Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2025 Toyota TacomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 116 owner complaints for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve structure (44) and power train (22). The EPA rates it 20–23 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–23mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Aug 2026
Owner complaints
116
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Suspension: shock absorber

Remedy pending

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024 Tacoma Hybrid and 2024-2025 Tacoma vehicles. The metal flange on the front and rear shock absorbers may corrode and fail, resulting in detachment of the external oil reservoir.

SuspensionReported Aug 6, 2026NHTSA 26V514000

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid, and Lexus TX350 vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification label may display inaccurate added weight values. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."

EquipmentReported Mar 24, 2026NHTSA 26V179000

Power train: driveshaft

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break.

Power trainReported Oct 1, 2025NHTSA 25V656000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

116 complaints filed with NHTSA · Apr 2025 – Oct 2026
  1. Structure44
  2. Power train22
  3. Steering10
  4. Suspension9
  5. Electrical system6
  6. Forward collision avoidance5
  7. Service brakes3
  8. Engine3
  9. Fuel/propulsion system2

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 yearNHTSA complaints
1996257
1997134
1998310
1999251
2000221
2001401
2002360
2003372
2004415
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008450
2009520
2010294
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015102
2016324
2017244
2018209
2019219
202090
202181
202259
202354
2024155
2025116
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
6
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

44 reports
“Inner door handle broke under normal use and toyota cant replace this due to mass failures across the country in all 4th generation tacomas. Mass backorders. I have been driving for at least 2 months with no way to exit my vehicle in case of emergency.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 20, 2026StructureODI 11772319

Power train

22 reports
“The contact owns a 2025 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH and accelerating and switching lanes, the vehicle failed to respond and maintained the desired speed. Additionally, the vehicle hesitated continuously. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V656000 (Power Train). The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall, but the failure occurred. The dealer was contacted but was unable to duplicate the failure. The service advisor associated the failure with the recall. The manufacturer was contacted and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2026Power trainODI 11773089

Steering

10 reports
“I am reporting a severe safety hazard on my 2025 Toyota Tacoma caused by incorrect alignment specs and an uncorrected extreme toe setting. On a recent service visit, alignment inspection showed a Total Toe of +1.62 degrees (OEM target is approximately +0.10 degrees). The alignment machine database loaded incorrect tolerance specs (+1.37 to +1.87 degrees displayed as acceptable green range), leading technicians to leave the extreme toe-in completely unadjusted. In less than 2,000 miles of normal driving since a prior inspection, both front tires suffered extreme, rapid toe wear down to the internal cord layer. Operating a vehicle with +1.62 degrees total toe causes severe lateral tire drag and creates an imminent threat of a catastrophic tire blowout at highway speeds, presenting a significant vehicle safety defect.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 20, 2026Steering, SuspensionODI 11751664
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 3, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S8) · 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
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tacoma 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Rear-Wheel Drive
202623$2,800394
Tacoma SR5/Sport/PreRunner 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI; with Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
212623$2,800393
Tacoma SR5/Sport/PreRunner 2WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco); with Stop-Start · Rear-Wheel Drive
202422$2,900404
Tacoma 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050424
Tacoma SR5/Sport/Off-Road/Limited 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192321$3,050433
Tacoma SR5/Sport/Off-Road/Limited 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, 3-mode(Sport/Normal/Eco), with Stop-Start · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
202321$3,050420
Tacoma SR5/Sport/Off-Road/Limited 4WD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo, SIDI & PFI · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
192421$3,050424
Tacoma 4WD MT
Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L, Turbo · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
182320$3,200452
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 3, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
— / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
18.5%
Overall
4 / 5
Toyota TACOMA PU/CC RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 3, 2026Vehicle 20281Vehicle 20280Vehicle 20279
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat 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.
09 —FAQ

2025 Tacoma questions

How many recalls does the 2025 Toyota Tacoma have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 3, 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.

What are the most common 2025 Toyota Tacoma problems?

Owners filed 116 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (44), power train (22), steering (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2025 Toyota Tacoma get?

The EPA rates the 2025 Toyota Tacoma at 20–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2025 Toyota Tacoma?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2025 Toyota Tacoma 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 3, 2026