This used Toyota Tacoma review covers the 2015 to 2022 model years for Texas buyers. In NHTSA's records the late years of the 2016-2022 design look cleanest: the 2020 and 2021 Tacomas have one recall campaign and none, with low complaint totals, while the 2016 and 2017, the first years of that design, carry the most power train complaints. If I were shopping, I would start with a 2020 or 2021 and check a 2016 or 2017 extra carefully. Run the VIN for open recalls and get an inspection whatever the year.
The evidence is public data: NHTSA recall, complaint and crash-test records pulled from api.nhtsa.gov on November 5, 2026, EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov and Toyota's warranty terms. No owner reviews, invented reliability scores or prices.
Where the Tacoma ranks in Texas sales
In CarEdge's best-selling new cars in Texas list, data updated October 27, 2026, the Tacoma ranks fourth with 6,097 new units sold in Texas over the previous 45 days. It sits behind the Ford F-150, Toyota Camry and Toyota RAV4, and ahead of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 at 5,674. It is the only midsize pickup in that top five. CarEdge uses new-vehicle dealer inventory data rather than registrations, so this is a new-car measure. For a used buyer, steady new sales mean a large supply of used Tacomas in Austin, San Antonio and the Hill Country towns between them.
Toyota Tacoma years for used buyers: 2015 to 2022
Two designs share this span. The engine and transmission lists on fueleconomy.gov show where one ends and the next begins.
2015
The 2015 Tacoma is the last year of the older design. fueleconomy.gov lists a 2.7-liter four-cylinder with a 4-speed automatic or 5-speed manual, and a 4.0-liter V6 with a 5-speed automatic or 6-speed manual, in rear-wheel or part-time four-wheel drive.
2016 to 2022
The 2016 model year brought a new design. The V6 becomes a 3.5-liter with direct and port injection, and both engines get a 6-speed automatic. A 6-speed manual stays available with the V6 in four-wheel drive through 2022, and the 2.7 manual is listed through 2017. Trim names such as TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro show up as their own fuel economy listings.
Used Tacoma review by year: recalls, complaints and crash ratings
From NHTSA records pulled November 5, 2026. The recall column counts campaigns that list the model year. Several Tacoma campaigns cover only accessories or labels added by regional distributors (Southeast Toyota and Gulf States Toyota appear in the records), so the count overstates the factory issues in some years. "Unknown or other" is skipped when naming the top component.
| Model year | Recall campaigns | Owner complaints | Crash / fire complaints | Top named complaint component (count) | NHTSA overall rating (Double Cab) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 4 | 102 | 15 / 2 | Structure (15) | 4 stars |
| 2016 | 4 | 324 | 4 / 4 | Power train (136) | 4 stars |
| 2017 | 5 | 244 | 12 / 6 | Power train (68) | 4 stars |
| 2018 | 3 | 210 | 7 / 0 | Service brakes (47) | 4 stars |
| 2019 | 4 | 219 | 11 / 1 | Service brakes (56) | 4 stars |
| 2020 | 1 | 90 | 6 / 0 | Fuel/propulsion system (21) | 4 stars |
| 2021 | 0 | 81 | 9 / 0 | Power train (14) | 4 stars |
| 2022 | 3 | 59 | 11 / 0 | Power train (10) | 4 stars |
Some Access Cab configurations are listed as "Not Rated" overall for 2016-2019; from 2020 the Access Cab is also rated 4 stars. Rollover ratings are 4 stars for every year. For context on raw counts, see my guide to reading NHTSA complaint data. You can check any VIN on NHTSA's recalls page.
The Tacoma recalls that matter most
These are the campaigns I would confirm first, using NHTSA's component names.
2015 to 2017
- Crank position sensor (17V356000), 2016-2017 V6. The sensor may malfunction, potentially causing an engine stall.
- Rear differential (17V285000), 2016-2017. Oil may leak where the rear differential carrier joins the axle housing. Rear differential is also a common word in 2016 complaint text.
- Brake booster vacuum pump (18V211000), 2017. The pump rotor's oil galley may have been machined incorrectly, possibly causing a sudden loss of brake assist.
- Knee air bag bolts (15V656000), 2016 built August 20 to September 10, 2015. Incorrect bolts may have been used on the driver's knee air bag.
- Tires and wheels (15V099000), 2015 built August 7 to December 22, 2014. Applies to trucks whose tires and wheels were changed as described in the campaign.
