Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
65% of the 52 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 65/100 — it scores a little better than average.
52
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections65/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10065%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 52 used Toyota Tacomas we inspected, this model scores a little better than average — average condition 65/100 vs 61 for all cars we check. Every number on this page comes from real pre-purchase inspections — cars people were about to buy and paid an independent inspector to go through point by point, engine to underbody, paint depth to error codes. Not owner surveys, not warranty statistics, not forum lore: what we actually found.
What we found
Most common faults
Fluid leaks · Steering (hydraulic power)
33%
Oil leaks · Engine
31%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
25%
Tire pressure monitoring system · Brakes and tires
19%
Abnormal noise · Engine
19%
Share of inspected Toyota Tacomas where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 25%
Good 40%
Mediocre 15%
Poor 19%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
73%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
6%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
13%had fault codes recently clearedall cars: 24%
How long does a Tacoma stay good?
Good cars by mileage
Share of Toyota Tacomas in good shape (scoring 60+/100) by mileage and by age when we inspected them (each dot ≥5 cars; rolled-back odometers excluded from the mileage curve). The dashed grey curve is all cars we check.
More on Toyota
RAV4
54 cars · 79% good
Prius
61 cars · 67% good
Highlander
41 cars · 64% good
Corolla
113 cars · 61% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Tundra
56 cars · 55% good
Camry
110 cars · 53% good
Avalon
28 cars · 50% good
4Runner
70 cars · 47% good
Other Toyota models we've inspected — or see the full Toyota profile.
Straight from recent Toyota Tacoma reports
2017 Toyota Tacoma · 69k mi — flagged: fault codes recently cleared, sway bars, worn suspension joints. Inspected Sep 28.
2024 Toyota Tacoma · 26k mi — flagged: low coolant / cooling system issues, dashboard. Inspected Sep 27.
The bottom line
On any Tacoma, start underneath: hydraulic power-steering leaks show up on a third of them and engine oil leaks on nearly as many, then listen for abnormal engine noise and check tire wear and the TPMS. Resprays are extremely common, so a fresh panel is not automatically a deal-breaker, but still confirm there is no structural repair. Skip the noisy, leaky examples with tired rubber, and use those same faults as negotiating chips on anything merely average; chase the quiet trucks with dry engines and decent tires instead.
FAQ
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What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Tacoma?
The items we flag most often are fluid leaks (33%), oil leaks (31%), tires condition & wear (25%). Have these checked before buying.
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Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 13% of these cars the ECU codes had been erased shortly before sale, which can hide active faults. Ask for a diagnostic scan and start the engine from cold.
Thinking of buying a Toyota Tacoma? Get the exact car inspected before you pay.
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Based on 52 inspections · updated Oct 1, 2026
