What 323 owners told NHTSA about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma

Bought 2016 Tacoma in 2022 w/ 53k miles. Hit 58,850 (ish) and had an noticable oil leak… apparently this was a “Well Known” issue, as the mechanic @ Surprise, AZ Dealership (Toyota of Surprise, 13543 N. Auto Show Ave., Surprise, AZ 85388) told my wife and I…. it’s from this same thing that google showed me also: “Engine oil leaks: Reports on Consumer Reports and other forums detail expensive repairs to fix oil leaks from the front seal or timing cover, which can cost $5,000 or more because the engine often needs to be removed for the repair.” And this was 100% my case- and confirmed by the Toyota Dealers Mechanic verbally. Leaks were without engine light indicators “at all”. The dealership added a dye, told me to drive 100-500 miles and return to have a re-inspection done after their initial one came with no results. Initially I spotted this while I was conducting a regular 3,000 mile oil change. (2nd oil change since owning the truck. So my out of pocket was around $5,700+, for an apparent (see attached) “well-known” Dealer issue. @ 60k, a major repair cost for this should NOT but coming from the consumer, and needs to be listed as a “recall”. Had I not noticed the missing oil, this could have left me stranded, my family stranded, or caused many other traveling issues throughout my driving experiences. I repaired this around two years ago, but have been terrified to drive my truck! I’ve driven about 1,000 miles or less since the repair (in 2 years time). I’m selling first chance I can, BUT, I WANT MY MONEY BACK! I have the receipt in a safe for when this becomes a recall - to prove i paid it, and to get a FULL REFUND!!! That is not how good business is done by Toyota. I owned a 2004 and 2005 Camrys prior, as well as a 2014 Lexus GS 350 F Sport (all in my name), this truck was a dream, now a nightmare. Please, for everyone complaining online and those that have had to also pay for these repairs @ low mileage, MAKE THIS INTO A RECALL FOR 2016 TACOMAs.

NHTSA ODI 11693320

I have experienced two major failures on my 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with less than 90,000 miles: a leaking coolant crossover pipe, which required partial engine disassembly and cost me approximately $2,500, and a leaking timing chain cover, which required a full front-end teardown and cost over $4,500. Both issues are known problems across 2016+ Tacoma models with the 3.5L V6 (2GR-FKS engine), yet Toyota has not issued a recall or warranty enhancement. These failures present safety risks related to overheating and oil loss and result in significant financial burden to owners. Toyota needs to be held accountable for these premature, design-related failures.

NHTSA ODI 11670387

Upper Intake manifold flap actuator ( part: Toyota 17190-0P101 ) brakes in the intake resulting in wrong air reading and forcing vehicle into limp mode causing the vehicle to rapidly decrease speed, and creating a potential accident with other vehicles and semi's. this will continue to happen but this will give a person a false sense of security since error codes will reset once vehicle is turned off and on, a reassurance to a person that the issue has resolved itself since this will only happen at high speeds. the part is designed for fuel efficiency, as the flap opens and closes air is controlled properly for emission, but once broken will throw error codes, and force vehicle into limp mode this part is not be repairable, the part needs to be changed completely. this would happen to me while accelerating on highways, up mountain passes and pushing vehicle over 4000 rpm.

NHTSA ODI 11630259

Rear Coolant Bypass Joint leak. Coolant leaking through this pipe and accumulating.

NHTSA ODI 11626758

Coolant leaking

NHTSA ODI 11620850

Fuel injector(s) leaked without any warning, causing engine to loose power on freeway. We were fortunate to be able to move over to the shoulder before the truck lost all power. Vehicle was towed to dealer and it was determined that the injector leaked fuel into engine causing engine failure. Repairs needed include engine block, heads sub assembly, injectors and assorted other parts total for parts and labor $19,256 No warning lights or symptoms prior to this problem. Truck has been running fine with no problems, only has 41,000 miles.

