The Lemon Index2021 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma is one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 54 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 22, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 0 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 96 YouTube videos about the 2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma, 21.1M views. The 2021 is the same Tacoma.
- Driveshaft, axles & 4x4869K views
Here's Why This Lifted 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Off-Road Is THE 4x4 Truck To Buy!TFLnow · 329K views · 6 videos - Transmission & shifter726K views
How to Replace Transmission Fluid Drain & Fill Tacoma 2nd & 3rd GenTeam Oil Drop · 419K views · 5 videos - Brakes & ABS572K views
Why Does The 2020 Toyota Tacoma Still Have DRUM Brakes? We Ask The Chief Engineer To Find Out!The Fast Lane Truck · 572K views - Cooling system156K views
How to Replace Coolant Drain & Fill Tacoma 3rd GenTeam Oil Drop · 156K views
Show 4 more
- Steering & suspension134K views
3RD Gen Tacoma: ULTIMATE "Budget" Suspension UpgradeJason Explains Things · 80K views · 2 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical112K views
How To Start A 2016 - 2023 Toyota Tacoma With Key Not Detected - Dead Tacoma Remote Key Fob BatteryPYR Automotive · 112K views - Timing chain & engine61K views
What Really Fits Your 3rd Gen Tacoma - 2016+ Tacoma Fitment Guidethreepiece.us · 61K views - Intake, EGR & engine sensors59K views
How to Install Tacoma 3rd Gen Bumper Cap in Minutes! (WITH SENSOR)Moto Gal Adventures · 59K views
Before you buy, watch
Should you buy the latest Toyota Tacoma 2016-2021?The Car Care Nut · 1.0M views
Top 5 Problems Toyota Tacoma Truck 3rd Generation 2016+1A Auto: Repair Tips & Secrets Only Mechanics Know · 457K views
2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Issues ExplainedPickup Truck Plus SUV Talk (PUTT) · 369K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them.
How serious. Out of 81 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2021 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 0K to 47K miles on the car (18 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 165 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This Tech Tip applies to Tacoma vehicles equipped with a BD20 rear differential ?
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
During driving for a little while and slightly braking, the brakes started to tug very strong. Brakes start pulling very hard sometimes preventing reliable braking
2021 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 11430224
More owner reports
White smoke and strong gas smell out of exhaust upon start up.
NHTSA complaint 11398320
I was about to park. press the break pedal in order to move gear to Parking. However, My Tacoma accelerated and I was unable to control it. Finally, it stop after hitting a tree.
NHTSA complaint 11558361
Quick answers
Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew 4.5× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 22; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (17%), engine (17%) and transmission & drivetrain (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?
NHTSA gave it 4 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2021?
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