Toyota Tacoma.
The best Toyota Tacoma years are 2022, 2001, 2014. Years to avoid: 2009, 2005, 2006. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 44, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2000 to 2025.

Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2022.
Compare the Toyota Tacoma.
vs Ford F-Series · vs Chevrolet Silverado · vs Ram pickup · vs GMC Sierra · vs Toyota Tundra · vs Chevrolet Colorado
Quick answers.
Is the Toyota Tacoma a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 44; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2022 and the worst is 2009.
What are the best Toyota Tacoma years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2022, 2001, 2014.
What Toyota Tacoma years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2009, 2005, 2006.
How many recalls does the Toyota Tacoma have?
158 safety recalls across the 26 model years we track. Most: 2009 (13), 2010 (13), 2006 (11). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name transmission & drivetrain, speed control and brakes most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 70 | tires (24%) | 5 | — | 16–21 |
| 2001 | 22 | 4.5× fewer complaints than average | 38 | airbags (21%) | 6 | — | 16–21 |
| 2002 | 34 | 2.9× fewer complaints than average | 54 | suspension (24%) | 5 | — | 16–22 |
| 2003 | 49 | 2× fewer complaints than average | 62 | body structure (15%) | 5 | — | 16–22 |
| 2004 | 44 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 58 | speed control (17%) | 5 | — | 16–22 |
| 2005 | 123 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 144 | body structure (25%) | 10 | — | 16–21 |
| 2006 | 123 | 1.2× the average car's complaints | 152 | speed control (37%) | 11 | — | 16–21 |
| 2007 | 112 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 172 | speed control (49%) | 10 | — | 16–22 |
| 2008 | 94 | about average | 134 | speed control (50%) | 11 | — | 16–22 |
| 2009 | 210 | 2.1× the average car's complaints | 194 | transmission & drivetrain (31%) | 13 | — | 16–22 |
| 2010 | 78 | 1.3× fewer complaints than average | 97 | speed control (29%) | 13 | — | 15–22 |
| 2011 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 37 | lights (19%) | 9 | ★★★★☆ | 16–22 |
| 2012 | 34 | 2.9× fewer complaints than average | 52 | transmission & drivetrain (19%) | 7 | ★★★★☆ | 17–22 |
| 2013 | 33 | 3× fewer complaints than average | 64 | transmission & drivetrain (27%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 17–23 |
| 2014 | 22 | 4.5× fewer complaints than average | 39 | brakes (23%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 17–22 |
| 2015 | 28 | 3.6× fewer complaints than average | 49 | body structure (14%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 17–22 |
| 2016 | 114 | 1.1× the average car's complaints | 218 | transmission & drivetrain (54%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2017 | 70 | 1.4× fewer complaints than average | 147 | transmission & drivetrain (39%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2018 | 55 | 1.8× fewer complaints than average | 137 | fuel or EV drive system (23%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2019 | 59 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 149 | fuel or EV drive system (32%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2020 | 25 | 4× fewer complaints than average | 56 | fuel or EV drive system (20%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2021 | 22 | 4.5× fewer complaints than average | 54 | brakes (17%) | 0 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2022 | 16 | 6.2× fewer complaints than average | 47 | transmission & drivetrain (17%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2023 | 19 | 5.3× fewer complaints than average | 54 | electrical (22%) | 4 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2024 | 85 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 153 | transmission & drivetrain (36%) | 5 | — | 20–24 |
| 2025 | 66 | 1.5× fewer complaints than average | 109 | body structure (39%) | 5 | ★★★★☆ | 20–23 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
. Get the data



