VehicleVerdict

2016 Toyota Tundra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Worth extra scrutiny

The 2016 Toyota Tundra is a recall-heavy year with an otherwise ordinary complaint record: 6 NHTSA recall campaigns apply, yet its 154 owner complaints run below the Tundra median. The recalls matter more than the complaint count here — verify every campaign was completed before buying.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across brakes (34), electrical system (27), and body & structure (21), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

154

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

1

Investigations

4

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

3

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other Tundra years?

Tundra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted1,334 complaints1999: 1 complaints2000: 1,334 complaints2001: 542 complaints2002: 645 complaints2003: 524 complaints2004: 652 complaints2005: 491 complaints2006: 677 complaints2007: 535 complaints2008: 460 complaints2009: 53 complaints2010: 218 complaints2011: 184 complaints2012: 214 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 115 complaints2015: 58 complaints2016: 154 complaints2017: 112 complaints2018: 153 complaints2019: 103 complaints2020: 54 complaints2021: 30 complaints2022: 619 complaints2023: 580 complaints2024: 479 complaints2025: 218 complaints2026: 22 complaints
Tundra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tundra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Toyota Tundra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes3422%
Electrical System2718%
Body & Structure2114%
Other1510%
Lighting1510%
Steering75%
Tires & Wheels64%
Fuel System64%
Transmission53%
Engine43%
Airbags43%
Suspension43%
Speed Control32%
Visibility & Wipers11%
Seat Belts11%
Seats11%

Does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21E103000SteeringDecember 23, 2021 · 151 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

21V920000SteeringNovember 23, 2021 · 22,462 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

17V416000AirbagsJune 29, 2017 · 5 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

17V311000Tires & WheelsMay 11, 2017 · 1,325 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

17V051000Body & StructureJanuary 24, 2017 · 72,847 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

16V420000OtherJune 9, 2016 · 4,253 units

Defect

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."

Consequence

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

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“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). WHILE PULLING IT BACK HOME ON THE INTERSTATE TOWING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · August 11, 2017 · crash

“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). WHILE PULLING IT BACK HOME ON THE INTERSTATE TOWING…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 11, 2017 · crash

“2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA , PURCHASED BRAND NEW , AFTER 3000 MILES TRUCK START LEANING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. I EXPRESSED ISSUE TO THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN TOOK FOR A DRIVE TEST AND NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE , I DROPPED MY VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT DUE TO THERE IS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 21, 2016

“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. I AM HOPING SOMEONE ADDRESSES THIS WITH…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 11, 2019

“CPSC:I PURCHASED A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA PICKUP TRUCK. THE TRUCK COMES WITH AN INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER FOR TOWING TRAILERS, BOATS, ETC. THE IBC HAS TWO MODES OF BRAKING, FOR TRAILERS WITH ELECTRIC BRAKES OR FOR TRAILERS WITH HYDRAULIC BRAKES. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE AUTOMATIC BRAKING DID NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 22, 2016

2016 Toyota Tundra — common questions

Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 154 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tundra year, with 6 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2016 Tundra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (34 complaints), electrical system (27 complaints), body & structure (21 complaints).

Does the 2016 Toyota Tundra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Toyota Tundra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Toyota Tundra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tundra years to avoid are 2000, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2022, 2023, 2001, 2007, 2003, 2005, 2024, 2008. The cleanest record among Tundra years belongs to 1999.

How safe is the 2016 Toyota Tundra?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 Toyota Tundra earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.