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.
In This Article...
What year should I not buy a Tacoma?
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.
Which Tacomas can you trust?
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 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.
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.
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 dbut 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.
How far can a Tacoma travel?
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 purchasing a Tacoma new or used preferable?
Purchase advice: Because of the Toyota Tacoma’s high resale value, there aren’t much savings to be obtained on 1- to 2-year-old versions. The average savings for a model even three years old is less than $4,000. Your experience owning a Tacoma can be enhanced by purchasing a brand-new one.
What does SR5 on a Toyota signify?
The SR5 was the top trim level on numerous Toyotas in the 1980s. When a truck had a five-speed manual transmission, it was considered a luxury. SR stood for Sport Rally, and SR5 was the Sport Rally Five Speed. However, that was back when Toyota’s compact pickup was simply known as the Toyota Pickup. Tacoma didn’t become popular until 1995. What does a Tacoma’s SR package entail? What makes SR and SR5 different from one another?
Are Toyota Tacoma repairs expensive?
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.
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
Which Tacoma, the four or six cylinder, is better?
A 2.7 liter, four-cylinder engine is offered as standard in the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Drivers can get up to 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque from this engine. Both the Toyota Tacoma SR and SR5 models come standard with the base engine.
The four-cylinder alternative “can get the job done,” according to Kelley Blue Book. On the highway, though, it won’t provide the best passing ability. Additionally, drivers’ ability to ascend steep gradients will be reduced. The Toyota Tacoma with a four-cylinder engine does, however, earn better gas mileage than the V6 model.
The four-cylinder Toyota Tacoma with a rear-wheel-drive motor achieves 20 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the interstate, according to EPA estimations. The standard engine gets 19 mpg in the city and 22 mpg on the interstate with four-wheel drive.
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.
What distinguishes the Toyota Tacoma SR5 from the TRD model?
Their suspension systems, which give the TRD Sport its added off-road boost, are what set the Tacoma SR5 and TRD Sport apart from one another. Both trucks have a leaf spring rear suspension with staggered outboard-mounted gas shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar, as well as a coil-spring double-wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar.
What issues do Toyota Tacomas have?
Some Tacomas may unexpectedly shift into the incorrect gear after being driven for a while. The lever typically needs to be readjusted before shifting appropriately.
It frequently occurs as a result of a misaligned throttle position sensor. The shift solenoid, which can wear out after thousands of kilometers, is another potential offender.
The transmission typically developed issues after 150,000 miles, on average.
The 2016 Tacoma also experiences transmission delays, however the issue is widespread with the first and second generations of Tacomas. The fact that there have been few or no complaints about the third generation Tacomas suggests that Toyota has found a solution to the issue.
Precautions and Solutions
The throttle position sensor needs to be readjusted or reset if the issue is brought on by a misaligned sensor. You might need to get the shift solenoids replaced if this doesn’t work.
The shift solenoids need to be replaced, which may be more difficult but will be more likely to solve the issue. Your car’s mechanic can determine which solenoid has to be changed. It would be less expensive to replace one solenoid than all of them.
The price of replacement could be anything between $150 and $370. Your location and whether a full or partial replacement is necessary will affect the overall cost.
Even in perfect circumstances, the shift solenoid would eventually wear down, therefore you should take good care of it. The shift solenoids’ longevity is influenced by when you service your transmission.
Your transmission issue may be caused by the shift solenoid, according to your mechanic. If so, have it changed out right away. Your transmission will suffer additional harm if there is a delay.