Owners have filed 42 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the steering, electrical, and airbags. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Toyota Tacoma: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/2
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/5
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.
These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.
| Version | Drive | EPA rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 20–21 mpg |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 20–21 mpg |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Engine revs surge when the wheel is turned while idling in gear, most often in reverse, and the truck creeps faster than intended. Dealers have declined to cover it. Other reports describe oil leaks at the rack and pinion, one found near 35,000 miles. There is also a steering wheel shake between 60 and 80 mph that repeated tire balancing and alignment did not cure. Some owners are still waiting on parts for steering recall 23V480000. One report pairs reduced steering response with weak braking and stability control warnings.
Fire breaking out at the steering column while driving is the most serious report, and a fire investigator found electrical arcing and melting there. A failed heater blower motor bearing also filled one cabin with electrical smoke. Rodents chewing the wiring is a repeated complaint, and one full harness replacement cost about $7200. Smaller faults include a fuel gauge reading 1/8 tank when full at around 4,700 miles and a buzzing or clicking brake booster when the pedal is held.
Airbags fail to deploy in two reported crashes. One was a high-speed impact with a tree and the other an intersection collision that also involved brake failure, and both trucks were totaled. In another case the side curtain airbags deployed unexpectedly at highway speed. Owners also describe a persistent SRS malfunction message and warning light that took months and parts orders to address. Others are frustrated that the driver airbag recall remedy was not yet available, with dealers unable to schedule the repair.
A ticking or knocking noise is the most common complaint. Dealers often call it normal, but one owner at 70k miles found pieces breaking off the camshafts and warns of possible engine failure. Thermostat and temperature sensor warnings that eventually lead to overheating are also reported, and several dealers reportedly know of the issue. At 2,000 miles one truck jerked during a slow turn with the check engine light on, and the dealer could not diagnose it. A missing catalytic converter heat cover on one side raises grass fire concerns.
Recall 24V152000 drives most of these complaints. Owners report parts that are not yet available, dealers holding trucks for over 60 days, and repairs marked complete that were not. One owner also reported rusted nuts, weld spatter, and incorrect torque. One complaint describes a different failure: a loud clicking from the rear, rear wheels seizing as if braked, and the back of the truck swaying side to side at speed. That creates a real loss-of-control risk.
Backup camera video looks grainy, dark, and jumpy. Service advisors agree it is poor, but replacing the head unit or camera does not improve it, and one technician called it typical for the truck. A separate complaint involves the passenger-side washer nozzle, which sprays the hood instead of the windshield and leaves grime smeared across the glass. The nozzle cannot be re-aimed by bending and is hard for an owner to replace.
Brake judder starting when the truck is new is the main complaint. One owner reports it beginning around 500 miles and more than 10 shop visits, with rotors resurfaced repeatedly instead of replaced. A second, more dangerous report describes brakes locking violently in reverse with multiple warning messages, leaving the truck undrivable until the next day. Dealers could not reproduce the lockup.
Excerpts from complaints Tacoma owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
This Toyota Tacoma's soy based wiring attracts rodents and I have had to have repairs for the wiring. My 2 other older vehicles in the same location that does not have the soy based wiring there no problem. This is a world wide issue and no one has done nothing about. This is a safety issue that can be potentially dangerous, if some of the safety systems fail due to soy based wiring attracting rodents.
Filed with NHTSA, December 2023
Wiring harness on the vehicle is being completely replaced due to "rodent damage" according to the dealer. I am not an automotive engineer but if compromised wiring finally fails while driving I suspect a number of systems could be affected. There was no indication of this problem during vehicle operations. My insurance company agreed to pay for this about $7200. I have owned the vehicle for ten months.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2024
Engine began making abnormal ticking noise, heard primarily on the passenger side of vehicle. Upon removal of valve cover for inspection, found that there are chunks of camshafts breaking off causing the noise. Appears to be a manufacturing defect. Local dealer said they have seen this issue before. This issue could result in catastrophic engine failure and/or loss of power and cause a crash. My truck has 70k miles on it, regularly maintained and operated.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
Deep knocking noise they call the taco tick is actually the a problem with the motor. There is an issue valve train and timing chain, tensioners and pulleys. Toyota USA decide to tell all consumers it’s just the way they sound. So they do not have to repair millions of these trucks on recall they refuse to repair under manufacture warranty or power train warranty they wait until it becomes the consumers problem
Filed with NHTSA, January 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks seventh for owner complaints among 8 Tacoma years, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2023 is the eighth model year of the Tacoma's third generation (2016–2023).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
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 under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.
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.
Risk: Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.
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 17, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB05 and 24TA05.
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 vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection.".
Risk: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.
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 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.
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 Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System.".
Risk: 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.
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 customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB09/ 22TA09.
Cars shoppers compare with the Toyota Tacoma, with their own 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
