Toyota Tacoma Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Toyota Tacoma model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (80) and the 2007 the most (541).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
6 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 20–23 |
| 2023 | 54 | 4 | Electrical system | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2022 | 59 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
80 | 0 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
87 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2014 Among the fewest complaints |
93 | 4 | Structure | 4★ | 17–22 |
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
100 | 5 | Structure | — | 20–23 |
| 2015 | 101 | 4 | Unknown or other | 4★ | 17–22 |
| 2013 | 125 | 6 | Power train | 4★ | 17–23 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
152 | 5 | Power train | — | 20–24 |
| 2011 | 186 | 9 | Suspension | 4★ | 16–22 |
| 2018 | 206 | 3 | Service brakes | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2019 | 218 | 4 | Service brakes | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2017 | 239 | 5 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2010 | 294 | 13 | Suspension | — | 15–22 |
| 2012 | 295 | 7 | Engine | 4★ | 17–22 |
| 2016 | 323 | 4 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
446 | 11 | Suspension | — | 16–22 |
| 2009 Among the most complaints |
519 | 13 | Suspension | — | 16–22 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
541 | 10 | Suspension | — | 16–22 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Toyota Tacoma years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Toyota Tacoma: 541 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 118 (22%); Structure 109 (20%); Vehicle speed control 108 (20%).
Reports mention 65 crashes, 9 fires, 31 injuries, 2 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 62,000 miles. 10 recall campaigns listed.
2009 Toyota Tacoma: 519 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 119 (23%); Exterior lighting 105 (20%); Power train 75 (14%).
Reports mention 25 crashes, 18 fires, 2 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 36,000 miles. 13 recall campaigns listed.
2008 Toyota Tacoma: 446 complaints
Most-reported: Suspension 124 (28%); Vehicle speed control 85 (19%); Structure 77 (17%).
Reports mention 48 crashes, 6 fires, 27 injuries, 4 deaths. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 57,000 miles. 11 recall campaigns listed.
The Toyota Tacoma years with the fewest complaints
2021 Toyota Tacoma: 80 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 14 (18%); Service brakes 12 (15%); Engine 11 (14%).
Reports mention 9 crashes, 15 injuries, 1 death. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 10,000 miles. 0 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Toyota Tacoma: 87 complaints
Most-reported: Fuel/propulsion system 21 (24%); Power train 15 (17%); Engine 14 (16%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 7 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 5,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2014 Toyota Tacoma: 93 complaints
Most-reported: Structure 20 (22%); Service brakes 17 (18%); Power train 13 (14%).
Reports mention 10 crashes, 1 fire, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,000 miles. 4 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Toyota Tacoma owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 100 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 1 | — |
| 2024 | 152 | 6 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 18,000 |
| 2023 | 54 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 19,436 |
| 2022 | 59 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 0 | — |
| 2021 | 80 | 9 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 10,000 |
| 2020 | 87 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5,000 |
| 2019 | 218 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 5,500 |
| 2018 | 206 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 14,000 |
| 2017 | 239 | 12 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 16,000 |
| 2016 | 323 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 15,000 |
| 2015 | 101 | 15 | 2 | 11 | 0 | 10,000 |
| 2014 | 93 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2013 | 125 | 11 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 40,320 |
| 2012 | 295 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 57,000 |
| 2011 | 186 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 2 | 65,282 |
| 2010 | 294 | 10 | 7 | 9 | 0 | 40,000 |
| 2009 | 519 | 25 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2008 | 446 | 48 | 6 | 27 | 4 | 57,000 |
| 2007 | 541 | 65 | 9 | 31 | 2 | 62,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Toyota Tacoma recalls
- PEDAL ENTRAPMENT (2005–2010 model years; 4,445,056 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2009; 09V388000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2018–2019 model years; 1,830,752 vehicles across all models; filed Jan 2020; 20V012000)
- Fuel Pump May Fail (2017–2020 model years; 1,525,742 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2020; 20V682000)
- Driver's Air Bag may not Deploy (2009–2010 model years; 1,486,413 vehicles across all models; filed Apr 2014; 14V168000)
- BALL JOINT FAILURE (2001–2004 model years; 768,379 vehicles across all models; filed May 2005; 05V225000)
All 56 Toyota Tacoma recall campaigns · Toyota Tacoma problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Toyota Tacoma years FAQ
Which Toyota Tacoma year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (80). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Toyota Tacoma years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2009 and 2008 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Toyota Tacoma problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (677 of 4,124 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 56 recall campaigns covering the Toyota Tacoma. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Toyota Tacoma recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.