Model year 2016 · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
2016 Toyota Tacoma: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2016 Toyota Tacoma at 18–21 mpg combined across 7 versions. NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 324 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
4
EPA combined mpg
18–21
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2016 Toyota Tacoma recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 4 safety recalls for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, newest first.
Equipment and 1 more component
NHTSA 17V425000Reported Jul 3, 2017
Filed by
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. SET17B)
Components
Equipment; Structure: Body: Hood: Hinge and attachments
Units affected
3,547 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. H0H)
Units affected
31,824 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. H0G)
Units affected
227,732 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Toyota Motor Corporation (manufacturer recall no. F0T)
Units affected
306 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2016 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2016 Toyota Tacoma crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2016 Toyota Tacoma NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 2WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
14.7%
No
2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/CC 4WD
4 stars
4 stars
5 stars
4 stars
19.1%
No
2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
4 stars
14.7%
No
2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 4WD
Not rated
Not rated
Not rated
4 stars
19.1%
No
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2016 Toyota Tacoma owner complaints
Owners have filed 324 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, most recently on Oct 19, 2026. 4 mention a crash, 4 a fire, 1 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2016 Toyota Tacoma complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Power train
134
Unknown or other
50
Engine
47
Electrical system
36
Structure: Body
21
Seats
19
Service brakes
18
Exterior lighting
15
Fuel/propulsion system
14
Suspension
14
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
