Is the 2016 Toyota TUNDRA reliable?

The 2016 Toyota TUNDRA has 154 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Toyota TUNDRA?

Top problems: BRAKES (34 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (26 complaints, avg repair $500); BODY/STRUCTURE (21 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Toyota TUNDRA?

Yes, there are 6 recall(s): AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER, STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS, WHEELS:LUGS/NUTS/BOLTS/STUDS, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM. Contact any Toyota dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Toyota TUNDRA?

The 2016 Toyota TUNDRA gets 16 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $3000. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Toyota TUNDRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Toyota TUNDRA is approximately $1,449/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Toyota TUNDRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Toyota TUNDRA has 154 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 154. The most common issue is brakes problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: while driving back from florida on 30 nov, i heard a humming noise coming from the rear of my toyota tundra. on 2 dec 2015, the dealership did service on the truck to address the noise. the dealership replaced the rear differential assembly and did something to the lsd. i picked the vehicle u. There are 6 recalls issued for this model year.

2 crash reports 3 injuries

154

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

4/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

34 complaints

22%

• WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM FLORIDA ON 30 NOV, I HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. ON 2 DEC 2015, THE DEALERSHIP DID SERVICE ON THE TRUCK TO ADDRESS THE NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AND DID SOMETHING TO THE LSD. I PICKED THE VEHICLE U
• THE DRIVETRAIN ON MY 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA ARE NOT ALLOWING THE WHEELS TO ROTATE FREELY. ADDITIONALLY, THE WHEELS ARE LOCKING UP ON THE TRUCK. ON 6 DEC, I PICKED UP MY TUNDRA FROM THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE DEPART AFTER HAVING THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE STARTED TO DRIVE SLUGGISH. AS
• I'M MAKING THIS REPORT DUE TO THE LAME INTEGRATED BRAKE CONTROLLER (IBC) IN MY 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. I'VE BEEN TOWING A CAMPER FOR THE PAST 13 YEARS AND I KNOW HOW TO SET UP A BRAKE CONTROLLER (BC) AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I KNOW WHEN THEY ARE WORKING OR NOT. WITH THE IBC, WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDA

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM FLORIDA ON 30 NOV, I HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. ON 2 DEC 2015, THE DEALERSHIP DID SERVICE ON THE TRUCK TO ADDRESS THE NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AND DID SOMETHING TO THE LSD. I PICKED THE VEHICLE U”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Toyota TUNDRA

Based on 109 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 14K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 26 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 8K mi · 21 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

LIGHTING

In line with typicalmedian 31K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 16K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (6)

AIR BAGS:KNEE BOLSTER29/06/2017

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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Toyota TUNDRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$3,001

Per month

$250

Per mile

25.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,693/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,527/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Toyota TUNDRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,449

Full coverage / month

$121

Liability only / year

$598

vs US avg

-13%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.98x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1449

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Toyota TUNDRA Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

30 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

120K mi

Cabin air filter

30K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

0W-20 synthetic oil recommended. ToyotaCare covers first 2 years / 25K miles of scheduled maintenance for new vehicles. Hybrid battery: 10 yr / 150K miles warranty.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Toyota New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 150K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

2 yr / 25K mi

Hybrid battery is 10yr/150K miles for 2020+ hybrids. ToyotaCare (2yr/25K miles complimentary maintenance) is included.

These are the terms for a new Toyota. If you're buying a used 2016 TUNDRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Toyota dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

LIGHTING(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 154 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: WHILE DRIVING BACK FROM FLORIDA ON 30 NOV, I HEARD A HUMMING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY TOYOTA TUNDRA. ON 2 DEC 2015, THE DEALERSHIP DID SERVICE ON THE TRUCK TO ADDRESS THE NOISE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY AND DID SOMETHING TO THE LSD. I PICKED THE VEHICLE U
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH RESULTED IN LITTLE TO NO ASSISTANCE FROM THE TRAILER BRAKES EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRAILER BRAKE WAS ONLY OPERABLE ONCE THE VEHIC
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: 2016 TOYOTA TUNDRA , PURCHASED BRAND NEW , AFTER 3000 MILES TRUCK START LEANING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE. I EXPRESSED ISSUE TO THE DEALER, TECHNICIAN TOOK FOR A DRIVE TEST AND NOTICED THE SAME ISSUE , I DROPPED MY VEHICLE WITH DEALER FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND NOTHING WAS DONE TO IT DUE TO THERE IS
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
LIGHTING: BOUGHT NEW 2016 TUNDRA LIMITED 11/16/2015 AND NOTICED THAT DASH LIGHTS DO NOT COME ON DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS UNLESS PARKING LIGHTS OR HEADLIGHTS ARE ON. IN THE OFF/DRL POSITION OR THE AUTO POSITION NO DASH LIGHTS. WHEN I CALLED TOYOTA HELP LINE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CHANGE WAS MADE BECAUSE IF THE DRIV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 6 recalls have been completed — free at any Toyota dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)