FaultScore

2016 Toyota Tacoma headlight problems

18 of the 417 complaints about the 2016 Toyota Tacoma are about the lighting — 4% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 50,500 miles.

A

18

Complaints

0

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 15 83.3%
Headlights 1 5.6%
Brake Lights 1 5.6%
FOG Lights 1 5.6%

Lights across every Toyota Tacoma year

2007 10 4.9%
2008 15 7.3%
2009 105 51.0%
2010 26 12.6%
2011 32 15.5%
2016 18 8.7%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Durango, CO

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Just like with the other double cab Tacoma recalls I am hearing about, the third rear tail light is leaking water into my access cab. The interior smells like mildew. I’m not sure why my truck is not covered by the recall, but it is experiencing the exact same situation. Water leaking through the deteriorated seal of the break-light. I think with accompanying mold build up.

NHTSA complaint #11560544 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 143,749 miles Texarkana, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:FOG LIGHTS

The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the driver’s side fog light housing melted. There was an abnormal odor of smoke. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 143,749.

NHTSA complaint #11472885 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lakeland, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

We paid $638.42 to repair a leak issue which later became a recall. We we are now having difficulty getting Toyota to reimbursement that money.

NHTSA complaint #11454448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Vass, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AND REALIZED WHEN I WAS SOLD THE VEHICLE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF INDICATOR WAS ON BUT I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE A QUICK CONNECTION ERROR. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT IS VERY DIM AND DOES NOT ILLUMINATE WELL. I CONTACTED CROWN DODGE OF FAYETTEVILLE AND THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING. THIS WAS A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AFTER BECAUSE LIFE HAPPENS AND I WORK WITH THE MILITARY. I DON'T HAVE A REGULAR SCHEDULE. I DO HAVE A WARRANTY BUT I'M NOT USING MY WARRANTY TO COVER SOMETHING THEY SHOULD FIX. WHEN I CALLED TO TALK TO A SALES MANAGER NO ONE WOULD ANSWER IT RANG AND RANG. THE COMPUTER ON THE VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE AIR BAG SENSOR AT LEAST.

NHTSA complaint #11399140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles SAN Diego, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT BECOMES LOOSE ALLOWING WATER INTO THE TRUCK CAB. IT IS EITHER A RUBBER GASKET DEFECT OR IT WAS NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED IN NUMEROUS VENUES FOR THE 2016-2020 MODEL YEARS OF THE TOYOTA TACOMA. MINE LEAKS WHILE DRIVING OR STANDING STILL.

NHTSA complaint #11396904 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lexington, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

WHEN IT RAINS WATER COMES INSIDE THE CABIN AROUND BRAKE LIGHT AND SOAKS THE SEATS. I NOTICED THIS WHEN THE TRUCK IS STATIONARY. I THINK IT'S COMING AROUND THE BRAKE LIGHTS GASKET THE WHOLE BACK IF WET ON THE DRIVER SIDE LOOKS LIKE WATER IS COMING IN FROM THE BRAKE LIGHT AT THE TOP OF THE HEADLINER. I'VE ALSO SEEN OTHER VIEWS OR REPORTS ON THIS INCIDENT

NHTSA complaint #11390926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 80,000 miles South Portland, ME

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE CAB MOUNTED THIRD BRAKE LIGHT FIXTURE IS ALLOWING A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER TO LEAK INTO THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. THE SEATS AND CARPET ARE GETTING SOAKED EVERY TIME THERE IS HEAVY RAIN. EVENTUALLY THE LIGHT WILL FAIL AND MOLD AND MILDEW WILL RESULT. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. TOYOTA DOES NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT I THINK IS A DEFECTIVE GASKET IN THIS FIXTURE. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM TO TOYOTA.

NHTSA complaint #11386356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tyler, TX

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

INTERIOR LEAKING WHEN IT RAINS OR WHENEVER VEHICLE GETS WET. A HEALTH HAZARD, SAFETY CONCERN, AND POTENTIAL RISK TO PASSENGERS AS WELL. CAUSE OF PROBLEM IS DEFECTIVE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL. OF COURSE TOYOTA MAKE IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO EASILY REPLACE THE LIGHT OR SEAL AS YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE INTERIOR CEILING TO GET TO BOLTS. SAD I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW AND IT LEAKS WATER BUT SINCE WARRANTY JUST ENDED, THEY WILL NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT FIXING THIS ISSUE. IF A LAWSUIT RESULTS ABOUT OF THIS COUNT ME IN, HOPEFULLY A RECALL TAKES PLACE SOON BECAUSE DUCT TAPE CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH PLUS WHO WANTS TO DRIVE AROUND WITH DUCT TAPE ON THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11331351 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 68,495 miles NEW Plymouth, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS WERE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA OF LOGAN (297 E MAIN ST, LOGAN, OH 43138), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC RETRIEVED DTC CODES: C1380 AND C1422. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE STOP LIGHT RELAY MALFUNCTIONED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF HOW TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS DUE TO BE INSPECTED AND TREATED WITH AN ANTI-CORROSION INHIBITER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,495.

