Which Tacoma years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025 as the Tacoma years to avoid, with complaint index values of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all 16 Tacoma model years covered.

Which Frontier years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as the Frontier years to avoid, with 2022 posting the highest complaint index (100) and 111 complaints, more than any other Frontier year.

Does the Tacoma or Frontier have more complaints overall?

The Tacoma has 2,599 total complaints (162 per model year) versus the Frontier's 707 total complaints (44 per model year), but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has more recalls, Tacoma or Frontier?

The Tacoma has 40 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025, compared to 24 for the Frontier over the same span.

Which gets better fuel economy?

The Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.7 mpg combined for the Tacoma, per EPA figures.

Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Tacoma years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025; Nissan Frontier years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023. Tacoma logs 2,599 total complaints and 40 recalls across 16 model years versus Frontier's 707 complaints and 24 recalls; totals aren't sales-normalized.

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 ★

Nissan Frontier

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 707
Per model year: 44
Recall campaigns: 24
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

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				Frontier
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	286	12	18	Caution	59	4	17
2011	Good	186	9	18.5	Avoid	64	1	17
2012	Avoid	295	7	19	Avoid	78	3	17
2013	Best	125	6	19	Caution	48	1	18.5
2014	Best	93	4	19	Good	42	2	18.5
2015	Best	101	4	19	Good	33	0	18.5
2016	Caution	323	4	20	Caution	43	1	18.5
2017	Caution	239	5	20	Good	38	1	18.5
2018	Good	206	3	20	Best	25	2	18.5
2019	Caution	218	4	20	Good	28	1	18.5
2020	Best	87	1	20	Best	23	2	19.5
2021	Caution	80	0	20	Best	19	2	19.5
2022	Good	59	3	20	Avoid	111	6	19.5
2023	Good	54	4	20	Avoid	66	1	19.5
2024	Avoid	149	5	21.5	Caution	22	3	20
2025	Avoid	98	5	21.5	Best	8	3	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

Nissan Frontier

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 values of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all 16 Tacoma model years covered.
Which Frontier years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as the Frontier years to avoid, with 2022 posting the highest complaint index (100) and 111 complaints, more than any other Frontier year.
Does the Tacoma or Frontier have more complaints overall?: The Tacoma has 2,599 total complaints (162 per model year) versus the Frontier's 707 total complaints (44 per model year), but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has more recalls, Tacoma or Frontier?: The Tacoma has 40 total recall campaigns across 2010-2025, compared to 24 for the Frontier over the same span.
Which gets better fuel economy?: The Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.7 mpg combined for the Tacoma, per EPA figures.