2016 Toyota Tacoma

Learn

What changed

New generation with a 3.5L V6, a 6-speed automatic, a damped tailgate, and Crawl Control on automatic TRD Off-Roads.¹

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic^1,4, 5-speed manual (2016–2017)^1,2, 6-speed manual^1,4
Drivetrains: 2WD¹, 4WD¹
Trims: SR^1,2, SR5^1,2, TRD Sport^1,2, TRD Off-Road^1,3, Limited^1,2
Packages: SR Utility Package^5,6, SR Convenience Package^5,6, SR5 Appearance Package^5,6, Premium and Technology Packages^5,6

Cement Gray Fabric, SR, SR5, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11
Black with Caramel stitching Fabric, SR5, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11
Black with Red stitching Fabric, SR5, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11
Graphite Fabric, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11
Black with Orange stitching Fabric, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11
Hickory Leather, Limited, 2016–2018 ^5,9,11

Buy

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Timing cover oil leak 2016–2017 One source so far

What to check: Look for oil at the front of the V6, behind the timing cover.

The repair means taking the engine out.

$3,000 to $6,000, per FLEX Automotive

Sources ¹³
Automatic transmission shudder 2016–2017 One source so far

What to check: Feel for shudder and hunting between gears on the test drive.

Sources ¹³
Frame rust 2016–2017 One source so far

What to check: Look over the frame, and ask whether it was inspected, coated or replaced under Toyota's 2020 campaign.

The campaign covered trucks built up to June 2017, above all in states that salt their roads.

Sources ¹⁴
Rear differential leak or howl All years One source so far

What to check: Look for oil on the rear differential, and listen for a howl at highway speed.

Two members of a TacomaWorld thread on 3rd gen problems report rear differential trouble: one a leak, and the other a howl that a service bulletin did little for.

Sources ¹⁵

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

15V656000 2016
Wrong bolts on the driver's knee airbag may loosen.¹⁶
17V285000 2016–2017
The rear differential can leak oil where it joins the axle housing, and can seize.^16,17
17V356000 2016–2017
The crankshaft position sensor can malfunction and stall the engine.^16,17

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: 6-speed manual All years One source so far

Four members of a TacomaWorld thread on 3rd gen problems recommend a manual, and three of them name the 2017 6-speed manual 4x4.¹⁵
Avoid: 2016 and 2017 2016–2017 Less sought after One source so far

FLEX Automotive points to timing cover oil leaks, automatic shudder and recalls on the first two years.¹³

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.