With options for a short bed or a longer cargo bed, the Toyota Tacoma is offered with both an extended cab and crew cab. A 2.7-liter 4-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower is standard at the base of the lineup, but it may be upgraded for extra power and towing capacity. There are both manual and automatic transmissions available, and 4-wheel drive is an extra. It has a 6,800-pound towing capacity and a 1,400-pound hauling capacity. There are five different Tacoma versions available: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro.
The base Tacoma SR model for 2021 costs $26,150, with prices varying by model and trim. The base Limited model will cost $38,900 in 2021, while the most expensive TRD Pro, which comes with the Toyota off-roading premium package, will cost $44,000.
Considering purchasing a Tacoma on the used market makes sense because Toyotas are built to last. Depending on what you’re looking for, you can frequently find an older, higher-end Tacoma model with little mileage and excellent condition for a lot less money. It might still be under warranty depending on how old it is, but if not, getting an extended warranty from Olive won’t be an issue since the Toyota brand is known for its dependability and dependability. The 2011 to 2020 Tacoma model years’ typical retail costs are listed below.
- $18, 250 | Predicted Reliability: 5 out of 5 2011 $9,850
- 2012 $10,475$20,100 | Reliability Predicted: 5 out of 5
- 2013 $11,425$22,050 | Reliability Predicted: 5 out of 5
- 2014 $12,675$23,250 | 5 out of 5 Predicted Reliability
- 2015 $16,150$26,275 | 5 out of 5 predicted reliability
- 2016 $19,150$31,825 | 4 out of 5 predicted reliability
- 2017 $20,175$38,775 | 4 out of 5 Predicted Reliability
- 2018 $22,175$40,175 | 3 out of 5 Predicted Reliability
- 2019 $24,150$42,925 | 3 out of 5 Predicted Reliability
- 2020 $26,200$45,325 | 5 out of 5 Predicted Reliability
In This Article...
Are Toyota Tacomas Reliable?
Toyota trucks are renowned for their dependability, as are all of the automaker’s products. The Toyota Tacoma receives an above-average dependability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 on RepairPal’s scale and has lower-than-average ownership costs.
Maintenance Costs
Even though the Tacoma is a dependable truck, it will occasionally need to go to a repair shop. Toyota Tacoma owners have to take their cars in for unscheduled repairs on average 0.3 times a year, compared to 0.2 times on average for other midsize trucks and 0.4 times on average for all vehicle models, according to RepairPal.
The Tacoma has a 17 percent chance of having a significant or serious repair issue, compared to a 13 percent average for midsize trucks and 12 percent for all vehicle types. Major repairs are unusual for the Tacoma despite the fact that repairs frequently need to be more extensive than usual due to a small number of problems.
The Tacoma’s average annual repair cost is $478, while the average annual repair cost for other midsize trucks in its class is $548, and the average annual repair cost for all other vehicles is $652.
Common Tacoma Problems
These are the third-generation Toyota Tacoma’s most frequently mentioned issues. While the trucks are newer, the newly designed 2016 model years and later came with a new engine and transmission, which as a result impacted driveability.
- malfunctioning crank position sensor The car stalls or stutters because the crank position sensor frequently malfunctions and fails to measure the rpms as the crank revolves. As a result, the PO335 probable fault code will appear on the check engine light. The 2016 and 2017 model years are affected by this issue, according to reports. There haven’t been many difficulties reported since 2017.
- leak in the rear differential
- A recall was carried out to at least repair the gasket in the rear differential since oil leaks were possible. The internal components will need to be changed as part of the recall repair if the differential is worse off as a result of the leak or the lube level has dropped below the minimum gear lube threshold.
- The idle surge
- Owners have noted that when the steering wheel is adjusted while the truck is in idle mode, the idling will increase. The truck then stalls, delaying its movement in either direction when it is time to moveeither in reverse or forward. The best course of action is to take your Tacoma to the dealership if you see idle surging in order to have the problem swiftly fixed because Toyota issued a recall for this problem.
- Transaxle difficult shifting
- This problem has only been documented in Tacomas with V6 engines and 6-speed transmissions. The symptoms include stalling or delayed shifting when moving from drive to reverse or from drive to parked. Additionally, owners have reported problems with the transmission shifting incorrectly on the freeway and when attempting to up an incline. The transmission may appear to be struggling to change ratios while traveling at a constant pace on the highway. It may be challenging to accelerate while climbing an incline if the transmission is not downshifting at the appropriate moment. Take your Tacoma to the dealer to have the cause determined; it’s likely just a calibration issue with the engine’s computer.
- defective blower motor
- There have been reports of the blower motor’s cage cracking, which results in dash sounds and insufficient airflow through the vents. Additionally, several owners have mentioned smelling burnt plastic. The above-mentioned symptoms are brought on by the blower not spinning effectively when the blower motor fractures.
Toyota Tacomas: Are they still dependable?
How Reliable Is the Toyota Tacoma? The projected reliability rating for the 2022 Toyota Tacoma is 81 out of 100. A predicted reliability score from J.D. Power of 91 to 100 is regarded as the best, 81 to 90 as great, 70 to 80 as medium, and 0-69 as fair and below average.
What issues are there with Toyota Tacoma?
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.
Which Tacoma year is the most dependable?
You’ll have an unforgettable off-roading experience with the Toyota Tacoma. That is, provided you get one of the numerous reliable pickup truck models from past years and stay away from the problematic ones. We advise you to buy a used Toyota Tacoma from the years listed below without worrying about potentially dangerous flaws.
The most reliable year models of Tacoma:
- Toyota Tacoma from 1995
- Toyota Tacoma 1996
- Toyota Tacoma ’97
- Toyota Tacoma ’98
- Toyota Tacoma (1999)
- Toyota Tacoma (2000)
- Toyota Tacoma y 2001
- Toyota Tacoma (2002)
- Toyota Tacoma from 2003
- Toyota Tacoma from 2004
- Toyota Tacoma year 2005
- Toyota Tacoma 2010
- Toyota Tacoma 2013
- Toyota Tacoma 2014
- Toyota Tacoma 2015
- Toyota Tacoma year 2018
- Toyota Tacoma for 2019
- Toyota Tacoma 2020
Toyota Tacomas from 1995 to 2004 are incredibly dependable, with hardly any complaints ever being filed. Most of the reported problems are small flaws that typically don’t cause problems until 100,000 miles or more. It’s possible that a problem will surface in the truck’s first 50,000 miles, but even then, repairs should only cost about $500.
Although less dependable than the earlier models, the Tacoma models from the years 2014, 2018, and 2019 are still a good pick. Similar amounts of problems exist in each of these, although they manifest significantly sooner.
Under 40,000 miles, problems like premature seat wear or a busted A/C unit have been recorded, and both the 2018 and 2019 versions have vibration issues right away. Although they should be simple to solve, you should be aware of them. Similar vibration and drivetrain issues, as well as more complaints, are present in the 2013 Toyota Tacoma, making it less reliable.
There are a fair amount of complaints about the 2005 model, but the majority are about the paint peeling and chipping after 80,000 miles, so there is little need for concern. There is a remote possibility that early engine or braking issues, such as squeaking or worn pressure plates, may arise with cars from the 2010 and 2015 model years, but the likelihood is so remote that it shouldn’t be a concern.
It would be wise to buy any of these year models, but the 2020 would be the safest overall because it has no concerns. Regardless, CoPilot endorses each of these Toyota Tacoma model years.
How durable are Toyota Tacomas?
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 200 000 miles for a Tacoma too many?
Both the 4.0 V6 and the 2.7 4 banger Tacoma are made tough by Toyota, and if kept up and not driven excessively, they shouldn’t have dependability issues due to mileage. The transmission is also pretty solid up to 200K miles on these trucks.
The common belief is that purchasing a used truck or ute with 90,000 miles on the odometer and all of its original components could be riskier than purchasing the same vehicle with 150, 000 miles on the odometer and all of its hanging components replaced.
Components of wear and tear include, but are not restricted to:
What therefore should you be on the lookout for when the Tacoma approaches 100K and beyond?
