Problems · NHTSA complaints

2021 Toyota Tacoma problems

Owners filed 81 complaints about the 2021 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA between Feb 2021 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is power train (14).

Complaints
81
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
15
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Power train14
  2. Engine12
  3. Service brakes12
  4. Forward collision avoidance9
  5. Electrical system9
  6. Air bags7
  7. Structure6
  8. Fuel/propulsion system6
  9. Vehicle speed control5
  10. Lane departure4
  11. Steering3
  12. Fuel system, gasoline3
  13. Suspension3
  14. Tires3

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
202120
202211
202311
202412
202514
202613

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 8, 2026Power trainODI 11762933

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 9, 2026EngineODI 11770043

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 9, 2026Service brakesODI 11722917

Forward collision avoidance

9 reports3 crashes
“Having two issues major issues that’s causing me a $10,000 bill. The timing cover is leaking and there is a coolant bypass hose that is leaking. I have spend a lot of maintenance on this truck on maintaining it to have to remove the engine. As for the forward collision warning ive had it go off multiple times witout a vehicle there. While in cruise control ive had it unexpectedly break on me when there was no visible vehicle infront or next to me.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2026Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11755683

Electrical system

9 reports
“The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) remain functional but all digital display information is unavailable including speed, warnings, fuel economy data, and safety system status indicators. This failure occurred suddenly with no prior warning. Vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles. I am aware that Toyota issued Safety Recall 25V595 in September 2025 covering the identical combination meter failure on 2023-2025 model year Tacomas and other Toyota vehicles. The root cause identified in that recall — accelerated deterioration of the memory device inside the combination meter due to improper programming — appears to be the same failure mechanism present in my 2021 model year vehicle. I am filing this complaint to formally document that this known defect extends to 2021 model year Tacoma vehicles and to request that NHTSA investigate expanding recall 25V595 to include earlier model years. Toyota should be required to repair or replace the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2026Electrical systemODI 11746832

Air bags

7 reports5 crashes
“Could feel and hear the front passenger seat (including the supplemental restraint system airbag) and seat belt move side to side and making a noise. I took the vehicle to Toyota of Denton, in Denton Texas for evaluation. Here is what they found from the service manager's email "Yours will need the seat frame replaced. The seat was removed, we found the seat track has play in it and is non serviceable meaning it comes as an assembly and you can not get individual parts for it. The estimate is $2234.28 and the part would take 3-4 weeks to come in as it is on back order. Keep in mind, that time can change along the way, but that is the current ETA. If you want to proceed with the repair, you would need to pre pay for the part and the diagnostic. The total repair would be reduced by the amount prepaid. I did reach out to Toyota and there would be no goodwill offered for this repair. It was just purchased and the selling dealer is who I would recommend you ask them for assistance. Please let me know how you would like to proceed." This same type of issue is found on from multiple owners. How many passenger seat frames have been replaced on 2019-2023 Tacomas,…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2023Air bags, Seat belts, SeatsODI 11555863
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.