The Lemon Index2005 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2005 Toyota Tacoma is worse than average by owner complaints: 144 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 123, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about body structure, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 16 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 707 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 35K to 138K miles on the car (533 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 58K–150K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 67K–145K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 30K–83K miles
Recalls 10
- suspension 2014
In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion.
- seat belts 2013
If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time.
- airbags 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008.
Show all 10 recalls
- equipment 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETW…
- equipment 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE S…
- speed control 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- equipment 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009.
- airbags 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUN…
- airbags 2005
ON CERTAIN REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH SEAT, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR CONNECTOR PINS ARE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR.
- parking brake 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Toyota told dealers about
Toyota sent dealers 337 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Transmission extension housing seal leak (2wd only)
- Rear differential whine or howling noise at highway speeds
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–4000 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
When my 05' Tacoma goes between 80-85 mph their is a whistling sound can be as close to chinese torture as humanly possible. It is in the "g"-flat range and very loud.
2005 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 10164045
More owner reports
New 2005 Tacoma Toyota truck with less than 10k. The tailgate is all bent. Very poorly constructed....Toyota should be ashamed!
NHTSA complaint 10160605
Automatic transmission on 2005 Toyota Tacoma 4.0 v6 lurches while stopped and transmission in drive. Transmission also shudders between shifts.
NHTSA complaint 10213979
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 123; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2005 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are body structure (25%), transmission & drivetrain (20%) and tires (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have?
10 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma get?
16 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Tacoma problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 35,000 and 138,000 miles. The middle report was at 82,000 miles, from 533 complaints.
Does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $4000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 4.0L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2022, 2014 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works