Toyota Tacoma problems and known issues

By CarWhere Research · Updated

The most-documented Toyota Tacoma problems are frame rust on 2005–2010 trucks (covered by a class settlement), rear leaf springs that can break and puncture the fuel tank, rear differential leaks on 2016–2017 trucks, rear axle shafts that can separate on 2022–2023 trucks, and brake hose, driveshaft and shock recalls on the 2024+ Tacoma.

CarWhere lists 10 documented Tacoma issues, including 9 NHTSA safety recalls, each with affected years, powertrains, symptoms, pre-purchase checks and a source.

Tacoma generations at a glance

Toyota Tacoma generations and the known issues listed for each
GenerationModel yearsIssues on this page
2nd gen2005–2015Frame can rust through on 2005–2010 trucks (class settlement) · Rear leaf spring can break and puncture the fuel tank (recall 14V604) · Clockspring can fail and disable the driver airbag (recall 12V092)
3rd gen2016–2023Rear differential can leak oil (recall 17V285) · V6 crank position sensor can cause stalling (recall 17V356) · Brake master cylinder seal can be damaged (recall 18V888) · Rear axle shaft can separate (recall 24V152)
4th gen2024–presentRear brake hoses can be damaged by packed mud (recall 25V058) · TRD Off-Road shock reservoirs can corrode and detach (recall 26V514) · Front driveshaft CV joint can deform and break (recall 25V656)

2nd gen Tacoma problems (2005–2015)

Frame can rust through on 2005–2010 trucks (class settlement) (2005–2010)

Major repair
Generation:
2nd gen (2005–2015)
Years:
2005–2010
Powertrain:
All

A 2016 class settlement covered about 1.5 million Tacoma (2005–2010), Tundra (2007–2008) and Sequoia (2005–2008) trucks alleged to have inadequate rust protection that could let the frame corrode badly enough to affect its structure. Toyota agreed to inspect frames for 12 years from first sale, replace frames that met the rust-perforation standard, and reimburse earlier replacements, without admitting wrongdoing.

Symptoms

  • Flaking, scaling or holes in the frame rails or crossmembers
  • Frame rails that look freshly undercoated on an older truck

Check before buying

  • Put the truck on a lift and tap the frame rails, crossmembers and spring hangers for soft or perforated metal
  • Ask whether the frame was replaced under the settlement and for the paperwork
  • Check whether the 12-year inspection window from first sale has already passed

Sources: [1][2]

Rear leaf spring can break and puncture the fuel tank (recall 14V604) (2005–2011)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2005–2015)
Years:
2005–2011
Powertrain:
All

One of the rear leaf springs on 2005–2011 Tacoma PreRunner and 4x4 trucks built between September 2009 and October 2010 can fracture from stress or corrosion. A broken leaf can shift and hit the fuel tank, possibly puncturing it and causing a fuel leak. Dealers install new rear leaf spring assemblies.

Symptoms

  • Rear of the truck sits low or leans to one side
  • Clunk from the rear over bumps
  • Fuel smell under the truck

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Look at the rear leaf packs for a cracked or shifted leaf

NHTSA recall: 14V604 (2014-09) · 710,711 vehicles

Sources: [3]

Clockspring can fail and disable the driver airbag (recall 12V092) (2005–2009)

Safety recall
Generation:
2nd gen (2005–2015)
Years:
2005–2009
Powertrain:
All

Steering-wheel vibration over time can damage the spiral cable (clockspring) that powers the driver’s airbag on 2005–2009 Tacomas built through August 2008. If it fails, the airbag light comes on and the driver airbag may not deploy. Dealers replace the spiral cable.

Symptoms

  • Airbag warning light
  • Horn or steering-wheel buttons stop working

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 12V092 (2012-03) · 495,470 vehicles

Sources: [4]

3rd gen Tacoma problems (2016–2023)

Rear differential can leak oil (recall 17V285) (2016–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2016–2023)
Years:
2016–2017
Powertrain:
All

Oil can leak where the rear differential carrier joins the axle housing on 2016–2017 Tacomas. Driven low on oil, the differential can seize and cause a loss of control. Dealers tighten or replace the fasteners and gasket, and replace the carrier if it is damaged.

