Toyota Tacoma Reliability Report
Reviewed by the Motor Ranked Media editorial team · Last reviewed May 2026 · Our methodology
Photo: Deathpallie325 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Reliability Snapshot
The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most dependable midsize trucks you can buy, with a RepairPal rating of 3.5/5, a low average annual repair cost of $478, and a well-earned reputation for running past 250,000 miles on routine maintenance. The catch is that its severity score is above average (17% chance a repair is major), and a handful of model years carry costly, documented defects — frame rust on 2005-2010 trucks (covered by a ~$3.4B class-action settlement) and a balky 6-speed transmission plus timing-cover oil leaks on the 2016-2017 redesign. Buy the right year and it's close to bulletproof; buy the wrong one and you can inherit a four-figure repair bill.
Back to reliability hubReliability by the numbers
- RepairPal Reliability Rating
- 3.5 out of 5.0
- RepairPal rank in class (midsize trucks)
- 7th out of 7
- RepairPal average annual repair cost
- $478
- RepairPal probability of a severe/major repair
- 17% (vs 13% midsize-truck avg)
- RepairPal unscheduled repair frequency
- 0.3 visits per year
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability score (2025 Tacoma)
- 80 out of 100 (rated Average)
- J.D. Power overall 100-Point Consumer Rating (2025 Tacoma)
- 81 out of 100
- iSeeCars longevity — predicted chance of reaching 250,000 miles (2025 Longest-Lasting Cars study)
- 25.3% (5.3x the 4.8% industry average; ranks 6th overall and 4th among trucks)
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability — 4th gen, 2025 model year
- 80/100 (Average); overall 81/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability — 4th gen, 2024 model year (redesign)
- 79/100 (Average); overall 82/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability — 3rd gen, 2016 model year (redesign)
- 76/100 (Average); overall 79/100
- J.D. Power Quality & Reliability — 2nd gen, 2012 model year
- 84/100 (Great); overall 82/100
Common Toyota Tacoma Problems
Frame rust and perforation (2005-2010 trucks, especially in snow-belt/coastal states) — the subject of a ~$3.4B Toyota class-action settlement that covered free inspection and full frame replacement for severe corrosion
HighTypical onset: 80k-150k mi · Repair cost: $0 if covered by settlement/warranty; frame replacement value runs $10,000+ otherwise
Automatic transmission shudder, gear hunting and delayed/harsh shifts — most reported on the 2016-2017 3.5L V6 6-speed; software/TSB updates help but don't always cure the torque-converter shudder. CarComplaints lists 'not shifting properly' as the single most-reported 2017 issue
MediumTypical onset: 7k-60k mi · Repair cost: $0 for TSB reflash; torque converter/trans work $1,500-$3,500
Timing cover oil leak on the 2016-2017 3.5L V6 — factory sealant fails and a proper repair is engine-out
HighTypical onset: 60k-100k mi · Repair cost: $3,000-$6,000
Lower ball joint wear/separation on first-generation trucks (2001-2004) — subject of NHTSA recall 05V225; causes increased steering effort, looseness and uneven tire wear
MediumTypical onset: Recall/wear-related; commonly flagged past ~90k mi · Repair cost: $0 if covered by recall; $300-$700 per side otherwise
Secondary (air-injection) pump failure on the 4.0L V6 (notably 2011-2012) — brittle internal filter disintegrates, triggering check-engine codes and limp mode; addressed by Toyota Special Service Campaign 20TC01
MediumTypical onset: 60k-120k mi · Repair cost: $0 if covered by campaign; $2,000-$3,500 otherwise
Clear-coat / paint peeling and bubbling, mostly on white and silver trucks (common across 2005-2017 era) — Toyota issued an extended paint warranty for qualifying VINs
LowTypical onset: 60k-120k mi · Repair cost: $0 if warranty-covered; ~$3,300-$3,600 repaint otherwise
Best & Worst Model Years
CarComplaints rates 2005 the worst overall model year and shows 2016 with the highest complaint volume (163 complaints), followed by 2009 and 2017 — largely the 3rd-gen transmission and timing-cover issues. Early 2nd-gen trucks (2005-2010) are the frame-rust years tied to the class-action settlement; verify rust repairs/recalls were performed before buying. The best buys are late 2nd-gen (2013-2015) and post-shakeout 3rd-gen (2018-2020), where Toyota had recalibrated the transmission and resolved most early defects.
