Which years should I avoid for the Toyota Tacoma?

NHTSA data points to 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024, and 2025 as Tacoma years to avoid, based on complaint index and recall counts relative to other Tacoma years.

Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Frontier?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023 as Frontier years to avoid relative to other Frontier model years.

Which truck has more complaints overall?

The Tacoma has 5,602 total complaints and 48 recall campaigns versus the Frontier's 2,549 complaints and 29 recalls, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The Tacoma averages 19.3 mpg combined across its years and the Frontier averages 18.2 mpg combined, according to EPA figures.

Does either truck have a clear best year?

Toyota lists 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2023 as best Tacoma years, while Nissan lists 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025 as best Frontier years, each based on that model's own complaint history.

Toyota Tacoma vs Nissan Frontier: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Tacoma logs 5,602 total complaints (267 per model year) and 48 recall campaigns across 2005-2025; Nissan Frontier logs 2,549 (121 per model year) and 29 recalls. Avoid Tacoma 2006-2009 and 2024-2025; avoid Frontier 2005-2008 and 2022-2023. Totals aren't sales-normalized.

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 ★

Nissan Frontier

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 2,549
Per model year: 121
Recall campaigns: 29
Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2015, 2018, 2021, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.2
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
2005	Caution	707	10	18	Avoid	532	3	17
2006	Avoid	782	11	18	Avoid	617	4	17
2007	Avoid	541	10	18	Avoid	520	1	17
2008	Avoid	446	11	18	Avoid	136	5	17
2009	Avoid	519	13	18	Good	37	3	17.5
2010	Caution	294	13	18	Caution	59	4	17
2011	Caution	186	9	18.5	Caution	64	1	17
2012	Caution	295	7	19	Caution	78	3	17
2013	Best	125	6	19	Good	48	1	18.5
2014	Best	93	4	19	Good	42	2	18.5
2015	Best	101	4	19	Best	33	0	18.5
2016	Caution	323	4	20	Caution	43	1	18.5
2017	Good	239	5	20	Caution	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	Good	23	2	19.5
2021	Good	80	0	20	Best	19	2	19.5
2022	Good	59	3	20	Avoid	111	6	19.5
2023	Best	54	4	20	Avoid	66	1	19.5
2024	Avoid	149	5	21.5	Good	22	3	20
2025	Avoid	98	5	21.5	Best	8	3	19

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which years should I avoid for the Toyota Tacoma?: NHTSA data points to 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2024, and 2025 as Tacoma years to avoid, based on complaint index and recall counts relative to other Tacoma years.
Which years should I avoid for the Nissan Frontier?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023 as Frontier years to avoid relative to other Frontier model years.
Which truck has more complaints overall?: The Tacoma has 5,602 total complaints and 48 recall campaigns versus the Frontier's 2,549 complaints and 29 recalls, but these totals are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The Tacoma averages 19.3 mpg combined across its years and the Frontier averages 18.2 mpg combined, according to EPA figures.
Does either truck have a clear best year?: Toyota lists 2013, 2014, 2015, 2020, and 2023 as best Tacoma years, while Nissan lists 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025 as best Frontier years, each based on that model's own complaint history.