2016 Toyota Tundra Safety Report
2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2016 Toyota Tundra. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (6) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | High (115) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 2 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Service Brakes | Compare service brakes issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Toyota Tundra with 23 complaints and 3 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2018 | Check the 2018 Toyota Tundra before buying across this generation. |
Toyota Tundra Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Tundra years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Toyota Tundra | 76 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Toyota Tundra | 44 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2018 Toyota Tundra | 95 | 9 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2019 Toyota Tundra | 70 | 10 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Toyota Tundra | 42 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Toyota Tundra | 23 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2016 Toyota Tundra Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2016 Toyota Tundra, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Service Brakes
23 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Toyota onlyStructure
16 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Structure issues Toyota onlyElectrical System
12 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Toyota onlyExterior Lighting
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Toyota onlySteering
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Steering issues Toyota onlyElectrical System,Exterior Lighting
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Exterior Lighting issues Toyota onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
Reliability Score
The 2016 Toyota Tundra receives a reliability score of 55 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Toyota Tundra:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System Hydraulic power assist systems have failed, leading to steering difficulties. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag: Knee Bolster Knee bolster airbags have malfunctioned, posing a risk to passengers. |
Low | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Wheels: Lug Nuts Lug nuts have come loose, potentially causing a loss of control. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Structure: Bumpers Bumpers have structural issues, compromising safety in collisions. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Toyota Tundra:
Steering issues, particularly with hydraulic power assist systems, are common.
Airbag malfunctions, especially knee bolsters, have been reported.
Lug nuts have come loose, leading to potential accidents.
Bumpers have structural issues, compromising safety in collisions.
Recall Details for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
The following 6 recalls have been issued for the 2016 Toyota Tundra by NHTSA:
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2008-2022 Sequoia and 2007-2021 Tundra vehicles. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on January 21, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 21TB10 and 21TA10.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain JTEKT power steering gear assembly service parts for 2007-2021 Tundra and 2008-2022 Sequoia, part numbers 44250-0C160, 44250-0C131, 44250-0C170, and 11250-0C121. The power steering gear assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in an oil leak.
Consequence: An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the power steering gear assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on February 17, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TH01.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Tundra vehicles. The affected vehicles have a passenger knee air bag module that was attached to the instrument panel mounting brackets with incorrect bolts.
Consequence: The incorrect bolts may cause the air bag module to loosen over time, affecting the performance of the knee airbag, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: All of the affected vehicles have been inspected and any incorrect knee air bag mounting bolts have been replaced, free of charge. The recall began on June 22, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0K.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2013-2017 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia vehicles accessorized with Southeast Toyota accessory 20-inch Rockstar wheels installed by Southeast Toyota or a Southeast Toyota dealer. The Rockstar wheels were installed with lugnuts that may crack and detach.
Consequence: Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will install new replacement lugnuts, free of charge. The recall began June 23, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET17A.
Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tundra vehicles equipped with a resin rear step bumper and resin reinforcement brackets (vehicles with chrome step bumpers are not affected). In the event of an impact to the corner of the bumper, the resin bracket may be damaged but not be noticed.
Consequence: If a person steps on the corner of the bumper that is damaged, a portion of the bumper may break away, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the resin rear bumper reinforcement brackets with steel ones, and replace the rear bumper tread, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0C.
Summary: Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Camry and Highlander, 2015-2016 Toyota Tundra, Scion FR-S, and tC vehicles. The Load Carrying Capacity Modification Label may not reflect the correct added weight of the installed accessories. As a result, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
Consequence: An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: SET will notify owners, and provide a corrected label for placement over the inaccurate label, free of charge. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2016 Toyota Tundra with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes.
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 tr...
The power steering went out during routine around-town driving. One moment it was steering fine, the next moment it became extremely difficult and sluggish. There were no warning lights or warning of any sort until the steering wheel started jerking unevenly as I tried to turn. I was able to get control of the vehicle and pull it to the side of the road. There was no difference in the engine nois...
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.
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 servi...
I have had multiple incidents where the front hood bulge has blown off going down the interstate and nearly hit other cars. It’s not been worth buying a new one with the risk of them flying off. It’s definitely a saftey concern and a hazard.
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.
The frame of the truck is extremely rusted. I am unsure if it can be fixed. It is available for inspection. This 2016 Tundra has 71,000 miles and is used as a third car. It has been serviced at the same dealership (Northshore Toyota, Covington, LA) and we were never informed of the damage by the dealership. My safety is at risk because the extensive rust could cause the frame to fail. Pre...
Problem Parts?? At around 70,000 miles I was told that there was an engine oil leak ... camshaft area... and the engine needs to pulled out with a repair cost of about $5,000 dollars. (Reseal both cam towers, replace gaskets, etc.) A bit ridiculous. Is there now a possible engine fire risk? At 70,000 miles there was obviously a manufacturing mistake or a defective part used during assembly.
Peeling paint. White paint is separating from primer on hood, and adjacent to windshield on a pillars and the leading edge if the roof.
