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.
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In This Article...
What used Tacoma year is the best?
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.
What Toyota Tacoma issues are most prevalent?
Owners of Tacoma vehicles have reported the following issues the most frequently over the years:
- Issues with the lower ball joints.
- High-Mileage Toyota Tacomas with a Defective Automatic Transmission.
- Amber front parking light lens with cracks.
- defective air flow meter
- Issues with the throttle position sensor.
- Engine cannot start due to a defective starter.
Is buying a secondhand Tacoma worthwhile?
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.
What Tacoma motor is the best?
The V6 is the superior engine choice, despite neither being particularly outstanding. It enables the Tacoma’s highest towing capacity and helps the car accelerate a little more quickly.
How far can a Tacoma travel?
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.
When were Tacomas’ frames problematic?
As a more portable alternative to larger half-ton trucks like the Ford F-150, the Toyota Tacoma made its début in 1995. There have been several setbacks along the way, with certain years experiencing problems with rusted frames, failing leaf springs, and defective transmissions. Despite this, it is now among Toyota’s most well-liked vehicles.
Since the later models of the Tacoma are more likely to be for sale online or on dealer lots, we’ll focus on them in our study.
The Tacoma experienced double-digit annual recall counts from 2005 to 2010 along with thousands of combined complaints, many of which are related to premature rusting problems that might eat through the frame or break leaf springs.
Faulty Frames Could Leave the Pickup with Severe Rust that May Eat Holes Through the Frame
Numerous complaints from Tacoma owners between 2005 and 2010 claimed their frames had excessive rust, rot, and corrosion. Some truck owners claimed that substantial frame damage from rust that had spread to other parts of the truck’s frame prevented their vehicles from passing inspection.
In the end, Toyota handled the recall properly and provided the information in a fairly open manner. More significantly, the company paid drivers $3,000,000,000 to resolve the rusted-frame issue. Tacomas were once again the most impacted vehicles from 2004 through 2010.
Corroded Leaf Springs Can Brake and Puncture the Fuel Tank, Possibly Causing Leak or Fire Risk
The leaf springs above the back axle are subject to one NHTSA recall. Due to a potential hazard where the springs could break and increase the risk of a fire, over 710,000 trucks had to be recalled. If a leaf spring were to break under stress or from corrosion while being driven, it may move, come into touch with the fuel tank and possibly puncture it, releasing petrol. All damaged vehicles receive replacement rear leaf spring assemblies from Toyota, and the frame-corrosion warranty has been increased to 15 years.
Other Issues Include Loose Seatbelt Screws, Airbags that may not Deploy, and a Gas Pedal that May Stick
Seatbelt screws that might gradually loosen over time and possibly lead to the pre-tensioner detaching if excessive pressure is applied are one problem that only particular Access Cab models are susceptible to. Over 342,000 Tacomas were apparently affected by this issue.
An further recall relates to Toyota Tacomas with a driver’s side airbag that might not deploy in an accident because of a defective flexible flat cable that might prematurely wear out when twisting the steering wheel.
The Tacoma was also a part of a significant recall involving almost 4.5 million Toyota vehicles, where a defective design could cause the gas pedal to become stuck in the fully-accelerated position.
What model years of Tacoma frames did Toyota recall?
One of the most dependable automobile manufacturers in the world is Toyota.
Except for several popular pickup truck frames, buyers are essentially promised years of trouble-free driving.
Until a few days ago, when Jenne Middleton heard a terrible sound, her 2004 Toyota Tacoma had been a reliable buddy.
Middlton claimed the car started swerving, so she took it to a nearby repair shop and received some unfavorable information.
They claimed that the frame was rusty, damaged, and hazardous to drive, Middleton added.
It needed a new frame, according to mechanic Mike Fehler, or the entire back end might come off.
“In essence, the area where the leaf spring attaches to the frame is crucial and load bearing. It secures the truck’s bed to it “explained he.
Safety recalls prevent injuries and save money; in this case, they prevented the need for costly repairs. However, many automakers have a time limit on them and will no longer pay for repairs after, say, 15 years.
Toyota has issued a restricted recall for Middleton’s pickup, but it was set to expire in 2019. She had almost missed the deadline for the warranty.
In 2016, the automaker committed to fixing or purchasing back millions of Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia SUVs with rusted frames that were manufactured between 2004 and 2008, and in certain cases, 2010 as well.
I owned the car in 2019, but I never got a notification, she claimed.
Here’s some advise so it doesn’t happen to you: make sure the manufacturer of your automobile has your current address so they can send you any repair advisories or recalls. To see if you have any unrepaired recalls, you should go visit recalls.gov.
Middleton expressed his desire to keep his truck. “I’m confident it can travel another 100,000 kilometers.”
A representative from Toyota informed us that although the firm would not guarantee Middleton a free repair, they would speak with her about her choices.
Tacomas still have rust issues, right?
One of the most useful, capable, and dependable mid-size trucks money can buy is the Toyota Tacoma. They do, however, experience several issues, chief among which is the infamous Tacoma frame rust.
Good or bad Tacoma transmissions?
It’s hard to beat the Toyota Tacoma as an off-roader. The Tacoma is a reasonably priced pickup that is excellent for off-road excursions and rough terrain. One of its most significant flaws is its transmission.
Out of all the Toyota models, the Tacoma’s automatic transmission is among the worst. The truck is much easier to control because to its manual transmission, but it is still far from ideal. The automatic transmission has a tendency to slip, which is really aggravating while driving.
Some Toyota Tacoma vehicles with automatic gearboxes and higher mileage completely lose the ability to effectively shift gears. Steering problems may result from the lower ball joint of the Tacoma prematurely wearing down. The Tacoma can be a fun pickup to own, but it has several issues that are characteristic of Toyota trucks and frequently need to be fixed right away.