The Lemon Index2016 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is about average by owner complaints: 218 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 114, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma, 21.1M views. The 2016 is the same Tacoma.
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4869K views
Here's Why This Lifted 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Is THE 4x4 Truck To Buy!TFLnow · 329K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter726K views
How to Replace Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill Tacoma 2nd & 3rd GenTeam Oil Drop · 419K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS572K views
Why Does The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Still Have DRUM Brakes? We Ask The Chief Engineer To Find Out!The Fast Lane Truck · 572K views - Cooling system156K views
How to Replace Coolant Drain & Fill Tacoma 3rd GenTeam Oil Drop · 156K views
Show 4 more
- Steering & suspension134K views
3RD Gen Tacoma: ULTIMATE "Budget" Suspension UpgradeJason Explains Things · 80K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical112K views
How To Start A 2016 - 2023 Toyota Tacoma With Key Not Detected - Dead Tacoma Remote Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 112K views - Timing chain & engine61K views
What Really Fits Your 3rd Gen Tacoma - 2016+ Tacoma Fitment Guidethreepiece.us · 61K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors59K views
How to Install Tacoma 3rd Gen Bumper Cap in Minutes! (WITH SENSOR)Moto Gal Adventures · 59K views
Before you buy, watch
Should you buy the latest Toyota Tacoma 2016-2021?The Car Care Nut · 1.0M views
Top 5 Problems Toyota Tacoma Truck 3rd Generation 2016+1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 457K views
2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Issues ExplainedPickup Truck Plus SUV Talk (PUTT) · 369K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 323 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2016 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 3K to 39K miles on the car (189 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 2K–20K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 8K–51K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 5K–51K miles
Recalls 4
- body structure 2017
The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
- engine 2017
The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
- transmission & drivetrain 2017
Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Show all 4 recalls
- airbags 2015
In the affected vehicles, incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 410 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some 2016 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with the 2gr engine and the ac60 6-speed automatic
- "a battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and life
- Some 2016 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with the 2tr-fe engine and the ac60 6-speed…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedElectrical overstress2019–2024
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Just concerned about the recall that has not been resolve yet???? When will the issue be taken care of????
2016 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 11084876
More owner reports
The rear differential is leaking lubricant. Visible sign of the leak are on the front (driveshaft) side of the differential housing.
NHTSA complaint 11005134
Rear differential is leaking oil. Was informed of a recall nearly 2 months ago and also informed that it would be unsafe to continue to drive it. Toyota has yet to have this vehicle repaired. Please help.
NHTSA complaint 10995358
Quick answers
Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 114; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (54%), engine (13%) and electrical (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?
4 safety recalls (latest: body structure). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 3,800 and 39,000 miles. The middle report was at 15,000 miles, from 189 complaints.
Does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 54% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2016?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works