Toyota Tacoma Reliability by Generation
First generation (1995-2004)
No J.D. Power score (predates current rating coverage)The original Tacoma that built the durability legend; simple, overbuilt drivetrains are widely regarded as long-lived. Major caveat: severe frame rust/corrosion on 1995-2004 trucks drove a landmark Toyota frame-replacement/buyback settlement. Best buys are rust-free Southwest trucks; inspect the frame before purchase.
Second generation (2005-2015)
No headline J.D. Power reliability score for most years (2007 and 2015 earned J.D. Power initial-quality recognition, which only covers the first 90 days)The least trouble-free generation by complaint volume. CarComplaints flags 2005 as the worst model year, dominated by paint peeling/clear-coat failure (avg ~$3,300 to fix). Also covered by the 2005-2011 leaf-spring recall (710,711 units, NHTSA 14V604000) and continued frame/corrosion concerns on earlier 2005-2010 trucks. Later years (2012-2015) are markedly cleaner used picks.
Third generation (2016-2023)
J.D. Power 2016 Tacoma overall consumer rating 79/100 (Quality & Reliability sub-score 76/100, rated 'Average'); 2022 Tacoma in J.D. Power's 'Great' tier (overall ~81/100) and recognized as the most dependable midsize pickup that yearStrong long-term durability reputation but a rough launch: 2016-2017 are the weak years. CarComplaints ranks 2016 the most-complained-about year and 2017 worst for the transmission (harsh shifting/'gear hunting' with the 6-speed auto). Also hit by the rear differential leak (17V285000, 227,732 units) and V6 crank-sensor stall (17V356000, 31,824 units) recalls. 2018-2023 trucks resolved most early issues and are the sweet spot of this generation.
Fourth generation (2024-present)
J.D. Power 82/100 overall for 2024 Tacoma 2WD (Quality & Reliability 79/100, Resale 95/100); ranked #2 midsize pickup behind the Honda Ridgeline (83)All-new turbo 2.4L / i-FORCE MAX hybrid platform; best-rated and lowest-complaint Tacoma to date, with multiple 2024 awards (KBB Best Buy, top resale). Too new for a long-term verdict, and early recalls (rear brake hose 25V058000, 221,846 units, on 4WD trucks; instrument-panel software 25V595000) plus owner reports of new-powertrain teething issues mean the very long-term picture is still unproven.
Major Toyota Tacoma Recalls
2024-2025 Tacoma 4WD
221,8462024-2025 Tacoma 4WD: rear brake hoses can be damaged by mud/dirt buildup inside the rear wheels, causing a brake-fluid leak and reduced braking.
2016-2017 Tacoma
227,7322016-2017 Tacoma: oil can leak from the rear differential carrier assembly area, which over time may lead to differential seizure and loss of control.
2005-2011 Tacoma
710,7112005-2011 Tacoma: rear suspension leaf-spring leaf can fracture and, if it separates, contact/penetrate the fuel tank (campaign-wide, Tacoma-only).
2005-2009 Tacoma
495,4702005-2009 Tacoma: steering-wheel vibration can damage the spiral cable assembly, potentially disabling the driver frontal airbag (campaign-wide, Tacoma-only).
2005-2011 Tacoma Access Cab
342,4512005-2011 Tacoma Access Cab: front seat-belt pretensioner screws can loosen from repeated forceful door closing, reducing belt effectiveness in a crash.
2012-2013 Tacoma plus certain 2012-2013 Lexus RX350 and 2012 Toyota RAV4
261,1142012-2013 Tacoma plus certain 2012-2013 Lexus RX350 and 2012 Toyota RAV4: brake actuator/skid-control electrical fault can reduce braking/directional control (campaign-wide unit count, NOT Tacoma-exclusive).
