2016 Toyota Tacoma: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma: 4 recalls, 323 owner complaints and up to 21 mpg combined.

Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Airbags Vehicle recall #15V656000 · 2015 · 306 vehicles
What's wrong: In the affected vehicles, incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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.
Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #17V285000 · 2017 · 227,732 vehicles
What's wrong: Oil May leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Why it matters: 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.
The 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…
Engine Vehicle recall #17V356000 · 2017 · 31,824 vehicles
What's wrong: The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that May malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Why it matters: An engine stall May increase the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Equipment, Body & structure Vehicle recall #17V425000 · 2017 · 3,547 vehicles
What's wrong: The adhesive attaching the hood scoop May weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
Why it matters: If the hood scoop detaches, it May become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 4 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (136): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (44), leaks (33), noise or vibration (25).
- Other / unknown (50): the most common themes are leaks (15), noise or vibration (5), stalls / loses power (4).
- Engine (47): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (12), leaks (8).
- Electrical (36): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), fire / smoke (5), warning light on (4).
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has 323 owner complaints, ranking #10 of 32 Tacoma model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 264). Complaints peaked in 2017 (105 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 1 year old, at a median of 15,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2015 (101 complaints, 4 recalls), 2017 (240 complaints, 5 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.7 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 21 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 23 | 20 | Regular |
| 3.5 L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Owners have filed 323 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (136), other / unknown (50), engine (47).
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA ratings run up to 21 mpg combined (2.7 L, Automatic (S6)), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2016 Toyota Tacoma repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.