- Accessory hood scoop (17V425000), 2011-2016 with a Southeast Toyota hood scoop. The adhesive can weaken and let the scoop detach.
2018 to 2020
- Brake master cylinder (18V888000), 2018-2019. Improper machining may damage an internal seal and affect brake performance. Service brakes is the top named complaint component for both years.
- Low-pressure fuel pump (20V012000 for 2018-2019, 20V682000 for 2017-2020). The pump inside the fuel tank may fail. This is the only campaign listed for 2020.
2022
- Rear axle shaft (24V152000), 2022-2023. Debris can cause improperly secured fasteners, and the axle shaft assembly may separate from the axle housing. On a truck, this is the one to confirm first.
- Child seat anchors (22V520000), 2022-2023. Welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient.
No recall campaign lists the 2021 Tacoma in this data.
Toyota Tacoma problems owners report most
2015: A low total spread across structure, brakes, engine and air bags. Nothing dominates.
2016 and 2017: Power train leads clearly (136 in 2016, 68 in 2017). In the complaint text, the common words are "shift," "transmission" and "differential," along with hesitation and some stalling. Shift quality is not the subject of a recall in this data; the differential leak and the V6 stall sensor are.
2018 and 2019: Service brakes is the top named component, and the text often mentions the brake pedal and stalling. The brake complaints overlap with the master cylinder recall.
2020 to 2022: Totals fall to 90, 81 and 59, spread thinly across fuel, power train, engine and brakes. Newer trucks have had fewer years on the road to collect complaints, so part of that drop is age. Even so, the 2020 and 2021 totals sit well below the 2016-2019 trucks, and no single component in those years passes 21 complaints.
Tacoma MPG and specs by engine
EPA ratings from fueleconomy.gov, regular gasoline for all. "4WD" is part-time four-wheel drive.
| Engine | Years | Transmission | 2WD city / hwy / combined | 4WD city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.7L four | 2015 | 4-speed auto | 19 / 24 / 21 | 18 / 21 / 19 |
| 2.7L four | 2015 | 5-speed manual | 21 / 25 / 22 | 18 / 20 / 19 |
| 4.0L V6 | 2015 | 5-speed auto | 17 / 21 / 19 | 16 / 21 / 18 |
| 4.0L V6 | 2015 | 6-speed manual | 16 / 21 / 18 | 15 / 19 / 17 |
| 2.7L four | 2016-2022 | 6-speed auto | 19-20 / 23 / 21 | 19 / 22 / 20 |
| 2.7L four | 2016-2017 | 5-speed manual | not listed | 19 / 21 / 20 |
| 3.5L V6 | 2016-2022 | 6-speed auto | 19 / 24 / 21 | 18 / 22-23 / 20 |
| 3.5L V6 | 2016-2022 | 6-speed manual | not listed | 17 / 20-21 / 18-19 |
In the 2016-2022 trucks, the V6 automatic rates the same combined MPG as the four-cylinder automatic in both 2WD and 4WD, so the V6 does not cost you fuel economy on paper.
Is any Toyota factory warranty left?
Toyota's warranty page lists basic coverage of 36 months or 36,000 miles and powertrain coverage of 60 months or 60,000 miles. On a 2015-2021 Tacoma, both are almost certainly over. A low-mileage 2022 that went into service late may still have some powertrain coverage, so ask for the in-service date and confirm with a Toyota dealer. Recall repairs are free at a Toyota dealer regardless of warranty.
Texas notes for Tacoma owners
Heat. Trucks in Central Texas often sit outside all day, which is hard on the AC, cooling system, battery and tires. Test the AC from a hot start. My used cars and Texas heat guide lists the checks. fueleconomy.gov's hot weather page notes AC use can cut a conventional vehicle's fuel economy by more than 25% in very hot conditions, especially on short trips.
I-35 commuting. None of these Tacomas is a fuel economy champion, with 2WD automatics topping out at 21 combined. For a daily I-35 commute, 2WD trucks rate slightly better than 4WD.
Towing and off-road use. If you plan to tow a small trailer or boat, or the truck you are looking at has spent time on ranch roads, check the history closely. Before you buy, check the rear differential and axle area for leaks and damage, look at the hitch and wiring, and confirm the tow rating for that exact configuration in Toyota's specifications for the model year and on the door-jamb label rather than trusting a listing. On 2022 trucks, the axle shaft recall comes first.
