2016 Nissan Frontier vs 2016 Toyota Tacoma
Two midsize trucks, compared on what actually matters when you're buying used:
what breaks, when it breaks, and what it costs you.
2016 Nissan
Frontier
8/10
A carryover platform from 2005 with a bulletproof V6 and a 5-speed auto that just won't quit — buy it for the simplicity, not the tech.
VS
2016 Toyota
Tacoma
7/10
Buy it for the resale value and the badge, tolerate the port-injection cold-start rattle and the recall list, and it'll outlive your mortgage.
Milo scores the 2016 Nissan Frontier higher — 8/10 against 7/10.
By the numbers
Green is the better number — higher on every score, lower on failures, complaints and recalls.
| Nissan Frontier |
Toyota Tacoma |
| Known failure points | 6 | 6 |
| NHTSA complaints | 43 | 323 |
| Safety recalls | 1 | 4 |
| Service bulletins | 12 | 12 |
| Reliability | 84 | 78 |
| Cheap to own | 78 | 58 |
| Fun factor | 58 | 58 |
| Holds value | 80 | 92 |
| Enthusiast cred | 65 | 80 |
The most expensive thing that goes wrong
2016 Nissan Frontier
Radiator coolant crossover into transmission cooler (rare but catastrophic if radiator internal seal fails) and timing chain guide wear
$500–$4,000100k–150k mi
2016 Toyota Tacoma
Clear coat peeling/paint fade, especially on Super White and Barcelona Red hoods, roofs, and door edges — widely documented in owner complaints
$1,500–$4,00080k–130k mi
If you buy one, buy this one
✅ 2016 Nissan Frontier
2016 PRO-4X Crew Cab 4x4 with the 6-speed manual — locking diff, Bilsteins, and a stick shift that will outlast the truck's paint.
✅ 2016 Toyota Tacoma
2016 TRD Off-Road, Double or Access Cab, 6-speed manual, with the rear locking differential and no aftermarket lift — this spec appreciates and is the most desirable on the resale market.
Narrowed it down? Get the full report
This comparison is model-level.
Milo's report goes car-level — the one you're actually looking at:
- A line-by-line negotiation script
- The pre-purchase inspection checklist
- VIN-specific open recalls
- What it's really worth right now
- Your next 15,000 miles, forecast
- Hidden features & money-savers
Run my free report →
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Scores and findings blend documented NHTSA recalls and complaints with
patterns synthesized from owner communities. Always inspect the specific vehicle and
verify open recalls by VIN before buying.