Symptoms

  • Oil wetness around the rear differential
  • Whine or growl from the rear axle

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Inspect the differential-to-housing joint for fresh oil

NHTSA recall: 17V285 (2017-04) · 227,732 vehicles

Sources: [5]

V6 crank position sensor can cause stalling (recall 17V356) (2016–2017)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2016–2023)
Years:
2016–2017
Powertrain:
V6

Some 2016–2017 Tacomas with the six-cylinder engine have a crankshaft position sensor that can malfunction and stall the engine. Dealers replace it with an improved sensor.

Symptoms

  • Engine stalls or will not restart
  • Check-engine light

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 17V356 (2017-06) · 31,824 vehicles

Sources: [6]

Brake master cylinder seal can be damaged (recall 18V888) (2018–2019)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2016–2023)
Years:
2018–2019
Powertrain:
All

Improper machining of the brake master cylinder on some 2018–2019 Tacomas can damage an internal seal and reduce braking performance. Dealers replace the master cylinder.

Symptoms

  • Soft or sinking brake pedal
  • Brake warning light
  • Longer stopping distances

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 18V888 (2018-12) · 44,121 vehicles

Sources: [7]

Rear axle shaft can separate (recall 24V152) (2022–2023)

Safety recall
Generation:
3rd gen (2016–2023)
Years:
2022–2023
Powertrain:
All

Debris during assembly can leave the rear axle-shaft fasteners improperly secured on 2022–2023 Tacomas, so an axle shaft can work loose and separate from the housing, hurting stability and braking. Dealers inspect the rear axle, retighten the nuts and repair damaged parts.

Symptoms

  • Clunking or grinding from a rear wheel
  • Gear oil on the inside of a rear wheel or tire

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 24V152 (2024-02) · 381,199 vehicles

Sources: [8]

4th gen Tacoma problems (2024–present)

Rear brake hoses can be damaged by packed mud (recall 25V058) (2024–2025)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2024–present)
Years:
2024–2025
Powertrain:
All (4WD)

On 2024–2025 Tacoma 4WD trucks, mud and dirt built up inside the rear wheels can damage the rear brake hoses and cause a brake fluid leak, reducing braking ability. Dealers replace both rear brake hoses.

Symptoms

  • Brake fluid level dropping
  • Soft brake pedal
  • Fluid on the inside of a rear wheel

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work

NHTSA recall: 25V058 (2025-02) · 221,846 vehicles

Sources: [9]

TRD Off-Road shock reservoirs can corrode and detach (recall 26V514) (2024–2025)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2024–present)
Years:
2024–2025
Powertrain:
All

The metal flange on the front and rear shocks of 2024–2025 Tacoma TRD Off-Road trucks (including 2024 Tacoma Hybrid) can corrode and fail, letting the external oil reservoir fall off and become a road hazard. Toyota put the U.S. population at about 48,000 trucks; dealers inspect and replace affected shocks, with the final remedy expected in March 2027.

Symptoms

  • Rattle from a shock
  • Oil on a shock body or missing reservoir

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Look at all four shocks for corrosion where the reservoir mounts

NHTSA recall: 26V514 (2026-08) · 48,280 vehicles

Sources: [10][11]

Front driveshaft CV joint can deform and break (recall 25V656) (2025)

Safety recall
Generation:
4th gen (2024–present)
Years:
2025
Powertrain:
All (4WD)

A part in the front driveshaft joints of some 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid 4WD trucks may be made from the wrong material and can deform or break, which can impair steering; on full-time 4WD trucks it can also let the truck roll in Park without the parking brake. Dealers inspect serial numbers and replace affected driveshafts.

