Toyota Tacoma Mannequin Years To Keep away from

A used Toyota Tacoma is broadly thought to be probably the greatest second-hand purchases. It is a dependable truck to start with, and even when issues go fallacious, you are at all times inside spitting distance of the closest dealership. Components are available, and shopper complaints are few and much between.

Nonetheless, regardless of comparatively few reported complaints, there are specific Tacoma years to keep away from. Fortunately, there aren’t severe engine issues, however there are identified transmission points. A number of Toyota Tacoma years additionally had points with peeling paint.

Total, there aren’t any main issues to report, but it surely’s price realizing about sure points just like the paint chipping. A respray for a Toyota Tacoma can price as much as $7,000, relying on the physique model. That is an enormous pile of cash to spend on high of the price of a used Taco.

The Toyota Tacoma has a protracted historical past relationship again to 1995, however we’ll provide the abridged model. The Tacoma was launched to the US market in February 1995 as a extra luxurious model of the Toyota Hilux.

The second technology was launched in 2005, whereas the third technology solely arrived in 2016. It was short-lived, and a substitute has arrived for 2024.

Meaning the Taco has been round for 29 mannequin years, they usually all have a number of issues in widespread. Toyota Tacoma fashions have at all times been bought as workhorses and household vans. House owners have at all times had the choice of selecting between rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive and a handbook or computerized transmission. A V6 has at all times been on the core of all mannequin years because it’s one of many most dependable engines ever made, however much less highly effective naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines have been additionally accessible.

The fourth technology is the primary to interrupt away from the naturally aspirated V6 in favor of a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Due to the new hybrid powertrain, the Tacoma is now extra highly effective than ever earlier than, however the 2024 mannequin hasn’t been round lengthy sufficient for us to know whether or not there are any engine defects.

The principle cause folks purchase a used Toyota Tacoma is similar cause they purchase another used automobile. The fee financial savings will be big, but it surely’s price noting that Toyota Tacomas do not depreciate as a lot as different vans. In accordance with CarEdge, Tacoma vans solely lose 33% of their worth after 5 years.

Newer fashions which can be solely barely used price nearly the identical as a brand-new truck. In case you are shopping for a used mannequin from a Toyota seller, you will nearly actually get a licensed pre-owned certificates stating that it meets the Japanese producer’s excessive requirements. Many Tacoma prospects go for an prolonged guarantee, in order that’s additionally price contemplating.

However the largest elements by far are availability and reliability. The Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize truck for a number of years as a result of folks know they’re getting a dependable truck. Even through the Tacoma’s worst years, it was extra dependable than each different midsize truck.

As a result of so many individuals purchase Tacomas, there’s at all times a gentle provide of mannequin years flooding into the used market. Used prospects are prepared to pay a major premium relative to their opponents, realizing that they are getting a extremely dependable automobile that will not allow them to down.

The Tacoma is without doubt one of the finest vans ever produced, but it surely’s not excellent. Due to this fact, we offer you this listing of Toyota Tacoma mannequin years to keep away from, not together with the all-new 2024 Toyota Tacoma.

Typically talking, the first-generation Toyota Tacoma is sort of flawless. The NHTSA logs all complaints it receives, so we all know precisely how many individuals complained in what 12 months.

The 2002 mannequin was clearly a chunk of rubbish as a result of it was the primary time because the automobile was launched in 1995 that 20 folks complained – out of 151,960 who purchased one which 12 months. To place that in perspective, most vehicles hit a lot increased digits than that. The second-gen Jeep Grand Cherokee, which had been on sale since 1999, obtained 96 complaints that very same 12 months.

The highest three points prospects complained about have been extreme rust on the ladder-frame chassis, vibrating entrance brake discs, and windshield noise.

These rust points have been one of many Tacoma’s early issues however would proceed to hang-out the truck effectively into the third technology. The primary-generation truck’s issues began when Toyota outsourced constructing the chassis, and the subcontractor did not deal with the frames accurately. A recall was issued to purchase again Tacomas that have been quickly rusting.

Do not let any of those issues scare you, nonetheless. It is ridiculously simple to identify rust beneath a first-gen Tacoma. You’ll be able to have a look at the state of the chassis and the leaf spring suspension setup through the rear wheel effectively. Or, when you’re actually devoted, get down on the ground and look beneath. Your entire ladder body is uncovered, and you may spot it instantly.

The opposite issues are owner-related. Toyota sells round 150k Tacomas yearly, and solely six folks complained in regards to the entrance brakes. Is it truthful to name it untimely put on? A extra possible situation is that these six folks have been simply too laborious on the brakes.

Just one individual complained about windscreen noise.

The primary-generation Tacoma broke its personal grievance report in 2004 when it obtained 24 complaints. All however one have been associated to the identical rust points talked about above.

As a part of the preliminary repair, Toyota recalled frames to be inspected. In the event that they discovered a mannequin with corrosion, an undercoating was utilized. Toyota additionally prolonged the guarantee.

A few years later, homeowners complained that the undercoating wasn’t adequate. A number of homeowners reported that it solely lasted 5 years, and the rust would reappear.

