Last updated: 2026-10-10
Toyota Tacoma Reliability by Year
Toyota Tacoma repair costs run below the midsize truck average, but 2018 and 2019 draw the most owner complaints. 2021 is the year to buy.
Toyota Tacoma Reliability Overview
Low repair costs and a good reliability standing make the Tacoma a sound used truck, though it ranks below average against other trucks on the site. Favor the 2021 and avoid 2018 and 2019. Watch for an automatic transmission that shudders and hunts for gears at light throttle, and for brake fluid that leaks into the cab.
Current generation: 4th gen (2024–2023).
Best & Worst Toyota Tacoma Years
Best Toyota Tacoma Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe best Toyota Tacoma year is 2021 with a reliability score of 70/100, rated good. Other strong picks include 2023 (68/100) and 2022 (67/100). The newer 2026 model year scores higher partly because it has had less time to accumulate owner complaints.
Toyota Tacoma Years to Avoid
The worst Toyota Tacoma year is 2024 with a score of 55/100, primarily due to power train (50) issues. Also avoid 2019 (55/100).
Toyota Tacoma Reliability Score Trend
Toyota Tacoma reliability has improved in recent years, with newer models scoring an average of 68/100 compared to 61/100 for older years.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2019 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2020 | 65/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 67/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 68/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 55/100 | Mixed |
| 2025 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 82/100 | Excellent |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Toyota Tacoma
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Excellent standing, no complaints or recalls on file so far, and the top placement among scored Tacoma years, though its record is still thin.
2025 Toyota Tacoma
4 recalls · 33 complaints
Among the stronger scored Tacoma years, with far fewer complaints than 2024, though steering and early transmission faults still appear.
2024 Toyota Tacoma
4 recalls · 126 complaints
Weakest of nine scored Tacoma years, with early transmission failures plus brake hose and instrument cluster recalls that left owners waiting on parts.
2023 Toyota Tacoma
4 recalls · 42 complaints
Final year of the third generation, with good reliability and four recalls, plus steering and air bag complaints that set it apart.
2022 Toyota Tacoma
3 recalls · 51 complaints
Middle of the pack among Tacoma years, with transmission failures reported near 35,000 miles and several crash complaints about air bags that did not deploy.
2021 Toyota Tacoma
0 recalls · 69 complaints
Stronger than most Tacoma years and free of recalls, though owners report early rear differential failures and brake pedals that sink to the floor.
2020 Toyota Tacoma
1 recalls · 81 complaints
Middle of the pack for the Tacoma, with a fuel system recall and owner reports of stalling that the cleaner 2021 does not share.
2019 Toyota Tacoma
4 recalls · 203 complaints
A weaker Tacoma year, with stalling tied to the fuel pump recall, soft brakes, and early transmission judder, and a clearly better 2020 right after it.
2018 Toyota Tacoma
3 recalls · 190 complaints
Weaker than most Tacoma years, with brake fluid leaking into the cab and a fuel pump recall that left owners waiting months for parts.
Found Your Toyota Tacoma? Check Its History
Steering (7) problems come up most in Toyota Tacoma owner complaints, and 23 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Toyota Tacoma Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$478
Repair Frequency
0.3/yr
Major Repair Risk
17%
$70 below the midsize trucks average of $548/yr.
Ranked #7 of 7 among midsize trucks.
Toyota Tacoma Resale Value
The Toyota Tacoma is estimated to retain about 86.3% of its original value after 5 years, based on observed used-car listings.
- Value Retained
- 86.3%
- Depreciation
- 13.7%
- Listings Analyzed
- 719
after 5 years
over the same period
U.S. used-car listings
Listings observed in . Actual resale value varies by trim, mileage, condition, and location.
Explore Toyota Tacoma depreciation and resale value on CarResaleValue.comToyota Tacoma Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Toyota Models
Compare all Toyota models by reliability
Compare Toyota Tacoma With Similar Trucks
The Toyota Tacoma competes with other midsize trucks such as Nissan Frontier, Honda Ridgeline, and Ford Ranger.
Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier
7 years tracked · 92 complaints
Tacoma vs Honda Ridgeline
9 years tracked · 919 complaints
Tacoma vs Ford Ranger
8 years tracked · 539 complaints
Tacoma vs Chevrolet Colorado
9 years tracked · 695 complaints
Tacoma vs Ford Maverick
5 years tracked · 1050 complaints
More Toyota Tacoma comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best Toyota Tacoma year to buy used?
- The 2021 is the site's pick. It has no recalls and a far lower complaint count than 2018 or 2019, and it has had several years on the road to show its problems. The 2020 and 2022 also rate good. The 2026 has no complaints only because it is new.
- Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Yes, overall standing is good, though it sits below average when compared with other trucks on the site. Most weak spots cluster in 2018, 2019, and 2024. Years from 2020 to 2023 rate good. Reliability depends heavily on the model year you choose.
- What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?
- Owners report four main areas. The automatic transmission shudders and hunts for gears at light throttle. Brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder or booster into the cab. The low-pressure fuel pump fails and stalls the truck. Electrical complaints include false pre-collision alerts and rodent-chewed wiring.
- How much does a Toyota Tacoma cost to repair each year?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual cost at $478. The average for midsize trucks is $548, so the Tacoma costs less to keep running than most of its class. Individual years with known problems, such as 2018 and 2019, can cost more.
- Is the 2026 Toyota Tacoma the most reliable year?
- Not by the evidence yet. The 2026 rates highest and shows no recalls or complaints, but that mostly reflects how little time it has been on the road. Complaints build up over time. The 2021 is the safer pick because it has a longer record.
How we score the Toyota Tacoma
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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