2016-2017 Tacoma with six-cylinder
31,8242016-2017 Tacoma with six-cylinder (V6) engine: crank position sensor may malfunction and cause an engine stall.
2025 Tacoma / Tacoma Hybrid
5,9602025 Tacoma / Tacoma Hybrid: front-driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break, impairing steering (Toyota pressroom states ~6,000 vehicles).
2010 Tacoma
8,0002010 Tacoma: the propeller (drive) shaft may develop cracks during manufacturing and over time can separate.
Recall data from NHTSA. Always check a specific VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Before You Buy
RepairPal ranks the Tacoma 3.5/5, which is 7th of 7 midsize trucks it tracks — but that ranking reflects a very tight, all-reliable segment and the truck's above-average repair severity (17% chance of a major repair), not poor dependability; its repair frequency (0.3/yr) and average cost ($478) are both better than the segment and all-vehicle averages. Real-world longevity (250k-300k mi) is consistently reported by owners.
What owners report
Owners overwhelmingly buy the Tacoma for its legendary longevity and class-leading resale value, with many reporting trucks that comfortably clear 200,000-250,000 miles on basic maintenance. The most common long-standing gripe on older generations is frame and underbody rust in salt-belt climates, while the redesigned 4th-gen (2024+) drew a wave of early complaints about its new 8-speed automatic shifting harshly or, in a few cases, faulting within the first ~1,000 miles; a Toyota TSB has since addressed many of those early cases and the broader consensus is the new truck is settling into Toyota's reliable reputation. Common smaller annoyances include interior rattles and trim squeaks, a smaller (18.2-gallon) fuel tank, and a firmer ride.
Toyota Tacoma Reliability FAQ
- Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most dependable midsize trucks you can buy, with a RepairPal rating of 3.5/5, a low average annual repair cost of $478, and a well-earned reputation for running past 250,000 miles on routine maintenance. The catch is that its severity score is above average (17% chance a repair is major), and a handful of model years carry costly, documented defects — frame rust on 2005-2010 trucks (covered by a ~$3.4B class-action settlement) and a balky 6-speed transmission plus timing-cover oil leaks on the 2016-2017 redesign. Buy the right year and it's close to bulletproof; buy the wrong one and you can inherit a four-figure repair bill.
- What are the most reliable Toyota Tacoma model years?
- 2013-2015 (mature 2nd-gen), 2018-2020 (refined 3rd-gen), and 2004 (peak 1st-gen 3.4L V6). CarComplaints rates 2005 the worst overall model year and shows 2016 with the highest complaint volume (163 complaints), followed by 2009 and 2017 — largely the 3rd-gen transmission and timing-cover issues. Early 2nd-gen trucks (2005-2010) are the frame-rust years tied to the class-action settlement; verify rust repairs/recalls were performed before buying. The best buys are late 2nd-gen (2013-2015) and post-shakeout 3rd-gen (2018-2020), where Toyota had recalibrated the transmission and resolved most early defects.
- Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?
- We'd approach these model years with extra caution: 2005-2009 (frame rust, clutch/driveline issues), 2011-2012 (recalls + air-injection pump failure), and 2016-2017 (transmission shudder + timing-cover leaks).
- How much does it cost to maintain a Toyota Tacoma?
- ~$478/yr (RepairPal) — below the $548 midsize-truck average and the $652 all-vehicle average. Ownership cost is low: owners visit the shop for unscheduled repairs only ~0.3 times per year (vs. 0.4 for all vehicles), and the Tacoma's segment-leading resale value offsets a lot of total cost of ownership. The one caveat is severity — when a Tacoma does need a big repair (transmission, timing-cover leak, or out-of-warranty frame), it tends to be expensive, so a pre-purchase inspection on older/high-mileage trucks pays for itself.
- What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?
- The most frequently reported issues are: Frame rust and perforation; Automatic transmission shudder, gear hunting and delayed/harsh shifts; Timing cover oil leak on the 2016-2017 3.5L V6.