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 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.
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.
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.
When was the Tacoma frame recall?
For many owners, the warranty extension is coming to an end. 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).
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.
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.
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
What Toyota Tacoma issues are most prevalent?
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.
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.
Do Toyota Tacomas handle snow well?
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.
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 Toyota Tacomas fuel-efficient?
For its vehicle class, the Toyota Tacoma gets decent gas mileage. The midsize pickup truck has a city fuel economy of 20 mpg and a highway fuel economy of 23 mpg. Although the Tacoma’s fuel economy isn’t exactly setting any records, it is competitive enough for customers to prefer it over competitors.
The well-liked Honda Ridgeline midsize pickup vehicle achieves 18 city and 24 highway miles per gallon. Another competitive small pickup, the Ford Ranger, gets 26 mpg overall and 21 mpg in cities.
Since pickup trucks often don’t have excellent fuel economy, the Tacoma’s gas mileage is considered average for its vehicle class. The Ford Maverick is the vehicle to choose if you desire outstanding fuel efficiency.
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.
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.
Will a rusty frame be replaced by Toyota?
In other words, the holes in the frame must be greater than 10 mm in diameter (about the width of a marble). For certain cars, Toyota will swap out the frame and provide a rental car while the work is being done. The program is only available to working trucks; titles for salvage or serious damage are not accepted.
What year makes a used Toyota Tacoma the best?
According to Consumer Reports’ more recent ratings, the third-generation Toyota Tacoma pickup truck isn’t exactly the magazine’s favorite car. These trucks are nonetheless pricey because to the way in which their value holds.
According to Consumer Reports, the average retail price for even the 2016 model year will be between $20,000 and $32,675 by the year 2020. However, the 2019 model is the best-used Toyota Tacoma year in the current generation. Regarding dependability and owner happiness, this one obtained a nearly flawless rating. This would be the best option if you want a newer one.
Are used Tacomas priceless?
Five years from now, owners of a brand-new Toyota Tacoma pickup truck may anticipate a resale value of over 60%. That is almost 20% more than the typical pickup truck’s resale value. Naturally, one of the reasons for this is that Toyota is renowned for carefully considering every aspect of each model’s quality and dependability.