Emissions counties. TCEQ requires a yearly emissions test before registration for gasoline vehicles 2 through 24 years old in Travis and Williamson counties, and in Bexar County starting November 1, 2026. Hays, Comal, Guadalupe and Caldwell are not on the list. See my inspection and emissions guide.
Best years: the Tacomas I would shortlist, and the ones I would check extra carefully
My opinion, based only on the data shown here.
Years I would shortlist
- 2021 Tacoma. No recall campaigns in this data and 81 complaints, with no single component above 14.
- 2020 Tacoma. One campaign, the fuel pump, and 90 complaints.
- 2022 Tacoma. The fewest complaints (59), but only with proof that the rear axle shaft and child seat anchor campaigns were completed.
Years I would check extra carefully
- 2016 Tacoma. The first year of the newer design and the most complaints in the span (324), led by power train at 136. Confirm the crank sensor and rear differential campaigns, and spend real time on shift quality.
- 2017 Tacoma. Five campaigns, including the brake vacuum pump, and 244 complaints with power train and brakes leading.
- 2018 and 2019 Tacoma. Brake complaints lead both years. Confirm the master cylinder recall and test the brakes carefully.
Pre-purchase inspection checklist for a used Tacoma
Use this with my general pre-purchase inspection checklist.
- Run the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup and ask a Toyota dealer for the completed-recall history.
- Confirm engine, transmission, cab and drive. The V6, 2016-2017 and 2018-2019 campaigns depend on them.
- On the test drive, accelerate gently and firmly from a stop, then cruise; note hunting between gears, late shifts or hesitation.
- Check the brake pedal feel from cold and after a few stops; it should be firm and consistent.
- Get under the truck and check the rear differential and axle housing for oil seepage. On 2022 trucks, confirm the axle shaft repair.
- If the truck has 4WD, engage it on loose ground and listen for clunks in the driveline.
- Check the frame, hitch and trailer wiring for damage and corrosion.
- Look for signs of off-road use: skid plate scrapes, bent rocker panels, mud in the frame rails.
- Test the AC from a hot start and check the battery date and tire age.
- Check the title through TxDMV Title Check for salvage, flood or buyback brands.
For model data across years, see the Toyota Tacoma car data page.
Sources
- CarEdge, Best Selling New Cars in Texas (data updated 2026-10-27)
- NHTSA recalls lookup; recall, complaint and NCAP data from NHTSA (api.nhtsa.gov), data pulled 2026-11-05
- fueleconomy.gov Find a Car (EPA ratings, 2015-2022 Tacoma)
- fueleconomy.gov, Fuel Economy in Hot Weather
- Toyota, Warranty and Owner's Manuals
- TCEQ, Vehicle Emissions Inspections in Texas
- TxDMV Title Check
Frequently asked questions
What are the best years for a used Toyota Tacoma?
Based on NHTSA data for 2015-2022, the 2021 Tacoma has no recall campaigns and the 2020 has one, both with low complaint totals. The 2022 has the fewest complaints and three recall campaigns; the two to confirm before buying are the rear axle shaft and the child seat anchor (the third covers labels).
Which Tacoma years have the most problems in NHTSA data?
The 2016 Tacoma has the most complaints (324), led by power train. The 2017 has the most recall campaigns (5).
What do Tacoma owners complain about most?
For 2016-2017, power train complaints about shifting and the rear differential lead. For 2018-2019, service brakes lead, which overlaps with a brake master cylinder recall.
Is the V6 or four-cylinder Tacoma better on gas?
On fueleconomy.gov the 2016-2022 V6 automatic rates the same combined MPG as the four-cylinder automatic: 21 in 2WD and 20 in 4WD.
Does a used Tacoma need an emissions test in Texas?
Yes in Travis and Williamson counties, and in Bexar County from November 1, 2026, for gasoline vehicles 2 to 24 years old, according to TCEQ. Hays, Comal, Guadalupe and Caldwell do not test.
How does the Tacoma do in NHTSA crash tests?
NHTSA rates the Double Cab 4 stars overall in every year from 2015 to 2022, and rollover ratings are 4 stars. Some Access Cab versions are not rated overall for 2016-2019.
Educational content. Anthony does not sell, broker or arrange vehicle sales in Texas. Confirm fees and rules with the office named in each source before you pay anything.
