Toyota Tacoma Reliability
Quick answer
The Toyota Tacoma has 0.75 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold across the 2015–2022 model years. In CarWhere's ranking of 8 pickup trucks by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022, serious complaints weighted double and adjusted for vehicle age), the Tacoma places 1st: one of the lowest complaint rates in that group. Across model years 2008–2025, owners filed 3,619 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the transmission and suspension, and NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns. CarWhere's year-by-year analysis flags 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016–2019 and 2024 as years to avoid and rates 2021 as a better year. Model years 2024–2025 have had less than three years on the road, so their complaint counts are still building.
By CarWhere Research · Last reviewed 2026-11-10 · Source: NHTSA
0.75
Complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022)
3,619
NHTSA owner complaints (2008–2025)
43
Recall campaigns
8
Years to avoid
Most-reported Toyota Tacoma problems
NHTSA owner complaints for model years 2008–2025, by the component owners named, filed 2007–2026. A complaint can name more than one component. The last three columns count complaints that report a crash, a fire or an injury.
| Component | Complaints | Share | Crash | Fire | Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain / transmission | 610 | 17% | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Suspension | 496 | 14% | 5 | 1 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 396 | 11% | 49 | 0 | 12 |
| Body structure | 389 | 11% | 19 | 1 | 11 |
| Engine | 360 | 10% | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Speed control / throttle | 301 | 8% | 64 | 2 | 13 |
| Electrical system | 294 | 8% | 8 | 21 | 7 |
| Fuel / propulsion system | 263 | 7% | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Of all 3,619 complaints, 218 (6%) report a crash, 61 (2%) a fire and 98 (3%) an injury.
For 2020-and-newer models (556 complaints), the most-reported areas are the transmission (123), the brakes (75), the body structure (70), the electrical system (56).
Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year
Where problems concentrate. Year flags come from CarWhere's years-to-avoid analysis, which compares each Tacoma model year with the model's other years. The full year-by-year verdicts are on the years-to-avoid page.
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Most-reported area | Flag |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 450 | 11 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2009 | 520 | 13 | Suspension | Avoid |
| 2010 | 294 | 13 | Suspension | — |
| 2011 | 186 | 9 | Suspension | — |
| 2012 | 295 | 7 | Engine | Avoid |
| 2013 | 125 | 6 | Powertrain / transmission | — |
| 2014 | 93 | 4 | Body structure | — |
| 2015 | 102 | 4 | Body structure | — |
| 2016 | 324 | 4 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2017 | 245 | 5 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2018 | 210 | 3 | Service brakes | Avoid |
| 2019 | 219 | 4 | Service brakes | Avoid |
| 2020 | 90 | 1 | Fuel / propulsion system | — |
| 2021 | 81 | 0 | Powertrain / transmission | Better year |
| 2022 | 59 | 3 | Powertrain / transmission | — |
| 2023 | 54 | 4 | Electrical system | — |
| 2024(new) | 155 | 5 | Powertrain / transmission | Avoid |
| 2025(new) | 117 | 5 | Body structure | — |
Raw counts are not adjusted for how many of each year were sold, and older years have had longer to collect complaints. Years marked "new" have had less than three years on the road. — = not flagged either way.
Toyota Tacoma recalls
NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns across Toyota Tacoma model years 2008–2025. The ones below cover the most model years. Recall repairs are free at a dealer.
| NHTSA campaign | Model years | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14V475000Aug 4, 2014 | 2008–2014 | Equipment — other / labels | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The… |
| 17V425000Jul 3, 2017 | 2011–2016 | Body structure — body / hood / hinge and attachments | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the… |
| 20V682000Nov 4, 2020 | 2017–2020 | Fuel system — delivery / fuel pump | Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020… |
| 16V396000Jun 2, 2016 | 2008–2011 | Seats — front assembly / seat heater/cooler | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ… |
| 14V743000Nov 19, 2014 | 2008–2011 | Seats — front assembly / seat heater/cooler | Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander,… |
Best and worst Tacoma years
- Years to avoid: 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016–2019 and 2024.
- Better years: 2021.
- 2024–2025: too new to judge fully; complaint counts are still building.
Toyota Tacoma years to avoid: the verdict for every model year →
What to inspect on a used Toyota Tacoma
Based on the components owners report most. None of these replaces an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- Transmission: test-drive from cold through every gear, feel for slipping, harsh or delayed shifts and shudder, and ask whether the fluid has been serviced.
- Brakes: check pedal feel, pulling and grinding, and look at rotor and pad wear; ask when the brake fluid was last changed.
- Body: look under the car for rust or damaged subframe and rocker areas, and check panel gaps for signs of repair.
- Electrical: test every light, window, lock, the infotainment screen and the charging system; scan for stored fault codes.
- Recalls: check the VIN for open recalls; open recalls are repaired free at a dealer.
- History: run the VIN for salvage, theft and odometer records before you pay.
Check this exact car
Any Toyota Tacoma can be better or worse than the model's record. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015. Free preview first; the full report is $12.99, one time.
Toyota Tacoma reliability FAQ
Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The Toyota Tacoma has 0.75 NHTSA owner complaints per 1,000 vehicles sold across the 2015–2022 model years. In CarWhere's ranking of 8 pickup trucks by NHTSA complaints per 1,000 sold (2015–2022, serious complaints weighted double and adjusted for vehicle age), the Tacoma places 1st: one of the lowest complaint rates in that group. Across model years 2008–2025, owners filed 3,619 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the transmission and suspension, and NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns. CarWhere's year-by-year analysis flags 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016–2019 and 2024 as years to avoid and rates 2021 as a better year. Model years 2024–2025 have had less than three years on the road, so their complaint counts are still building.
What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?
In NHTSA owner complaints for model years 2008–2025, the most-reported areas are the transmission (610), suspension (496), the brakes (396) and the body structure (389). For 2020-and-newer models, the most-reported areas are the transmission, the brakes and the body structure. One complaint can name more than one component, and complaints are unverified owner reports.
What years of the Toyota Tacoma should you avoid?
CarWhere's year-by-year analysis flags 2008, 2009, 2012, 2016–2019 and 2024 as years to avoid and rates 2021 as a better year. Each model year is compared only with other Tacoma years: complaints are adjusted for time on the road, and serious ones (engine, transmission, brakes, steering, fuel system, or a reported crash, fire or injury) count double, with a smaller adjustment for recall campaigns.
How long does a Toyota Tacoma last?
In CarWhere's lifespan study, 3.8% of 29,346 used Tacoma listings in the US had passed 200,000 miles and 10.6% had passed 150,000. Among those 10+ years old, 18.6% are past 200,000 miles. Maintenance history matters more than the model average for any one car.
How many recalls does the Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 43 recall campaigns covering Toyota Tacoma model years 2008–2025. The one covering the most model years is 14V475000 (equipment, 2008–2014). Recall repairs are free at a dealer, and whether one was done is tracked by VIN.
How do I check a specific used Toyota Tacoma?
Run its VIN. The CarWhere Used Car Report checks one VIN for salvage records, salvage-auction records (with damage photos when the auction published them), stolen-vehicle records, the odometer trail and its listing and price history since 2015, with a free preview first and the full report at $12.99, one time. Pair it with an independent pre-purchase inspection.
How we measure Tacoma reliability
- Complaints are every NHTSA owner complaint filed for the Toyota Tacoma, model years 2008–2025, across all the body-style and trim names NHTSA files them under, de-duplicated by complaint number. They are unverified owner reports.
- Complaints per 1,000 sold divides the 1,330 complaints for the 2015–2022 model years by 1,770,925 vehicles sold in the US in those calendar years (published sales figures), times 1,000.
- The pickup trucks ranking uses the same complaints and sales, weights serious complaints double and adjusts for vehicle age, then compares 8 models. See the full ranking.
- Year flags compare each Tacoma model year only with other Tacoma years, so they say which years to prefer, not how the Tacoma compares with other models.
- This is federal complaint and recall data, not a survey and not comparable to Consumer Reports or J.D. Power ratings. It does not estimate repair costs.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation owner complaints and NHTSA recall campaigns (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-11-10; published U.S. sales figures; CarWhere years-to-avoid analysis.
More Toyota Tacoma research
Toyota Tacoma reliability by model year: