle and equipment manufacturers, this investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exists on other model or model year vehicles outside of the recall scopes. The agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.