The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most legendary midsize trucks but the 3rd gen launch was rocky. The 2016-2017 6-speed automatic transmission had widespread hunting and harsh-shift complaints. Here are the best Tacoma years and the years to think twice about.
Buy: 2015 Tacoma (last 2nd gen) or 2020-2021 3rd gen (post-transmission fix)
Avoid: 2016-2017 (first-year 3rd gen transmission), 2005-2010 (frame rust)
Scores 1-10 based on NHTSA complaint volume, severity of reported issues, recall history, and class-action exposure. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Summary | Top 3 Problems | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 8.5/10 | Mature 2nd gen. Last frame-rust-recall years. | · Frame rust (older VINs) · Leaf spring · Headlight condensation |
BUY |
| 2014 | 9/10 | Refined 2nd gen. Very reliable. | · Leaf spring rust · Headlight · Audio |
BUY |
| 2015 | 9.5/10 | Final 2nd gen year. Peak reliability for that platform. | · Leaf spring · Headlight · Minor electrical |
BUY |
| 2016 | 6.5/10 | New 3rd gen. Major transmission complaints. | · Transmission hunting/harsh shift · Rear differential leak · Cold start grind |
AVOID |
| 2017 | 7/10 | Software updates issued. Still rough on some. | · Transmission (improving) · Differential · Cold-start engine hesitation |
CAUTION |
| 2018 | 7.5/10 | TSB updates resolved most transmission complaints. | · Trans (mostly fixed) · Sensor calibration · Bed bounce |
CAUTION |
| 2020 | 8/10 | Mid-cycle refresh. Mature 3rd gen. | · Sensor · Audio · Minor |
CAUTION |
| 2021 | 8.5/10 | Best of 3rd gen. Most issues addressed. | · Audio lag · Sensor · Minor |
BUY |
Last year of the 2nd gen, with the 4.0L V6 1GR-FE engine that is famously reliable. Holds resale value extremely well.
Run AI diagnosis →AC60F 6-speed hunts between gears and shifts harshly. Toyota issued TSB T-SB-0190-19 reflash and a software class action followed.
Run AI diagnosis →NHTSA recall covered frame perforation on many 2nd gen Tacomas in salt-belt states. Some VINs were bought back. Verify status.
Run AI diagnosis →Brief cold-start grinding on 3.5L 2GR-FKS. Toyota investigated but determined operational normal in most cases.
Run AI diagnosis →Pinion seal leaks. TSB T-SB-0211-19 covers.
Run AI diagnosis →Empty-bed bounce common on 3rd gen. Aftermarket leaf-spring upgrades are popular.
Run AI diagnosis →Entune and later head units lag. Software updates partially address.
Run AI diagnosis →Run a $5.99 AI diagnosis tailored to your exact vehicle. Get the most likely cause, repair estimate, and OBD2 code interpretation in under 30 seconds.
Diagnose My Tacoma for $5.99Year-, make-, model-specific AI · Powered by NHTSA + AI
If your Tacoma is throwing a check engine light, these codes are most often associated with the problems above. Click any code for diagnosis steps.
2015 (last 2nd gen) and 2020-2021 (mature 3rd gen) are the top picks. Both avoid the launch issues of their respective generations.
It has more complaints than other modern Tacomas, mostly around transmission shift quality. Verify the TSB reflash was performed.
A 2nd gen Tacoma (2005-2015) routinely reaches 300,000+ miles. The 3rd gen 2GR-FKS engine and transmission have not been on the road long enough but are expected to perform similarly.
2nd gen (2005-2015) is simpler and proven. 3rd gen (2016+) has better safety tech and infotainment but had launch issues.
2016-2017 3rd gen Tacomas have documented 6-speed transmission complaints. TSB T-SB-0190-19 addresses most via reflash.
The 4.0L 1GR-FE V6 (2005-2015) is regarded as the gold standard. The 3.5L 2GR-FKS (2016+) is reliable but more complex.