Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023
3rd generation · N300
NHTSA data through 12 August 20261,707 complaints, 853 with mileageMethod
On this generation, 53% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 9 times higher than during the rest of the car's life.
- First 12,000 miles — 53% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 6 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 400
- 25%
- 2,527
- Median
- 10,000
- 75%
- 30,000
- 90%
- 56,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 396 | 46.4% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 160 | 18.8% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 80 | 9.4% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 52 | 6.1% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 51 | 6.0% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 33 | 3.9% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 24 | 2.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 14 | 1.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 14 | 1.6% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 8 | 0.9% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 7 | 0.8% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 2 | 0.2% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.1% |
| 200,000+ | 6 | 0.7% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 1,707 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma, and 853 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
53% of failures fall within the first 12,000 miles — a rate roughly 9 times higher than during the rest of the car's life. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
The most-reported areas are the transmission and driveline (18.5% of complaints, typically around 7,500 miles), the brakes (10.4% of complaints, typically around 5,000 miles), the engine (10.3% of complaints, typically around 10,000 miles).
15 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Transmission and driveline7,500median 7,400 miles, middle half 1,500 to 17,000
- Brakes5,000median 5,100 miles, middle half 2,000 to 14,000
- Engine10,000median 10,000 miles, middle half 2,500 to 28,000
- Problems owners could not categorise16,000median 16,000 miles, middle half 6,000 to 35,000
- Fuel and propulsion system12,000median 12,000 miles, middle half 4,500 to 28,000
- Electrical system26,000median 26,076 miles, middle half 5,500 to 48,000
- Body structure13,000median 12,750 miles, middle half 3,500 to 50,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 316 | 18.5% | 7,500 | 1,500–17,000 |
| Brakes | 177 | 10.4% | 5,000 | 2,000–14,000 |
| Engine | 175 | 10.3% | 10,000 | 2,500–28,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 171 | 10.0% | 16,000 | 6,000–35,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 166 | 9.7% | 12,000 | 4,500–28,000 |
| Electrical system | 125 | 7.3% | 26,000 | 5,500–48,000 |
| Body structure | 88 | 5.2% | 13,000 | 3,500–50,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 66 | 3.9% | 6,500 | 3,500–18,000 |
| Fuel system | 52 | 3.0% | 13,000 | 7,000–56,000 |
| Airbag system | 51 | 3.0% | 23,000 | 15,000–45,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 10,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 18.5% of complaints (316 reports, 201 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 7,400 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,500 and 17,000 miles.
The brakes account for 10.4% of complaints (177 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), and they fail early — a median of 5,100 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,760 and 14,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 10.3% of complaints (175 reports, 84 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 10,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 2,527 and 28,000 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 10.0% of complaints (171 reports, 66 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 16,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,000 and 35,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 9.7% of complaints (166 reports, 83 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 12,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 4,500 and 28,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 7.3% of complaints (125 reports, 76 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 26,076 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 5,500 and 48,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2016 model year drew the most — 417 complaints — while 2023 drew the fewest at 70. The median year sits at 203.
That makes 2016 an outlier: roughly 2.1 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around equipment (4), the airbag system (3), the transmission and driveline (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 1,707 complaints filed against this generation, 97 reported a crash; 20 reported a fire; 81 reported an injury; 2 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 5.7% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, an early-failure pattern is comparatively good news on a used example: 53% of the reported failures occur in the first 12,000 miles, which on a car of this age means they have already happened or they were never going to. Service history matters more than mileage here.
On inspection, the transmission and driveline and the brakes are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The brakes in particular shows a median failure mileage of 5,100, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Transmission 2016–2018 worst; complaints continue through 2019
Six-speed automatic gear hunting, harsh and delayed downshifts, and torque converter lockup shudder — the single largest complaint cluster for this generation. Toyota issued multiple TSBs, four of them transmission-related, and repeated control-software reflashes. The Atkinson-cycle 2GR-FKS's narrow low-rpm torque band aggravates the hunting behavior.
Rear Axle 2016–2017
Rear differential oil leak at the carrier-to-axle-housing joint from insufficiently torqued fastening nuts. Continued operation can damage or seize the differential and lock the rear wheels. Recall covered essentially all 2016-2017 Tacomas, roughly 228,000 US trucks; remedy is re-torque or nut and gasket replacement, with carrier assembly replacement where damaged.
Body
Rear leaf spring and bed/frame corrosion complaints continue, though at lower rates than the prior generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 417 | 245 |
| 2017 | 318 | 207 |
| 2018 | 281 | 140 |
| 2019 | 301 | 147 |
| 2020 | 125 | 65 |
| 2021 | 116 | 25 |
| 2022 | 79 | 9 |
| 2023 | 70 | 15 |
Recalls (15)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 25V040000 | 2025-03-17 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette |
| 24V152000 | 2024-04-17 | Power Train:axle Assembly |
| 23V480000 | 2023-09-08 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Clockspring/Spiral Cassette |
| 22V520000 | 2022-09-15 | Child Seat:vehicle Latch Anchor |
| 22V310000 | 2022-06-30 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 20V682000 | 2021-01-21 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 20V012000 | 2020-05-01 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump |
| 19V244000 | 2019-05-24 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 18V888000 | 2019-01-28 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:master Cylinder |
| 18V211000 | 2018-05-09 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:power Assist:vacuum |
| 17V831000 | 2018-01-23 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 17V425000 | 2017-09-01 | Equipment |
| 17V356000 | 2017-07-26 | Engine |
| 17V285000 | 2017-06-19 | Power Train:driveline:differential Unit |
| 15V656000 | 2015-11-19 | Air Bags:knee Bolster |
What owners reported
Vehicle is sporadic when shifting. Earlier today at a left turn at the vehicle would not shift gears giving me the feeling that the vehicle would only go at 10-15mph on incoming traffic. This was at a green light with yield if possible. If it weren't for other driver coming and being able to use breaks the vehicle…
2016 · Transmission and driveline
The differential needed replacement at <10,000 due to a loud howling noise when cruising at 55 MPH. The noise was noted when i first picked up the vehicle from the dealership, but the volume got much louder over time. Even my 4 year old child asked, "what's that sound?" The service records noted metal "silver…
2016 · 5 miles · Transmission and driveline
Tl* the contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. While driving various speeds, the vehicle failed to remain in position. In addition, the contact had to put extra effort into turning the vehicle. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact spoke with an independent…
2016 · 9 miles · Suspension
The 2016 Tacoma will not allow the driver with usb flash drive plugged in with music. Control the browsing album or song list with steering wheel controls. As per the 2015 Tacoma did. This is in all aspects. Of operation parked, moving, etc. I see this as a safety issue. Having to take your eyes off the road to press…
2016 · 12 miles · Problems owners could not categorise
Built from 853 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page