Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Toyota Tundra problems

Owners filed 120 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Tundra with NHTSA between Dec 2015 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is service brakes (34).

Complaints
120
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
3
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Service brakes34
  2. Electrical system26
  3. Structure21
  4. Exterior lighting15
  5. Steering7
  6. Engine6
  7. Fuel/propulsion system6
  8. Power train5
  9. Vehicle speed control4
  10. Wheels4
  11. Air bags4
  12. Suspension3
  13. Fuel system, gasoline2
  14. Tires2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20154
201628
201726
201810
201911
202012
20215
20222
20237
20243
20256
20266

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Service brakes

34 reports1 crash
“The trailer brake controller went out. It does not supply electronic braking and the truck no longer recognizes the controller on the dashboard. Multiple on line chats and forums, along with my trailer provider, show awareness of this defect. Online individuals learned of the issue during emergency stopping. This appears to be known and wide spread.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 20, 2025Service brakesODI 11643867

Electrical system

26 reports1 crash
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while going through prior service paperwork found in the vehicle, he discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. The contact also stated that the vehicle was once sold at a private auction. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 158,000; however, upon discovery of the service paperwork, the contact discovered that the vehicle mileage was once 250,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 7, 2025Electrical systemODI 11659434

Structure

21 reports1 related recall
“Bed is rusting out from the bottom in a fashion that looks very similar to a previous Tundra bed rusting issue that had a TSB and remedy from Toyota. On the driver's side bed bolt closest to the cab, the sheet metal tack welded to the bed has separated and is rusting out. Approximately 7 inches to the drivers side from that bolt. The seam sealer is also cracking. Additionally, the drivers side bed bolt closes to the tailgate has rust bubbling up from underneath approximately 1 inch to the passenger side from the bolt and also along where that sheet metal is tack welded onto the bed.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 14, 2026StructureODI 11744041

Exterior lighting

15 reports
“My right front headlamp is getting moisture inside the headlamp assembly. It can be inspected any time. Chance that headlamp will not work. Did not take to a dealer.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 24, 2025Exterior lightingODI 11662959

Steering

7 reports2 related recalls
“The steering rack internal seal inside the steering rack failed/ "blew" per mechanic and is leaking. I could lose my ability to steer at any time while driving my vehicle and wreck. It is currently at the Toyota services center in Gladstone, OR and has been diagnosed. No other representatives have inspected the vehicle. There were no warnings or signs of failure. I had originally taken my truck in to have an oil change and have it checked for a "slow" start up.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 19, 2026SteeringODI 11719220

Engine

6 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the vehicle hesitated and shuddered. While driving approximately 65-70 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was an unknown warning light was displayed after the failure. There was an abnormal fuel odor before and after the failure. The vehicle stalled and failed to restart and was towed. A service repair had been scheduled. Upon research the contact associated the failure with TSB: 0166-19. The failure mileage was approximately 77,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 25, 2026Fuel system, gasoline, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11766932
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.