If you’re looking into buying a Toyota pickup truck, you probably don’t need an introduction on just how sturdy the Toyota Tacoma can be.
There are Tacomas still going strong on the streets—and off the trails—since the 90s! But how well do newer models compare when it comes to their lifetime?
Tacomas can go well beyond what other trucks can pull off regardless of their age. These trucks have been the golden standard for reliability for over a couple of decades, delivering impressive performance on and off the road.
According to an iSeeCars survey of 2.5 million cars, the Toyota Tacoma made the top three spot on the list of the longest-lasting midsize trucks, with 2.8% of all Tacomas making it past 200,000 miles. A lot of Tacoma owners would even claim that their truck can make it up to 300,000 miles with the right care.
What Makes Tacomas So Durable?
This level of durability is largely due to the approach Toyota takes when developing this model. Toyota Tacoma was launched in 1995 to replace their original Pickup model. Throughout those 25+ years, Toyota has been building on this line’s initial success by giving more attention to improvements than innovations.
This approach and the model’s history make this truck special. The truck may not receive crazy new specs or features every single year, but the company definitely does a great job figuring out its customers’ issues and fixing them, which makes each model stronger than its predecessor.
What this means is that the 2021 Toyota Tahoma can seem unbreakable, being the culmination of 25 years of steady development.
Another reason they’re so reliable is their simplicity. Since the company doesn’t make major changes to the line every year, the interior features and functionality are pretty basic. This truck has been called ancient despite its recent redesigns because of its basic old feel.
Nevertheless, this comes at the cost of it being a little, well, old. The infotainment system is laggy and frustrating, and its dashboard has looked roughly the same for years.
Do Trim Grades Make a Difference?
Tacoma trucks come in seven main grades, but you have more than 30 rigs if you count different variations such as engine, bed or cab sizes, and drivetrain.
The trim you choose can depend largely on your budget, as the price difference between the standard SR and the highest trim, the TRD Pro 4×4, is pretty staggering.
If you’re aiming for pure durability, then choosing the TRD Off-Road grade makes the most sense. This grade comes with locking rear differential, black overfenders, chrome bumpers, and a half-inch metal protection for the engine that isn’t phased by sticks or stones. Of course, this comes at a cost on the price tag and gas consumption.
But if you don’t intend to take your Tacoma off-road that often, the extra buck would be a waste. It’s important to understand that this car’s durability doesn’t come from the higher grades but from consistent maintenance.
There are Tacomas that are ten years old and still look like a brand new truck, without a scratch in sight. This doesn’t happen by chance (in most cases) and it doesn’t mean you should restrict it to on-the-road activities. Just make sure to take the proper care, especially when using it in damp, muddy, or snowy conditions.
How to Maintain Toyota Tacomas?
With everything said about the Tacoma so far, it may sound like a flawless car. This is by no means accurate. Tacoma models have had over 50 recalls since the line’s conception, and Toyota has done a great job fixing most, if not all, major build issues that unfolded.
While there aren’t many trucks in this range that are likely to make it past 200,000 miles, some of them will cause you less of a hassle and will undergo fewer critical issues along the way.
With that out of the way, let’s discuss how you can keep your Tacoma well-maintained.
Keep Up With Maintenance Intervals
Toyota recommends you service your truck every 5,000 miles or every six months, whichever comes first.
Some sources also suggest rotating the truck every 3,000 miles and changing the engine oil and oil filter.
Check with your dealership for the maintenance schedule and things you should be doing between servicing appointments such as weekly fluid checks.
Keep Corrosion Away
The company has done its best to fend off any common issues that Tacoma users face, but one problem has been regularly showing up throughout the years and models, which is corrosion in the truck’s frame. This problem is pretty serious, as it can cause irrevocable damages to the truck.
What’s worse is that this corrosion can show up pretty quickly on a new car. In fact, some users reported first seeing it three years into owning a Tacoma. However, this issue became much less common in recent models.
Toyota recalled millions of trucks and SUVs including some Tacoma 2004-2008 models to fix the frame rust issue. Other models occasionally have this problem as well.
Owners of corroded Tacomas can get it fixed for free up till December 25th, 2021.
Look Out for Common Issues
The more recent Tacoma models have been reported to have some issues with the transmission, including problems like a faulty automatic gear shifter.
The 2020 model also got an underwhelming three out of five stars reliability review with problems reported around the suspension, internal electronics, and more.
This is a car that will give you a few great years and a lot of good to okay ones. It’s more important with Tacomas than a lot of other trucks to get yearly inspections even if they’re not mandatory in your state.
It’s also highly advisable to have your car checked by an experienced Toyota mechanic or a Toyota service center if you see any sign of trouble.
There are some common issues that are very easy to fix if you catch them on time. But if you don’t, it can progress into a damaged engine that’s either ridiculously expensive or not possible to fix.
Conclusion
Toyota Tacoma is an incredibly reliable midsize truck with high demand for maintenance and safe driving. It can go a long, long way with you, or it can start showing serious signs of trouble just a few years into that purchase.
If you know you can keep up with mileage servicing and address any issues or signs that come up in a proactive manner, then you should definitely opt for a Tacoma, as it’ll most likely last you an entire generation.