Toyota Tacoma Problems by Year

We compared every Toyota Tacoma model year from 1995–2026 using 8,471 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 56 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012 and 2017, which drew far more complaints than other Tacoma years at the same age. The best years are 2014, 2015 and 2020.

32model years
8,471complaints
56recalls
2024, 2016worst years
2014, 2015best years

Complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26177253131300249211396333360414707782541449519294186295125931013242432092199081595415411111
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Tacoma. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
202611−22%—TransmissionAverage
20251111.9×5BodyCaution
20241542.8×5TransmissionAvoid
202354−25%4ElectricalAverage
202259−27%3TransmissionAverage
202181−32%—EngineAverage
202090−42%1Fuel SystemGood
20192191.5×4Fuel SystemCaution
20182091.4×3Fuel SystemCaution
20172431.6×5TransmissionCaution
20163242.1×4TransmissionAvoid
2015101−45%4BodyGood
201493−49%4BodyGood
2013125−31%6TransmissionAverage
20122951.9×7EngineCaution
2011186typical9SuspensionAverage
20102941.6×13SuspensionCaution
20095193.0×13SuspensionAvoid
20084492.3×11SuspensionAvoid
20075412.5×10SuspensionAvoid
20067823.4×11BodyAvoid
20057072.7×10BodyAvoid
2004414−14%3BodyAverage
2003360−20%3BodyAverage
2002333−23%3BodyAverage
2001396typical4BodyAverage
2000211−31%—BodyAverage
1999249typical—BodyAverage
1998300typical1BodyAverage
1997131−59%—BodyGood
19962531.2×1SuspensionAverage
1995177−25%2SuspensionAverage

* Complaints compared with the median Tacoma year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Toyota Tacoma problems

Latest Toyota Tacoma recalls

Suspension › Rear › Shock absorber

NHTSA recall 26V-514 · Aug 6, 2026 · 48,280 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Tacoma Hybrid and 2024-2025 Tacoma vehicles. The metal flange on the front and rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external oil reservoir.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front and rear shock absorber assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed September 30, 2026.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 26V-179 · Mar 24, 2026 · 8,230 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Lexus…

Remedy: Dealers will replace the load carrying capacity modification label, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed May 26, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 25V-656 · Oct 1, 2025 · 5,960 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Electrical system › Instrument cluster/panel

NHTSA recall 25V-595 · Sep 11, 2025 · 591,377 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Toyota Venza, 2023-2025 RAV4 Prime, RAV4, Highlander, GR Corolla, Crown, 2024-2025 Lexus TX, LS, Toyota Tacoma, Grand Highlander, and 2025 Lexus RX, Toyota Crown Signia, Camry, RAV 4 Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), and 4 Runner vehicles.

Remedy: Dealers will update the instrument panel software over-the-air (OTA) for non-PHEV vehicles, free of charge. For PHEV vehicles, dealers will inspect the instrument panel assembly, and either replace it, or update the…

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

NHTSA recall 25V-058 · Feb 6, 2025 · 221,846 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Tacoma 4-wheel drive vehicles. The rear brake hoses can be damaged if mud and dirt builds up inside the rear wheels. This can result in a brake fluid leak.

Remedy: Dealers will replace both rear brake hoses, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 1, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

All 56 Toyota Tacoma recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Toyota Tacoma should you avoid?

2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017 and 2019 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Tacoma years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2024.

What is the best year for the Toyota Tacoma?

2014 has the fewest complaints compared with other Tacoma years at the same age, followed by 2015 and 2020. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the body & structure (2,208), suspension (1,534) and transmission & drivetrain (941). Body complaints peak in the 2005 model year.

How many recalls has the Toyota Tacoma had?

56 recalls across 1995–2026. The model year with the most is 2009. See all Toyota Tacoma recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.