Short version: the Toyota Tacoma has one of the strongest long-term reputations in the midsize pickup world, and Consumer Reports expects the 2026 Tacoma to be more reliable than the average new car. Annual repair costs run below the segment average too, at an estimated $478 per year versus $548 for midsize trucks.
The longer version has a wrinkle worth knowing. The Tacoma got a full redesign for 2024, and redesign years are rarely a truck's smoothest. Here's the honest picture for Draper drivers.
The Reputation Is Earned
Tacomas have a reputation for outliving their owners' interest in them. Spend five minutes on any trailhead parking lot near Moab and the evidence is parked everywhere, usually with 200,000 miles and a fine coat of red dust.
That durability is not folklore. It shows up in three places:
- Repair costs: an estimated $478 per year, roughly $70 below the midsize truck average
- Resale value: consistently among the strongest of any vehicle sold in America
- Used demand: clean used Toyota Tacoma listings tend to move fast, especially in mountain states
That last point is a Utah thing as much as a Toyota thing. Demand for capable used trucks stays high here year-round.
The 2024 Redesign Bump
Now the part a lot of blogs skip. The 2024 Toyota Tacoma launched an all-new generation, and the early build had growing pains.
Consumer Reports predicted below-average reliability for both the 2024 and 2025 Tacoma. The 2025 model has also seen multiple NHTSA recalls, including one for a front driveshaft CV joint and another for a brake fluid leak.
Third-party trackers tell a similar story. Auto Reliability Index scores the 2024 Tacoma at 55 out of 100 and the 2025 at 70 out of 100, which reads like a truck sorting itself out.
None of this is unusual. First-year models of any redesign tend to collect more fixes than later ones, and the previous-generation Tacoma was often a class leader before the change.
Why the Outlook Is Improving
Here's the encouraging part. Consumer Reports now expects the 2026 Tacoma to be more reliable than the average new car, and that prediction is built on data from the 2024 and 2025 models.
That's the trajectory buyers want to see. The problems that showed up early got documented, recalled, and addressed.
A few things worth remembering:
- Recalls are free to fix at any Toyota dealership
- Recall work is a sign a problem got caught, not ignored
- Later model years of a generation usually score better than launch years
Even during the rough stretch, the 2025 Tacoma landed fourth out of seven in its class for predicted reliability. The Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Jeep Gladiator posted stronger scores, and the midsize truck class as a whole is not exactly a reliability powerhouse right now.
The Powertrain Story
The current Tacoma dropped the old V6 for turbocharged four-cylinder power. Purists grumbled. The spec sheet did not care.
- 2.4L turbo: 228 horsepower on SR, 278 hp and 317 lb-ft elsewhere
- i-FORCE MAX hybrid: 326 hp and 465 lb-ft
- Transmissions: 8-speed automatic, or a 6-speed manual on select TRD trims
Fuel economy improved with the switch. SR5 models earn an EPA-estimated 21 mpg city and 26 mpg highway, which is respectable for a truck that can climb a rock pile before lunch.
Turbo engines do ask for one thing in return. Regular oil changes on schedule matter more here than they did on the old naturally aspirated V6.
Build Quality Inside and Out
The cabin took a real step up with the redesign. Materials feel more substantial, and the switchgear no longer feels borrowed from a 2008 parts bin.
Standard and available tech includes:
- 8-inch or available 14-inch touchscreen
- Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- Available 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster
- Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control
The infotainment system is a genuine improvement over the old setup. It's quick, the menus make sense, and phone mirroring connects without a wrestling match in the driveway.
Trim also shapes durability expectations. A TRD Sport spends most of its life on pavement, while a TRD Off-Road that lives on the White Rim Trail will simply wear differently.
How the Tacoma Compares to Its Siblings and Rivals
Truck shoppers cross-shop constantly, so here's the quick landscape.
- Ford Ranger: posted stronger recent predicted reliability scores
- Honda Ridgeline: also scored well, though it's a very different unibody truck
- Toyota Tundra: the full-size option for drivers who need more towing and cabin space
- Older Tacomas: the previous generation remains a used-market favorite
For buyers who want proven hardware over the newest design, a used Toyota Tacoma from the prior generation is a legitimately smart play. Prices stay firm for a reason.
How to Keep One Running Forever
Tacoma longevity is not magic. It's maintenance plus a little Utah-specific care.
- Follow the oil change interval, especially on turbo models
- Wash the underbody after winter, because road salt on I-15 is relentless
- Rotate tires on schedule, particularly with off-road tires
- Check for open recalls using the VIN at the NHTSA site
- Keep service records, since they directly protect resale value
That last one pays real money at trade-in. Buyers in this market pay a premium for a documented history.
FAQ
Is the Toyota Tacoma the Most Reliable Truck?
Not in every single model year. Consumer Reports predicts the 2026 Tacoma will be more reliable than the average new car, but the 2024 and 2025 models were predicted below average following the redesign.
What Is the Average Repair Cost for a Tacoma?
Estimates put annual repair costs around $478, which runs below the midsize truck average of roughly $548.
Which Tacoma Years Should Buyers Watch Out For?
Reliability trackers flag 2024 as the weakest recent year, largely because it was the first year of a new generation. The 2025 model scored noticeably better.
Does the Tacoma Hold Its Value?
Yes. Tacoma resale value is among the strongest in the industry, and demand for used models stays high in mountain states.
Have There Been Recalls on the New Tacoma?
Yes. NHTSA recalls on recent Tacomas include a front driveshaft CV joint issue and a brake fluid leak. Recall repairs are performed free of charge at Toyota dealerships.
Is the Turbo Four as Durable as the Old V6?
Early data is encouraging, and the turbo engine delivers more torque and better fuel economy. Sticking to the oil change schedule matters more with a turbocharged engine.
Does the Tacoma Still Offer a Manual Transmission?
Yes. A 6-speed manual is available on select TRD trims, which is increasingly rare in new trucks.
The Final Verdict
Reliability data tells part of the story. The rest comes from sitting in one, driving it up a canyon road, and deciding it feels right.
Karl Malone Toyota in Draper stocks new and used Tacoma models and handles recall work, scheduled maintenance, and everything in between.Contact us to see one in person!
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