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7.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
300 miles
Total Complaints:
8 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (8 reports)
2016 Toyota Tacoma engine problems

engine problem

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2016 Toyota Tacoma Owner Comments

problem #8

Jul 132016

Tacoma TRD Offroad V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 350 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Brand new TRD Offroad. I have read many others with the same vibration at 2,000 RPMS-2,300 RPMS causing a hand numbing vibration in the steering wheel and the same vibration in the floor, foot pearl and seat as well......I am sure they meant to design that in but it sucks on long trips

I have been lucky enough to have already replaced the rear leaf springs, rear drum brakes and all 4 tires. I also have the same brake pump annoyance in the brake pedal (Like a small motor vibrating) I also get a slight clunk before the brakes engage.

My alignment is already out and the transmission shifting is awful even after the latest computer upgrade.

I hate this truck and feel ripped off completely. I wish Subaru made trucks

- rrclassic, Brentwood, US

problem #7

Jan 042016

Tacoma Sport V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14 miles

This is a serious issue in a brand new truck. The gas pedal, steering wheel, and floorboard have a vibration (felt, not seen) at around 2000 rpm. It gets so bad that my feet and sometimes hands will go numb. I was hoping after 10,000 miles it would work itself out. Actually, it's getting worse. If Toyota does not come out with a fix for this, this will be my first and last Toyota ever. I've also had several other issues with the truck and have had it in the shop 3 times. This is ridiculous for a brand new truck. My Nissans and Dodges never had a problem and were never in the shop except for scheduled maintenance.

- John B., Cincinnati, OH, US

problem #6

Feb 012016

Tacoma V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles

I waited a year for the new 2016 Tacoma. This was the most expensive vehicle I ever purchased [$41,000]. Since this was my second Tacoma and 6th Toyota I felt comfortable spending the $41 K and I also tolerated the wait.

I had read about the numerous complaints concerning a “buzzy vibration in the gas pedal, floor boards and steering wheel” posted all over the Internet. I was a little concerned so when I actually received the truck I took a long test drive and the truck was smooth as glass, no vibrations present. I figured that this must have been a few GMC sales guys posting. Turns out, I was very wrong and all V6 engines either have the vibration at delivery or will develop it down the road. Biggest regret and worst vehicle I ever owned.

So where is the vibration coming from? Turns out, Toyota used cheap rubber engine mounts on this $41,000 truck. When the engine breaks in it settles and the vibration comes from the engine shifting between Atkinson and Otto cycles to save fuel. Ironically, Toyota took this engine from the Lexus which uses both electronic and hydraulic engine mounts. Save a few bucks and use rubber…

Do you self a favor and buy a truck with hydraulic engine mounts [they are out there] if you need a compact truck. I sold mine shortly thereafter.

- Mark C., Monument Beach, MA, US

problem #5

Apr 112016

Tacoma Off Road 3.5L V6

  • Manual transmission
  • 300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Gas pedal buzzes/vibrates on acceleration through most RPMS. During extended acceleration periods, vibration can cause numbness in the foot. Like others have said, it requires you to shift position, use cruise control, and shift gears to get out of the main vibration range. Toyota continues to receive complaints about this issue, but keeps denying that this is even a problem to begin with. I have never experienced this issue on any other car, no matter how old or beat up the vehicle was. This issue needs to be resolved ASAP! If you have the same issue, report it now and call Toyota Corporate to let them know that this is unacceptable.

- pennyak, Littleton, CO, US

problem #4

Feb 102016

Tacoma Limited 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 7 miles

This truck has a strong buzzing, metal on metal vibration when I accelerate through the 2,000-2,500 RPM range. I too can feel it strongly in the steering wheel and gas pedal. According to Toyota, the truck is operating under design specifications. You read that correctly: Toyota said they DESIGNED the truck to do that. They're "sorry I do not like it." Buyer beware.

