Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD
2021 Toyota TacomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve power train (14) and engine (12). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Combined MPG
18–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
81
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,050est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma as of Nov 3, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
81 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2021 – Oct 2026
- Power train14
- Engine12
- Service brakes12
- Forward collision avoidance9
- Electrical system9
- Air bags7
- Structure6
- Fuel/propulsion system6
- Vehicle speed control5
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
By model year
Complaints for each Tacoma model year we’ve synced.
View as table
| 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 | 450 |
| 2009 | 520 |
| 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 |
- Crashes reported
- 9
- Fires reported
- 0
- Injuries reported
- 15
- Deaths reported
- 1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Power train
14 reports
“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.”
Engine
12 reports
“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”
Service brakes
12 reports2 crashes
“when I push the brake pedal, it goes to the floor. I have had the brakes and master cylinder replaced. after about one month the brakes started failing again. I am going to take it back to the mechanic to have them re-evaluate the brakes. No kind of official has inspected my truck. I have been having braking issues for about a year.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
6 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
- Engines
- 3.5L 6-cyl · 2.7L 4-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S6) · Manual 6-spd
- Drive
- Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026EPA listing
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $3,050 | 431 |
| Tacoma 2WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,050 | 423 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 20 | $3,200 | 448 |
| Tacoma 4WD Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 19 | 22 | 20 | $3,200 | 441 |
| Tacoma 4WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 18 | $3,550 | 481 |
| Tacoma 4WD D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 3.5 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 483 |
- 21mpg comb.
- 21mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 20mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
- 18mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 4 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 4 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 19.1%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 2WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 4 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 14.7%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 2WD
- Frontal crash
- 4 of 5
- Side crash
- 5 of 5
- Side pole
- 4 of 5
- Rollover
- 4 of 5
- Rollover risk
- 14.7%
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| 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 |
- Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
6–12 months - Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
Every oil change - Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
1–2 years - Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
1–2 years - Brake fluid—
2–3 years - Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
5–10 years - Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
— - 12V battery—
3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
2021 Tacoma questions
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have?
0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 3, 2026.
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (14), engine (12), service brakes (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tacoma at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).
How safe is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2021 Toyota Tacoma 4 out of 5 stars overall.
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026