Which Toyota Tacoma years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tacoma, with complaint index values of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest in the lineup.

Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Avoid years for the Ranger, with complaint index values of 82, 91 and 100.

Does the Tacoma or Ranger have more complaints overall?

The Tacoma has 2,599 total complaints over 16 model years (162 per year on average) versus the Ranger's 1,080 over 12 model years (90 per year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Which gets better fuel economy, the Tacoma or the Ranger?

The Ranger averages 20.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.7 mpg combined for the Tacoma.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

For the Tacoma, Transmission & Powertrain leads with 505 complaints (19%), followed by Engine at 477 (18%). For the Ranger, Airbags lead with 344 complaints (32%), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 271 (25%).

Toyota Tacoma vs Ford Ranger: Which Years to Avoid

Toyota Tacoma years to avoid are 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025; Ford Ranger years to avoid are 2011, 2019 and 2022. Tacoma logs 2,599 total complaints across 16 model years (162 per year) versus Ranger's 1,080 across 12 years (90 per year); Tacoma averages 19.7 mpg combined against Ranger's 20.6 mpg. Totals are not 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 ★

Ford Ranger

Model years: 2010–2025 (12)
NHTSA complaints: 1,080
Per model year: 90
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2011, 2019, 2022
Best years: —
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 3.3 ★

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				Ranger
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Avoid	286	12	18	Good	156	8	17.5
2011	Good	186	9	18.5	Avoid	235	5	17.5
2012	Avoid	295	7	19	—	—	—	—
2013	Best	125	6	19	—	—	—	—
2014	Best	93	4	19	No verdict	1	0	—
2015	Best	101	4	19	—	—	—	—
2016	Caution	323	4	20	No verdict	1	0	—
2017	Caution	239	5	20	No verdict	1	0	—
2018	Good	206	3	20	—	—	—	—
2019	Caution	218	4	20	Avoid	267	11	22
2020	Best	87	1	20	Good	127	7	22
2021	Caution	80	0	20	Caution	114	6	20.5
2022	Good	59	3	20	Avoid	37	5	22
2023	Good	54	4	20	Good	18	4	22
2024	Avoid	149	5	21.5	Caution	83	13	21
2025	Avoid	98	5	21.5	Caution	40	13	21

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 Ranger

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Toyota Tacoma years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2010, 2012, 2024 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Tacoma, with complaint index values of 87, 80, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest in the lineup.
Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Avoid years for the Ranger, with complaint index values of 82, 91 and 100.
Does the Tacoma or Ranger have more complaints overall?: The Tacoma has 2,599 total complaints over 16 model years (162 per year on average) versus the Ranger's 1,080 over 12 model years (90 per year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.
Which gets better fuel economy, the Tacoma or the Ranger?: The Ranger averages 20.6 mpg combined across its model years versus 19.7 mpg combined for the Tacoma.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: For the Tacoma, Transmission & Powertrain leads with 505 complaints (19%), followed by Engine at 477 (18%). For the Ranger, Airbags lead with 344 complaints (32%), followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 271 (25%).