- rmanuel, Denver, US

problem #3

Oct 082015

Tacoma TRD Sport 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles

My new 2016 Tacoma has a nasty, pronounced buzzing vibration in the steering wheel, gas pedal, and floorbed when accelerating through 2,000-2,500 RPMs. The buzzing vibration is best described as having your hands and foot on a powerful sanding machine. It is powerful enough to carry through to your skin and clothes. Now there are weaker buzzing vibrations in the steering wheel and gas pedal in other ranges from 1,000-2,000 RPMs. When you're driving through mountain or hilly terrain for long distances, the engine often works for long periods in the peak 2,000-2,500 range; the resonant vibration is so intense and uncomfortable that I find myself having to drive with two little fingers on the wheels, constantly rotating, and finding ways to put it in cruise control so I can get my foot off the gas pedal.

I have had my truck evaluated by the service department and Toyota corporate multiple times since October. They say it's "engine resonance." The last update I received from Toyota Corporate claimed that, "for now, this is a normal characteristic" of the truck because others they evaluated had the same issue, though they concede to a lesser extent than mine. So the corporate logic goes something like this: most trucks have the same "issue" to some degree; ergo, it is not a problem but rather "normal and characteristic"--a "feature," if you will. Imagine paying $38K+ for a cup of coffee that started leaking all over you the minute you walked out the door. You go back in to the coffee shop to point it out. The barista tries another cup that also leaks (maybe it's a better cup because it doesn't leak so bad). The barista then logically concludes "this other cup leaks so it's normal!" Leaky is the new normal! The bottom line: that a preponderance of trucks exhibit an issue does not make it "normal" and erase the fact that there may be a serious problem.

To make matters worse, I have test-drove many other 2016 Tacoma models that do not have a hint of this issue. I only found it on one of the many I test drove, and that one had it so minor no normal person would notice it. I'd be happy to have it at that level on my truck. So because this strong vibration is present on my truck and is a "normal characteristic," the non-vibrating trucks are "abnormal" and "uncharacteristic."

I had a 2014 Tacoma that never had anything close to this issue. It was awesome. I am disappointed by Toyota's carefully crafted and downplayed response to this issue so far and hope they do the right thing and fix this soon. For others considering the 2016 Tacoma, be sure to thoroughly test drive your truck before taking delivery. But also be forewarned that many others had it develop after a few hundred miles after driving it off the lot. Yet, you may get lucky and get one of those cups/trucks "that just don't leak."

- ottoman, Littleton, CO, US

problem #2

Nov 282015

Tacoma TRD 4x4 Sport 3.5L V66

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6 miles

Vibration in foot and wheel above 60 mph. Why can't a company like Toyota fix this sh*t. It's always the Tacoma, it's ridiculous. They guaranteed not a problem with the new design once out. Should have kept the Nissan Pro4x 2016. Nissan NEVER sees a shop unless to change oil.

- Kevin S., Belleville, IL, US

problem #1

Oct 162015

Tacoma Limited 4x4 3.5L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24 miles

So, this $40k truck has a very buzzy vibration in both the steering wheel and in the footwell/floorboard at 2100-2300RPM in any gear. This equates to many of the freeway speeds of 70 or high 70's that you travel in my area and I travelled 250 miles from Flagstaff, AZ to Las Vegas and my hands went to sleep from the steering wheel buzzy vibration. Really noticeable in the 5th or 6th speeds in the automatic transmission, which are both overdrives. Took it to the dealer and the master Tech said he noticed it in other trucks of the same model, too. Said the problem may just be 'normal' for this vehicle. Agreed that it was not acceptable and thought Toyota would have to either re-design the engine/trans mounts or provide some way to dampen this. Have tested it around town and found it to be in all gears. Dealer recommended that I call Toyota directly as there is nothing they can do. This is supposedly a completely 'redesigned' model with a new engine and tranny. Checking on various forums, it seems that many people with automatic transmissions and 4x2's of any trim and 4x4's of Limiteds and Sport models have this issue in one way or another and the only model that seems to not have it is the 4x4 Off-Road model. I wonder if this is because the Off-Road has a different transfer case with Crawl Control, which is not present on the other models???

This is completely UNACCEPTABLE in any new vehicle and I am hoping Toyota will address this soon. It sure takes the excitement of owning a new vehicle and throws it out the window. The truck is, overall, nice and fits my needs; however, I will not be able to keep it if the vibration can't be quelled. Trading it will lose me thousands of dollars. I've owned many Toyotas over the years (currently have this truck and an Avalon) and, if this is not fixed, I will NEVER buy another Toyota again.

- doobiewah, Flagstaff, AZ, US

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