NHTSA ODI 11556360

Vehicle is designed in such a way as to allow moisture accumulating in drivers side floor mat and carpeting to wick upward and be deposited on the primary vehicle wiring harness located in the drivers side kick panel. The moisture collected travels down into the backside of the various female connectors and corrodes the conductors and receptacles that result in short circuits between the various vehicle components including the ignition, engine shutoff, temperature sensors, Antilock Breaking, Blind Spot Monitoring, Fuel Gauge, Forward Vehicle Lighting (high and low beam), Security, Traction Control and other critical vehicle systems. On February 5th, 2023 I returned to my vehicle to find the security alarm sounding in the parking lot of a local business, both the keyless entry system and key-fob were unresponsive and would neither silence the alarm or unlock the vehicle. After manually unlocking the door handle the alarm ceased, the vehicle started as normal and then began indicating a failure of the BSM system, while underway the ABS indicated it had also failed and upon arrival at our destination the engine would not turn off even with the emergency shutdown routine prescribed for unintended acceleration cases. In addition, the high beams would be triggered by unrelated button operation occasionally fail to turn off, the fuel gauge, temperature readouts and climate control provided unintelligible values. The vehicle was returned to to dealership where it was determined that water from the floormats was able to contaminate and cause systemwide failure. The repair was to replace the entire wire harness which would not be covered by warranty. On 3/15/2023 I reached out to Toyota Headquarters' Customer Engagement team and was advised that Toyota was aware of the problem and had no interest or obligation in rectifying the situation, regardless of my concerns that this presented a clear safety hazard to both operators and the general public.

NHTSA ODI 11512057

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. However Toyota has refused to acknowledge this ongoing issue in its post 2016 Motors. This is a very well know issue by Toyota.

NHTSA ODI 11497655

driving full speed car suddenly slows and light on dash reads accelerator and brake pressed at same time, although my foot is nowhere near the brake. This is 3rd time it has happened, Toyota say's it doesn't come up as error on their computer.

NHTSA ODI 11494588

Vehicle pulls or skips a gears when driving

NHTSA ODI 11472718

There is a known factory defect on a robotic seal around the engine block, in which the robot misses a half inch piece of the engine block, causing oil seepage and leaking of engine oil. The problem is on dozens of Toyota forums and I have also consulted with two different dealerships that have verified this. The 4 cylinder engines in the Tacoma have already been recalled for this issue but they are offering no reimbursement or recall on the 6 cylinder engines. The engine begins leaking oil early in it its life as mine has been. An engine should not fail at 20k 30k or 80k miles due to a factory defect. Toyota should be offering a fix for this issue as it will significantly cut the life of rhe engine. This can cause engine fire and various other safety issues in these trucks if enough engine oil leaks down into a hot engine.

NHTSA ODI 11455349

I have three signifcant issues with my Tacoma: 1. A few months after purchasing my Tacoma in 2016 Toyota (no accidents to date & 95% highway driving) and one outside alignment shop had never been able to get the truck aligned properly so it would never keep its alignment more than 3-4 months; repeated visits to Toyota maintence for alignment over the years became as routine as an oil change, sometimes more frequently; the unaligned suspension constantly was causing unsafe handling and unintentional swerving. 2. Toyota missed, and maybe purposefully, identifying major engine, transfer case, and transmission leaks during regular and routine serivces (always serviced at Toyota dealerships) until my mileage exceeded 60,000 miles. Then when I asked the dealership to recheck a recent transfer case refresh because I saw leaks, I needed and got over $3,000 in repairs e.g. power steering pump, front and rear seals, differential gasket-- it was terrible. Toyota did give a good will reimbursment of $1,400. 3. Now ~6 months later and still under 80,000 miles, I just spent $4,100 for repairs on more engine leaks; Toyota will not tell me if my vehicle is safe to drive, tells me the truck is ourside its warranty period (as it was last year), and refuses any goodwill adjustment. Is this 2016 Toyota Tacoma TRD a lemon?

NHTSA ODI 11449165

On 11-27-2021 I lost all power while on a highway. I would lose power even with my foot all the way down the rpm would not rise at all. The power would come back adruptly and throw me back into my seat. The trac off and check engine light came on. My truck seemed like it was gonna stall and had a really low and rough idle. It was only about 0-500 rpm at idle and truck was shaking bad because of the engine. After getting towed home I tested the battery and alternator and those were fine. I believe it is the crankshaft position sensor. I have read that this has happened to man other people with the same truck as mine. There was a recall for the cps but for some reason my truck was not included.

NHTSA ODI 11441971

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START-UP IMMEDIATELY WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE. SEVERAL ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED FOR THE VEHICLE TO START-UP. THE FAILURE RECURRED FIVE TIMES WITHIN THREE DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC NOR A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ODI 11396497

KNOCKING NOISE FROM VACUUM PUMP AFTER ENGINE IS WARM. BASE ON THE NHTSA ID 10133645 - TOYOTA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETING T-SB-0316-17. BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVE IN THE PROBABLY DEFECTIVE PART, AND BECAUSE OF MY MEDICAL CONDITION AT THE TIME OF THE TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETING I COULD NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE FOR THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETING TO DE TOYOTA DEALER UNTIL 11/18/2019 ( AFTER THE APPLICABLE WARRANTY OF 36 MONTHS OR 36,000 MILES - CUSTOMER NUMBER 192461 AT ADRIEL AUTO IN RIO GRANDE PUERTO RICO. THERE THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN # 443901. AT THE MOMENT OF THE INSPECTION THE TECHNICIAN DID NOT FOUND THE CONDITION THAT I WAS CONCERN ABOUT. I WAS TOLD THAT THAT KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE VACUUM PUMP WAS NORMAL. THAT I SHOULD NOT TO BE WORRY ABOUT IT. BECAUSE OF MY MEDICAL CONDITION AND TREATMENT. I WAS NOT ABLE TO FOLLOW UP MY COMPLAINT AT TOYOTA DE PUERTO RICO. NOW THAT I AM FEELING A LITTLE BIT BETTER I AM REPORTING THIS TO YOU WITH THE HOPE THAT A SOLUTION BE FOUND. I HAVE NEVER OWN A VEHICLE FROM ANY MANUFACTURER THAT HAD SUCH A KNOCKING SOUND FROM THE VACUUM PUMP. I AM CONCERN ABOUT MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHERS IF MY BRAKE SYSTEM FAILS AND SOMEONE GETS INJURE OR KILL. IT IS MY PERCEPTION THAT THE KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE VACUUM PUMP IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND THAT TOYOTA CORPORATION MUST REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. MY VEHICLE HAVE ONLY 10,000 MILES BECAUSE OF MY ILLNESS AND ALSO BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING IT. I KNOW I AM A BIT LATE TO REPORT THIS CONDITION ON MY VEHICLE AND THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAVE EXPIRE. BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST, AS A REMEDY I AM REQUESTING THAT ALL OF THE TOYOTA VEHICLES THAT PRESENT THIS KNOCKING NOISE FROM VACUUM PUMP SHOULD BE RECALL AN REPAIR UNDER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. THANK YOU

NHTSA ODI 11374876

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED LURCHING AND LOOSING POWER THEN ABRUPTLY SHUT OFF.

NHTSA ODI 11320605

THIS CAR HAS SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING. FIRST TIME WHILE TOWING A BOAT... WHILE TURNING LEFT ON A HIGH SPEED TWO LANE ROAD AND SECOND WHILE GOING 45 TOWARDS A GREEN LIGHT. BOTH TIMES THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF. WE COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED...TWICE! TOYOTA SAYS "FIXED' THE PROBLEM "TWICE". WE ASKED THEM TO BUY THE CAR BACK AFTER THE SECOND TIME, AS WE NO LONGER FELT SAFE IN IT.......THEY REFUSED. AS A GESTURE OF "GOOD WILL" THEY OFFERED US AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, WHICH WE HAD ALREADY GOTTEN WHEN WE PURCHASED THE CAR SO IT WAS POINTLESS. WE CREATED A CASE WITH THEM AFTER IT OCCURRED THE SECOND TIME. THE MOST RECENT RECALL THAT ADDRESSES THIS ISSUE DOES NOT INCLUDE THIS MODEL YEAR AND IT NEEDS TO. SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE..THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH A CAR THAT WE DON'T FEEL SAFE IN BUT TOYOTA WOULD NOT DO THE RIGHT THING. HOPEFULLY BY US REPORTING OUR PROBLEM IT WILL SAVE SOMEONE ELSE LIFE.

NHTSA ODI 11308914

CAR HESITATES WHEN NEEDING TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY. WHILE SLOWING DOWN THE CAR FEELS LIKE IT IS PUSHING ,NOT DOWN SHIFTING FAST ENOUGH. THE DIFFERENTIAL BANG AT TIME WHEN COMING TO A STOP, IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS NOT DISENGAGING. I THINK THERE IS A PROGRAMMING ISSUE THAT TOYOTA IS NOT ADMITTING TO. I ALSO HEARD THAT THERE IS A BLOWER ISSUE. THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS WHEN YOU GO TO ACCELERATE THEN DON'T AND THEN DO. CAR GOES INTO NEURTAL HUNTING FOR A GEAR

NHTSA ODI 11301459

TRANSMITION SLEEP ALSO PUSH GAS PEDAL AND GO DOWN SPEED AND JUMP ASTER ACELERATE AND DELAY WENT I STAR 1RS GEAR NOT MOVE AFTER FEW SECONDS MOTOR MAKE WEAR NOISES LIKE NOKING ONLY HAVE 67000 MILES SUSPENTION IS BAD SEP ON CURVES AND TURN AT 25 MIKES PRE HOURS SO BAD SCARRY BACK PART IS MOVING SO BAD AND PULL ME OUT THE ROAD AND I SEE THE ON OTHER TACOMA SAME 2016

NHTSA ODI 11255469

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE 70 MPH, ENGINE QUITS. 2 DASH LIGHTS COME ON TRUCK MAXES OUT AT 40MPH OUT OF NOWHERE. PULLED OVER SHUT TRUCK OFF AND STARTED IT UP NO RAN FINE NOTE: CHECK ENG LIGHT IS NOW ON. BAD GAS DIAGNOSIS. GAS REPLACED HAPPENS 1 MORE TIME. DIAGNOSED WITH BAD FUEL INJECTORS NOT COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY, CAUSE WAS BAD GAS. THE LOSS OF POWER HAPPENED 2 OTHER TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11230835

'TAKITA RECALL ' SEVERAL TIMES I HAVE TAKEN MY PICKUP TO THE DEALER FOR A CLING, SPRING SOUND WHEN YOU ARE APPLY BRAKES. AND THE ENGINE HAS LOUD TICKING SOUND .THE FIRST TIME THEY SAID IT WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THERE IS A NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE ON A BAD ROAD DISCLOSE THEY CANT HEAR ANYTHING. TOOK IT BACK AGAIN THEY SAID THEY CAN'T FIND NOTHING EVEN TO THE BRAKE NOISE THAT THEY SAID WAS A PART OF HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MADE. THEY TAKE YOUR VEHICLE HAVE IT FOR TWO DAYS THEN PRETEND TO WORK ON IT THEN GIVE IT BACK TO YOU AND NEVER FIND ANYTHING. THEN YOU THE CUSTOMER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE THESE ANNOYING UNSAFE EXPERIENCES. YOU GET SO DISCOURAGED BECAUSE THEY NEVER CAN FIND ANYTHING AND WHEN THEY DO IS HOW THE VEHICLE IS MADE THEN BY THE TIME YOU KEEP GOING BACK AND WITH THE SAME RESPOND THE WARRANTY IS CLOSE TO END. LAST TIME I TOOK THE PICKUP IN WAS JANUARY 28,2019 AND THEY RETURNED IT ON THE 30TH WITH NO DOCUMENT TO WHAT THEY DID.

NHTSA ODI 11173133

MY WIFE AND I DROVE FROM AUSTIN TEXAS TO ARKADELPHI ARKANSAS DUE TO ME GETTING OUT OF THE ARMY'ACTIVE' AND MY TRUCK HAD BEEN SLOWLY STUDDERJNG, SPITTING ETC.. WELL IT IS STALLED AT A PARKING LOT FOR A WEEK NOW.. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 'CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR' FOR MY EXACT MODE AND TOYOTA WILL NOT HONOR MY TRUCK FOR IT AND THAT'S THE CODE IT'S READING ETC..

NHTSA ODI 11157209

HESITATION UPON ACCELERATION AT TIMES.

NHTSA ODI 11154218

VEHICLE LUNGES LIKE A BUCKING BRONC AT WOT FROM STOP OR ROLLING START. IF IT WAS A CARBURETED VEHICLE (PRE-COMPUTER DAYS) I WOULD CHECK TIMING, CARBURETOR JETS,FUEL FILTER,ETC. SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE BETTER IN SPORT MODE OR ECT IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI 11129250

AS OF NOW THE AC FAN MAKES A LOUD NOISE LIKE SOMETHING FELL APART. THERE IS NO AIR BLOWING THROUGH THE VENTS. IT SOUNDS LIKE BROKEN BLOWER MOTER.

NHTSA ODI 11109764