Overview & Reviews

Since its introduction in 1995, the Toyota Tacoma has been a mainstay of the compact and midsize pickup segments. The original Tacoma fell into the compact category, while the second-generation truck's 2005 debut marked the transition to midsize dimensions. Typical advantages to a new or used Tacoma include a variety of body styles to choose from, useful off-road abilities, strong resale value and a better than average reputation for reliability.

Downsides are few. Even when modestly appointed, this Toyota often costs more than competing trucks and prices are high on the used market as well. In addition, taller drivers might feel cramped inside the first-generation Tacoma's compact cab. Otherwise, the Toyota Tacoma is a very capable pickup that's highly recommended for nearly all truck shoppers.

User Reviews:

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  Poor Quality - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By Kevin - January 19 - 9:33 am

  I picked up my Toyota Tacoma in November 2007 because of its quality and dependability. In almost 3 years my rear bumper is rusting, there is rust on the roof of the cab, the plastic in the wheel well is falling out. I could go on with problems.

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  Interior Comfort and Design -- So Disappointed - 2014 Toyota Tacoma
  By michellemc - November 1 - 11:03 pm

  Purchased my new 2014 Toyota Tacome V6 w/ Tow Pckg in April of this year. Been on a few trips this year. Getting a new vehicle was huge for me, of my own, as was getting a truck! I love love love having my own truck. And I have loved Toyotas in the past. So my heartbreak is quite profound regarding my experience. Interior comfort is horrible. The design of the seats is such that it makes a person hunch forward, and this cannot be alleviated with raising or lowering the headrest, or by adjusting the lumbar knob which really doesnt do much besides adjust the firmness of the seat behind your lower back. After 2.5 hours on the road, my back was screaming in pain. After 7, in tears.

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  6 speed transmission always shifting - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By Jared Miles - October 22 - 7:27 am

  The engine has great power, my problem is the transmission is always shifting up/down. It lugs so it downshifts, then it up shifts too quickly and lugs again. The only way to stop this is to shift to "S" and use it to manually shift. This works a bit better, but the trans even thought it is in "S" will still shift on its own. Toyota needs to immediately create a software fix for this problem. It is very annoying and prevents me from giving the truck a 5.

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  96 Tacoma - 1996 Toyota Tacoma
  By TNguy2001 - October 2 - 10:00 am

  Two exhaust system replacements and one catalytic converter replacement. Squeeky suspension for about 7 of the 8 years of ownership.

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  Unacceptable Comfort - 2004 Toyota Tacoma
  By Ernie - September 14 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle, is probably the most uncomfortable vehicle I have ever owned, and my other vehicle is a Toyota Camry, no matter in what position I set it in, it is just not at all comfortable, I realize that this particular review will be ignored (Because of the negative feedback)but I sure wished I had my Dodge Ram back!.

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  Dissapointed Owner - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By 08Tacoma(ex owner) - September 9 - 7:00 am

  I bought this truck Feb 28,2008. I traded out of it with 17,000 mi Jan 1 2009. The front passenger floor board area was "creaking" whenever I drive over an uneven surface. They re-welded a joint that somehow came apart with only 13,000mi. My roof leaked because of a defect on the factory- installed roof rack (took them 3 times to fix). They replaced the outside seal around the windshield because it was making a "whistling noise" at 75 MPH. Truck wouldnt start sometimes and they couldnt figure out why. I just gave up on it and let somebody else worry about what else could go wrong with it. GOOD BYE TOYOTA FOREVER!! Its the end of an era.

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  Decent Truck - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By Mark - September 5 - 11:46 pm

  This is just another truck. No better or worse than all the others. I have owned every brand and I have not found a perfect truck yet. Why doesnt anyone complain about the truck being nearly undrivable on windy days? Other trucks are not blown all over the highway on windy days. The engine is great.

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  One Dumb Purchase - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
  By flemdog - August 9 - 2:03 pm

  There is no position on the heater/AC controls that will shut off outside air from coming in through the vents, which is a problem if you live in a colder climate as I do. The wind noise overpowers conversation and the radio, the wipers make an irritating “thunk/thunk” noise, and the outside temp/compass indicator is difficult enough to read due to a reflective glare. The seat bolsters are narrow and uncomfortable. Gas & brake pedals are too close.

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  Ehhh - 2016 Toyota Tacoma
  By joe - August 2 - 12:51 pm

  The transmission sucks - shifts hard, lunges out of park or during slow acceleration and cant find 5th or 6th gear while cruising. The yota fan boys play it down, but its terrible. The USB port continually loses connection with my phone and the BT requires me to forget the device and repair, otherwise the sound speeds up by about x4 for maybe a second and then stops, but repeats this cycle continually. MPG is pretty solid - 20ish for combined DC driving and up to 23+ on mostly highway trips. Another positive is I can fit my 5,4 and 2 y/o in the backseat.

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  Severely dissappointed - 2006 Toyota Tacoma
  By dunwithtoyota - July 20 - 12:16 pm

  Ive had my 2006 for 7 years now and until recently I loved it. Very reliable and very few problems (compared to the GMs I used to drive). However when I took it for the latest state inspection it wouldnt pass because the frame is rusting away. This problem now seems to be appearing on many 05 & 06 Tacomas. Both the dealer and I contacted Toyota separately concerning this. Toyotas response was basically too bad, now go away. Before this happened I was a big cheerleader for Toyota. Now, Ill never buy another Toyota again