NHTSA complaint #11325256 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 29,800 miles Okatie, SC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2016 TOYOTA TACOMA PURCHASED FROM STOKES BROWN TOYOTA NEW. THE SEATBELT AIRBAG LIGHT FOR PASSENGER SIDE FRONT SEAT BLINKS CONTINUALLY EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND OFF.

NHTSA complaint #11325059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Spotsylvania, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3RD BRAKE LIGHT SEAL DEFECTIVE. RAIN WATER ENTERS BACK OF CABIN AND STAINS INTERIOR ROOF FROM DEFECTIVE SEAL AROUND 3RD BRAKE LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #11324011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,469 miles Daly City, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THIRD LIGHT LEAKS WATER DAMAGED WIRING/ DAMAGED CARPET / MILDEW PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #11291554 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 35,000 miles Mobile, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

POOR INTERIOR LIGHTING. BACK UP CAMERA DOES NOT DIM AT NIGHT MEANING IT BLINDS THE OPERATOR WHEN BACKING AT NIGHT. DASHBOARD LED DISPLAY IS SO POORLY DESIGNED THAT, UNDER MOST DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, OPERATOR CANNOT READ THE ODOMETER OR DETERMINE WHAT GEAR VEHICLE IS IN. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN VEHICLE IS USED IN THE MANUAL SHIFT MODE AS THERE IS NO OTHER WAY TO KNOW IF YOU'RE SHIFTING FROM 2D TO 3D OR 3D TO 4TH. IT ALSO MAKES IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO DETERMINE MILES TO NEXT INTERSTATE EXIT WHEN YOU CANNOT SEE YOUR ODOMETER. TRYING TO STARE AT THE DISPLAY TAKES EYES OFF THE ROAD FOR FAR TOO LONG. DASHBOARD LIGHTING IS SO POOR THAT OPERATOR CANNOT READ SPEEDOMETER UNDER MANY DAYTIME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY WEARING SUNGLASSES.

NHTSA complaint #11245173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Independence, KS

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

BACK SEATS AND FLOOR WERE FOUND TO BE WET. DIDN'T KNOW WHY UNTIL WE WERE DRIVING IN A RAINSTORM AND WATER CAME IN BACK WINDOW AROUND 3RD BREAK LIGHT. TOOK TO LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TO GET FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11220130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Lumberton, NC

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE WET EVERY TIME IT RAINS WITHOUT ANY WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LEAK WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE THIRD BRAKE LIGHT HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER PETERSON TOYOTA (4381 FAYETTEVILLE RD, LUMBERTON, NC 28358, (910)-375-4996) WAS CONTACTED AND A DIAGNOSED TESTING APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF THERE WAS WORK DONE TO THE VEHICLE BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH ANY REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA complaint #11143654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Delanson, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

3RD BRAKE LIGHT OVER TORQUED AT FACTORY RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE SEAL AND EVENTUALLY CRACKED LIGHT FIXTURE. THIS RESULTS NOT ONLY IN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT SERIOUS LEAKING INTO CABIN - AFFECTING REAR SEAT, ROOF, AND FLOORING. LEAK NOTICED AFTER RAIN STORMS AND NOTICING WET FLOOR/SEATS AND DAMP FLOORS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AFFECTING 3RD GENERATION TACOMAS ON TOYOTA FORUMS SUCH AS TACOMAWORLD.COM.

NHTSA complaint #11119971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 41,000 miles Delanson, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3RD BRAKE LIGHT OVER TORQUED AT FACTORY RESULTING IN DEFECTIVE SEAL AND EVENTUALLY CRACKED LIGHT FIXTURE. THIS RESULTS NOT ONLY IN ELECTRICAL ISSUE BUT SERIOUS LEAKING INTO CABIN - AFFECTING REAR SEAT, ROOF, AND FLOORING. LEAK NOTICED AFTER RAIN STORMS AND NOTICING WET FLOOR/SEATS AND DAMP FLOORS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS ISSUE AFFECTING 3RD GENERATION TACOMAS ON TOYOTA FORUMS SUCH AS TACOMAWORLD.COM.

NHTSA complaint #11119971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Huntington Beach, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

2016 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO HEADLIGHTS FAILURE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE NIGHT LIGHTING. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTING WAS ESPECIALLY POOR DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THE DEALER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING AS DESIGNED. THE CONSUMER FEELS THE STANDARDS FOR THE HEADLIGHTS SHOULD BE REVIEWED.

NHTSA complaint #10969155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2016 Toyota Tacoma problems

← Full 2016 Toyota Tacoma report