The Lemon Index2023 Toyota Tacoma.
The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is so far one of the most reliable years by owner complaints: 54 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 19, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 21 mpg combined. The best Toyota Tacoma year is 2022.
Early read
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 2023 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 54 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Toyota Tacoma year. 2023 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 4K to 31K miles on the car (10 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 4
- steering 2025
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
- transmission & drivetrain 2024
The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
- steering 2023
An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag.
Show all 4 recalls
- child seat 2022
One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient.
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 74 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- A battery in a stored vehicle is subject to conditions that can reduce its performance and…
- Some customers have complained that the wireless functions of their Key Fob stop working
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/CC 2WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★☆ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| 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
Check BSM light came on Dealer found chafed wiring harness
2023 Toyota Tacoma owner · NHTSA complaint 11763071
More owner reports
Brake booster failure. When pressing and holding onto brake, it makes a buzzing/clicking noise. Just like the toyota prius brake booster recall/failure. Toyota claimed to be normal.
NHTSA complaint 11650622
Bearing failure inside heater blower motor causing fan motor to burn out and filling the cabin with toxic electrical smoke
NHTSA complaint 11566373
Quick answers
Is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
It's too early to be sure. So far it has drawn 5.3× fewer complaints than average per car sold, against other 2023 cars after the same time on the road (early Lemon Index 19; 100 is average). The best Toyota Tacoma year by this measure is 2022.
What are the most common 2023 Toyota Tacoma problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (22%), steering (17%) and airbags (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma have?
4 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma get?
18 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2023 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 2023 Toyota Tacoma have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma have?
2.7L 4-cyl, 3.5L 6-cyl.
What Toyota Tacoma year is better than the 2023?
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