A good truck with first-year quirks
The 2016 Tacoma has the highest complaint rate of its generation: a manual that sticks in gear, a rear differential recall, peeling white paint and coolant leaks. None are deal breakers if the recalls are done and the paint is good.
Updated November 2026 · based on 324 owner complaints and 4 recalls
Not rated
169 1.9x the Tacoma average
4 free to fix at a dealer
Every Tacoma year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Known problems on the 2016 Tacoma
Top problems and what they cost
Transmission and rear differential
Manual transmissions can stick in gear after highway driving. Recall 17V285 covers a rear differential issue.
Fix: Differential recall free; transmission repair $800 to $2,500.
Transmission and drivetrain
Peeling white paint
Super White paint peeling on doors and tailgate. Toyota has a paint campaign for some 2016-2022 trucks.
Fix: Ask a dealer about coverage; repainting can cost $3,000 or more.
Body
Coolant bypass joint leak
A plastic coolant pipe at the back of the engine can leak.
Fix: Part and labor $300 to $700.
Engine
Recalls
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
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 th...
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 ne...
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2016 Toyota Tacoma
- Confirm the differential (17V285), engine (17V356) and hinge (17V425) recalls show as repaired.A recall is a safety fix the carmaker must do for free, even for later owners. Typing the 17-character VIN (on the dashboard and driver door) into nhtsa.gov/recalls shows any that were never done. Codes like 18V332 are recall numbers.The 2016 Tacoma has 4 recalls on record, listed below.
- Inspect white paint closely for peeling on doors and tailgate.Doors, liftgates and tailgates use motors, latches and switches that wear. A door that will not latch or shows as open can drain the battery or open while driving.22 of the 324 owner complaints about the 2016 Tacoma involve doors and latches (7%).
- Look for coolant drips at the back of the engine.Coolant keeps the engine from overheating. A dropping level, drips, white smoke or residue can mean leaks or a failing head gasket, which can ruin the engine.47 of the 324 owner complaints about the 2016 Tacoma involve the engine and cooling system (15%).
- On a manual, shift through all gears after a highway stretch.Rough, delayed or slipping gear changes are early signs of transmission trouble. A rebuilt or replacement transmission often costs $3,000 to $6,000.Owners filed 19 complaints about transmission shifting problems on the 2016 Tacoma, one of the worst years for it.
Questions
Is the 2016 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
A good truck with first-year quirks. The 2016 Tacoma has the highest complaint rate of its generation: a manual that sticks in gear, a rear differential recall, peeling white paint and coolant leaks. None are deal breakers if the recalls are done and the paint is good.
How many recalls does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have?
4 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Transmission and rear differential; Peeling white paint; Coolant bypass joint leak.
Crash rating shown for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma PU/EC 2WD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.