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Toyota produces vehicles that can last for decades. Not all Toyota models live up to the brand’s legacy of reliability. Some Toyota trucks are notorious for having issues that range from annoying to dangerous. Here are the most common Toyota truck problems.

Toyota truck problems: The Toyota Tacoma’s transmission and lower ball joint are a huge headache

Toyota reveals a new blue Toyota Tacoma truck at The North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, on January 12, 2015. The annual car show takes place amid a surging economy, more jobs and cheap gas, a trifecta of near-perfect conditions for the US auto industry.
Toyota Tacoma | Jewel Samad/AFP via Getty Images

The Toyota Tacoma is an excellent off-roading vehicle. The Tacoma is an affordable truck that happens to be perfect for difficult terrain and off-road adventures. Its transmission is one of its biggest drawbacks.

The Toyota Tacoma has one of the worst automatic transmissions out of any Toyota model. Its manual transmission makes the truck a lot more manageable, but it is still far from perfect. The automatic transmission can slip, causing an incredibly frustrating driving experience.

Some Toyota Tacoma models with higher mileage automatic transmissions completely lose the ability to shift gears correctly. Premature wearing of the Tacomas lower ball joint can cause steering issues. The Tacoma can be a fun pickup to own but it has plenty of typical Toyota truck problems that often require immediate attention.

Toyota truck problems: The Toyota Tundra can cost you a fortune in repairs

A black Toyota Tundra pickup truck is driving in a city.
The Toyota Tundra | Toyota

Plenty of Toyota Tundra models experience leaky exhaust manifolds. These leaks can cause irritating noises while driving. A leaking exhaust manifold can produce a loud ticking sound from the engine that is unpleasant and worrisome. Exhaust manifold replacements for the Toyota Tundra can cost upwards of $1,000.

Another huge issue that the Toyota Tundra experiences is a secondary air injection pump failure. This air injection pump failure can cause issues with the truck’s fuel efficiency. The check engine light may stay on if the secondary air injection pump has failed. This failure could also increase the production of harmful emissions.

A secondary air injection pump failure isn’t the most costly fix, but it is yet another nuisance under the hood of many Toyota Tundra model years. It can make driving a hassle and cause fuel issues for a truck that already has poor fuel economy.

If there are so many Toyota truck problems, why buy one?

Toyota trucks have plenty of mechanical issues that would cause most drivers to steer clear of the vehicles. Despite the Tacoma and Tundra’s many Toyota truck problems, they are still decent, affordable vehicles. The best way to avoid tedious mechanical issues is to do some research on the model year you are purchasing.

If you are purchasing a brand new Toyota truck model, you risk being one of the first drivers to encounter a new issue. There is plenty of data on used, older model years. The main reason for buying a Toyota Tacoma is that it is one of the least expensive trucks on the market. The 2021 Toyota Tacoma starts at $26,400. It also comes in off-roading trims that are even more suited for adventure thanks to tire and suspension upgrades.

As for the Toyota Tundra, it’s hard to deny that this truck could use some major improvements. The Toyota Tundra hasn’t gotten a redesign in over a decade, many believe it is overdue for a refresh. According to MotorTrend, even the 2021 Toyota Tundra seems outdated.

Ultimately, Toyota trucks have issues like any other vehicle, but they are still several thousand dollars cheaper than most competitors. Do the company’s affordable prices make up for these Toyota truck problems?

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