The 2016 Toyota Tundra lasts around 350,000 miles with only minor vibration and trailer brake issues. At $20,675 to $35,300, it’s expensive, but worth the extra money for the highest-rated full size truck of 2016.
Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra a Good Used Truck?
- Overall Rating 9/10 – 2016 is an excellent year for the Toyota Tundra offering outstanding reliability paired with a comfortable cabin giving it a very high overall score. Owner reviews praise the larger V8 engine’s power, the 4WD system, as well as the luxurious interior.
- Interior, Comfort & Cargo 8/10 – Interior materials are very nice for a full size truck, the seats are supportive & hold up well over time, there are also 3 bed lengths available.
- Reliability 10/10 – There are no major problems reported on the 2016 Toyota Tundra. Models from 2009–2021 are all excellent choices which hold up well as they age.
- Performance 8/10 – Performance is good from both of the V8 engines, with the larger one being capable of towing up to 10,500 pounds.
- Safety 7/10 – The 2016 Tundra is reasonably safe, earning 4 out of 5 stars in government crash tests. There’s a standard rearview camera. Optional safety features include blind spot monitoring, parking sensors, as well as rear cross traffic alerts.
- Gas Mileage 6/10 – Fuel economy is bad at up to 16 MPG, giving up to 608 miles of range with the 38 gallon tank. Gas costs are $50 higher than average, at $377 per month.
- Value 8/10 – Excellent durability paired with a low depreciation rate make the Tundra a great value for buyers looking for a used full size truck.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Toyota Tundra?
- Consumer Reports says the Tundra is built for outstanding reliability, with high owner satisfaction scores.
- Edmunds rates the Tundra at 4.5/5, praising the passenger room in the CrewMax model, but doesn’t like the stiff suspension.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tundra a 4.5/5 enjoying the very nice interior on the higher-end models, but owners don’t like the poor fuel economy.
What Common Problems Does the 2016 Toyota Tundra Have?
Common problems found on the 2016 Toyota Tundra include excessive vibrations, trailer brake controller issues, along with the stereo system restarting. Overall, these problems are relatively minor compared to other full size trucks, with lower repair costs as well.
Excessive vibrations are mentioned by some owners in the first 10,000 miles. There are several reasons the truck may vibrate. The most common source is improper alignment, which costs around $120 to fix. Transmission mounts are another issue reported by some owners, which cost about $200 to change.
The trailer brake controller not working shows up on some Tundra models at around 25,000 miles. Owners report issues with both the hydraulic and electric trailer brake functions. Reprograming the controller usually fixes the issue, and costs around $150.
The stereo system restarting also happens on some 2016 Tundra models at around 30,000 miles. There are software updates available for the stereo system which improves the reliability. They can be installed by Toyota dealerships for around $50, depending on local labor rates.
There are 6 recalls on the 2016 Tundra, which is similar to other full size trucks. The most serious recall covers a steering gear leak which can lead to a loss of power steering assistance. Toyota will replace the power steering gear assembly for free on affected models. Other recalls cover air bags, which are not a concern once they’ve been replaced.
How Long Will the 2016 Toyota Tundra Last?
A well-maintained 2016 Toyota Tundra should last over 350,000 miles, which is around 100,000 miles more than the highly-rated Ford F-150. Regular annual maintenance costs are lower than average according to data provided by Repair Pal, at $590 per year.
Since many used 2016 Tundra models will have over 100,000 miles buyers should be prepared to replace the PCV valve for $150, vehicle speed sensor costing $320, as well as the A/C pressure switch which costs $275.
Super reliable and I have found no issues with my truck since owning it. This is without a doubt the best truck I have ever owned.
No it is very reliable I can do many things with it and had no problems with my tundra it is affordable and good quality
Yes it is reliable, I had to replace an O2 sensor but other than that it’s good. Great all around truck
Yes, my Toyota Tundra is very reliable. I have not had a lick of trouble with it since I bought it.
How Is the Technology?
Entertainment technology is great in the 2016 Toyota Tundra compared to other full size trucks with a standard 6.1-inch touchscreen stereo, and an optional 7-inch version. Safety technology is only average, with a standard rearview camera, and optional blind spot monitoring.
Is the 2016 Toyota Tundra a Good Value?
