2016 Toyota Tacoma
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 136 of 323 complaints (42%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 101 in 2015 to 323 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,850–3,650 | 2,850–3,650 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | 2,950–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–22 | 17–22 | 18–21 | 18–21 | 18–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–21 / 19–25 | 15–21 / 19–25 | 17–19 / 20–24 | 17–19 / 20–24 | 17–20 / 20–24 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 391–516 | 394–521 | 424–483 | 427–483 | 422–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 93 | 101 | 323 | 239 | 203 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 10 | 15 | 4 | 12 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 136 of 323 NHTSA complaints (42%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?
EPA rates it 18–21 MPG combined across 7 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota Tacoma?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (7)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.7L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 424 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 431 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 19 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 442 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.7L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 19 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 449 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 18 mpg | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 470 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 20 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 483 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 47 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 136 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 36 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 45 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 27 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 50 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS; EQUIPMENT · Campaign 17V425000 · Jul 6, 2017
Defect: 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.
ENGINE · Campaign 17V356000 · Jun 2, 2017
Defect: 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.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT · Campaign 17V285000 · May 1, 2017
Defect: 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.
AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER · Campaign 15V656000 · Oct 14, 2015
Defect: 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.