Toyota

Tacoma (N190)

2000-2004 · Midsize Truck ยท 4 engines
Best Engine โœ… Recommended (4.0)
1,779 NHTSA Complaints
11 Recalls
14 Fire Reports
154 Crash Reports
View all 4 generations of the Toyota Tacoma → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

Engine Reliability Ratings

3RZ-FE

2.7L 4-cyl / 150 hp
โš ๏ธ Caution (2.1)
431 complaints 86.2 per year Gasoline
2 fire reports
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
273
suspension
83
other
34
safety systems
23
wheels tires
22

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (273 complaints)
Typical onset: 96,566โ€“167,152 mi Est. repair: $1,000โ€“$2,900 (5 reports)
Suspension Issues (83 complaints)
Est. repair: $675โ€“$2,500 (6 reports)
Safety Systems Issues (23 complaints)

5VZ-FE

3.4L 6-cyl / 190 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.2)
845 complaints 169.0 per year Gasoline
9 fire reports 1 fatality
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
439
suspension
194
other
93
transmission
49
wheels tires
49

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (439 complaints)
Typical onset: 105,500โ€“173,500 mi Est. repair: $450โ€“$7,126 (15 reports)
Suspension Issues (194 complaints)
Typical onset: 131,250โ€“197,123 mi Est. repair: $860โ€“$6,250 (8 reports)
Transmission Issues (49 complaints)

2RZ-FE

2.4L 4-cyl / 150 hp
โŒ Avoid (1.2)
213 complaints 41.6 per year Gasoline
2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

body
79
suspension
59
brakes
17
wheels tires
17
safety systems
16

Known Issues

Body/Trim Issues (79 complaints)
Typical onset: 97,938โ€“138,000 mi
Suspension Issues (59 complaints)
Typical onset: 101,914โ€“169,209 mi
Brakes Issues (17 complaints)

6 additional engine variants with fewer than 10 complaints not shown.

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Toyota Tacoma regardless of engine variant.

Body/Trim Issues (796 complaints)
body critical
Suspension Issues (339 complaints)
suspension critical
Wheels/Tires Issues (89 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Transmission Issues (56 complaints)
transmission critical
Steering Issues (45 complaints)
steering critical

Recalls (11)

12V542000Nov 22, 2012serious
Tires

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

09E025000Nov 4, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

09E012000Jul 3, 2009serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

06E049000May 23, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

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.

06E026000Mar 22, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN 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.

06E065000Jul 16, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

05V225000May 16, 2005serious
Suspension

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

04V214000May 4, 2004cosmetic
Seat Belts

CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, 'SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.' THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT HAS INCORRECT MARKINGS.

03V189000May 18, 2003serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.

01V186000Jul 5, 2001cosmetic
Tires

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TU4 WHITE LETTER TIRE UPGRADE OPTION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. TIRE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE OR A BULGE APPEARING IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.

01E041000Jan 7, 2001serious
Trailer Hitches

EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: THIS RECALL IS FOR TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS OR FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THE CONNECTORS INTEGRATE THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WITH THOSE EQUIPPED ON THE TRAILER, ARE DEFECTIVE. AFFECTED PART NUMBERS ARE: PT207-34000, PT207-34002, PT207-04981, AND PT214-04985. IN THE TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE CIRCUITRY UTILIZED IN THE CONVERTER WAS INADEQUATE TO PROPERLY MANAGE VEHICLE AND/OR TRAILER-SIDE VOLTAGE SPIKES. IF THE CONVERTER IS EXPOSED TO A VOLTAGE SPIKE, IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT WITHIN THE CONVERTER. IN THE TACOMA VEHICLES, DUE TO DEFICIENT WATERPROOFING AND IMPROPER INSTALLATION LOCATION OF THE CONVERTER, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE CAVITY OF THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT WILL OCCUR IF WATER ENTERS THE CONVERTER HOUSING.

Alternatives in Midsize Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma problems?

The 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma has accumulated 1,779 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Body/Trim, Suspension, Wheels/Tires. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Toyota Tacoma engine is most reliable?

The 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma was offered with 10 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 3.4L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma a good used car?

The 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 1,779 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma have?

The 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma has 1,779 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma?

There are 11 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Toyota Tacoma?

Before buying a used Toyota Tacoma, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Body/Trim, Suspension, Wheels/Tires, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Does the Tacoma have NHTSA crash test ratings?

NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2000-2004 Toyota Tacoma. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 1,779 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-07.

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