Yes, the 2016 Toyota Tundra is a great value for an extremely reliable full size truck. Blue book prices range from $20,675 to $35,300, making it more expensive than a Chevy Silverado or Ram 1500. When new, the price range was $29,140 to $49,580. Depreciation is better than average, only losing about 5% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Toyota Tundra?
There are six models of the Toyota Tundra offered in 2016, from the base SR all the way up to the off-road oriented TRD Pro.
SR is the entry-level model with:
- 18-Inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Keyless Entry
- Cruise Control
- 1-Inch Touchscreen
- Bluetooth
- 6-Speaker Stereo System
SR5 is a step up, adding:
- Fog Lights
- Exterior Chrome Trim
- 7-Inch Touchscreen
- Power Sliding Rear Window
Limited is next in the lineup with:
- 20-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Dual Zone Climate Control
- Power Driver’s Seat
- Leather Seating
- 9-Speaker Stereo System
Platinum adds features such as:
- Unique 20-Inch Wheels
- Heated & Ventilated Front Eats
- Sunroof
- LED Running Lights
- 12-Speaker JBL Stereo System
1794 Edition has additional features including:
- Unique Exterior Styling Elements
- Upgraded Interior Leather
- Wood Interior Trim
TRD Pro is the off-road model which has:
- Black 18-Inch Alloy Wheels
- Bilstein Off-Road Suspension
- Skid Plates
- TRD Badges
What Engines Come In the Toyota Tundra?
- The base engine is an average 4.6L V8 which makes 310 horsepower and 327 lb.-ft. of torque while getting up to 16 MPG. The maximum towing capacity is up to 6,800 pounds.
- An available upgrade is the stronger 5.7L V8, which produces 381 horsepower and 401 lb.-ft. of torque at up to 15 MPG. The maximum towing capacity is 10,500 pounds. It’s also capable of going from 0-60 MPH in 6.7 seconds, which is quick.
What Colors Does the Toyota Tundra Come In?
How Comfortable Is the Toyota Tundra?
The 2016 Toyota Tundra is a very comfortable full size truck offering improved materials than older models. There are three cabin configurations available including a 2-door regular cab, 4-door Double Cab, as well as the larger 4-door CrewMax. The seats are very nice throughout the cabin offering plenty of support as well as soft cushions.
Passenger room is excellent with enough space in the back seats of the CrewMax model to easily fit taller adults.
How Much Storage Space Does the Toyota Tundra Have?
There are three bed lengths offered on the 2016 Toyota Tundra, including a 5-foot-6-inch short bed, 6-foot-6-inch standard bed, as well as the full 8-foot long bed.
What Are the Differences Between Years?
The second generation of the Toyota Tundra was introduced in 2007 and was made until it was replaced by the third generation in 2022.
2014: New exterior styling, a standard rearview camera, and EnTune stereo apps added.
2015: Discontinuation of the V6 engine, new TRD Pro model added for off-road performance.
2016: New stereo system added, along with a standard trailer brake controller.
2017: No major changes.
2018: 2-door standard cab model discontinued, available Toyota Safety Sense
2019: New TRD Pro suspension as well as unique BBS wheels.
2020: Available Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, 4.6L V8 discontinued.
How Does the Toyota Tundra Compare to the Competition?
The Toyota Tundra is the best half ton truck offered for 2016 since it offers more reliable engines than any of the competitors.
The Ford F-150 is another full size truck which costs about $3,000 less. The towing capacity is slightly higher on the Ford F-150, while the Toyota Tundra has a more comfortable cabin. We recommend the Toyota Tundra for most shoppers since it’s more reliable with lower long-term ownership costs.
The Toyota Tacoma is a smaller truck offered by Toyota which costs around $1,000 less. Off-road performance is better in the Toyota Tacoma, while the Toyota Tundra has a higher towing capacity with more passenger room too. We recommend the Toyota Tacoma for most buyers since it’s easier to live with as a daily driver, however, the Tundra is more capable if you need to tow.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Tundra?
I absolutely love my truck. Its versatile enough to go out and get some hard work done and turn around and pick the kids up from school in.
Yes it's I love it I can do many things deliveries to go to the mountains and do many fun things with my truck
Yes, it has never let me down getting back and forward to work. I has enough room for me and my family to take road trips
Yes, my Toyota Tundra truck is very good. Rides like a dream, handles great, you sit up high enough to see out.
