Know Your Truck

2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma common problems and fixes

Owners complain most about the automatic transmission hunting for gears, rear differential leaks on 2016–2017 trucks, fuel pump recalls that can cause stalling, and the third brake light leaking water into the cab.

What owners should know

Covers 2016–2023 · 3.5L V6, 2.7L four · Updated 2026-10-05

The third-generation Tacoma came with a 3.5L V6 (most trucks) or a 2.7L four, a 6-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, and stayed largely the same through 2023.

We counted 1,264 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2016–2023 Tacomas (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 1,114 from V6s and 104 from four-cylinders (identified by VIN; the other 46 couldn't be matched to an engine). We left out 2 whose VIN belongs to another vehicle. 2016 has the most (322). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • The automatic transmission hunts for gears, especially early trucks.
  • Rear differential leaks led to a recall of 2016–2017 trucks.
  • Fuel pump recalls on 2017–2020 trucks; stalling complaints peak on 2018–2019.
  • Third brake lights leak water into double cabs (24 complaints, plus Toyota's bulletin and a now-expired service campaign).

Transmission

About 160 complaints mention the transmission, shifting, downshifting or gear hunting. On TacomaWorld, owners describe it as a calibration issue when the truck otherwise shifts normally and shows no codes. Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0077-16 updated the software for 2016–2017 V6 automatics. Slipping, warning lights or stored codes mean something else needs checking.

Rear differential

About 75 complaints mention the rear differential, most of them (43) from 2016 trucks. Toyota recalled 2016–2017 trucks because oil could leak where the differential carrier mounts (17V285000).

Fuel pumps and stalling

About 170 complaints describe stalling, shutting off or loss of power, peaking on 2018–2019 trucks. Toyota's fuel pump recalls cover pumps that can fail and stall the engine on certain 2018–2019 (20V012000) and 2017–2020 (20V682000) trucks.

Recalls to check

  • Crankshaft position sensor on 2016–2017 V6 trucks that can stall the engine (17V356000)
  • Brake master cylinder machining on 2018–2019 trucks (18V888000)
  • Axle shaft separation on 2022–2023 trucks (24V152000)

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (13)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Transmission gear hunting

    Dealer job

    Signs: The automatic shifts up and down constantly on the highway or slight grades, and feels slow to downshift.

    Fix: If the transmission otherwise shifts smoothly, has no warning lights or stored codes, and the fluid is at the right level, the cause is often the factory shift calibration; Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0077-16 updates it on 2016–2017 V6 automatics. Slipping, harsh shifts, warning lights or codes point to a different problem, so have a dealer check before assuming it's only software.

  • Third brake light leaks water into the cab (double cab)

    Easy DIY

    Signs: Water dripping from the headliner at the back of the cab, wet rear seats or a musty smell.

    Fix: Toyota's bulletin T-SB-0055-18 replaces the LED high-mount stop lamp on 2016–2018 Double Cabs, and its Limited Service Campaign 21TD03 resealed it on certain 2016–2019 Double Cabs; that campaign expired April 30, 2025. Resealing or replacing the lamp is an easy job, and some owners report leaks returning after the bulletin repair. Check the headliner and insulation for water damage or mold, which is a bigger repair.

    Shop: Tacoma third brake lightShop: Tacoma third brake light gasket▶ How-to videos

  • Rear differential leak (2016–2017)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Gear oil on the differential housing or a whine from the rear axle.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall for 2016–2017 trucks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 17V285000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Fuel pump failure (2017–2020)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Rough running, a check engine light, or stalling while driving.

    Fix: Toyota's fuel pump recalls cover certain 2018–2019 Tacomas (20V012000) and certain 2017–2020 Tacomas (20V682000). Stalling has other causes too (for example the crankshaft position sensor recall on 2016–2017 V6 trucks), so if the VIN isn't covered, have the codes read before replacing the pump. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 20V012000 / 20V682000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Axle shaft can separate (2022–2023)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Grinding or clunking from a rear wheel.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall for 2022–2023 trucks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 24V152000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →