NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 221 owner complaints for the 2000 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve structure (78) and suspension (53). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Tacoma model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 257 |
| 1997 | 134 |
| 1998 | 310 |
| 1999 | 251 |
| 2000 | 221 |
| 2001 | 401 |
| 2002 | 360 |
| 2003 | 372 |
| 2004 | 414 |
| 2005 | 707 |
| 2006 | 782 |
| 2007 | 541 |
| 2008 | 449 |
| 2009 | 519 |
| 2010 | 294 |
| 2011 | 186 |
| 2012 | 295 |
| 2013 | 125 |
| 2014 | 93 |
| 2015 | 102 |
| 2016 | 324 |
| 2017 | 244 |
| 2018 | 209 |
| 2019 | 219 |
| 2020 | 90 |
| 2021 | 81 |
| 2022 | 59 |
| 2023 | 54 |
| 2024 | 155 |
| 2025 | 116 |
“I was recently told my a service center that the frame has great corrosion and is unsafe to drive. I am now aware of past warranty extensions for this matter but Toyota will offer nothing because for my year, this warranty coverage extension is expired. My year was also not part of the recent class action settlement with Toyota vehicles having rusted frames for later models (2004+). I'm left with a decent truck that is useless now. I don't understand why a rusted frame that could crack or break would not constitute a safety recall, which I understand does not expire like their well played warranty extension. It is evident my problem is what has been experienced by many others and just because their extended warranty has expired, does not mean the issue was not caused by their defective manufacturing. It is a matter of timing, and our safety. We had taken the truck for service as a Toyota dealer in late 2008, when the program was active, and they did not mention it and maybe there was no rust. Between 2008 and 2015 when it expired, service was not performed at a dealership and still nobody mentioned it. The truck has lived in NC until 2011 and Ohio (snow) from…”
“My son was driving the 2000 Toyota Tacoma across very smooth transition railroad tracks at about 25 mph and the right front ball joint failed, collapsing the suspension. He lost all control and the vehicle skidded to a stop. Had he been going any faster, the vehicle could have rolled over. I have reviewed the recalls for Toyota ball joints and found the there is a 50J recall for 2001-2005 Tacomas. Interestingly enough, the trucks/Tacomas from 1995-2000 have the same ball joint but were not included in the recall. I have tried to work with Toyota directly on this matter and they don't seem to want to help me. This is a safety issue and should be elevated to recall levels for all vehicles with this ball joint.”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SWERVED TO PREVENT HITTING A DEER BUT VEERED OFF ROAD AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER 5 TIMES. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED INTERNAL BLEEDING AND A CRUSHED RIGHT ARM AND KNEE. THE CONTACT ALSO SUSTAINED AND A BROKEN LEFT ARM ,LEG, AND ANKLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,100 | 444 |
| Tacoma 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Tacoma 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 221 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (78), suspension (53), air bags (25). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2000 Toyota Tacoma at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).