The first Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995 and produced for three versions, ending in 2005. While the tough truck has never exactly been recognized for being quiet or smooth, its value has held through the years.
The 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tacomas from the first generation received the highest ratings. However, 2004 received less praise overall.
There are many models available if the second generation is of interest to you. 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 all received flawless dependability verdict ratings from MotorBiscuit.
For purchasers looking for an all-purpose vehicle that can handle tough terrain, the 2012–2015 series is ideal. These Tacomas had a significant renovation and now have a stylish interior.
This second generation is more expensive than other used trucks on the market, even with higher mileage.
A 2005 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Access Cab PreRunner with 200,000 miles was posted on Autotrader for $9,000, as were a Tacoma 4WD Double Cab with 75,000 miles and a 2015 Tacoma with the TRD package and 6,000 miles.
With a 4 out of 5 rating from Consumer Reports, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma has the greatest satisfaction rating out of the group.
Even the 2016 model of Toyota’s current generation costs between $20,000 and $32,675. But if you’d prefer a more recent design, the Toyota Tacoma from 2019 is your best alternative. The 2019 model received a 4 out of 5 rating for dependability and owner satisfaction.
In This Article...
What Tacomas should I avoid?
The Toyota Tacoma models from the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017 have a lot of faults, therefore we advise staying away from them. The body, paint, and engine issues on the 2006, 2007, and 2008 models are major difficulties.
Along with several light, body, and engine flaws, the interior accessories of the 2009 model have a tendency to be defective and frequently malfunction.
There are several issues with the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, and complaints have been made concerning almost every part. The drivetrain and engine are primarily flawed in the 2012 model, whereas unreliable transmissions are also present in the 2016 and 2017 vehicles.
These two Toyota Tacomas are among the worst you can buy because their transmissions have so many flaws that driving them might be dangerous. However, the 2007 is as unwise to purchase due to its extraordinarily high repair expenses.
The average automobile spends 1-2 weeks on the lot, but the greatest offers are typically scooped up in less than 48 hours. Get notified right away when the price of a saved car reduces or when a great new Tacoma listing appears by downloading the CoPilot app.
Is the 2.7-liter Toyota Tacoma engine reliable?
Over 250,000 miles should be no problem for a Toyota 2.7L 4-cylinder engine. There are many of these 4 cylinder engines that have traveled more than 250,000 miles, making them some of the most reliable ones on the market. When properly maintained, a lot of Toyota 2.7L engines have logged more than 350,000 miles.
All you need to do is take care of your Toyota motor if you want it to last a long time. Simple measures like changing your oil and avoiding overuse of the engine can significantly extend its lifespan. Given that the 2.7L is known to eat oil, it is a good idea to monitor the oil levels and pressures to make sure that they do not go dangerously low and endanger the engine.
When looking for dependability, the Toyota 2.7L engine is a fantastic option. Toyota is renowned for producing some of the most dependable cars on the road, and the 2.7L continues their long history of producing high-quality engines.
Is the V6 Tacoma a reliable motor?
Drivers get a 3.5 liter V6 with 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque in every Tacoma trim level above the SR and SR5 models. Customers can choose the V6 in both the SR and SR5 models, though.
This V6 engine provides “good performance and towing capability,” according to Car and Driver. Nevertheless, its engine is better suited for off-road maneuvering than for accelerating past other cars on the highway. The majority of critics concur that neither the four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma nor the V6 offer particularly thrilling acceleration.
The V6 has slightly worse fuel efficiency. With rear-wheel drive and a V6 engine, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is predicted to achieve 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the interstate. The TRD Pro option’s V6 with four-wheel drive achieves 18 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the interstate. The fuel economy figures decrease by one mpg when the V6 is coupled with a manual transmission (available on TRD grades).
What year Tacoma is experiencing transmission issues?
High-Mileage Toyota Tacomas with a Defective Automatic Transmission There are reported transmission issues with the Toyota Tacoma, which affect vehicles with anywhere between 125,000 and 150,000 miles on the odometer. These problems, which hinder the car from shifting properly, have been documented in Tacoma models made between 1995 and 2015.
How durable are Tacoma engines?
According to a recent study, the Toyota Tacoma is the third-longest-lasting vehicle overall, trailing only the Honda Ridgeline and the first-place Toyota Tundra.
According to the report, 2.8% of all Tundras that are still in use today have an odometer reading of over 200,000 kilometers. Furthermore, Toyota is the automaker with the longest lifespan, with 2% of all active, registered vehicles reaching the 200k-mile threshold.
Only 1.6% separates Honda from first, while 1.5% separates Chevy from Cadillac in third place.
On the high end, Mike Neal, a Tacoma driver, is renowned for having logged an astounding 1.5 million miles and counting. If you see Mike in traffic, you’ll recognize him because he updates the number on the rear of his truck every 10,000 miles and posts it there.
