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2016 Toyota Tundra

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.

Toyota Tundra
Pictured: 2022 Toyota Tundra Limited CrewMax Short Bed 4x4 with TRD Off-Road Package, front left, 11-01-2022. Photo: MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
Body styles
Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Platinum, Double Cab L/Box 4WD, Double Cab M/Box 2WD Sr5 4.6l, Double Cab M/Box 4WD Sr5 4.6l/Sr5 5.7/
Engines
4.6L 8-cyl, 5.7L 8-cyl
Horsepower
381 hp
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline, FFV
MPG (best)
17 combined · 15 city / 19 hwy
Length
226–244.9 in
Curb weight
4,916–5,633 lb
NHTSA rating
★★★★★
Recalls
5 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • AWD / 4WD available
  • Few owner complaints120 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 714 for similar models.

Watch out for

  • Higher rollover riskNHTSA estimates a 21.9% chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 6 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2016 Toyota Tundra is a standard pickup truck offered with 2 engines (4.6L 8-cyl and 5.7L 8-cyl) and rear-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive.

It measures about 226 inches long and 80 inches wide on a 146-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,633 lb (Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Platinum).

EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 19 highway), 9% worse than the 2016 standard pickup truck average of 18.7 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.

In NHTSA crash testing it earned a 4-star overall rating.

It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the service brakes.

What changed for 2016

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2015 Tundra — a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Tundra →

Trims, performance & features

Engine381 hp5.7L 8-cyl
DriveAWD/4WD

Trims

Platinum/1794TRD ProSR5/TRD Pro

Built in: San Antonio, Texas

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Tundra configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Platinum226 in79.9 in76 in145.7 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,633 lb58/42
Double Cab L/Box 4WD244.9 in79.9 in76.4 in164.6 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,600 lb58/42
Double Cab M/Box 2WD Sr5 4.6l226 in79.9 in76 in145.7 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,093 lb58/42
Double Cab M/Box 4WD Sr5 4.6l/Sr5 5.7/226 in79.9 in76.4 in145.7 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,401 lb58/42
Reg Cab L/Box 2WD226 in79.9 in76.4 in145.7 in68.1 / 68.1 in4,916 lb58/42
Reg Cab L/Box 4WD226 in79.9 in76 in145.7 in68.1 / 68.1 in5,203 lb58/42

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tundra 2WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive15 / 19 / 17-9%$3,950536
Tundra 4WD4.6L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 16-9%$4,200568
Tundra 2WD FFV FFV5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-20%$4,450591
Tundra 2WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Rear-Wheel Drive13 / 18 / 15-20%$4,450598
Tundra 4WD FFV FFV5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-14%$4,450606
Tundra 4WD5.7L 8-cylAutomatic (S6)Part-time 4-Wheel Drive13 / 17 / 15-14%$4,450604
3/10EPA fuel economy score (best version)
3/10EPA greenhouse gas score
Spend $7,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
18.7 MPG2016 Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

VersionOverallFrontalDriver / passengerSideSide poleRolloverRollover risk
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.9%
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.8%
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/RC 2WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.9%
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/RC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.8%
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/EC 4WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★19.8%
2016 Toyota Tundra PU/EC 2WD★★★★★★★★★★4★ / 4★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★21.9%
StandardElectronic stability control
Not availableForward collision warning
Not availableLane departure warning
Frontal crash test — 2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD
Frontal crash test — 2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD. Photo: NHTSA.
Side crash test — 2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD
Side crash test — 2016 Toyota Tundra PU/CC 2WD. Photo: NHTSA.

Similar 2016 standard pickup trucks

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2016 Toyota Tundra (this car)17 MPG★★★★★5
2016 Chevrolet Silverado20 MPG★★★★★15
2016 Chevrolet Colorado25 MPG★★★★★4
2016 GMC Canyon25 MPG★★★★★4
2016 Ram 150024 MPG★★★★★16
2016 GMC Sierra20 MPGNot rated13
2016 Roush Performance F15013 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (5)

Steering › Hydraulic Power Assist System · Nov 23, 2021

NHTSA campaign 21V920000 · 22,462 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
An oil leak may cause a sudden loss of power steering assist, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Air Bags › Knee Bolster · Jun 29, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V416000 · 5 vehicles

Problem
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.
Wheels › Lugs/Nuts/Bolts/Studs · May 11, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V311000 · 1,325 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
Lugnuts that crack and detach may cause the wheels to separate from the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Structure › Body › Bumpers · Jan 24, 2017

NHTSA campaign 17V051000 · 72,847 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Jun 9, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V420000 · 4,253 vehicles

Problem
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."
Risk
An incorrect label may lead an owner to overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2016 Toyota Tundra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

120Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
2Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
3Injuries reported
15,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Service Brakes34
Electrical System24
Structure › Body17
Exterior Lighting15
Unknown Or Other15
Steering7
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Engine6
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
21/02: 121/03: 121/05: 121/07: 121/12: 122/02: 122/08: 123/02: 223/06: 123/07: 123/08: 123/09: 224/06: 124/11: 225/02: 225/03: 125/05: 225/12: 126/02: 126/04: 126/05: 126/06: 126/07: 126/09: 121/0221/0722/0823/0724/0625/0326/0226/06max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2016 Toyota Tundra buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Service Brakes — 34 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  3. Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
  4. Structure › Body — 17 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 15,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2016 Toyota Tundra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Tundra years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 Tundra22245.7 inNot rated237
2025 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★5142
2024 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★10354
2023 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13414
2022 Tundra22245.7 in★★★★★13434
2021 Tundra15226 in★★★★★224
2020 Tundra15226 in★★★★★447
2019 Tundra16226 in★★★★★974
2018 Tundra16226 in★★★★★8100
2017 Tundra16226 in★★★★★578
2015 Tundra17226 in★★★★★451
2014 Tundra17226 in★★★★★478

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →