952 of the 10,773 complaints filed about the Toyota Tacoma are about the transmission — 100% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2016.
952
Complaints
100%
Share of all complaints
26
Crashes
2
Fires
POWER TRAIN
Driving in town 30 to 40mph, (while in drive) the vehicle rev’d 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.
NHTSA complaint #11762933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
My 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road (manual transmission) makes a constant chirping sound when the engine is running and increases chirping sound when accelerator is pressed. The chirping sound ceases when the clutch is pressed in. It's clear through research that this is a "throw out bearing" issue. Toyota dealership confirmed the same issue and replaced the throw out bearing on 6/24/26 through 7/2/26 (as covered by extended warranty). On 7/3/26, the chirping sound remains, possibly worse/louder. On 8/28/26 through 8/31/26, a different Toyota dealer changed the throw out bearing again, but added changing the entire clutch system (being clutch disc assembly, clutch cover assembly, pressure plate, fly wheel and fly wheel sub assembly). Car was picked up and still makes chirping noise. Research of this issue notes: Quill Wear: The aluminum snout (quill) the bearing slides on can groove and wear down over time; and Toyota TSB: Dealerships previously addressed this under technical service bulletins with updated OEM replacement parts, though the noise can sometimes return if the core design interaction isn't changed. This is a design flaw, using an aluminum snout/quill versus a steel snout. This issue is all over the internet, although when I called Toyota Brands, they said they cannot help me. This should be a recall item for Toyota to fix.
NHTSA complaint #11761605 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the transmission failed to operate properly while driving 35 MPH and attempting to accelerate. While driving uphill or downhill, the transmission was slow to shift into the intended gear, and the vehicle was slow to accelerate. Additionally, there was an abnormal sound while turning the steering wheel. While driving in the left lane with another vehicle in the right lane, the vehicle stopped suddenly. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was contacted, and the failure was associated with the gear shaft. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11755950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The Clutch in the Manual Transmission makes a "creaking" noise, and you can feel it when driving too, when depressing the clutch pedal... The creaking noise is annoying, but the feel of the creaking is very distracting when driving the manual transmission, depressing the creaky clutch can distract you from the road because you can feel it; and it only get's worse when left alone. This is a recurring issue on my 2020 Tacoma. It was "fixed" by the dealer in 2022, I think, and now it's happening again... same "creaking" issue that starts out small and gets louder and more violent (you can feel the "creaking" in the pedal more) with time. This really seems like a parts failure and not a lube job. There is a TSB out for this issue (T-SB-0112-19), but this really should be upgraded to a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11754665 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While stopped at a highway stop light the light turned green and the truck would not shift into first gear. I tried cycling the clutch, shifting into second, and shifting into reverse but the truck would still not shift into first gear as if it were blocked halfway between neutral and first gear. There was a semi-truck fast approaching behind me and they had to lay on the horn and swerve dangerously into the next lane over to avoid hitting me while I was stopped at a green light. Finally, after about 30 seconds and multiple attempts I was able to engage first gear after pumping the clutch a few times and going from second to first gear. I will reach out to the dealer to see if this is something they cover under their warranty, but the issue is intermittent. It has happened a few times before but not to this extent or risk level.
NHTSA complaint #11746852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Manufacturer Recall Number25TB11 NHTSA Recall Number25V656 Remedy has been pending for over 7 months! Concerned that I could be stranded if the vehicle drive shaft joint fails when off roading.
NHTSA complaint #11743810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2024 Ford Edge. The contact stated that the vehicle was shaking while driving. The contact noticed there was fluid emerging from the rear of the vehicle near the tire. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who confirmed there was no recall or leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, who referred to the local dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
NHTSA complaint #11738757 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that she received an email for NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V656000 (Power Train). The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact stated that the dealer failed to alert her of the recall prior to the sell. The manufacturer was contacted and referred her to the local dealer. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11738127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
While attempting to cross 3 lanes of oncoming traffic from a standstill the vehicle lost all power and barely moved 2 feet, irrespective my efforts of stabbing at the throttle, and almost got us killed. Fortunately I slammed on the brakes and barely missed being hit head on. No warning lamps or codes popped up. This is now the 3rd such incident in the 2 months we have owned this vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11737961 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
In October of 2025 I was notified of a safety based recall for my 2025 Tacoma related to the front axle shafts possibly breaking which could cause loss of steering control should an incident occur. The recall is listed as 25TA11, (Interim notice 25TB11) and is attached to NHTSA ID 25V656. As of May 6th, Toyota lists this situation as still preparing the remedy. If the situation is truly a safety concern, I believe the length of time Toyota is taking to provide the remedy is unacceptable. I would like to politely suggest that Toyota have pressure put on them to provide the proper remedy in an actual timely manner for something that can cause loss of control or a rolling vehicle in the 'Limited' trim models.
NHTSA complaint #11736190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Vehicle recalled, left at Dealership on October 10th 2025. Dealership and Toyota corporate have failed to rectify the recall.
NHTSA complaint #11735371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V656000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it remained since October 2025, while the contact drove a rental vehicle. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11732393 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Coolant bypass duct leaking at just 52,000 miles. Part is made of plastic and is a very common problem.
NHTSA complaint #11732087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Fluid weeping/leaking/staining on differential housing
NHTSA complaint #11730338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
On Sunday March 22, 2025 at around 1340, I was leaving my house and driving on a small incline and noticed my vehicle had a jerk when down shifting. This happened four times while traveling up hill. I have not yet had any repeat issues since this date.
NHTSA complaint #11729199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
I have a 2026 Toyota Tacoma 850 miles on it. I had a problem at about 200 miles that the transmition started to shutter or vibrate as it was slowing down around 26 miles an hour to 10 not exactly that every time but close and as it slowed down it had this distinct vibration or shutter under 5 miles an hour it shifted and it smoothed out. I took it Toyota to my dealer their response was that it was a" normal characteristic of the vehicle" my issue is I don't think a normal characteristic of the vehicle is necessarily an intended way the transmission was supposed to work. I would like to know if The manufacture intended this to operate like that or is it a defect If it's a defect then it could cause at lease major repairs or even an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11729067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V656000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11728645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
transmission is very rough, especially when going into a stop to where there is a loud clunk, and feels like a bowling ball falling out of the transmission. this happened from new until now.
NHTSA complaint #11728170 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V656000 (Power Train); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.
NHTSA complaint #11726922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
Toyota issued this recall about six months ago, and they have been dragging their feet for something that should be rather simple. They have not handled this recall in a timely manner we were originally told it was gonna be corrected in November that obviously didn’t happen and now we were told first quarter of twenty six and obviously that hasn’t happened
NHTSA complaint #11726844 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.