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
9 recalls · 481 complaints
13 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 534
8 recalls · 431 complaints
3 reported injuries
Top issue: STRUCTURE:BODY
Problem score: 461
8 recalls · 345 complaints
17 reported injuries
2 reported deaths
Top issue: SUSPENSION
Problem score: 413
Best Toyota Tacoma Years to Buy
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 2
1 recall · 33 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 46
0 recalls · 32 complaints
Main area: POWER TRAIN
Problem score: 48
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 | 2 | — | — | 2 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 32 | 8 | — | 48 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 85 | 1 | — | 90 | Good |
| 2023 | 2 | 38 | 5 | — | 54 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 33 | 5 | — | 46 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 55 | 15 | 2 | 95 | Good |
| 2020 | 1 | 62 | 4 | — | 73 | Good |
| 2019 | 3 | 158 | 3 | — | 173 | Good |
| 2018 | 2 | 142 | 1 | — | 150 | Good |
| 2017 | 2 | 149 | 11 | — | 177 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 201 | 2 | — | 211 | Caution |
| 2015 | 3 | 74 | 11 | — | 105 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 50 | 1 | — | 61 | Good |
| 2013 | 5 | 66 | — | — | 81 | Good |
| 2012 | 7 | 208 | 3 | — | 235 | Caution |
| 2011 | 8 | 117 | 9 | — | 159 | Good |
| 2010 | 10 | 192 | 5 | — | 232 | Caution |
| 2009 | 10 | 302 | 2 | — | 336 | Caution |
| 2008 | 10 | 286 | 17 | 2 | 360 | Avoid |
| 2007 | 8 | 345 | 17 | 2 | 413 | Avoid |
| 2006 | 9 | 481 | 13 | — | 534 | Avoid |
| 2005 | 8 | 431 | 3 | — | 461 | Avoid |
| 2004 | 3 | 280 | 16 | — | 321 | Caution |
| 2003 | 2 | 261 | 20 | — | 307 | Caution |
| 2002 | 3 | 219 | 26 | — | 280 | Caution |
| 2001 | 4 | 268 | 25 | 3 | 345 | Caution |
| 2000 | 3 | 140 | 9 | — | 167 | Good |
| 1999 | 3 | 158 | 31 | — | 229 | Caution |
| 1998 | 3 | 166 | 16 | 1 | 212 | Caution |
| 1997 | 2 | 75 | 3 | — | 87 | Good |
| 1996 | 3 | 167 | 12 | 2 | 210 | Caution |
| 1995 | 3 | 113 | 11 | 1 | 149 | 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 2 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 9 recalls, 481 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 534 — 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 2. It has only 0 recalls and 2 complaints 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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