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2016 Toyota Tacoma Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma carries 4 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering hinge and attachments and engine. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear differential recall parts delay.” Toyota's owner's manual splits service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1 because it covers short trips, extreme temperatures, dusty roads, or heavy idling. The intervals below reflect Schedule 1 — the schedule Toyota recommends for typical real-world use.

4 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Campaign #17V425000 · Mar 7, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.

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. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.

ENGINE

Campaign #17V356000 · Jan 6, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.

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. 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 · Apr 27, 2017

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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 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

Issue: 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.

Risk: 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.

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. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is F0T.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear differential recall parts delay

POWER TRAIN

27 NHTSA complaints · 2017-07 → 2017-11

“I have received two recall notices on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma Limited pickup truck. The second notice was in July, 2017. I have not yet been able to have the recalls done because the parts are not available from Toyota yet.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11043607
“MY 2016 TACOMA SAFETY RECALL FOR REAR DIFFERENTIAL LEAK. I DROP MY TACOMA OFF @ RON TONKIN DEALER ON JUNE 16TH, 2017 AND IT OVER A MONTH I HAD NOT HEAR ANY UPDATE FROM THE DEALER WHEN MY TRUCK WILL BE FIXED.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11011404

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Third brake light water leak into cabin

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

17 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2026-04

“THE CAB MOUNTED THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FIXTURE IS ALLOWING A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THE SEATS AND CARPET ARE GETTING SOAKED EVERY TIME THERE IS HEAVY RAIN.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11386356
“THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES LOOSE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRUCK CAB. IT IS EITHER A RUBBER GASKET DEFECT OR IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11396904

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Harsh or erratic transmission shifting

POWER TRAIN

17 NHTSA complaints · 2017-10 → 2024-09

“I purchased the vehicle new and noticed right away that the transmisson would clunk right away when I put it into gear[ it's an automatic]. I asked the dealership about it and they said it was normal and no issues.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11614574
“TRANSMISSION SHAKES VEHICLE IN LOWER GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND HARD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE .”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11163157

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Paint and clear coat peeling

STRUCTURE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2020-08 → 2026-07

“Severe clear coat and paint fading on hood, roof and sides of truck.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11724836
“Paint on hood and roof is fading significantly.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11701789

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain cover oil leak

ENGINE

6 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2026-03

“Timing chain cover is leaving oil.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11507715
“This vehicle is equipped with Toyota V6 Motor that was new in 2016. The issue is the Timing Chain Cover leaks oil. This was an issue on Toyota Motors before 2016 and Toyota issued a TSB for those.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497655

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Blower motor fan failure

VISIBILITY/WIPER

6 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2019-09

“FAN BLOWER MOTOR FAILED , NO AC/HEAT OR DEFROST AS A RESULT. .”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11109534
“THE BLOWER MOTOR / FAN IN THE CABIN IS BROKEN AND MAKES LOUD NOISES - DOES NOT WORK. IN HEAVY RAIN, WINDOWS FOGGED UP, UNABLE TO SEE ROAD CLEARLY IN A WET, CROWDED AND SLIPPERY ROAD.…”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11023704

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Seat heater wiring melting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SEATS

20 NHTSA complaints · 2018-08 → 2025-11

“SEAT HEATER MODULE CONNECTOR HAS FAILED AND BURNED/MELTED THE CONNECTOR. APPEARS TO BE A FIRE CONCERN.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11190946
“Driver side Heated seat connector has evidence of burning. Seat not working.”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11435698

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Note: NHTSA also opened 1 defect investigation(s) on this vehicle that closed without action.

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace 0W-20 full-synthetic oil and filter every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1, or 10,000 miles under Schedule 2. Toyota covers the first 2 oil changes through ToyotaCare.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends rotation at every oil change to maximize tire life on FWD and AWD models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 5,000 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 5,000 miles. Toyota recommends measuring pad thickness at each service.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 36 months. Critical for the integrity of the ABS, VSC, and brake assist systems.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the engine air filter every 30,000 miles. Earlier under Schedule 1 if driven on unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

Toyota labels ATF as 'lifetime fill' on most automatics, but recommends inspection and replacement every 60,000 miles under severe service. Use Toyota WS or Type-IV — no substitutes.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 120,000 mi

Toyota iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated for 120,000 miles. Earlier replacement reduces fuel economy and can cause misfires on direct-injection engines.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Super Long Life Coolant (SLLC)

Every 50,000 mi

Toyota SLLC (pink): first change at 100,000 miles, then every 50,000 miles. Do not substitute green or orange coolant — it will damage the cooling system seals.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace the cabin air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner in dusty climates. Located behind the glove box on most Toyota and Lexus models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Serpentine / Drive Belt Inspection

Every 60,000 mi

Inspect the serpentine belt and tensioner every 60,000 miles. Toyota uses long-life EPDM belts that rarely fail before 100,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$195–$235

Shop

~$135–$165

DIY

~$20–$50

DIY-friendly if you can reach the tensioner. Inspect for cracks rather than swap on a strict mileage interval.

Timing Chain — No Replacement

On condition / lifetime

Toyota's 2AR-FE, 2GR-FKS, A25A-FKS, and most Toyota engines built since 2010 use a timing chain rated for the life of the engine. No scheduled replacement.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Pro only

Timing chains are normally lifetime. Listen for rattle on cold start — that's the actionable signal. Replacement is major work, quote separately.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

64 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

4

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reflects Toyota's published service intervals and the Maintenance Required Light system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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