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Executive Vehicle Verdict

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is associated with 323 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 4 safety recall campaigns in the federal safety database.

The most frequently reported component area is Powertrain, accounting for 102 reports (32% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 7 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.7l 4-cyl and 3.5l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 18 to 21 MPG combined. The 2016 Toyota Tacoma belongs to the 3rd generation (N300) Tacoma platform spanning model years 2016–2023.

Platform Architecture: 3rd Generation (N300) • Production Span: 2016–2023 • Lifecycle Note: Pre-Facelift (2016–2019) / Facelift (2020–2023)
Official Federal Record Profile
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 323 consumer reports filed
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 4 official campaigns
  • • Primary Defect Domain: Powertrain (102 / 32%)
  • • Field Incident Signals: 4 crash / 4 fire / 1 injury reports
  • • NCAP Crash Safety: 4 / 5 Stars Overall Laboratory Score
  • • EPA Certified Range: 18–21 MPG across 7 powertrain trims
Directly compiled from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA NCAP, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Tacoma 2WD 2.7L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 23 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Tacoma 2WD 3.5L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 24 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Tacoma 4WD 2.7L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 19 MPG 22 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Tacoma 4WD 2.7L 4-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd 19 MPG 21 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Tacoma 4WD 3.5L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) 18 MPG 23 MPG 20 MPG — $3,100 / yr
Tacoma 4WD 3.5L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 17 MPG 21 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Tacoma 4WD Double Cab 3.5L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 17 MPG 20 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
PU/EC 2WD 14.7%
PU/CC 2WD 14.7%
PU/EC 4WD 19.1%
PU/CC 4WD 19.1%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Toyota Tacoma models.
View complete 2016 Toyota Tacoma crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Summary of 323 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
323
Crash Reports
4
Fire Reports
4
Complaints w/ Injury
1
Total Injuries
1

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Powertrain 102 complaints
Electrical System 17 complaints
Engine 17 complaints
Structure & Body 16 complaints (1 crash)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 12 complaints

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems & component breakdown (58 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #17V425000 Active Recall
Affected Component: STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #17V356000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ENGINE

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
NHTSA Campaign #17V285000 Active Recall
Affected Component: POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:DIFFERENTIAL UNIT

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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.
View all 2016 Toyota Tacoma recalls & campaign history (4 campaigns) →
Search Intelligence

Quick Answers: Key Questions Drivers Ask About the 2016 Toyota Tacoma

Direct, deterministic answers synthesized from verified United States government databases for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma

How many safety recalls does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is associated with 4 official NHTSA safety recall campaigns in AutoUtility's current federal records.

If your individual vehicle is affected by an open safety recall, NHTSA advises owners to contact an authorized franchised dealership for the recall remedy at no charge. Because recall campaigns apply to specific production runs and equipment batches, vehicle owners should verify their 17-digit VIN at NHTSA.gov.

Source: NHTSA Safety Recalls Database (49 U.S.C. 30118)

What are the most common problems reported for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

NHTSA records list 323 consumer defect complaints for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The most frequently referenced vehicle system is Powertrain, appearing in 102 filings (32% of submissions).

Consumer complaints represent unverified owner submissions filed under federal reporting guidelines and describe reported component behavior rather than audited failure rates.

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma?

Under the NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP), the 2016 Toyota Tacoma earned an Overall Safety Rating of 4 out of 5 stars across 2 tested configuration(s).

Laboratory evaluations include a 35 mph frontal barrier crash, side barrier and pole impact tests, and static rollover resistance assessments.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP)

What fuel economy (MPG) does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma get?

Official EPA laboratory estimates for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma range from 18 to 21 MPG combined (55% city / 45% highway weighted) depending on engine, transmission, and drivetrain configuration.

Using AutoUtility's standardized operating cost model (15,000 miles/year, $3.50/gal gas, $0.16/kWh electricity), annual energy expenditures range across certified configurations based on official EPA laboratory test baselines.

Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov Certified Database
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.