Toyota Tacoma Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Toyota Tacoma model year (1995–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Toyota Tacoma Years to Avoid
8 recalls · 480 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 530
9 recalls · 431 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 464
7 recalls · 345 complaints
17 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: SUSPENSION
Problem score: 410
Best Toyota Tacoma Years to Buy
0 recalls · 1 complaint
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 1
3 recalls · 32 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 51
4 recalls · 28 complaints
Main area: STEERING
Problem score: 56
Found the right year? Verify that specific Tacoma with a free VIN report.
Toyota Tacoma — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 1 | — | — | 1 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 4 | 28 | 8 | — | 56 | Good |
| 2024 | 4 | 81 | 1 | — | 95 | Good |
| 2023 | 4 | 38 | 5 | — | 60 | Good |
| 2022 | 3 | 32 | 5 | — | 51 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 55 | 15 | 2 | 95 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 61 | 4 | — | 72 | Good |
| 2019 | 4 | 157 | 3 | — | 175 | Good |
| 2018 | 3 | 141 | 1 | — | 152 | Good |
| 2017 | 4 | 149 | 11 | — | 183 | Good |
| 2016 | 4 | 202 | 2 | — | 218 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 73 | 11 | — | 104 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 49 | 1 | — | 60 | Good |
| 2013 | 4 | 66 | — | — | 78 | Good |
| 2012 | 6 | 208 | 3 | — | 232 | Caution |
| 2011 | 7 | 117 | 9 | — | 156 | Good |
| 2010 | 9 | 191 | 5 | — | 228 | Caution |
| 2009 | 9 | 302 | 2 | — | 333 | Caution |
| 2008 | 8 | 286 | 17 | 2 | 354 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 7 | 345 | 17 | 2 | 410 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 8 | 480 | 13 | — | 530 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 9 | 431 | 3 | — | 464 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 4 | 280 | 16 | — | 324 | Caution |
| 2003 | 4 | 261 | 20 | — | 313 | Caution |
| 2002 | 4 | 219 | 26 | — | 283 | Caution |
| 2001 | 4 | 268 | 25 | 3 | 345 | Avoid |
| 2000 | 4 | 140 | 9 | — | 170 | Good |
| 1999 | 3 | 158 | 31 | — | 229 | Caution |
| 1998 | 3 | 166 | 16 | 1 | 212 | Caution |
| 1997 | 3 | 75 | 3 | — | 90 | Good |
| 1996 | 4 | 167 | 12 | 2 | 213 | Caution |
| 1995 | 4 | 113 | 11 | 1 | 152 | Good |
All 32 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Toyota Tacoma Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Tacoma models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 1 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2014Mid-decade Tacoma units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2014 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder Tacoma models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Tacoma should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2006 Toyota Tacoma if possible. It has 8 recalls, 480 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 530 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Tacoma to buy?+
The 2026 Toyota Tacoma is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 1. It has only 0 recalls and 1 complaint on record with NHTSA.
Which Tacoma has the fewest problems?+
The 2026, 2022, 2025 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Toyota Tacoma Research
Check a Specific Toyota Tacoma VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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