Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 36% | — |
| 2025 | 21 | 19% | — |
| 2024 | 55 | 36% | 3,000 miles |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% | 21,000 miles |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% | 41,000 miles |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% | 10,000 miles |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% | 1,000 miles |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% | 7,000 miles |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% | 5,000 miles |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% | 11,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% | 16,000 miles |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% | 20,000 miles |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% | 8,000 miles |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% | 55,000 miles |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% | 3,000 miles |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% | 10,000 miles |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% | 2,000 miles |
| 2008 | 22 | 5% | 18,000 miles |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% | 38,000 miles |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% | 37,000 miles |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% | 27,000 miles |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% | 60,000 miles |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% | 55,000 miles |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% | 122,000 miles |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% | 132,000 miles |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% | 160,000 miles |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% | 134,000 miles |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% | 214,000 miles |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% | 100,000 miles |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% | 130,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
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.
MY 2025 TACOMA is part of a recall by Toyota, I was notified of the potential issue on early November 2025 and told Toyota was working on a remedy. On December 3rd, 2025 while using 4-wheel drive during a snow storm the drive shaft (recall issue) broke. On December 4th, 2025, the local Toyota dealer checked my Tacoma and found it unsafe to drive - they kept my Tacoma and provided a loaner vehicle. Toyota reported at this time the remedy would be available by the end of 4th quarter (December). As of today, February 21, 2026 -- there is still no remedy for the issue, my Tacoma is still sitting at the dealer, and I do not have my truck. Toyota reports a remedy will be available during the 1st quarter of the year but nothing yet. I called brand engagement recently and asked them to extend my warranty, Toyota care, and other free trials that were included with my purchase. …
Driving up the 15 freeway from Diamond bar CA to Victorville CA the car gave me a warning that the transmission is overheating and to pull over to cool it down keep in mind I was on a paved freeway with no trailer and nothing in the bed of the truck so no unusual weight so with the car being brand new (only 1500 miles) I played it safe and pulled to the side of the freeway for about 15 minutes to allow for cooling then the sign went away and it was driving normal. A few days later I took the car into the shop for transmission, hard shift issue and I had them look at the overheating as well and they found an overheating was caused from "harsh acceleration" i've had many cars and no car has ever had a transmission overheating light come on unless if I was on the track or off roading I went up to Victorville again the following weekend and the overheating light came on again but the …
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving 10 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to pull to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part to repair the vehicle was not available. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and two cases were opened. The contact stated that there was a case for the vehicle replacement and another case for the distribution of parts to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 989.
The contact owns a 2024 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the transmission only shifted into 1st and 2nd gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed with transmission failure. The contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the parts to complete the repair were on back order. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 2,543.
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced due to an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer gauge failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, and the contact was informed that the instrument panel had a factory defect. The vehicle was repaired. In addition, the contact was informed that the rear axle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the rack and pinion recently failed. The contact stated that the vehicle veered to the right and the left independently while driving with an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired after the most recent failure. …
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the transmission failed to operate properly while driving 35 MPH and attempting to accelerate. While driving uphill or downhill, the transmission was slow to shift into the intended gear, and the vehicle was slow to accelerate. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound while turning the steering wheel. While driving in the left lane with another vehicle in the right lane, the vehicle stopped suddenly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the failure was associated with the gear shaft. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
Related recalls (5)
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
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.
Power train › Axle assembly
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly, tighten the axle retaining nuts as necessary, and repair or replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024.
Power train › Driveline › Differential unit
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and gasket.
Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Toyota tacoma pickup trucks. The propeller shaft May develop cracks during the manufacturing process. Over time, the cracks May eventually lead to the separation of the propeller shaft.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front propeller shaft on affected vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on March 22, 2010. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Power train › Driveline
On certain pickup trucks equipped with four wheel drive, a section of the rear propeller shaft May have been improperly cast.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear propeller shaft with a new one free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2007. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Frequently asked questions
Which Toyota Tacoma years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (136), 2009 (75), 2007 (68), 2017 (68) and 2005 (57) model years. Transmission complaints make up 42% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Toyota Tacoma transmission problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 25V-656 (driveshaft, Oct 1, 2025); 24V-152 (axle assembly, Feb 27, 2024); 17V-285 (differential unit, Apr 27, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Toyota Tacoma transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 26,000 miles; 73% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (133 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (43).
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.