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2016 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

47 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 24,000.

owner complaints
47
of this car's complaints
15%
typical mileage
24,000
crashes
0
recalls
1

Which part fails

Owners did not name a specific part.

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Toyota Tacoma engine problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202026

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma engine

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Stalling 12Check engine light 11Overheating 8Loss of power 7

Related recalls

EngineReported June 1, 2017 · 31,824 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 17V356000 · Recall details

What 2016 Toyota Tacoma owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 14, 2025 · Engine · AZ

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.

Filed Jun 30, 2025 · Engine · LA

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.

Filed Dec 12, 2024 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Engine · RI

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

Filed Oct 20, 2024 · Engine · ME

Coolant leaking

Filed Nov 21, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

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.

Filed Mar 15, 2023 · Brakes, Electrical · AK

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.

Filed Dec 15, 2022 · Engine · IA

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.

Filed Nov 22, 2022 · Engine · CA

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.

Filed Jul 7, 2022 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Vehicle pulls or skips a gears when driving

Questions about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma engine

Does the 2016 Toyota Tacoma have engine problems?

Owners have filed 47 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 15% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2016 Toyota Tacoma engine problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 24,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Toyota Tacoma engine?

Yes, 1 recall: 17V356000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Toyota Tacoma have bad engine?

The Toyota Tacoma model years with the most engine complaints are 2012 (124 complaints), 2016 (47 complaints) and 2006 (45 complaints).

Other 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems

Transmission 136Electrical 37Body 22Seats 22Brakes 19Lights 17Fuel system 14Suspension 14Acceleration 10Visibility 10Airbags 5Driver assistance 4Steering 4Seat belts 2Wheels 2Locks 1

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