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

- 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
- Not rated
- 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
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
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.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
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
Trims
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
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crew Max S/Box 4WD Sr5/Platinum | 226 in | 79.9 in | 76 in | 145.7 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 5,633 lb | 58/42 |
| Double Cab L/Box 4WD | 244.9 in | 79.9 in | 76.4 in | 164.6 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 5,600 lb | 58/42 |
| Double Cab M/Box 2WD Sr5 4.6l | 226 in | 79.9 in | 76 in | 145.7 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 5,093 lb | 58/42 |
| Double Cab M/Box 4WD Sr5 4.6l/Sr5 5.7/ | 226 in | 79.9 in | 76.4 in | 145.7 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 5,401 lb | 58/42 |
| Reg Cab L/Box 2WD | 226 in | 79.9 in | 76.4 in | 145.7 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 4,916 lb | 58/42 |
| Reg Cab L/Box 4WD | 226 in | 79.9 in | 76 in | 145.7 in | 68.1 / 68.1 in | 5,203 lb | 58/42 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tundra 2WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | -9% | $3,950 | 536 |
| Tundra 4WD | 4.6L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | -9% | $4,200 | 568 |
| Tundra 2WD FFV FFV | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -20% | $4,450 | 591 |
| Tundra 2WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Rear-Wheel Drive | 13 / 18 / 15 | -20% | $4,450 | 598 |
| Tundra 4WD FFV FFV | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -14% | $4,450 | 606 |
| Tundra 4WD | 5.7L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | -14% | $4,450 | 604 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Toyota Tundra.
Similar 2016 standard pickup trucks
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Tundra (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Silverado | 20 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2016 Chevrolet Colorado | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 GMC Canyon | 25 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2016 Ram 1500 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 16 |
| 2016 GMC Sierra | 20 MPG | Not rated | 13 |
| 2016 Roush Performance F150 | 13 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2016 Toyota Tundra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Toyota Tundra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Service Brakes — 34 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 24 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Structure › Body — 17 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 15,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tundra | 22 | 245.7 in | Not rated | 2 | 37 |
| 2025 Tundra | 22 | 245.7 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 142 |
| 2024 Tundra | 22 | 245.7 in | ★★★★★ | 10 | 353 |
| 2023 Tundra | 22 | 245.7 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 414 |
| 2022 Tundra | 22 | 245.7 in | ★★★★★ | 13 | 434 |
| 2021 Tundra | 15 | 226 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 24 |
| 2020 Tundra | 15 | 226 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 47 |
| 2019 Tundra | 16 | 226 in | ★★★★★ | 9 | 74 |
| 2018 Tundra | 16 | 226 in | ★★★★★ | 8 | 100 |
| 2017 Tundra | 16 | 226 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 78 |
| 2015 Tundra | 17 | 226 in | Not rated | 4 | 51 |
| 2014 Tundra | 17 | 226 in | Not rated | 4 | 78 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →