RoadVitals

2016 Toyota Tacoma Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
136
Latest May 19, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
42%
of 323 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 136 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

The 25 most recent of 136, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed May 19, 2026

The contact owns a 2024 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact noticed there was fluid emerging from the rear of the vehicle near the tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall or leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11738757
Incident
May 16, 2026
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2026

2016 Toyota Tacoma is known to have an issue with the timing cover leaking oil. This is a Fire Hazard: Oil leaking onto hot engine components can vaporize and ignite, posing a fire risk to the vehicle and surrounding areas and can cause environmental pollution.

NHTSA ID
11722712
Incident
Jul 5, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 14, 2024

I purchased the vehicle new and noticed right away that the transmisson would clunk right away when I put it into gear[ it's an automatic]. I asked the dealership about it and they said it was normal and no issues. Now I'm [XXX] and have owned many cars so.... Anyway, over the years I've asked several times and they say no issue. Now, just this morning, my wife found an article about the issue and Toyota is finally admitting there IS an issue. What can I do? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11614574
Incident
Sep 14, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 21, 2023

AT shifter was stiff from purchase. I thought this was normal. Sometimes it shifted OK, most times not. Had independent repair shops lubricate the shifter multiple times to no avail. Then the shifter wouldn't move at all and I was in a traffic lane causing a dangerous situation. Had truck towed to an independent repair shop that found a second way to lubricate the shaft. Curious how many trucks left the factory without AT shaft lubricated.

NHTSA ID
11561317
Incident
Dec 6, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 27, 2023

My 2016 Toyota Tacoma has had multiple oil leaks in the timing cover. The dealer has already fixed this issue twice and the timing cover is currently leaking oil. This leak is expensive to fix because it involves removing the engine and the transmission to properly seal the timing cover. This is a know defect that poses a serious safety concern as the oil leak may go from a small leak to a large leak quickly, causing the engine to fail. Additionally the air pressure from driving can cause the oil to end up everywhere which can lead other components to degrade and fail. Because the fix is so complex, the process to remove and reinstall the engine and transmission may result in other mistakes. During one of the attempts to fix the issue, the dealer forgot to replace an engine bolt and forgot to hook up a vent hose. The cost to fix this issue is so high that it makes it too expensive for many to fix.

NHTSA ID
11529214
Incident
Jun 26, 2023
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2023

Timing chain cover is leaving oil.

NHTSA ID
11507715
Incident
Oct 1, 2022
Fuel systemOther / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 27, 2022

Vehicle made a loud bang from the rear of the vehicle , then started to slow down slightly without brakes applied. And then suddenly within a few more feet the Rear wheels locked up without brakes applied. Traveling at between 35- 45mph the vehicle skidded causing vehicles behind me to also skid to avoid hitting me. Truck would not move from this position , I was stuck in the lane without a shoulder to move close to . I was shaken pretty bad, out of fear I popped the truck into reverse and the rear of the truck made a loud bang or loud pop noise. It wouldn’t move back so I put it back in drive and it made another bang noise and started to roll forward with a lot of resistance . There was no safe place to park, I was close to home so I continued home driving very slow with my hazard lights on . Please help. I towed the truck to Servco Kauai Toyota 9-23-2022, they did not look at the truck until 10-20-2022 almost a month it sat at the Toyota. I went home and checked online to see if anyone had the same problem and found Tech. Bulletins and a Recall for this problem, I did not receive a letter for this recall. I had no idea there was even a Recall. Service advisor [XXX] and Service Manager [XXX]told me my vehicle does not fall into the criteria of this recall. Service Manager [XXX] said they are not part of Servco and this dealership would not perform this recall because it is a maintenance issue ( What ?) Please help . I towed My truck home , I m trying to sell my truck as is because the dealership gave me a quote of over $7000 to fix this problem. No one wants to buy my truck in this condition. Aloha [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ID
11491128
Incident
Sep 20, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2022

Vehicle pulls or skips a gears when driving

NHTSA ID
11472718
Incident
Jul 3, 2022
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed May 20, 2022

I brought my truck into Miller Toyota of Anaheim due to a violent shuddering and acceleration at about 40 to 50 mph. This could have caused driver to lose control and injure themselves, passengers, and other drivers on the road. Dealership diagnosed the problem as a bad torque converter in the transmission and said it would cost about $3200.00 to repair. Couldn't afford that so I took vehicle to an independent repair shop and they notified me that there was a Toyota Service Bulletin that addressed this concern and that they would have to do a complete reprogramming update of Transmission Control Module. I haven't had any issues since this was done but the dealership should have been aware of this problem which could be potentially fatal. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms prior to this failure or during the failure.

NHTSA ID
11465484
Incident
Apr 21, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Jan 27, 2022

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 ID
11449165
Incident
Jan 19, 2022
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 10, 2021

After starting the truck and idling for any length of time, I place my foot on the brake and shift into Reverse or Drive. The truck almost leaps if I don't keep my foot on the brake. There is a noticeable pause many times, so it seems to be electronically controlled transmission. I have read that dealerships can Flash the ECU module and it will resolve it, but I do not have any "unresolved recalls" at this time.

NHTSA ID
11420431
Incident
Jun 9, 2021
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 2, 2021

Vehicle has been jerking itself while driving at both low speeds and high speeds. Had taken it to the dealership Sept.2020 in order to get the ECU/PCM reflashed/updated to resolve issue; issue persists. Now, at highway speeds, 80% of the time it will be jerking itself, as off being momentarily shut off and on. Caused my rear end to fish tail on highway.

NHTSA ID
11419334
Incident
Jun 2, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 7, 2021

VEHICLE HESITATES FROM PARK TO DRIVE AND SLOWING TO TURN OR GOING UPHILL EVEN ON SPEEDS UP TO 50MPH

NHTSA ID
11399585
Incident
Feb 15, 2021
Mileage
84,700 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2021

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 ID
11396497
Incident
Jan 16, 2021
Mileage
100,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 3, 2020

AFTER DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION GETS STUCK IN GEAR AND REQUIRES MUCH MORE FORCE THAN USUAL TO PUT THE GEARBOX INTO NEUTRAL. *TR

NHTSA ID
11327193
Incident
May 28, 2020
Mileage
28,500 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2020

OFF-ROADING, RESTARTED VEHICLE AFTER A STOP. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL AS TRAC OFF ILLUMINATED. TRIED TO DRIVE FORWARD AND TRUCK STALLED AND MESSAGE SAID HIGH TRANSMISSION TEMP. GOGGLED ISSUE TO DISCOVER A RECALL FOR CRANK POSITION SENSOR FAILURE. LOOKED UP MY VIN AND I DON'T HAVE THAT RECALL ALTHOUGH I HAVE THE STATED YEAR AND MODEL. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID
11321537
Incident
Apr 18, 2020
Mileage
120,700 mi
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Feb 28, 2020

TRANSMISSION SLIPS WHEN SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE TO DRIVE. HAS A 1-3 SECOND DELAY. IN ADDITION THIS SLIP MOTION CREATED A LOUD GEAR CRANKING NOISE AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE ON A U-TURN. THE TRUCK DID NOT MOVE OR SHIFT DESPITE HEARING THE ENGINE ACCELERATE ACCOMPANIED BY THE METALLIC GEAR-LIKE GRIND SOUND. SOUND VERY SIMILAR TO A STICK CAR WHEN YOU TRY TO ENGAGE A SHIFT WITHOUT THE CLUTCH (BUT MY TRUCK IS 2016 AUTOMATIC TRD-SPORT). LASTLY, WHEN TAKING SPEED BUMPS OR HARD SHIFTING MOTION (UP-DOWN) YOU CAN HEAR THE SUSPENSIONS MAKE A LOUD CLANK NOISE AS THE TRUCK SHIFTS IN THE SPEED BUMP MOTION.

NHTSA ID
11311986
Incident
Feb 27, 2020
Mileage
59,900 mi
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 23, 2020

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 ID
11301459
Incident
Mar 2, 2016
Mileage
40,400 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Sep 14, 2019

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 ID
11255469
Incident
Aug 22, 2019
Mileage
67,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 27, 2019

BSM SENSORS STOP WORKING AND AFTER FEW BACK TO WORK WEEK LATTER STOP WORK AND DEALERS CAN NOT FOUND THE REASIN TO FAIL 3 TIMES ON DEALERS STILL NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM AND SAY ONLY TOYOTA HAVE THE SOLUTION TO APROBE A RECALL FOR THESE ISSUE

NHTSA ID
11246607
Incident
Jul 11, 2019
Mileage
55,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 22, 2018

TRANSMISSION SHAKES VEHICLE IN LOWER GEARS WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO A STOP. TRANSMISSION HESITATES AND HARD JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE .

NHTSA ID
11163157
Incident
Dec 18, 2018
Mileage
24,500 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 21, 2018

WHILE DRIVING IN CITY MY TRUCK SHAKES AND VIBRATING HORRIBLY WHEN GOING INTO 2ND GEAR. AND CONTINUES TO SHAKE LIGHTLY AS I CONTINUE DRIVING. DEALER SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE TRUCK COULD BE A TIRE ISSUE. SO GOT MY TIRES BALANCED AND ROTATED. PROBLEM STILL RESUMES. AND STILL NO ANSWER AS TO WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE ONLY 69,276 MILES ON THE TRUCK BUT IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY APPARENTLY. ON HIGHWAY DRIVING THE PROBLEM IS LESS NOTICEABLE BUT CAUSES NO POWER TO CLIMB HILLS OR PASS OTHER MOTORIST.

NHTSA ID
11162967
Incident
Dec 21, 2018
Mileage
68,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 5, 2018

THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL IS MISALIGNED AND THE CURRENT SOLUTION DOESN'T RESOLVE THE NOISE. I'M AFRAID EXCESSIVE WEAR IS HAPPENING AND ISSUE WILL ARISE MUCH SOONER

NHTSA ID
11133596
Incident
Jun 1, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 18, 2018

ON LONG TRIPS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES IN ONE GEAR IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO PULL IT OUT OF 4TH, 5TH OR 6TH GEAR IN ORDER TO CHANGE GEARS. THIS RESULTED IN DANGEROUS SPEED CONTROL ISSUES (BOTH TOO FAST AND TOO SLOW FOR TRAFFIC) WHILE DRIVING ON MOUNTAINOUS HIGHWAYS. THE PROBLEM AND ITS REPAIR ARE EXACTLY DESCRIBED ON TOYOTA SERVICE BULLETIN TSB-0088-16. IN MY OPINION THE BULLETIN SHOULD BE ESCALATED TO A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY CONCERNS. THE PROBLEM IS REPEATABLE BUT DIFFICULT TO DEMONSTRATE TO A TECHNICIAN BECAUSE IT REQUIRES A LONG DRIVE TIME AND UNDER CERTAIN TERRAIN AND/OR DRIVING CONDITIONS.

NHTSA ID
11130279
Incident
Sep 2, 2018
Mileage
12,500 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 13, 2018

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 ID
11129250
Incident
Sep 1, 2016
Mileage
1,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .