Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023 problems by year and mileage
3rd generation · N300
NHTSA data through 18 October 20261,278 complaints, 611 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 201615kmedian
- 201716kmedian
- 201813k†median
- 20195k†median
- 20205kmedian
- 2021—too few
- 2022—too few
- 2023—too few
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- 15,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 323
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2016
- Transmission and driveline136 reports · median 11,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise50 reports
- Engine47 reports
Recall areas Equipment · Engine · Power train — driveline
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- 16,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 243
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2017
- Transmission and driveline68 reports · median 5,000 mi
- Problems owners could not categorise37 reports
- Engine36 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic — power assist · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2018 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- 13,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 209
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2018
- Brakes44 reports
- Fuel and propulsion system42 reports
- Transmission and driveline29 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2019 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- 5,500 mi
- Complaints filed
- 219
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
† This median likely runs low (why).
Most reported on the 2019
- Fuel and propulsion system55 reports · median 9,000 mi
- Brakes53 reports
- Transmission and driveline40 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery · Equipment — other · Service brakes, hydraulic — foundation components
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2020 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- 5,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 90
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2020
- Fuel and propulsion system21 reports
- Transmission and driveline15 reports
- Engine14 reports
Recall areas Fuel system, gasoline — delivery
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 81
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2021
- Transmission and driveline14 reports
- Engine12 reports
- Brakes12 reports
The 2022 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 59
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2022
- Transmission and driveline10 reports
- Airbag system8 reports
- Body structure8 reports
Recall areas Power train — axle assembly · Child seat — vehicle latch anchor · Equipment — other
Check the VIN at NHTSA
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 54
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2023
- Electrical system12 reports
- Problems owners could not categorise10 reports
- Steering9 reports
Recall areas Air bags — frontal · Power train — axle assembly · Child seat — vehicle latch anchor
Check the VIN at NHTSA
Tiles: each year’s median failure mileage. † Median likely runs low (complaints filed after 2020). Latest: the 2017; earliest: the 2020, and the 2017 is 3 years older (part of the gap is age). 3 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 11,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 60,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 611
- Recalls
- 15
At least 40% of this generation’s complaints came after 2020, so its median likely runs low (why).
Most reported
- Transmission and driveline25.0% of complaints · median 7,500 mi
- Brakes14.2% of complaints · median 5,000 mi
- Engine14.0% of complaints · median 10,000 mi
Owners filed 1,278 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma; the transmission and driveline leads with 25% of them, and half of the 611 that record an odometer reading came by 11,000 miles — complaints, not a failure rate.
52% of complaints that record mileage fall within the first 12,000 miles, against 3.0 reports per 1,000 miles between 20,000 and 80,000. Failures clustered that early usually indicate a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma last?
On the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma, half of the 611 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 11,000 miles and 90% by 60,000 miles (why that is not a lifespan).
5 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 4 past 200,000 — each one proof that a Tacoma reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023 · 611 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
10,000-mile bins, 0 to 200,000 miles, linear scale; tallest bar 281 complaints
- First 12,000 miles — 52% of all failures
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 4 complaints (0.7%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 500
- 25%
- 3,000
- Median
- 11,000
- 75%
- 30,000
- 90%
- 60,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 281 | 46.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 114 | 18.7% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 57 | 9.3% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 39 | 6.4% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 34 | 5.6% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 23 | 3.8% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 17 | 2.8% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 10 | 1.6% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 13 | 2.1% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 6 | 1.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 2 | 0.3% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 1 | 0.2% |
| 200,000+ | 4 | 0.7% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
Common Tacoma problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023
When each system fails
Bar: middle half of reports · notch: median · proportional (log) scale (how to read it)
- Brakes181 reportsmedian 5,000middle half 2,000–14,000
- Transmission and driveline319 reportsmedian 7,500middle half 1,500–17,000
- Engine179 reportsmedian 10,000middle half 2,500–28,000
- Fuel and propulsion system168 reportsmedian 12,000middle half 4,500–28,000
- Body structure94 reportsmedian 13,000middle half 3,500–50,000
- Problems owners could not categorise178 reportsmedian 16,000middle half 6,000–35,000
- Electrical system127 reportsmedian 29,000middle half 5,500–48,000
- Your odometer, once entered below
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 319 | 25.0% | 7,500 | 1,500–17,000 |
| Brakes | 181 | 14.2% | 5,000 | 2,000–14,000 |
| Engine | 179 | 14.0% | 10,000 | 2,500–28,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 178 | 13.9% | 16,000 | 6,000–35,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 168 | 13.1% | 12,000 | 4,500–28,000 |
| Electrical system | 127 | 9.9% | 29,000 | 5,500–48,000 |
| Body structure | 94 | 7.4% | 13,000 | 3,500–50,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 69 | 5.4% | 6,500 | 3,500–18,000 |
| Airbag system | 52 | 4.1% | 23,000 | 15,000–45,000 |
| Fuel system | 51 | 4.0% | 12,000 | 7,000–31,000 |
Known problems with the 2016–2023 Tacoma
Transmission 2016–2018
Six-speed automatic gear hunting, harsh and delayed downshifts, and torque converter lockup shudder — the single largest complaint cluster for this generation. Toyota issued multiple TSBs, four of them transmission-related, and repeated control-software reflashes. The Atkinson-cycle 2GR-FKS's narrow low-rpm torque band aggravates the hunting behavior.
Rear Axle 2016–2017
Rear differential oil leak at the carrier-to-axle-housing joint from insufficiently torqued fastening nuts. Continued operation can damage or seize the differential and lock the rear wheels. Recall covered essentially all 2016-2017 Tacomas, roughly 228,000 US trucks; remedy is re-torque or nut and gasket replacement, with carrier assembly replacement where damaged.
Body
Rear leaf spring and bed/frame corrosion complaints continue, though at lower rates than the prior generation.
Before you buy a 2016–2023 Tacoma: the 3-minute check
Generated from 611 mileage-tagged complaints, 15 recall campaigns, 3 documented problem areas.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 15 campaigns cover this generation.
- Ask for transmission and driveline repair records. Reports on this area come at a median of 7,500 miles — a newer example may not have reached that mileage yet, so ask what was repaired under warranty and what the warranty still covers.
- Ask for brakes repair records. Same question here: a median of 5,000 miles.
- Check transmission on 2016–2018 worst; complaints continue through 2019 cars. What each looks like: Known problems.
- Check rear axle on 2016–2017 cars.
- Check body.
- Years differ here: from 54 to 323 complaints a year — compare them by model year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car.
Tacoma problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer, or read the table.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi90% below | At 90k mi96% below | At 120k mi98% below | At 150k mi99% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and driveline | 1,500–17,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Brakes | 2,000–14,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 2,500–28,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 6,000–35,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 4,500–28,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 5,500–48,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Body structure | 3,500–50,000 | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Toyota Tacoma 2016–2023 · 611 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Steps at bin edges (how to read it)
- 60,000 mi — 90% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 96% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 98% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median (the 50% line)
- Your odometer, once entered
Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma recalls (15)
NHTSA records 15 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation (what a recall is).
The campaigns cluster around equipment (4), the airbag system (3), the transmission and driveline (2) (why one area can repeat).
Jan 2025 · 2023 · Air BagsA deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired…
What can happen. A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at…
Feb 2024 · 2022–2023 · Power TrainAxle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
What can happen. Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly, tighten the axle retaining nuts as necessary, and repair or replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April…
Jul 2023 · 2023 · Air BagsA deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid…
What can happen. A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at…
Jul 2022 · 2022–2023 · Child SeatAn insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing the seat to move…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal…
What can happen. An insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing the seat to move during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the upper child seat anchors and reweld the child seat anchors, as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 02, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's…
May 2022 · 2022 · EquipmentAn illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply…
What can happen. An illegible label may allow the vehicle to be overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will notify owners by mail, including a replacement load carrying capacity modification label for their vehicle and detailed replacement instructions, free of charge. Owner notification letters…
Nov 2020 · 2017–2020 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020…
What can happen. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting…
Jan 2020 · 2018–2019 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) recalled certain 2018-2019 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Land Cruiser, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, and Lexus RC 300, RC 350, GS 350, GX 460, IS 300, LC 500, LS 500, LX 570, RX 350L, and 2019 Toyota…
What can happen. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began May 4, 2020. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service…
Mar 2019 · 2019 · EquipmentIf the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible.…
What can happen. If the driver cannot read the label, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. GST will notify owners, and dealers will provide corrected load carrying capacity modification labels, free of charge. The recall began May 24, 2019. Owners may contact GST customer service at…
Dec 2018 · 2018–2019 · Service Brakes, HydraulicReduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance.
