The Tacoma is a solid pickup truck. While most years live up to its name, some models haven’t, receiving double-digit recalls and several hundred consumer complaints. But at the end of the day, it’s still a Tacoma, a trusty utilitarian vehicle offering solid reliability.
Key Points
- The Toyota Tacoma’s worst years include 2010, 2012, 2016, and 2017, which are known for rust issues and engine problems.
- Also, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, airbag failures and hard gear shifts are not uncommon in these model years.
- Potential buyers should be looking at years 2013 through 2015, and 2018 to current, because they’re among the Tacoma’s best years, offering exceptional reliability ratings and more standard features including multiple airbags, stability control, brake assist, and Bluetooth connectivity.
- Although the Toyota Tacoma may have some problem years, remember that even the Tacoma’s worst years are better than some of its competition’s best years. It’s still a Toyota, after all, even at its worst.
2010’s Fire and Safety Risks Over Faulty Wiring Led to Truck’s Highest Number of Recalls in a 10-year Period
The Toyota Tacoma is a solid truck. But some years are slightly less robust, with issues like rusting frames and breaking leaf springs. Also on record are complaints about faulty transmissions, engine stalls, and fuel pump failures.
So, if you’re looking for a used Toyota Tacoma, it’s best to avoid years 2010, 2012, and 2016.
To this day, the 2010 Toyota Tacoma has the highest number of recalls in a 10-year range, from 2010 through 2021.
The 2010 model year racked up 13 NHTSA recalls and 255 complaints, which is the Tacoma’s third-highest number of consumer complaints in that same time span.
The 2010 Tacoma’s most complaints are over unintended acceleration, random loss of steering control, and a widespread problem with weak rear leaf springs that suffer premature wear. The latter complaints about the leaf springs led to one of the model year’s 13 recalls.
The weak leaf springs are a particular cause for concern, because if a leaf spring breaks, it could contact surrounding components, possibly puncturing the fuel tank and increasing the risk of a fire.
Further Solidifying the 2010 Tacoma as a Worst Year are Additional Problems with Seats Catching Fire, Sticky Accelerator Pedals, and Unreliable Airbags
Two additional recalls for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma cover faulty wiring for the heated seats that can cause the seats to catch fire.
A separate recall addresses the faulty driver’s side airbag. Per the NHTSA, turning the steering wheel causes the flexible flat cable to prematurely wear down, resulting in an airbag malfunction.
Another design flaw led to the accelerator pedal getting stuck. Toyota estimates nearly 4.5 million vehicles to have the issue, all of which have been recalled.
2012, 2016, and 2017 Tacomas have Problems with Faulty Fuel Pumps, Engine Stalls, and Tricky Transmissions
The 2012 Tacoma has seven recalls and nearly 300 consumer complaints. Though most of the recalls cover less serious issues like mislabeled load stickers, the most serious recall concerns airbags that may not deploy in a crash due to a faulty occupant sensor.
The majority of consumer complaints address engine issues, including problems with the air injection pump that may cause the truck to lose power unexpectedly, tripping the engine warning lights, and going into limp mode.
Tacomas from 2016 and 2017 are troubled with transmission issues and engine stalls. Several owners complain about the automatic transmission hesitating to shift from park to drive and sometimes even to reverse. Hard shifts and jerking have also been reported.
As for engine problems, the low-pressure fuel pump has a tendency to fail. If it does, drivers can expect rough idling, hesitation, and stalling. Fortunately, there is a recall over the issue.
The V6 models get a faulty crankshaft position sensor. If it fails, the engine would simply shut down, as reported by several drivers. Toyota has a recall over the problem, and around 32,000 units are estimated to have been affected.
However, the NHTSA still receives complaints about the sensor, leading us to believe that Toyota may have underestimated the actual count.
2013-2015 Tacomas Make Up Truck’s Best Years, Getting Excellent Reliability Ratings
If you’re shopping for a reliable pickup, the Tacoma is one of, if not the best option available. And while there are exceptions, most years have fared well. Potential buyers should be looking at years 2013 through 2015, and 2018 to current, because they have exceptional reliability ratings and come better equipped.
Compared to the 2012 model, the 2013–2015 Tacomas have fared much better. Per the NHTSA, recalls have come down to six for the 2013 model, while 2014 and 2015 share four recalls, each. Most of the recalls are minor and address things like improperly installed accessories and incorrect tire pressure labels.
Additionally, 2013 through 2015 Toyota Tacomas have scored exceptional ratings per J.D. Power. Model year 2013 scores 86 out of 100 for reliability, while 2015 scores 85, with overall scores of 82 and 81, respectively.
Price-wise, 2013 models start from $18,000, while decent examples are north of $20k. The 2014 and 2015 Tacomas range between $25,000 and $39,000, demanding a significant premium.
Model Years 2018 and Up Offer Better Features and Receive Minimal Complaints
Belonging to the third generation, 2018 Tacomas and up come better equipped while facing fewer complaints and recalls. Per the NHTSA, years 2018 and up are way better than the problematic 2016 and 2017 models.
For example, model year 2020 only has a single recall and just over 40 complaints. That’s nothing when you consider that Toyota sold nearly a quarter-million Tacomas in 2020.
As for ratings, J.D. Power ranks these models highly, with the latest 2021 Tacoma scoring 81 out of 100 for reliability and 82 overall.
When it comes to equipment, the third-generation Tacomas are way ahead of their predecessors. Standard features include stability control, brake assist, traction control, and a slew of airbags.
Extras include an available six-speaker audio system along with Bluetooth connectivity, backup camera, and wireless charging. Newer models also offer Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and Amazon Alexa.
Despite 2010’s Unintended Acceleration Issues and 2016’s Engine Stalls, the Tacoma is Still a Reliable Truck, Even at its Worst
By comparing the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s records, we find that even the Tacoma’s worst years are better than some of its competition’s best. Plus, the Tacoma’s resale value is among the best in the industry, despite some occasional complaints.
Even at its worst, the Tacoma is in every way a Toyota—built to last and inexpensive to maintain. So, don’t let these problems scare you away from buying one of the most reliable pickup trucks available today.
Photos: Toyota
