Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
65% of the 53 we inspected scored 60/100 or higher, with an average of 65/100 — it scores a little better than average.
53
Cars inspectedreal pre-purchase inspections65/100
Average conditionall cars we check: 61/10065%
In good shape (60+)all cars we check: 56%Across 53 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)
34%
Oil leaks · Engine
30%
Tires condition & wear · Brakes and tires
25%
Abnormal noise · Engine
19%
Tire pressure monitoring system · Brakes and tires
19%
Share of inspected Toyota Tacomas where each item was flagged.
How they score
Excellent 25%
Good 40%
Mediocre 17%
Poor 19%
Hidden history
What the seller might not mention — how often we find it on this model.
74%had a repainted or replaced panelall cars: 75%
6%showed structural repairall cars: 4%
15%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
55 cars · 80% good
Prius
62 cars · 68% good
Highlander
41 cars · 64% good
Corolla
115 cars · 62% good
Sienna
48 cars · 56% good
Tundra
57 cars · 55% good
Camry
112 cars · 54% 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
2014 Toyota Tacoma · 116k mi — flagged: signs of recent repair, battery condition, charging voltage. Inspected Oct 7.
2017 Toyota Tacoma · 69k mi — flagged: fault codes recently cleared, sway bars, worn suspension joints. Inspected Sep 28.
The bottom line
Leaks define the shopping list on a used Tacoma. Crawl under it before you talk money: hydraulic power-steering fluid shows up on a third of them, and engine oil is right behind, so a leak at the steering or under the engine is either a walk-away or a real discount. Start it and listen for abnormal engine noise next. Tires and the pressure-monitoring system fail often enough that worn rubber should be priced in, not ignored. Skip anything already noisy or dripping; a dry, quiet Tacoma with honest tread is the only one worth taking home.
FAQ
?
?
What are the most common problems on a used Toyota Tacoma?
The items we flag most often are fluid leaks (34%), oil leaks (30%), tires condition & wear (25%). Have these checked before buying.
?
Should I worry about cleared fault codes?
On 15% 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.
Book an inspection
Based on 53 inspections · updated Oct 11, 2026
