Toyota Tacoma Model Years To Avoid | Worst years

The Toyota Tacoma is widely regarded as a great second-hand purchase. Besides being a reliable truck, you’re always within spitting distance of a dealership if something goes wrong. The availability of parts is excellent, and there are few consumer complaints.

Even so, there are certain Tacoma years to avoid, despite relatively few complaints. The engine isn’t having serious problems, but there are known transmission problems. Paint peeling also occurred in several Toyota Tacoma models.

Toyota Tacoma Model Years To Avoid

In general, there are no major problems, but you should be aware of certain issues like paint chipping. Depending on the body style, a Toyota Tacoma respray can cost up to $7,000. In addition to the cost of a used Taco, that’s a lot of money to spend.


The Toyota Tacoma History

We’ll give you the abridged version of the Toyota Tacoma’s history starting in 1995. In February 1995, Toyota introduced the Tacoma to the US market as a more luxurious version of the Hilux.

Second generation models were introduced in 2005, and third generation models were introduced in 2016. A replacement was announced for 2024, and it was short-lived.

The Toyota Tacoma History

With 29 model years under its belt, the Taco has a few things in common with each of them. There have always been Toyota Tacoma models sold as family trucks and workhorses. There has always been the option of rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, as well as a manual or automatic transmission for owners. The V6 engine has been at the core of all model years due to its reliability, but less powerful four-cylinder engines were also available.

In the fourth generation, a turbocharged four-cylinder engine replaces the naturally aspirated V6. The new hybrid powertrain gives the 2024 model more power than ever before, but we haven’t had a chance to test the engine for defects.


Buying A Used Toyota Tacoma

Used Toyota Tacomas are bought for the same reasons as any other used car. It’s important to note that Toyota Tacomas don’t depreciate as much as other trucks, which can make a huge difference in cost savings. Tacoma trucks lose only 33% of their value after five years, according to CarEdge.

The cost of a new truck is almost equal to that of a used truck that is only slightly used. When you buy a used Toyota car from a Toyota dealer, you’re almost guaranteed to get a certified pre-owned certificate confirming that it meets the high standards of the Japanese manufacturer. Extended warranties are also popular among Tacoma customers.


Years To Avoid

There are several factors that affect availability, but reliability is by far the most important. Since the Toyota Tacoma is a reliable truck, it has been the best-selling midsize truck for several years. Tacoma’s reliability was superior to every other midsize truck, even in its worst years.

Years To Avoid

As a result of the high demand for Tacomas, there is always a steady supply of used models flooding the market. Used car customers are willing to pay a significant premium over their competitors because they know they will get a highly reliable vehicle.

Although the Tacoma is an excellent truck, it isn’t perfect. To avoid Toyota Tacoma model years, including the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma, here’s a list.


2002 Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma of the first generation is one of the best vehicles on the road today. All complaints received by the NHTSA are logged, so we know how many complaints were received each year.

Among the 151,960 people who purchased the 2002 model, 20 people complained about the car – the first time since it was introduced in 1995. That is much higher than most cars, to put it into perspective. In 1999, 96 complaints were received about the second-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee.

There were three main complaints from customers: severe rust on the ladder-frame chassis, vibrating front brake discs, and noise coming from the windshield.

2002 Toyota Tacoma

Tacoma rust issues were one of its early problems, but they continued to plague the truck well into the third generation. As Toyota outsourced the chassis building to a subcontractor, the frames were not treated correctly, resulting in first-generation truck problems. In response to rapidly rusting Tacomas, a recall was issued.

Despite these problems, don’t let them scare you. Rust is ridiculously obvious underneath a first-generation Tacoma. By looking at the rear wheel well, you can see how the chassis and suspension are set up. You can also get down on the ground and look under it if you’re really dedicated. There is no hiding the ladder frame, and you will be able to spot it immediately.

There are also owner-related problems. Approximately 150k Tacomas are sold every year, and only six people have complained about the front brakes. Can it be called premature wear? Most likely, these six people were just hitting the brakes too hard.

There was only one complaint about windscreen noise.


2004 Toyota Tacoma

In 2004, the first-generation Tacoma received 24 complaints, breaking its own record. The rust issues mentioned above affected all but one of them.

Toyota recalled frames for inspection as part of the initial fix. Models with corrosion were undercoated. The warranty has also been extended by Toyota.

2004 Toyota Tacoma

Owners complained many years later that the undercoating was inadequate. It lasted only five years before the rust reappeared, according to several owners.

Detecting rust on a Tacoma is easy, as mentioned above. Any traces you see should be walked away. Models aren’t in short supply.


2005 Toyota Tacoma

Of all the Toyota Tacoma years to avoid, this is the most important. A paint peeling problem discovered years later by unsuspecting owners makes the 2005 Toyota Tacoma the worst model year. There were spiderwebs forming in the paint on the hood and roof. This unprotected spot would rust soon after the clearcoat and paint chipped off. People who park their cars in the sun seem to be more likely to have trucks affected by this problem.

There have been complaints about this problem for model years 2005 to 2011. Following the Tacoma’s facelift for the 2012 model year, complaints stopped.

2005 Toyota Tacoma

Watch for a car with a decent paint job, since Toyota never acknowledged this issue. A new clearcoat layer may be worth paying for even then.

Rust was a much more serious problem. From the first to the second generation, the problem persisted, and Toyota and its customers got into a nasty fight. The Japanese automaker settled without admitting guilt after being dragged to court. Tundra and Sequoia owners were also involved in the lawsuit.

There was an official recall due to rust on the leaf springs. 710,711 Toyota Tacomas had to be recalled for new leaf spring assemblies between 2005 and 2011.


2009 Toyota Tacoma

The 2009 Tacoma received some minor updates, including a new radio with an auxiliary input. The number of complaints increased along with it.

This is the least annoying issue out of the several we can discuss. In addition, the tiny display stopped working intermittently, and the radio intermittently shut off. It was probably a big issue back then, but it doesn’t make a 2009 Toyota Tacoma unattractive.

Modern infotainment systems are available, and they are specifically designed for the Tacoma. For $200, you can purchase a flush-fit unit, while for $300, you can purchase a slide-out unit.

2009 Toyota Tacoma

It doesn’t matter which way you go, you’re getting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two of the best upgrades you can make to an older vehicle.


2016 Toyota Tacoma

While only four recalls were issued for the 2016 Tacoma, it holds the record for most complaints ever received. As expected, this happened. Studies show that complaints and recalls are usually highest in the first year after a vehicle is sold. As soon as the car goes on sale, owners still find flaws, no matter how many miles they put on development cars.

There were complaints about automatic transmission flaws, engine problems, paint issues (again), and drivetrain problems with the 2016 Toyota Tacoma.

2016 Toyota Tacoma

It was reported that customers had difficulty shifting between gears and there was a delay when shifting from park to drive. Cold-weather states were excluded from the latter. No recall was necessary due to Toyota’s quick software update.

People also complained that the engine made a repetitive clicking noise for this particular model year. In order to prevent carbon buildup, a cleaning cycle runs shortly after startup.

Over time, Toyota worked out the kinks and fewer complaints were lodged. There was only one official complaint received by Toyota for the model years 2021 and 2023.


Open Recalls For Toyota Tacoma

Some owners do not respond to recalls, so there are some additional issues to be aware of. While some recalls are less important than others, Toyota has an online system that lets you check whether the Tacoma you’re interested in is recalled. These are the recalls that are still open at the moment:

Open Recalls For Toyota Tacoma

Fuel Pump

Toyota recalled certain 2018 and 2019 Tacomas due to a low-pressure fuel pump that may fail. Most Toyota and Lexus models were recalled as part of a massive campaign. The risk of the vehicle stalling and causing a crash increases if the fuel pump fails.

The fuel pump assembly will be replaced free of charge if you buy one of these models.

Crank Position Sensor

Several 2016 and 2017 Toyota Tacomas had crank position sensors that could malfunction, resulting in engine stalling. The faulty part will once again be replaced for free with an improved design by Toyota.

Prop Shaft

During the recall of the 2010 Tacoma, prop shafts were found to be of substandard quality and may crack over time and eventually break. Toyota wanted customers to come in and have the prop shaft inspected, since not all prop shafts were supplied by the same supplier. Free replacement was provided if it was faulty.

Unintended Acceleration

There were several complaints from customers about sticky accelerators, and Toyota found that the problem was caused by an incompatible floor mat for the driver. As a result of owners fitting non-model-specific floor mats, Toyota developed a set designed specifically for the car.

Make sure there are no aftermarket floor mats installed on Tacomas manufactured between 2004 and 2010. It would be better to buy a Toyota set.

Takata Airbags

The Takata recall, which is still ongoing, involves many automakers, including Toyota. There is one recall you absolutely must check for because older airbags are more likely to fail.

Takata’s airbags do an eruption like Michael Bay’s instead of a small explosion. Take a look at the video below to see what I mean. The NHTSA and various manufacturers continue to issue warnings to those without airbags.

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