NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
This page covers 6 recalls, 116 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 Toyota Tundra.
15–16 mpg combined
14.7–15.7 L/100km
Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
Brake and structural complaints dominate the 2016 Tundra owner reports. On the brake side, owners describe reduced stopping performance, brake fade, and pedal feel changes, some reporting the issues appeared without warning during normal driving. Structural complaints center heavily on frame rust and corrosion, with owners describing significant deterioration, particularly on the underside of the truck. The electrical system draws a notable cluster of reports as well, with owners citing power steering loss, sometimes sudden and without any prior warning light, making steering noticeably heavy or erratic. A smaller number of owners report headlamp assemblies collecting moisture, which can reduce light output over time. Fuel system complaints appear in a handful of reports, typically describing stalling at low speeds accompanied by a check engine light, with fuel pump failure cited as the diagnosed cause.
116
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Toyota Tundra has 6 recalls, the most serious involving accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota dealers where the lug nuts can crack and detach, allowing a wheel to separate from the vehicle while driving.
The passenger knee airbag was secured to the instrument panel mounting brackets with incorrect bolts on certain vehicles, and over time those bolts can allow the airbag module to loosen and shift out of position, reducing its ability to protect the occupant's legs in a crash. On the steering side, the hydraulic power steering gear assembly can develop an oil leak that causes a sudden loss of power steering assist, making the wheel significantly harder to turn, particularly at low speeds or during parking. Two recalls address the same structural concern on trucks equipped with a plastic rear step bumper: if the bumper has taken a rear impact, its internal resin reinforcement brackets can crack without any visible sign of damage, and a person stepping on that corner can cause a section of the bumper to break away and send them falling to the ground. Vehicles with chrome step bumpers are not affected by this issue. Rounding out the list, certain vehicles accessorized by Southeast Toyota dealers may carry an incorrect load carrying capacity label that does not account for the added weight of installed accessories, which can lead an owner to unknowingly overload the truck.
At a glance
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 6 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What can fail
The power steering gear assembly may have been made incorrectly, causing oil to leak from it.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the power steering gear assembly and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The passenger knee air bag module is attached to the instrument panel with incorrect bolts, which could cause it to malfunction during a crash.
What the fix does
Incorrect knee air bag mounting bolts are inspected and replaced with correct bolts at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The Rockstar wheels installed on these vehicles may have lugnuts that crack and detach.
What the fix does
Dealers will install new replacement lugnuts at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The resin reinforcement brackets on the rear step bumper can crack or break when the bumper corner is hit, but the damage may not be visible to the owner.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the resin reinforcement brackets with steel ones and install a new rear bumper tread at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The plastic rear step bumper's resin reinforcement brackets can crack after a rear impact. Using damaged brackets risks the bumper breaking and causing someone to fall.
What the fix does
Dealers replace the resin brackets with steel brackets and install new rear bumper tread covers.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The weight capacity label may show incorrect added weight from installed accessories, causing the vehicle to not meet federal tire and rim safety standards.
What the fix does
A corrected label will be provided and placed over the inaccurate one at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
