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This is pretty shocking news, the 2022 Toyota Tacoma has taken a tumble in reliability rankings. The Toyota Tacoma is known for being an incredibly long-lasting option that you can depend on. So, what happened? 

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma drops in reliability rankings 

2022 Toyota Tacoma in the dirt
2022 Toyota Tacoma | Toyota

The king has fallen. The 2022 Toyota Tacoma has slipped a few spots as one of most reliable pickup trucks. According to Consumer Reports, the Tacoma is now the third most reliable option. 

But the Tacoma has been in its current lifecycle for the past seven years! So, what exactly is going on? Also, here are the 2022 reliability rankings: 

  • Ford Ranger 
  • Toyota Tacoma 
  • Chevy Colorado 
  • GMC Canyon 
  • Jeep Gladiator 
  • Nissan Frontier 

Consumer Reports assigns predicted reliability ratings based on consumer surveys sent out to thousands of vehicle owners. They are incredibly detailed, with 17 trouble spots that allow owners to report any issues they’ve had with previous models. Issues have been reported on a few previous model years. 

The 2019 Tacoma hurts reliability rankings 

Based on the data received about this midsize truck for the past three years, the 2019 Toyota Tacoma is pulling its score down. The 2020 and 2021 models had average rankings, but the 2019 model ranks significantly below average, with a score of one out of five. 

The 2019 Tacoma has reports of transmission problems, fuel system issues, drive system, and trouble. But these issues received fewer complaints with the 2020 and 2021 models, indicating that the problems may have been fixed. 

The 2022 Toyota Tacoma has a reliability ranking of three out of five. So, the good news is that the needle is moving in the right direction. If you’re in the market for a new or used Tacoma, be careful with a 2019 model. 

There are four recalls for the 2019 Tacoma. One was issues because the fuel pump could fail, causing the engine to stall while driving. Another was for the fuel pump again. It seemed to be a more significant issue than expected. 

The third recall was for incorrect equipment levels. Drivers couldn’t read the weight limits, making it easier to overload the truck accidentally. Also, the brakes weren’t functioning correctly. But Toyota fixed these problems at no cost to owners. 

Is the Ford Ranger better than the Tacoma? 

A yellow 2022 Ford Ranger Splash against an orange background.
2022 Ford Ranger Splash | Ford

The 2022 Ford Ranger is the most reliable truck, ranking two spots ahead of the 2022 Toyota Tacoma. But they don’t exactly compare apples to apples. While the Ford Ranger may be more capable of towing, the Tacoma is the better off-roader. 

You can get started in a new Ford Ranger for about $25,285, and a new Tacoma starts at about $26,500. These prices are the MSRPs for the base models. Destination fees and dealership markups haven’t been added. 

When properly equipped, the Ranger can tow up to 7,500 lbs, and the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 lbs. The Ranger may have faster acceleration, but the Tacoma has a smoother ride. The Ranger is better on fuel, but the Tacoma has a nicer interior with better tech. 

We recommend driving both options if you want a midsize truck. We wouldn’t let the Tacoma’s drop in reliability be too much of a concern. The issues reported on the 2019 model seem to be corrected.