More so than the mileage on these trucks, frame rot and body rust are likely to be problems. It seems to reason that some people will obviously be more susceptible to rust than others if they live nearer to the shore where the salt air attacks the metal more quickly. Vehicles on land corrode far less quickly.
Another component that needs to be replaced on these trucks with more than 3040K miles is the plugs.
There are numerous instances in real life of people who, after arduous searching, found exactly what they were seeking for and bought a Tacoma with less than 100,000 miles on it. Many people have easily surpassed 250K miles on them without experiencing any problems.
The Tacoma can go well above 200K miles without experiencing any significant problems, despite the fact that most people think 90K miles on a car is a large mileage.
Paint chips on the hood and roof are among the Tacomas’ more frequently reported problems. further to driveline vibrations, which owners frequently notice. Both the 2.7 and V6 models of the manual have problems with the clutch and pedal.
When buying a pre-owned Tacoma with nearly 100,000 miles:
- Body rust/Frame rot
- after 3040K miles, plugs
- Driveline tremor
- difficulties with the clutch pedal in manual transmissions
Usually, the higher mileage on these Tacomas can be sort of overlooked provided the maintenance schedule has been followed and there are documents of all work done. A comprehensive inspection will quickly reveal the body rust and frame rot, which will cost you much more to repair.
How about a Tacoma with more than 150K miles? Still low risk, or are there other, more significant worries?
When did Toyota Tacoma transmission issues start?
The Tacoma had a really awful year in 2016, as it turned out. The most complaints and recalls have been issued for that model year to date. Numerous problems were connected to the drivetrain, engine, and transmission.
Transmission issues with the 6sp manual and 6sp automatic, as well as issues with the automatic transmission control module, were the main problems with the 2016 third-generation Toyota Tacoma (TCM, PCM). Driveline vibration occurred in 2017 vehicles when accelerating from 1030 mph.
The 2016 Tacoma’s primary problems were with the Drivetrain, Engine, and Transmission (Automatic & Manual).
Other issues, including as minor interior, electrical, and fuel issues, weren’t something to worry about. Before making a decision to buy a used 2016-2017 Tacoma, it would be wise to educate yourself on the specific problems they experienced and what to look out for.
So let’s dissect the concerns and take a closer look at what they all comprised.
Tacoma versus Ford Ranger: which is superior?
When compared to the Tacoma’s V6, the Ranger’s EcoBoost is by far the superior engine. The Ranger’s EcoBoost engine outperforms the Tacoma’s V-6 in terms of towing capacity, torque, and fuel efficiency.
The Ranger has established itself as the best-in-class for towing because to its 7,500lbs of towing capacity on each model (XL, XLT, and Lariat). When compared to the Ranger’s base model, the Tacoma TRD Off-Road can tow 6,400 pounds, whereas the standard Tacoma SR package can only pull 3,500 pounds.
The Ford Ranger benefits from the Ford EcoBoost engine’s fuel efficiency, which is 21 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined in RWD. Only a small drop in fuel economy is seen in the 4WD Ranger model, which gets 20 mpg in the city, 24 mpg on the highway, and 22 mpg overall. The Tacoma only achieves 18 city, 22 highway, and 20 combined mpg in the V6 variant. This drops to 18 mpg in the city, 22 mpg on the interstate, and 20 mpg overall in the 4WD variant.
With 278 horsepower and 270 horsepower, respectively, the Tacoma’s 3.5L V-6 engine marginally exceeds the Ranger’s 2.3L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The Ranger offers 310 lb-ft of torque compared to the Tacoma’s 265 lb-ft of torque, making up for the Ranger’s lack of horsepower.
What does the Tacoma’s SR5 code mean?
Sport Rally 5 speed is referred to as SR5. Sport, RE (EFI) engine family, and 5 refers to the five-speed transmission in the acronym SR5. The aforementioned response is not entirely accurate, but it is mostly accurate. The term “SR5” typically refers to a specific Toyota trim level with a more aggressive appearance, stronger suspension, and a large range of available options.
Is buying a pre-owned 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.