Breakdown of the Toyota Tacoma Reliability Rating. The Toyota Tacoma is rated as having a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0, placing it 7th overall among midsize trucks. It has lower ownership costs than the national average due to the $478 average annual repair cost.
In This Article...
What issues are there with Toyota Tacoma?
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.
What is the lifespan of a Toyota 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.
What year of the Tacoma is the most dependable?
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 20122015 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.
Do Tacomas have the best reliability?
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.
To compile this list of the top used SUVs available for less than $10,000, we took into consideration factors such as cost, dependability, features, and more. Look closely; some of the best used SUVs have been largely forgotten or overlooked.
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). The ordinary Tacoma SR package can only tow 3,500 pounds, which is more than 50% less than what the base model of the Ranger can tow, but the Tacoma TRD Off-Road can tow 6,400 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.
Appearance
The Ranger and Tacoma look remarkably similar to one another from the outside. Both trucks have a well-established, slick-yet-rugged appearance that makes them excellent choices for both on- and off-road driving. Their outside measurements are likewise incredibly close, with every dimension being within a few inches of the other. The interior of each vehicle is where the two really diverge, with the Ranger outperforming the Tacoma.
Compared to the Tacoma, the Ranger’s interior offers a more upscale look and feel. The Tacoma’s interior doesn’t quite live up to expectations given its pricing point; instead, it seems to emphasize the vehicle’s gruff character. While this might be the best option for drivers searching for a car specifically for off-roading, it’s not the best option for those looking for a daily driver. The Ranger, on the other hand, is designed with an interior more like to a crossover cara vehicle you can use to get to work during the week and go off-roading on the weekends.
Additionally, the Ranger has greater room. Choose the Ranger’s SuperCrew over the Tacoma’s DoubleCab if you need a family car or will be transporting people in the backseat. The Ranger offers its passengers much more room and legroom in addition to plush back seats for a more pleasant ride in tough terrain. The Ranger boasts high-mounted seats with 8-way power adjustments for the optimal position in the driver’s seat, where the relaxation continues.
What model years of the Toyota Tacoma had frame problems?
In 2016, Toyota agreed to pay $3 billion to fix millions of Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia SUVs with rusted frames as part of a settlement of a class-action lawsuit. Model years from 2004 to 2008 are affected (or 2010 in a few cases). This comes after an earlier extended warranty that applied to Toyota trucks between 1995 and 2003.
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 truck is the most durable?
Some folks want to go through the truck buying process every two to three years. They appreciate owning a truck with the newest updates, technology, and aesthetics. Another group of folks wants to find a truck that will last for a very long time and then drive those wheels off! Reliability is the main factor to consider if you want a truck that will last for a long time. If you belong to the latter category, you are probably aware that finding a truck that will last requires some investigation. You must identify the vehicles that have been shown to last the longest and experience the fewest problems in order to locate one that will serve you for at least 200,000 kilometers. The top five vehicles with the highest likelihood of lasting 200,000 miles are described below. Statistics on which trucks may have the greatest lifespan are provided by an iSeeCars study.
Repair costs for Toyota Tacomas are they high?
A Toyota Tacoma’s total yearly cost for repairs and maintenance is $478, whereas the average for midsize trucks is $548 and the average for all vehicle types is $652.
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.
Key Points
- Airbags that might not deploy and excessive rust and rot that compromises the structural integrity of the frame were the two problems that led to the recall of Toyota Tacomas from 2005 to 2010.
- For a variety of issues, the 2016 and 2017 models received poor ratings overall, with a peculiar transmission being the most prevalent.
- Overall, the Toyota Tacoma is among the best midsize pickups in its class, and if you steer clear of the model’s worst years, you should be delighted with your purchase.
Are Tacomas suitable for snow?
Thanks to several features like four-wheel drive that make handling challenging winter conditions easier, the Toyota Tacoma is well-suited to driving in the snow. It also boasts an excellent ground clearance, traction control, brake assistance, ABS, and electronic brakeforce distribution.