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2016 Toyota Tundra Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2016 Toyota Tundra carries 6 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering knee bolster and bumpers. Owners report 6 recurring issue clusters, led by “Integrated trailer brake controller failure.” 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.

6 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER

Campaign #17V416000 · Jun 29, 2017

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Tundra vehicles. The affected vehicles have a passenger knee air bag module that was attached to the instrument panel mounting brackets with incorrect bolts.

Risk: The incorrect bolts may cause the air bag module to loosen over time, affecting the performance of the knee airbag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: All of the affected vehicles have been inspected and any incorrect knee air bag mounting bolts have been replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0K.

STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS

Campaign #17V051000 · Jan 24, 2017

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles equipped with a resin rear step bumper and resin reinforcement brackets (vehicles with chrome step bumpers are not affected). In the event of an impact to the corner of the bumper, the resin bracket may be damaged but not be noticed.

Risk: If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of the bumper may break away, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones, and replace the rear bumper tread, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0C.

WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS

Campaign #17V311000 · Nov 5, 2017

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.

Risk: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

Campaign #16V420000 · Sep 6, 2016

Issue: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

Risk: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #21V920000 · Nov 23, 2021

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

Campaign #21E103000 · Dec 23, 2021

Issue: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.

Risk: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

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

Reported to NHTSA

Integrated trailer brake controller failure

SERVICE BRAKES

38 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2025-02

“I PURCHASED A NEW TRAILER TO PICK UP MY NEW TRACTOR. I TESTED THE TRAILER BRAKES KNOWING I WAS PULLING A LARGE LOAD AND DIDN'T WANT AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKES APPEARED TO APPLY BUT DUE TO IT NOT BEING LOADED WHEN TESTING I HAD IT SET TO 5(OUT OF 10)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11062085
“THE INTEGRATED ELECRIC BRAKE CONTROLER FOR TOWING A TRAILER DOES NOT WORK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10911004
“TRUCK IS RATED TO TOW 9100LBS, AND INCLUDES AN INTEGRATED TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR USE WITH ELECTRIC TRAILER BRAKES (WHICH IS NEW FOR 2016 TUNDRA'S). THE FIRST TIME I HOOKED THE TRUCK UP TO THE TRAILER, I SET UP THE TRAILER BRAKES USING THE OWNERS MANUAL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883110

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Wheel and axle bearing failure

WHEELS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-04 → 2021-12

“AT ONLY 77,000 MILES THE AXLE BEARINGS HAVE FAILED. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE SINCE SEALED BEARINGS ARE SUPPOSED TO LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP PARTS MANAGER SAYS THESE BEARINGS FAIL FREQUENTLY ON THE TUNDRAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11202672
“REAR WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED (BUT STILL FUNCTIONAL) AT 17000 MILES. WHEELS STILL ROTATE BUT THERE IS A VERY LOUD DRONING NOISE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH A SLIGHT SQUEAL AT LOWER SPEEDS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11338408
“REAR WHEEL OR AXLE BEARINGS MAKE A NOTICEABLE LOUD HUMMING SOUND WHEN DRIVING AT ROAD SPEED LIMIT, ESPECIALLY WHEN MOVING SLIGHTLY LEFT INTO A CURVE OR RIGHT INTO A CURVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11242929

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Headlights shutting off when using turn signal

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

13 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2021-02

“WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE ACTIVATION OF TURN SIGNAL INTERMITTENTLY SHUTS OFF HEADLIGHTS. TO RE-ENERGIZE HEADLIGHTS I HAVE TO MANUALLY SWITCH THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH FROM AUTO TO ON. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING AND DANGEROUS WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT IN RURAL AREAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11306597
“IF THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTO AND I SIGNAL A LEFT TURN AND TURN TO THE LEFT, THE HEADLIGHTS SHUT OFF AND THE INTERIOR LIGHTS SWITCH TO "DAY MODE". THE ISSUE SEEMS INTERMITTENT. IT SEEMS TO OCCUR IN COOLER TEMPS (<50F)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11279752
“HEADLIGHTS, TAILLIGHTS, AND DASHLIGHTS ALL GO OFF WHEN USING THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS HAS HAPPENED HALF A DOZEN TIMES AT NIGHT WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS IN THE 30'S, BOTH WHEN TURNING ON NARROW UNLIT RURAL ROADS, AND ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75MPH WHEN CHANGING LANES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11331443

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Rear step bumper detachment under recall

STRUCTURE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2017-02 → 2019-09

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. WHEN THE CONTACT STEPPED ON THE VEHICLE'S REAR BUMPER, THE BUMPER DETACHED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A KNEE INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10967770
“REAR BUMPER RECALL. AS OUTLINED IN TOYOTA TUNDRA REAR BUMPER RECALL. THE REINFORCEMENT CRACKED AND SOMEONE STEPPED ON THE BUMPER COVER AND NOW THE DEALER AND TOYOTA WILL NOT PREFORMED THE NEEDED REPAIRS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11104657
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V051000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979747

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Power steering rack and pinion leak

STEERING

5 NHTSA complaints · 2020-04 → 2026-02

“The steering rack internal seal inside the steering rack failed/ "blew" per mechanic and is leaking. I could lose my ability to steer at any time while driving my vehicle and wreck”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11719220
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while doing a routine check that it was discovered that the power steering assembly was leaking”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11478760
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RACK AND PINION FAILED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN REVERSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS FLUID FROM THE RACK AND PINION UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11322785

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel pump failure causing stall or no-start

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2021-07 → 2026-07

“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at slower speeds, the vehicle stalled while depressing the accelerator pedal. The check engine warning light was illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11732710
“The fuel pump component or system failed or malfunctioned the engine tried cranking but would not start. The problem has been reproduced to an independent service center, where I was notified of a safety recall on Toyota Tundra”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11739464
“My truck is shutting off while driving,can be very dangerous”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11426301

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)

31 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.

2

complaints mentioning a crash

0

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 Tundra 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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