As talked about above, recognizing the rust on a Tacoma is simple. When you see any traces, simply stroll away. It isn’t like there is a scarcity of fashions accessible.

Out of all of the Toyota Tacoma years to keep away from, that is the massive one. The 2005 is the worst of the Toyota Tacoma mannequin years due to the paint peeling downside that was solely found years later by unsuspecting homeowners. The hood and the roof have been painted badly, and spiderwebs would kind within the paint. Shortly after, the clearcoat and paint would chip off, and these unprotected spots would rust. There seems to be a correlation between vans affected by this downside and folks parking their vehicles within the solar.

Complaints have been lodged for this downside for mannequin years 2005 to 2011. The complaints stopped after the Tacoma obtained a facelift for the 2012 mannequin 12 months.

Toyota by no means acknowledged this downside, so look ahead to a automobile with an honest paint job. Even then, it might be price paying for a brand new clearcoat layer.

The way more important challenge was rust. The issue was carried over from the primary to the second technology, and this time, it received nasty between Toyota and its prospects. The Japanese automaker was dragged to court docket and finally settled with out admitting guilt. The lawsuit additionally included homeowners of the Tundra and Sequoia.

The official recall was for rust on the leaf springs. In a somewhat high-profile recall, Toyota needed to set up new leaf spring assemblies on 710,711 Toyota Tacomas from 2005 to 2011.

Toyota made some slight updates to the 2009 Tacoma, together with a brand new radio that got here commonplace with an auxiliary enter. Together with that got here one other spike in complaints.

Out of the a number of points we are able to talk about, that is by far the least annoying. The radio would shut off sporadically, and the tiny show stopped working intermittently. We’re certain it was an enormous downside for folks again then, but it surely’s not a great cause to keep away from shopping for a 2009 Toyota Tacoma.

A number of fashionable infotainment techniques can be found, they usually include a mounting made particularly for the Tacoma. You should buy a flush-fit unit for $200 or a fancier slide-out unit for $300.

Both method, you are getting Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, two of the very best modifications you can also make to an older automobile.

The 2016 Tacoma holds the report for probably the most complaints ever obtained, although solely 4 recollects have been issued. This was to be anticipated. When you research complaints and recollects, you will quickly discover that the primary 12 months a car goes on sale is sort of at all times the worst. Regardless of what number of miles they placed on improvement vehicles, homeowners nonetheless discover flaws as quickly because the automobile goes on sale.

The 2016 Toyota Tacoma was all-new, so complaints have been lodged for computerized transmission flaws, engine issues, paint (once more), and drivetrain points.

Clients complained about laborious and tough shifts by means of the gears and a delay when shifting from park to drive. The latter was just for cold-weather states. Toyota rapidly issued a software program replace, and no recall was mandatory.

For this specific mannequin 12 months, folks additionally complained a few repetitive clicking sound from the engine. This turned out to be a cleansing cycle that runs quickly after startup to forestall carbon buildup.

Because the years handed, Toyota rapidly ironed out the kinks, and fewer complaints have been lodged. Toyota solely obtained one official grievance for the mannequin years 2021 and 2023.

Sadly, not all homeowners reply to recollects, so there are some extra points you have to be conscious of. Some are much less vital than others, however Toyota has a web based system that lets you verify whether or not the Tacoma you are serious about is topic to any recollects. These are the recollects at present nonetheless open:

Sure 2018 and 2019 Toyota Tacomas have been recalled for a low-pressure gasoline pump which will fail. This recall was a part of a large marketing campaign that affected most Toyota and Lexus fashions. If the gasoline pump fails, the chance of the automobile stalling and inflicting a crash clearly will increase.

When you’re one in all these fashions, Toyota will change the gasoline pump meeting freed from cost.

Toyota Tacomas inbuilt 2016 and 2017 have been geared up with a crank place sensor which will malfunction, inflicting the engine to stall. As soon as once more, Toyota will change the defective half with an improved design totally free.

The 2010 Tacoma was recalled for substandard prop shafts which will crack over time and finally break. Not all prop shafts have been supplied by the identical provider, however Toyota wished prospects to return in and have the prop shaft inspected. If it was defective, it was changed freed from cost.

A number of prospects complained about sticky accelerators, and Toyota traced the supply to an incompatible driver’s ground mat. House owners fitted ground mats not designed for the automobile, so Toyota developed a model-specific set.

When you’re shopping for a Tacoma made between 2004 and 2010, make certain it would not have aftermarket ground mats. Moderately purchase a set from Toyota.

Toyota is only one of many automakers concerned within the notorious Takata recall, which continues to be ongoing. That is one recall you completely must verify for as a result of the older these airbags get, the extra possible they’re to fail.

As a substitute of a small explosion to inflate the airbag, Takata’s airbags do a type of Michael Bay-like eruption. You’ll be able to see it for your self beneath. Numerous producers and the NHTSA nonetheless maintain sending out warnings for individuals who have not had new airbags fitted.

When you want some motivation, you possibly can verify the video beneath.

We cannot listing the assorted mannequin years right here, but when your Tacoma was made pre-2019, it is advisable run its VIN by means of Toyota’s devoted Takata airbag recall web site.