Model year record
2021 Toyota Tacoma recalls & problems
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 81 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is power train (14 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 19.1% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 19.1% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 2WD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 2WD
| Frontal crash | ★★★★★ |
|---|---|
| Side crash | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
| Rollover risk | 14.7% |
Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Tacoma 2WD
| City / highway | 19 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Tacoma 2WD
| City / highway | 20 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Tacoma 4WD
| City / highway | 18 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Tacoma 4WD
| City / highway | 19 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
2.7 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Tacoma 4WD
| City / highway | 17 / 21 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Tacoma 4WD D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO
| City / highway | 17 / 20 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline |
3.5 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 14 | 9,000 mi |
| Service brakes | 12 | 9,400 mi |
| Unknown or other | 12 | — |
| Engine | 12 | — |
| Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings | 9 | 4,500 mi |
| Electrical systemStarter assembly | 9 | — |
| Air bags | 7 | — |
| StructureBody; Frame and members | 6 | — |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | — |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 | — |
| Lane departureBlind spot detection | 4 | — |
| Seats | 3 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Engine
Engine developed a loud knock while under normal driving conditions at 61,000 miles. Oil was changed every 5k miles since new. Dealer says my oil rings on piston skirt have failed and heavy scoring on cylinder #5 Replaced short block under my aftermarket warranty. Toyota refused to cover it because I was 1k miles over factory warranty
- Power train
Driving in town 30 to 40mph, (while in drive) the vehicle revâd up like it was in neutral then went back to normal. That is concerning because it will cause transmission problems & pulling onto a road the truck could shift to (neutral) causing it to not go.
- Structure › Body
The cabin air pressure vents behind the back seat are leaking letting water into the vehicle. The seals have dried up. It's causing a moldy smell in the vehicle.
- Engine
Having two issues major issues thatâs causing me a $10,000 bill. The timing cover is leaking and there is a coolant bypass hose that is leaking. I have spend a lot of maintenance on this truck on maintaining it to have to remove the engine. As for the forward collision warning ive had it go off multiple times witout a vehicle there. While in cruise control ive had it unexpectedly break on me when there was no visible vehicle infront or next to me.
- Service brakes
Brake master cylinder is leaking in the interior of truck on driver side floor mat. Oil is come from brake master cylinder seal.
- Electrical system
The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) remain functional but all digital display information is unavailable including speed, warnings, fuel economy data, and safety system status indicators. This failure occurred suddenly with no prior warning. Vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles. I am aware that Toyota issued Safety Recall 25V595 in September 2025 covering the identical combination meter failure on 2023-2025 model year Tacomas and other Toyota vehicles. The root cause…
- Electrical system
Digital instrument panel speedometer screen has gone blank. No longer displays speed. This occurred while driving the vehicle.
- Lane departure › Blind spot detection
About a month ago the Blind spot monitoring system failed, dealer said $2500.00 to repair, about 10 days ago, backup sonar parking system failed, dealer cost to repair $2200.00
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.