2016 Toyota Tundra Problems

What owners report

Complaints on this model year cluster into two clear groups. The larger group is about the factory integrated trailer brake controller, which owners say applies little or no power to electric trailer brakes through the brake pedal even at maximum gain; most of these arrive at very low mileage, often on the first towing trip. The other recurring theme is a lighting glitch on Platinum and 1794 trims with automatic headlights, where the headlights, taillights and dash lights cut out for a moment when the turn signal is used, typically at night and in cold weather. Rear resin step bumper separation, rear wheel/axle bearing noise, and power steering rack seepage also appear in the sample.

1. 1
   Brakes

   Trailer brake controller applies weak/no trailer braking

   • 37 complaints (31%)
   • median 4,000 mi at 1.0 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2016–2025

   Owners of trucks with the factory integrated trailer brake controller report that pressing the brake pedal produces little or no braking at the trailer, even with gain set to 10. Many note that the manual override slider will engage the trailer brakes but the foot pedal will not, and some mention an error message about trailer wiring type or connection fault that clears after restarting the truck. Complaints describe dealers either unable to duplicate the concern, calling it normal operation, or replacing the controller without resolving it. Mostly reported within the first few thousand miles, often on the first towing trip with an electric-brake trailer.

   What to check: If you plan to tow, hook up a trailer with electric brakes and confirm the trailer brakes engage from the foot pedal across the gain range, not just from the manual slider. Ask whether the controller has been replaced or reprogrammed and keep the results in writing.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Truck is rated to tow 9100lbs, and includes an integrated trailer brake controller for use with electric trailer brakes (which is new for 2016 Tundra's). The first time I hooked the truck up to the trailer, I set up the trailer brakes using the owners manual. After pulling out onto the street I immediately noticed that when I pressed the brakes the trailer brakes failed to engage. My trailer weighs nearly 8000lbs. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10883110, filed 2016-07, 600 miles

   “Have had braking issues with integrated brake controller, no matter what power level I use there seems to be very little if no effect on the trailer braking. I can switch the integrated brake controller to electric over hydraulic and they apply the brakes and they grab immediately, it seems that the integrated brake controller in electric brake mode does not produce enough electrical power to activate the trailer brakes.”

   NHTSA complaint #10985431, filed 2017-05, 21,500 miles
2. 2
   Exterior lighting

   Headlights and dash lights cut out with turn signal

   • 12 complaints (10%)
   • median 32,500 mi at 4.2 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2017–2021

   Owners of Platinum and 1794 trims with the headlight switch in auto describe the headlights, taillights and instrument lighting briefly going dark when the turn signal is activated, then coming back once the signal cancels. Several say the dealer could not reproduce the condition and sent the truck back without repair; others say they can only get the lights back by switching from auto to on. Owners report the behavior is intermittent. Reported from a few thousand to about 75,000 miles, mostly at night and often in cold weather.

   What to check: At night, put the headlight switch in auto, turn the truck on, and cycle the turn signal several times while watching the headlights and dash. Ask the seller whether the concern was ever reported and what the dealer found.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While driving at night, the activation of turn signal intermittently shuts off headlights. To re-energize headlights I have to manually switch the headlight switch from auto to on. This is very disturbing and dangerous while driving at night in rural areas. I am hoping someone addresses this with Toyota, since if they can't replicate the issue they send you home!”

   NHTSA complaint #11306597, filed 2020-02, 32,000 miles

   “The headlights and interior dash lights randomly turn off when using the blinker. I have owned this truck for 3 months now and it has happened on four different occasions. I cannot replicate this issue on my own.”

   NHTSA complaint #11311602, filed 2020-02, 30,000 miles
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Rear step bumper separates at the corners

   • 9 complaints (8%)
   • median 16,000 mi at 1.8 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2017–2019

   Complaints describe the resin rear step bumper or its corner reinforcement cracking, sagging or detaching when someone steps on it, sometimes with reported leg or shin injuries. Owners say dealers identified the bumper as covered under a campaign but did not always have parts, and some say the repair was refused after a prior impact. Recall 17V051000 covers resin rear step bumpers and reinforcement brackets on certain 2016-2017 Tundras. Mostly reported between about 3,000 and 22,000 miles, usually while parked and stepping onto the bumper.

   Recall 17V051000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 17V051000 was completed and look for cracks, loose brackets or gaps at both rear bumper corners. Step on the bumper pads gently and check whether the cover flexes or lifts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While backing up, I tapped a pole sticking out of the ground and dent my plastic bumper. I took the vehicle into a body shop where they had to order the bumper and assembly. Several days later while driving down the street, the right rear portion of the bumper fell off. What held it in place was the electrical for the backup sensor. I ended up using tape to hold the bumper to the pickup and went back to the body shop the next day.as the parts had come in. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11030013, filed 2017-09, 6,491 miles

   “I purchased a brand new Toyota truck. I step on the rear bumper when the truck was stationary and nearly broke my leg, I noticed that the rear bumper appeared to have been already broken. When I took the new Toyota truck to the parker Toyota coeur d'alene idaho dealership they said that the rear bumper was under recall. A ...equipped with resin rear step bumpers and resin reinforcement brackets at each corner. Yet they did not have the parts. This I had to drive around with this cracked bumper. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11022304, filed 2017-09, 500 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Rear wheel/axle bearing noise

   • 5 complaints (4%)
   • median 36,200 mi at 3.3 yrs old (4 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2015–2021

   Owners report a loud droning or humming noise from the rear at highway speeds, sometimes with a squeal at lower speeds, and describe the rear wheel or axle bearings as the source. Some say the dealer parts staff told them the bearings fail often on these trucks; others had the rear differential assembly replaced. The sample complaints note the noise may worsen when curving. Reported between roughly 17,000 and 77,000 miles.

   What to check: Drive at highway speed and listen for a steady hum or drone from the rear, and note whether it changes when steering gently left or right. Ask whether wheel or axle bearings, or the rear differential, have been serviced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 up on 6 december 2015, the rear wheels started locking up and made it difficult to drive the vehicle. I let the vehicle set over the weekend. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10808857, filed 2015-12, 3,000 miles

   “Rear wheel bearings failed (but still functional) at 17000 miles. Wheels still rotate but there is a very loud droning noise at highway speeds with a slight squeal at lower speeds. Non-Toyota mechanics have expressed concerns about driving the vehicle as bearings can fail altogether and seize the wheels.”

   NHTSA complaint #11338408, filed 2020-07, 17,400 miles

Buying note. Check the towing hardware and the rear bumper first, since those two account for most of the complaints on this model year, and confirm the relevant campaigns were completed for the VIN. A highway test drive listening for rear-end bearing noise and a look under the front end for steering fluid are the other worthwhile checks.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.