2021 Toyota Tacoma Problems: 11 Known Issues
2021 model year · 5,214+ owner reports · Updated November 2026
According to Au7o's analysis of 5,214+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma has 11 documented known issues. None of the listed issues is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. The most commonly reported issue is 6-speed automatic hunting between gears (owner reports) with 1,200 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
2021 · All trims · 2GR-FKS 3.5L V6
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All 11 Known Issues
NHTSA Recalls9 recalls
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (GST) is recalling certain 2022 4Runner, Tacoma, Highlander, and Highlander Hybrid vehicles. The load carrying capacity modification labels may not be permanent and can fade, becoming illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 110, "Tire Selection and Rims."
CHILD SEAT:VEHICLE LATCH ANCHOR
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
STEERING:COLUMN
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
STEERING:COLUMN
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common Toyota Tacoma problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 5,214+ owner reports, the 2021 Toyota Tacoma has 11 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Early rust at frame welds and seams (owner reports), Oil seeping from the 3.5L V6 timing chain cover (owner reports), 6-speed automatic hunting between gears (owner reports). None are rated critical, but regular maintenance is recommended.
Is the Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has 11 known issues documented across 5,214+ owner reports. None of the matching records is rated critical; this is not a complete reliability assessment. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Toyota Tacoma problems?
Repair costs for known Toyota Tacoma issues range from $0 to $800, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Early rust at frame welds and seams (owner reports)?
Owners of 2019-2021 Tacomas report rust appearing on the frame within the first years, mostly at the welds and seams, where it bleeds out from between layers of metal. It affects third-generation (2016-2023) Toyota Tacomas, especially trucks driven on salted roads. The owner repo… Severity: medium.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Oil seeping from the 3.5L V6 timing chain cover (owner reports)?
Owners report engine oil seeping from the front timing chain cover of the 3.5L V6, most often noticed on the passenger side at the front of the engine. Some describe a slow seep; others had the cover resealed by a dealer. It affects third-generation (2016-2023) Tacomas with the 3… Severity: medium.
What is the 2020-2023 Toyota Tacoma 6-speed automatic hunting between gears (owner reports)?
Owners report the 6-speed automatic shifting up and down often, upshifting early, or not shifting into 6th, especially on cruise control and on the highway. It affects 2020-2023 Tacomas with the 6-speed automatic (AC60). The owner reports linked here are from 2021 and 2022 trucks… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Rear leaf spring squeak over bumps (owner reports)?
Owners report a squeak or creak from the rear leaf springs when going over bumps, pulling away or loading the bed. It affects third-generation (2016-2023) Toyota Tacomas. Toyota bulletin T-SB-0273-17 covered this squeak only on 2016-2018 trucks built before a 2018 production chan… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Manual transmission grinding or crunchy shifts into 2nd and 3rd (owner reports)?
Owners of manual-transmission Tacomas report occasional grinding when shifting into 3rd gear and crunchy 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. It affects third-generation (2016-2023) Tacomas with a manual transmission (the 6-speed RC62F with the V6, or the 5-speed on 2016-2017 2.7L trucks). The ow… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2021 Toyota Tacoma Entune Infotainment Freezing/Lag?
The Entune infotainment system can experience lag, freezing, and connectivity issues. Bluetooth pairing may be unreliable, and the touchscreen can become unresponsive. Navigation can crash or display outdated information. Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Musty smell from the A/C vents (owner reports)?
Owners of third-generation Tacomas report a musty or mildew smell from the vents when the A/C runs. The cited owner reports come from 2018, 2019 and 2020 trucks. Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Driveline vibration when slowing from 30 to 10 mph — bulletin T-SB-0124-20?
Some trucks with the 6-speed automatic vibrate while coasting or braking between about 30 and 10 mph; the vibration is felt in the seat, floorboard or steering wheel. The bulletin covers 2016-2023 Tacomas with the 6-speed automatic (6AT), 2WD and 4WD, except 4WD TRD Off-Road truc… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma Driver seat causing back discomfort on longer drives (owner reports)?
Owners report back pain or discomfort from the driver seat, describing it as unsupportive; one says the lumbar area presses in the wrong place even when fully retracted. It affects third-generation (2016-2023) Toyota Tacomas. The owner reports linked here are from 2017, 2021 and… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2023 Toyota Tacoma P0128: engine slow to reach temperature from a thermostat stuck open (owner reports)?
Owners of third-generation V6 Tacomas report code P0128 (coolant temperature below thermostat regulating temperature) with the engine slow to warm up or running cool on the highway. One owner who replaced the thermostat found a plastic washer on the original part had dislodged an… Severity: low.
What is the 2016-2022 Toyota Tacoma Super White paint peeling on door frames, A-pillars and inner fenders — program 23TE08?
Factory 040 Super White paint can peel along the exterior door window frames, the front inner fender edges seen with the hood open, and the A-pillars, exposing the layer underneath. It affects certain 2016-2022 Tacoma Double Cab trucks in 040 Super White built at a specific plant… Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.