Recall 15V656 affects 306 2016 Toyota Tacoma trucks for incorrect driver's knee air bag bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
Toyota is recalling 306 2016 Tacoma trucks because incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module. If those bolts loosen, the driver's knee air bag can perform incorrectly during deployment in a crash, which raises the risk of driver injury. Toyota dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The driver's knee air bag module in the 2016 Toyota Tacoma is mounted under the lower dashboard near the driver's knees. In a crash, that air bag is part of the restraint system that helps control the driver's lower-body movement. The module depends on its mounting bolts to hold it firmly in position when the air bag deploys.
On affected Tacoma trucks, Toyota says the wrong bolts were used during assembly at the TMMBC plant. Those bolts have lower strength than the correct parts. If the knee air bag deploys, the weaker bolts can keep the module from staying secured as designed, so the air bag does not perform the way Toyota intended.
There is no warning sign before failure. The wrong bolts are a hidden assembly issue, not a wear item an owner can hear, smell, or feel during normal driving.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Toyota Tacoma | air bag system |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 306 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
Not every 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is on the list. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific pickup truck is included.
What's the safety risk?
If the incorrect bolts loosen over time, the driver's knee air bag can perform improperly in a crash that requires air bag deployment. That raises the risk of driver injury. Schedule the repair soon and have the dealer install the correct mounting bolts. Repair is free at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Toyota Tacoma is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule the free driver's knee air bag mounting-bolt repair that replaces the incorrect bolts.
- Bring the recall notice if Toyota mailed one. If not, reference recall number 15V656 when you call.
- Complete the dealer repair before assuming the driver's knee air bag will perform as designed in a crash.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Toyota technician installs the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts. The parts and labor are free under the recall, and the repair is available now through Toyota dealers. If you've already paid out of pocket for a repair tied to the wrong knee air bag module mounting bolts, Toyota's general reimbursement plan handles documented costs. Keep your repair paperwork and ask Toyota customer service or the dealer service desk how to submit it.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| October 12, 2015 | Dealer notification began |
|---|---|
| October 14, 2015 | NHTSA published the recall |
| November 19, 2015 | Owner notification mailed |
| December 12, 2015 | VIN-searchable in NHTSA's database — Check your VIN to see whether this recall applies to your specific vehicle. |
| December 12, 2015 | Interim owner notification (was planned for this date) |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 15V656?
Recall 15V656 covers 306 2016 Toyota Tacoma trucks built with incorrect driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts. Those bolts can loosen over time and affect knee air bag performance in a crash. Toyota dealers install the correct mounting bolts for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Toyota Tacoma is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific truck is included in recall 15V656. If it is included, contact a franchised Toyota dealer to schedule installation of the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts. Reference recall 15V656 or Toyota recall F0T when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost. Toyota dealers will install the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts free of charge at any franchised Toyota dealer.
What is the safety risk?
The safety risk is reduced driver's knee air bag performance during a crash that requires air bag deployment. If the incorrect mounting bolts loosen, the knee air bag module can fail to perform as intended, increasing the risk of driver injury.
What if I bought my Toyota Tacoma used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recalls follow the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific Tacoma is included, then call a franchised Toyota dealer and reference recall 15V656 or Toyota recall F0T.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/15V656000 |
|---|---|
| Toyota customer service | 1-800-331-4331 |
| NHTSA recall # | 15V656 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 15V656000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →