Which Tacoma years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025 as the Tacoma years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all Tacoma model years covered.

Which F-150 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018 as the F-150 years to avoid, with 2013 topping the complaint index at 100 and 2018 close behind at 93.

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

The F-150 has 21,194 total complaints and 115 recall campaigns across 16 model years, compared to 2,599 complaints and 40 recalls for the Tacoma, though these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The Tacoma averages 19.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.5 mpg combined for the F-150, based on EPA figures.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

For the Tacoma, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 19% of complaints, followed by Engine at 18%. For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain is even more dominant at 36%, followed by Engine at 24%.

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

Toyota Tacoma years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025; Ford F-150 years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018. The F-150 has far more total NHTSA complaints (21,194 vs 2,599) and recalls (115 vs 40), but totals are not sales-normalized. The Tacoma averages 19.7 mpg combined versus 18.5 mpg for the F-150.

Head to head

Toyota Tacoma

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 2,599
Per model year: 162
Recall campaigns: 40
Years to avoid: 2010, 2012, 2024, 2025
Best years: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Ford F-150

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 21,194
Per model year: 1,325
Recall campaigns: 115
Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
Best years: 2010, 2020, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.5
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
2010	Avoid	286	12	18	Best	843	1	16
2011	Good	186	9	18.5	Avoid	2,189	6	17
2012	Avoid	295	7	19	Caution	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	Caution	1,710	13	19.5
2016	Caution	323	4	20	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5
2017	Caution	239	5	20	Good	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	Best	727	11	19
2021	Caution	80	0	20	Good	1,012	29	20
2022	Good	59	3	20	Good	594	23	20
2023	Good	54	4	20	Good	407	13	19
2024	Avoid	149	5	21.5	Best	188	11	19
2025	Avoid	98	5	21.5	Best	104	13	19

Complaint Index by year

Toyota Tacoma

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Ford F-150

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Tacoma years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025 as the Tacoma years to avoid, with complaint index scores of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all Tacoma model years covered.
Which F-150 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018 as the F-150 years to avoid, with 2013 topping the complaint index at 100 and 2018 close behind at 93.
Does the F-150 have more problems than the Tacoma?: The F-150 has 21,194 total complaints and 115 recall campaigns across 16 model years, compared to 2,599 complaints and 40 recalls for the Tacoma, though these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The Tacoma averages 19.7 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.5 mpg combined for the F-150, based on EPA figures.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: For the Tacoma, Transmission & Powertrain leads at 19% of complaints, followed by Engine at 18%. For the F-150, Transmission & Powertrain is even more dominant at 36%, followed by Engine at 24%.