Realistically, the majority of us won’t travel 1.5 million miles. For the majority of us, the maintenance necessary to reach that number is simply too onerous.
Even if you manage to keep the engine and transmission operating for that long, many other components will start to fail.
Drivers can typically expect their trucks to travel between 250,000 and 300,000 miles before repairs start to cost more than the price of a new truck.
Even though it seems impossible, 1.5 million tacos might possibly exist. This should delight enthusiasts of tacos.
Is it worthwhile to buy a used Tacoma?
The generations also last a very long time on top of all that. For instance, the initial Tacoma generation was produced from 1995 to 2004. From 2005 until 2015, the following generation was in production. With the 2016 model year, the third and most recent generation got under way. The Toyota Tacoma 2021 now sports updates.
Because of these lengthy generations, a used Toyota Tacoma from the 2016 model year will remarkably resemble a 2021 vehicle. One of the key factors supporting the continued value of Toyota pickup trucks is this. It’s almost absurd to try to save money on a used Toyota Tacoma model because they maintain their worth so well. Consider your options carefully before just investing in a brand-new tiny pickup vehicle if you’re in the market for one.
Although you can make a small financial save, it might not be worthwhile to invest in a used model. More contemporary features are seen in more recent Toyota Tacoma pickup truck models. Yes, buying a used one might help you save a little money. You can decide that it would be better to spend the money on fresh merchandise instead.
Which Toyota Tacoma has the most fuel efficiency?
MPG for a Toyota Tacoma by trim level
- 18/22 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma SR
- 20 mpg city/23 mpg highway* for the Toyota Tacoma SR5.
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road
- 19/24 mpg city/highway for the Toyota Tacoma Limited
How far can a 2.7 Tacoma travel?
According to automotive research company iSeeCars, the Tacoma has a maximum mileage range of 200,000 miles. Almost any Toyota Tacoma may easily surpass 300,000 miles with routine maintenance and repairs. Your Tacoma could last 10 to 15 years if you drive it 20,000 to 30,000 miles per year before needing significant repairs.
How long is the lifespan of a 4-cylinder Tacoma?
How important is mileage? That really relies on how well the car has been maintained.
A properly-kept Toyota Tacoma will run far over 300,000 miles, although standard automobiles are known to endure up to 200,000 miles. According to some sources, Toyota Tacomas have traveled more than 400,000 miles. The equivalent Chevy Colorado has an around 200,000-mile lifespan.
What distinguishes and distinguishes the Toyota Tacoma as the best is its capacity to last hundreds of thousands of miles longer than its rivals. Your brand-new Tacoma today might endure until your kids get their driver’s license in 15 years, provided you take good care of your car.
Is the Tacoma lacking in power?
In fact, Consumer Reports claims that the 2021 Toyota Tacoma “drives like a rudimentary relic from the agrarian era. It didn’t help that the 2019 Toyota Tacoma seemed clunky and unresponsive when Consumer Reports took it for a test drive. But after testing the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, other people weren’t as impressed as Consumer Reports.
The base four-cylinder engine in the Tacoma feels inadequate and should probably be avoided, according to Car & Driver. The optional six-speed automatic transmission for the Tacoma received similar praise from Car and Driver. But regardless of whatever Tacoma you choose, according to Car and Driver, this year’s model isn’t very fast and is “Far from the best option for handling and ride quality.
Is the 3.5 L V6 Toyota engine reliable?
A few typical problems with the Toyota 3.5L V6 engine are as follows:
- Plugs & Coils for Ignition
- Pump, Water
- Oil Leak in VVTi
- Pulley Idler
This is true for many of the prevalent issues we discuss in our writing, but now would be a good moment to add a few crucial details. The fact that we’re categorizing these errors as common does not always suggest that they happen frequently. Just a few of the most typical Toyota 3.5 engine problems are listed above. It’s a dependable engine all around. However, the 3.5L V6 can also encounter other problems. This is particularly true when an engine ages and wear-and-tear parts use up their useful lives.
We’ll talk about each of the aforementioned problems with the Toyota 2GR-FE throughout this article. We’ll add a few more observations about the 3.5L engine’s dependability at the end.
Are V6 Toyotas quick?
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma, powered by a 3.5-liter V6, is one of the slowest-accelerating trucks available on the U.S. market, claims Customer Reports, which recently reviewed it.
Among the Tacomas, which has the highest horsepower?
You have a choice of two different engine options for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The 2.7-liter four-cylinder base engine for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma produces 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque. A 3.6-liter V6 engine that produces an astounding 278 horsepower and 265 lb-ft of torque is the most potent one you can find powering the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Both engine configurations drive the vehicle’s rear wheels or a four-wheel-drive system that is an option and provides improved grip control on slippery roads and off-road terrain.