Symptoms

  • Clicking or clunking when turning
  • Vibration from the front of the truck

Check before buying

  • Run the 17-digit VIN through NHTSA’s recall lookup and confirm the remedy shows as complete
  • Ask a Toyota dealer for the repair order showing the recall work
  • Always set the electronic parking brake when parked until the recall is done

NHTSA recall: 25V656 (2025-10) · 5,960 vehicles

Sources: [12][13]

Related Tacoma research

This page explains specific mechanical issues and recalls. Which model years drew the most owner complaints relative to the rest of the model’s history is answered in the years-to-avoid research where CarWhere publishes it.

Confirm how a Tacoma was built before you buy.

Engine, transmission and packages decide which of these issues apply. The CarWhere Toyota build sheet reconstructs factory colors, options and packages from licensed VIN-level build data — availability is checked free, and it is $9.99 only when detailed build data is found for that VIN.

Toyota build sheet by VIN

Frequently asked questions

Which Tacoma years have frame rust problems?

A 2016 class settlement covered 2005–2010 Tacomas, alleging inadequate rust protection on the frame. Toyota agreed to inspect frames for 12 years from first sale and replace those meeting the rust-perforation standard.

What is the Tacoma leaf spring recall?

Recall 14V604 covers 2005–2011 Tacoma PreRunner and 4x4 trucks built September 2009–October 2010. A rear leaf spring can break and puncture the fuel tank, so dealers install new rear leaf spring assemblies.

Do 2022–2023 Tacomas have axle problems?

Recall 24V152 covers 2022–2023 Tacomas whose rear axle shaft can separate from the housing because debris left fasteners improperly secured. Dealers inspect the rear axle, retighten the nuts and repair any damage.

Are there recalls on the 2024–2025 Tacoma?

Yes. Recall 25V058 replaces rear brake hoses on 2024–2025 4WD trucks, 25V656 inspects front driveshafts on some 2025 trucks, and 26V514 replaces shocks whose reservoirs can detach on TRD Off-Road models.

How do I check a used Tacoma for open recalls?

Enter the 17-digit VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup or Toyota’s recall site, or ask a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free regardless of mileage or owner.

Sources

Issue descriptions are CarWhere’s own summaries of the sources below. Repair costs are shown only where a source states them and vary by shop and region.

  1. Toyota to Pay $3.4 Billion to Settle U.S. Truck Rust Claims (Reuters, Nov. 14, 2016) — Insurance Journal (Reuters) (secondary reference)
  2. Toyota to pay more than $3B to settle truck lawsuit (AP, Nov. 13, 2016) — CBS News (Associated Press) (secondary reference)
  3. NHTSA recall 14V604: Leaf Spring may Fracture and Puncture Tank (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  4. NHTSA recall 12V092: AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING SPIRAL CABLES (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  5. NHTSA recall 17V285: Rear Differential may Leak (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  6. NHTSA recall 17V356: Crank Position Sensor Malfunction may cause Stall (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  7. NHTSA recall 18V888: Brake Master Cylinder Seal may be Damaged (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  8. NHTSA recall 24V152: Rear Axle Shaft Separation (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  9. NHTSA recall 25V058: Rear Brake Hose May Leak (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  10. NHTSA recall 26V514: Front and Rear Shock Absorber Reservoirs May Detach (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  11. Toyota Recalls Certain Model Year 2024-2025 Tacoma Vehicles (Aug. 6, 2026) — Toyota USA Newsroom
  12. NHTSA recall 25V656: Driveshaft May Deform and Break (Recalls Data record) — NHTSA (U.S. DOT open data)
  13. Toyota Recalls Certain MY2025 Toyota Tacoma Models (Oct. 1, 2025) — Toyota USA Newsroom

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Independent reference compiled by CarWhere — not affiliated with or endorsed by Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Motor North America or any Toyota distributor. Toyota, TRD, i-FORCE MAX, Hybrid Synergy Drive and the model names are trademarks of their owners.