1)Over 60 MPH with new tires the vehicle pulses & shakes on front end, checked alignment everything OK per Mechanic. Just started to occur 2)Bluetooth when on iPhone will at any time cut out guaranteed to occur when using at any time been occurring for 2 + years. 3)Trailer brake warning light (Idiot light) comes on dashboard does not recommend trailering due to electrical issue. occurring for 2+ y...
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle ran off the road during a thunderstorm, causing the driver's and passenger's side curtain air bags to deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who informed the contact that the headliner needed to be replaced; however, the part to complete the repair was not available. The manufact...
Seat heater stopped working. Turns out there is a burnt connector leading to part number 87501-0C020, which appears to be a seat heater amp. One pin of the connector is completely melted. I've purchased this truck brand new from Toyota. Nobody has ever touched this part. Scared that it could have caught fire.
I was stopped at a turn light to merge left onto freeway and the truck steering went out when trying to turn, it led me into oncoming traffic that was just coming to a stop light, I was able to crank my wheel with all my strength to get to the side of the uphill freeway merge ramp. There were no warning signs. It was so scary and thank goodness I hadn't merged onto the freeway. The component th...
The integrated brake controller does not apply enough power to the trailer brakes.
Gas tank no longer fills completely in a single squeeze. Each squeeze of the pump only fills up maybe a .25 gallon at a squeeze if I am lucky, but typically less. This results in a complete fill up taking close to a half hour. There are numerous posts on forums such as https://www.tundras.com/threads/gas-filling-problem.38449/, https://www.tundras.com/threads/gas-tank-roll-over-valve-stuck-caus...
Fuel gauge provides false inaccurate reading, resulting in stranded situation when fuel runs out. Toyota is aware is issue and has only issued a TSB for limited years when the problem is more wide spread. My daughter has been stranded several times.
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated that the oil change warning light was illuminated. The contact changed the oil however, after changing the oil, the vehicle would not shift into the intended gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. Th...
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tundra. The contact stated while doing a routine check that it was discovered that the power steering assembly was leaking. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic, and he stated that the power steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and the manufacturer were contacted, and they stated that the VIN was not includ...
Bought a used 2016 Tundra, unaware of the massive problem they have with their intergrated brake controller, i feel they need to do something about this or reimburse the buyer for buying a aftermarket one to replace the factory unit. Its a very unsafe problem when pulling a trailer, I love the truck otherwise but this issue needs fixed.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer - Front and rear wheel bearings. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer - wheels could have locked up while driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer - Yes. Milton Martin Toyota in Oakwood, GA has confirme...
Showing 20 of 115 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
NHTSA Defect Investigations for the 2016 Toyota Tundra
NHTSA defect investigations are higher-signal than ordinary complaints because they indicate the agency opened a formal review of a potential safety defect. Some investigations later connect to recall campaigns; others close without a recall after review.
Component: Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module
Opened 2019-04-19 · Closed 2024-09-19
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened this investigation to determine if the failure of airbags to deploy during severe crashes, in certain vehicles, was the result of a safety related defect. During the investigation a complex failure was studied that can result in non-deployment of subject vehicle air bags and other restraint system devices in severe crash events. The subject vehicles may be equipped with an airbag control unit (ACU) for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) Elec...
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Toyota Tundra
Has the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA been recalled?
Yes, the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 6 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
The 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 115 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 3 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA involve service brakes (23 complaints), structure (16 complaints), electrical system (12 complaints). Other affected components include exterior lighting, steering, electrical system,exterior lighting.
How many crash reports does the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA out of 115 total complaints (1.7% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA have?
There are no fire reports for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA.
How many injuries are reported for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
3 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA is acceptable with caveats. It has 115 complaints, 6 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The components with the most failures on the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA are: 1. SERVICE BRAKES (23 complaints), 2. STRUCTURE (16 complaints), 3. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12 complaints), 4. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (9 complaints), 5. STEERING (5 complaints). SERVICE BRAKES is the single most-reported problem area with 23 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Be cautious of steering and airbag issues. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial. The 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA has 115 NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
The 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA receives a reliability score of 55/100, indicating average reliability. This is based on 115 owner complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System and Air Bag: Knee Bolster.
What are the known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA?
Known issues with the 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA include: Steering: Hydraulic Power Assist System, Air Bag: Knee Bolster, Wheels: Lug Nuts, Structure: Bumpers. These are based on patterns found across 115 NHTSA complaints. 6 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Are there any known steering issues with the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
Yes, hydraulic power assist systems have failed, leading to steering difficulties.
What are the common airbag issues with the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
Knee bolster airbags have malfunctioned, posing a risk to passengers.
Are there any structural issues with the 2016 Toyota Tundra?
Bumpers have structural issues, compromising safety in collisions.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of steering and airbag issues. Regular inspections and maintenance are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Toyota Tundra
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Toyota Tundra. The data includes 115 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 6 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2016 Toyota Tundra an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16