Generally reputed to be a dependable mid-size pickup, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is marred by a leaking rear differential, a misplaced speed sensor, and a transmission that hesitates before engaging. Fortunately, most problems and recalls for the truck are relatively minor.
Key Points
- The 2016 Toyota Tacoma is generally reliable but is associated with one major recall for a leaking differential. Three minor recalls apply to a limited number of trucks.
- An open investigation into the airbag control unit demands attention as it may result in a huge recall covering millions of vehicles worldwide.
- With less than 300 complaints associated with the model year, nearly half of them refer to a hesitant transmission.
- Other less common issues feature a leaking brake light and heated seats that burn themselves out.
- If you can ignore a clunky transmission, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma remains a smart buy for the mid-size pickup market.
Only One Recall Affects Every 2016 Toyota Tacoma and its Leaking Rear Differential
While the 2016 Toyota Tacoma does have four active recalls associated with it, only one will likely cause any serious issues for today’s driver. In April 2017, over 225,000 trucks were recalled for a leaking rear differential. If a rear differential fails, it could result in an accident or even a fire.
In some instances, the differential was damaged due to the loss of oil. The dealer inspected the unit, replaced gaskets, and tightened bolts. If they noticed any damage, they replaced the differential.
The other three recalls apply to a limited number of trucks. A hood scoop attached by Southeast Toyota Distributors to around 3,000 trucks needed to be resecured. In early production, about 300 vehicles had the wrong bolt used to attach an airbag mount which was changed out.
For pickups with the 3.5L V6 engine onboard, the crank position sensor was installed in the wrong place. This resulted in the vehicle stalling while in motion. Technicians remounted it to eradicate the problem.
No further recalls have been initiated since July 2017 indicating that its early issues were quickly and effectively addressed.
An Open Investigation Looks into Airbag Controller Units that Fail to Deploy in an Accident
One item to watch is an open investigation on the airbag control unit. This part detects when an accident occurs and signals the airbag to deploy. There have been massive recalls for Hyundai, Kia, and FCA for the same piece. The NHTSA is still determining what circumstances will lead to an ACU failure and if a recall on the same scale as the Takata debacle is in order.
Multiple models for Toyota, Honda, and Mitsubishi all use the same ACU design from ZF-TRW. If a recall campaign is launched, you may face extended wait times for parts to become available.
Majority of 2016 Tacoma Complaints Apply to Hesitant Transmission, with the 4WD Truck Needing a Suspension Adjustment to Smooth Out the Ride
Of the 259 complaints logged with the NHTSA for the 2016 Toyota Tacoma, 126 of them refer to the powertrain. In particular, its automatic transmission hesitates when shifting from park to reverse or first gear. You may also experience delayed shifting while using the cruise control. A technical bulletin released in July 2016 called for a software update to its electronic control module, which adjusted the shift points.
However, complaints about the condition persist, indicating that reflashing the ECM may be a temporary fix or one that was not applied to every vehicle. While there is lots of chatter about the issue, it does not seem to correlate with transmission failure or repairs.
Some 4WD pickups with the six-speed automatic transmission experienced vibrations while decelerating at speeds under 35 mph. Toyota offered to adjust the angle of the leaf springs and add a damper to the steering column. This smoothed out the ride.
Melted connection wires for the heated front seats are another common complaint. Since the unit is a single assembly, you must replace the entire seat cushion to repair the problem. The warranty covered the heated seats up to 36,000 miles or three years, leaving current owners to pay around $150 for the part plus labor.
Finally, drivers noticed that their back seats and carpets got wet after going through a car wash or an intense downpour. Several found a leak around the high-mounted brake light on the back of the cab. It is easy enough to reseal the light with some silicone, but there may be lingering damage to the upholstery. Make a careful inspection of any 2016 Toyota Tacoma before deciding to buy one.
Even with a Few Key Problems, the 2016 Toyota Tacoma Remains a Smart Addition to Your Garage
While a seized rear differential is a serious issue, the big recall should have been addressed years ago. The transmission may deliver an uncomfortable ride, but it hasn’t resulted in pricey repairs. Ultimately, the pickup continues to uphold its reputation. Take one for an extended road test to determine if it will fit in with your lifestyle and expectations.
Photos: Toyota