Which Toyota Tacoma years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tacoma, based on complaint index scores of 80 or higher and recall counts of 10 to 13 campaigns per year.

Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?

The F-150 has no Good or Best year at all because of recall campaigns. Avoid years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, with 2013 topping the worst-first rank at a complaint index of 100.

Does the F-150 have more complaints than the Tacoma?

Yes. NHTSA lists 24,072 total complaints for the F-150 across 21 model years (1,146 per year) versus 5,602 for the Tacoma (267 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized, so higher F-150 sales volumes may explain part of the gap.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The Tacoma averages 19.3 MPG combined across its model years versus 17.7 MPG combined for the F-150, per EPA data.

What is the most common complaint area for each truck?

For the Tacoma, Engine, Structure & Body, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires each account for 19% of complaints. For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 33% of complaints, followed by Engine at 25%.

Toyota Tacoma vs Ford F-150: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Tacoma owners should avoid 2006-2009 and 2024-2025; Ford F-150 has no Good or Best year because of recall campaigns, with 2011,2012,2013,2015,2016 and 2018 rated Avoid. The F-150 logs 24,072 total complaints across 21 model years versus 5,602 for the Tacoma, and the Tacoma averages 19.3 MPG combined versus 17.7 for the F-150.

Head to head

Toyota Tacoma

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 5,602
Per model year: 267
Recall campaigns: 48
Years to avoid: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, 2023
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.3
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Ford F-150

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 24,072
Per model year: 1,146
Recall campaigns: 122
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
Best years: —
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	Tacoma				F-150
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Caution	707	10	18	Good	1,112	3	15
2006	Avoid	782	11	18	Good	585	4	15
2007	Avoid	541	10	18	Good	488	2	15
2008	Avoid	446	11	18	Good	369	1	15
2009	Avoid	519	13	18	Good	324	2	16
2010	Caution	294	13	18	Good	843	1	16
2011	Caution	186	9	18.5	Avoid	2,189	6	17
2012	Caution	295	7	19	Avoid	1,781	4	17
2013	Best	125	6	19	Avoid	2,981	3	17
2014	Best	93	4	19	Caution	1,533	8	17
2015	Best	101	4	19	Avoid	1,710	13	19.5
2016	Caution	323	4	20	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5
2017	Good	239	5	20	Caution	1,437	17	19
2018	Good	206	3	20	Avoid	2,308	18	19
2019	Caution	218	4	20	Caution	1,327	9	19.5
2020	Best	87	1	20	Caution	727	11	19
2021	Good	80	0	20	Caution	1,012	29	20
2022	Good	59	3	20	Caution	594	23	20
2023	Best	54	4	20	Caution	407	13	19
2024	Avoid	149	5	21.5	Caution	188	11	19
2025	Avoid	98	5	21.5	Caution	104	13	19

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Tacoma years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tacoma, based on complaint index scores of 80 or higher and recall counts of 10 to 13 campaigns per year.
Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?: The F-150 has no Good or Best year at all because of recall campaigns. Avoid years are 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, with 2013 topping the worst-first rank at a complaint index of 100.
Does the F-150 have more complaints than the Tacoma?: Yes. NHTSA lists 24,072 total complaints for the F-150 across 21 model years (1,146 per year) versus 5,602 for the Tacoma (267 per year). Totals are not sales-normalized, so higher F-150 sales volumes may explain part of the gap.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The Tacoma averages 19.3 MPG combined across its model years versus 17.7 MPG combined for the F-150, per EPA data.
What is the most common complaint area for each truck?: For the Tacoma, Engine, Structure & Body, and Suspension, Wheels & Tires each account for 19% of complaints. For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 33% of complaints, followed by Engine at 25%.