Most common 2026 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of the 11 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year
Best Tacoma years: 2014, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017. Compare all years →
What 2026 Toyota Tacoma owners say
Transmission & drivetrain
2026 Toyota Tacoma (i-FORCE 2.4L turbo, 8-speed automatic), purchased new, 2,051 miles. On the morning of [redacted], I noticed a delay when the transmission shifted gears and shortly after while driving on the highway at approximately 55-57 mph, multiple warnings appeared at once: Check Engine, "Drive-Start Control Malfunction," "System Malfunction" (pre-collision and lane assist), and "Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction." Shortly after, the transmission stopped engaging. When I pressed the accelerator, engine RPM rose but the vehicle did not accelerate, a loss of drive power at highway speed with traffic around me. This created a serious crash risk. The collision-avoidance systems were disabled at the same time. Photos of the warning messages are attached. The vehicle is being taken to a Toyota dealer in [redacted] by AAA for diagnosis. …
I have a 2026 Toyota Tacoma 850 miles on it. I had a problem at about 200 miles that the transmition started to shutter or vibrate as it was slowing down around 26 miles an hour to 10 not exactly that every time but close and as it slowed down it had this distinct vibration or shutter under 5 miles an hour it shifted and it smoothed out. I took it Toyota to my dealer their response was that it was a" normal characteristic of the vehicle" my issue is I don't think a normal characteristic of the vehicle is necessarily an intended way the transmission was supposed to work. I would like to know if The manufacture intended this to operate like that or is it a defect If it's a defect then it could cause at lease major repairs or even an accident.
Engine & cooling
2026 Toyota Tacoma (i-FORCE 2.4L turbo, 8-speed automatic), purchased new, 2,051 miles. On the morning of [redacted], I noticed a delay when the transmission shifted gears and shortly after while driving on the highway at approximately 55-57 mph, multiple warnings appeared at once: Check Engine, "Drive-Start Control Malfunction," "System Malfunction" (pre-collision and lane assist), and "Secondary Collision Brake System Malfunction." Shortly after, the transmission stopped engaging. When I pressed the accelerator, engine RPM rose but the vehicle did not accelerate, a loss of drive power at highway speed with traffic around me. This created a serious crash risk. The collision-avoidance systems were disabled at the same time. Photos of the warning messages are attached. The vehicle is being taken to a Toyota dealer in [redacted] by AAA for diagnosis. …
While attempting to cross 3 lanes of oncoming traffic from a standstill the vehicle lost all power and barely moved 2 feet, irrespective my efforts of stabbing at the throttle, and almost got us killed. Fortunately I slammed on the brakes and barely missed being hit head on. No warning lamps or codes popped up. This is now the 3rd such incident in the 2 months we have owned this vehicle.
2026 Toyota Tacoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 21 / 26 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 22 / 24 / 23 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | 4WD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | 4WD | 18 / 23 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2026 Toyota Tacoma a good car?
Based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2026 Tacoma rates average: 22% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2026 Toyota Tacoma?
The transmission & drivetrain — 4 complaints, 36% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the engine & cooling (3) and electrical system (2).
How many recalls does the 2026 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2026 Toyota Tacoma. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Tacoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012 and 2017. See the full Toyota Tacoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 2026 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 12,000 miles; 100% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.