The Toyota Tacoma is one of the most popular and reliable trucks on the market today. It reinforces Toyota’s reputation for dependability and quality. Numerous complaints are expected with so many of these midsize trucks sold over the last seven years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has accumulated a list of owner complaints. That, and recalls. Here are the most common complaints over the last seven years, along with all of the recalls issued for it. The three problem areas we’ll focus on are electrical, mechanical, and safety issues. 

Electrical problems

A wide range of electrical issues has seen complaints with the NHTSA according to Cars. Among those are:

1. Soy-based wiring. This is a problem that has plagued numerous automakers that have gone to soy-based wire insulation. Rodents chew away the insulation. This leaves exposed wire and can lead to shorts or damaged wiring.
2. Many 2020 Tacoma owners have complained about the microphone malfunctioning. The problem is that the microphone stops receiving driver input for connected phones. Drivers then must revert to their cellphone.
3. A common complaint with 2019 Tacoma trucks is with the wireless charging pad heating up. The heat can damage the wiring and could start a fire under the dash.
4. The infotainment system has seen complaints for multiple years. Drivers complain about it freezing or rebooting, causing a distraction while driving.
5. For 2016 Tacoma trucks there was an issue with the third brake light housing not sealing, which allows moisture to creep in. This can cause electrical shorts and also a musty smell inside of the cabin.

Mechanical issues

Most of these problems occur across several years based on NHTSA complaints.

1. Coolant leaking into the engine block. When this happens, the oil breaks down and can lead to e engine failure. 
2. Rear axle leaking is another problem. Without enough oil, the rear end can seize, which can result in loss of control. 
3. The Hitachi shocks on 2018 Tacomas have issues with trucks getting “wobbly” in highway driving.
4. Loss of brake and complete brake system failure. The issue has led to numerous reported accidents. 

Safety issues

1. Complaints have been filed with the NHTSA over airbags not deploying in an accident. There have been numerous reports of injuries and hospitalizations over the problem.
2. Automatic Emergency Braking issues have been filed due to it engaging the brakes spontaneously. The unexpected braking has reportedly caused rear-end accidents from vehicles hitting the braking Tacomas. 

Recalls

There have been many recalls of Tacoma trucks in the last seven years. The most recent was in 2020 with the NHTSA issuing two separate recalls for fuel pump failures in 2017 to 2020 Tacomas. Also, a 2018 recall was over problems with the brake master cylinder. In 2017, there were four recalls issued. 

The first was for load rating corrections for those posted on 2017 Toyota Tacoma trucks. Another recall took in all Tacomas from 2011 to 2016 with hood scoops that could become dislodged. Certain 2016 and 2017 Tacomas with the V6 engine could stall from a faulty crank position sensor. And the last in 2017 was for rear axle housing leaking. And two recalls in 2015 were for issues with the 2016 driver’s side knee airbag module.

RELATED: What’s Wrong With the 2022 Toyota Tacoma’s Reliability?

Related post url: