Used Toyota Tacoma: Inspection checklist

Pick the model year you are going to see. Each sheet lists the checks for the problems owners reported on that year, in the order you would do them at the car. Owners filed 795 complaints across these 8 years; the 2019 drew the most.

Choose a model year

Problems that follow the Tacoma from year to year

Each of these is a top-three complaint area in at least two model years. Darker cells mean more complaints that year. Whatever year you are looking at, give these extra time.

Area	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	Total
Transmission	25	36	13	10	9	4	50	6	153
Brakes	32	33	11	9	6	2	26	2	121
Fuel system	53	54	16	3					126
Airbags	2	3	4	7	8	5	2		31
Electrical	13	20	6	5	4	6	8	2	64
Steering	5	9			2	7	4	7	34

Tacoma generations and updates

First years of a new generation and mid-cycle updates are marked. Each year links to its checklist.

Third generation
2016–2023
2020 update: Exterior updates; New technologies like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto

Mileages where Tacoma problems start

From owner reports for each model year, lowest mileage first. Compare these with the odometer of the car you are seeing.

Typical mileage	Problem	Year
190–6,000 miles	Transmission failure, stuck in gear	2024
200–4,700 miles	Transmission hesitation and judder	2019
221–2,000 miles	False automatic emergency braking	2024
500–13,000 miles	Premature frame and underbody rust	2021
1,500–1,800 miles	Transmission slipping and hard shifts	2025
29,000–78,000 miles	Steering rack fluid leaks	2019
35,000–40,200 miles	Transmission failure, burnt fluid	2022
48,000–55,247 miles	Fuel pump failure, stalling	2020
59,966–60,000 miles	Number 1 cylinder valve damage	2019