What can happen. Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake master cylinder, free of charge. The recall began January 28, 2019. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371.…
Apr 2018 · 2017 · Service Brakes, HydraulicA sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake…
What can happen. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or…
Dec 2017 · 2017 · EquipmentAn incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity…
What can happen. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers…
Jul 2017 · 2016 · EquipmentIf the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach…
What can happen. If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000.…
Jun 2017 · 2016–2017 · EngineAn engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine. The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
What can happen. An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at…
Apr 2017 · 2016–2017 · Power TrainIf the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
What can happen. If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and…
Oct 2015 · 2016 · Air BagsThe incorrect bolts may loosen over time and affect the performance of the driver's knee air bag, increasing…
The defect. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Tacoma trucks manufactured August 20, 2015, to September 10, 2015. In the affected vehicles, incorrect bolts were used to install the driver's knee air bag module.
What can happen. The incorrect bolts may loosen over time and affect the performance of the driver's knee air bag, increasing the risk of driver injury during a crash that necessitates deployment of the air bags.
The free fix. Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install the correct driver's knee air bag module mounting bolts, free of charge. The recall began on November 19, 2015. Owners may contact Toyota customer…
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
Out of 1,278 complaints against this generation, owners also reported:
- Crashes
- 65 (5.1%)
- Fires
- 12
- Injury reports
- 39
- Fatality reports
- 1
Tacoma problems by model year
The 2016 drew the most complaints of this generation, 323, most of them about the transmission and driveline, and the 2023 the fewest, 54. A typical year drew about 150.
That makes the 2016 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year (what a yearly count can and cannot say).
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 323 | 189 | 15,000 | Transmission and driveline (136) | 4 |
| 2017 | 243 | 148 | 16,000 | Transmission and driveline (68) | 5 |
| 2018 | 209 | 92 | 13,000† | Brakes (44) | 3 |
| 2019 | 219 | 103 | 5,500† | Fuel and propulsion system (55) | 4 |
| 2020 | 90 | 44 | 5,000 | Fuel and propulsion system (21) | 1 |
| 2021 | 81 | 18 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (14) | 0 |
| 2022 | 59 | 7 | under 30 reports | Transmission and driveline (10) | 3 |
| 2023 | 54 | 10 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (12) | 4 |
What Tacoma owners reported
The contact owns a 2018 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and went to the floorboard, and the vehicle continued moving forward. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer and was repaired under NHTS Campaign Number: 18V888000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic); but the…
2018 · 8,000 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle shuddered, stalled, and there was an abnormal sound coming from the vehicle. The contact turned off and restarted the vehicle, and the vehicle returned to normal operation. The failure occurred on several…
2019 · 40,000 miles · Engine
The contact owns a 2019 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from the A/C, and the cool air setting was inoperative. No warning lights were illuminated. A vehicle was taken to a dealer to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or…
2019 · 76,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the transmission failed to operate properly while driving 35 MPH and attempting to accelerate. While driving uphill or downhill, the transmission was slow to shift into the intended gear, and the vehicle was slow to accelerate. Additionally, there was an…
2023 · 15,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 611 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-10-20 · open data · how it is built
Other Tacoma generations
- Tacoma 1995–2004 1,667 reports with mileage, most about body structure
- Tacoma 2005–2015 3,016 reports with mileage, most about the suspension