The 2011 Tacoma lasts over 300,000 miles with only minor body and air conditioning problems. At $12,045 – 20,767, it’s high priced, but worth the money for a capable truck.
Is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma a Good Used Truck?
- Yes, 2011 is a good year. Owners praise the great performance, strong 4WD system, and good build quality of the truck.
- Reliability ratings are great with only minor lighting and A/C problems. Models from 2010–2015 are all good, with a few more problems showing up in 2016.
- Performance is good from the V6, but the four-cylinder is a bit weak.
- Safety ratings are good, getting four out of five stars in government crash tests and offering an optional rearview camera.
- Fuel economy is good at up to 22 mpg combined.
Positive Owner Reviews
Negative Owner Reviews
What Do Critics Say About the Tacoma?
- Consumer Reports finds the Tacoma to be a good truck with secure handling and above-average owner satisfaction ratings.
- Edmunds rates the Tacoma 4.5/5, liking the powerful engines, but finding the brakes to be soft.
- Kelley Blue Book users give the Tacoma a 4.7/5, finding the truck to be capable and reliable, but note the suspension is rough on the roads.
What Common Problems Does the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Have?
Problems with the Tacoma are minor, including melting headlight lens covers, air conditioning issues, and a lot of suspension noise.
Melting headlight lens covers are very common, happening at around 60,000 miles. The daylight running bulbs tend to be hot and melt through the plastic. A new set of headlight lenses costs about $900 to replace.
Air conditioning system problems show up as well in the first 15,000 miles. Replacing the blower motor solves the issue and many were replaced under warranty. If your truck is out of warranty, a new blower motor costs about $450.
Suspension noises are another very common issue showing up in the first 30,000 miles. The leaf spring pads come loose and simply lubricating them with WD-40 or grease solves the problem.
There are nine recalls including the tire pressure monitoring system, occupant sensing system, load-carrying labels, seat belt screws, leaf springs fracture, seat heater wiring, and hood scoop. Most serious is the leaf spring fracture, which can cause an accident.
How Long Will the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Last?
A properly maintained 2011 Tacoma can last over 300,000 miles, around 100,000 miles longer than a Chevy Colorado. Regular annual maintenance costs are affordable at $458 per year, according to Repair Pal.
As a Tacoma reaches 150,000 miles owners should prepare to replace the brake master cylinder for $900, axle shaft seals costing $250, and the oil pan gasket which costs $700.
No problems at all and it get great gas mileage and I have had no medical problems with it at all. I do take great care of my car with oil changes and tire rotations.
Yes it is reliable. Do not have any repair bill but oil change and tire rotation. I don't want to brag but it is a very good truck.
How Much is the 2011 Toyota Tacoma Worth?
Blue book prices range from $12,045 – 20,767 making the Tacoma more expensive than rivals including the Ranger or Frontier. When new, the price range was $16,365 to $27,525. Depreciation is much better than average, only losing about 2% of its current value per year.
What are the Different Models of the Tacoma?
There are three main models of the Tacoma. The truck is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. Technology is outdated with the last update in 2009, and new features being added in 2012.
Base is the entry-level model with:
- 15-inch Steel Wheels
- Cloth Seating
- Manual Seating
- Four-speaker AM/FM/CD Stereo With 3.5mm AUX Input
PreRunner is a step up adding:
- 16-inch Alloy Wheels
- Power Windows And Locks
- Cruise Control
- Premium Cloth Seating
- Six-speaker JBL Stereo System With Bluetooth
X-Runner is the sport-focused model with:
- 17-inch Alloy Wheels
- Lowered Sport Suspension
- Hood Scoop
- Unique Sport Seats
What Engines Come in the Tacoma?
- The base engine is a weak 2.7L four-cylinder making only 159 horsepower.
- An optional upgrade is the more powerful 4.0L V6, which produces 236 horsepower and can tow up to 6,500 pounds.
What Colors Does the Tacoma Come in?
How Big is the Tacoma?
The 2011 Tacoma is average for a compact truck similar to the Colorado or Frontier. The truck is available as a two-door regular cab, four-door access cab, and larger four-door double cab. Passenger room is cramped in the back seats, even with the largest cabin.
There are two bed lengths available including a five-foot short bed and six-foot regular bed.
How Does the Tacoma Compare to the Competition?
One of the closest competitors in the same price range is the Honda Ridgeline. The Ridgeline is more comfortable on the roads, but the Tacoma performs better on the trails. Overall we prefer the Tacoma since it can tow more and is better off-road with the low-range 4WD system.
Another rival is the Ford Ranger costing $2,000 less. Where the Ranger stands out is with a more rugged work-ready interior, but the Tacoma has better reliability ratings. As a used truck the Tacoma will last longer and hold its value better.
Do Owners Recommend the Toyota Tacoma?
Yes very reliable I have had no problems with the vehicle in the whole time I have owned it. I have been through a hurricane and a flood and the car never missed a beat.
Yes it is. I have not had any problems. It is a very good truck. I love it. I would not buy any other truck.
