YearToAvoid

2010 Toyota Tacoma Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of all 286 complaints that year, with a median failure mileage of 10,350. A related recall (10V042000) covers propeller shaft cracking that can lead to separation.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
25
9% of 286
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
10,350 mi
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Manual-transmission trucks show repeated clutch slipping or burning, sometimes recurring even after dealer replacement.
  • Automatic transmissions slip out of gear or drop into neutral unexpectedly when cornering or accelerating from a stop.
  • Owners describe the truck hunting for the correct gear when decelerating and then re-accelerating, causing a delay in power.
  • Some drivers report unexpected surging or acceleration at stops, with the transmission also slipping at low speeds.
  • Drive shaft and propeller shaft problems include thumping noises, slip joint failure, and one case where the front propeller shaft broke apart while driving at 40 mph.
  • A differential noise was reported that the dealer called normal, with no repair offered.

When 2010 Toyota Tacoma transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Jan 22, 2010, latest Sep 4, 2018.

2010 Toyota Tacoma transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Jan 2010Apr 2010Jan 2011Apr 2012Jul 2012Nov 2014Jan 2016
25 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jan 2010 to Sep 2018; peak Jan 2012 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma

  1. NHTSA 10V042000Feb 18, 2010Transmission & Powertrain8,000 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 toyota tacoma pickup trucks. The propeller shaft may develop cracks during the manufacturing process. Over time, the cracks may eventually lead to the separation of the propeller shaft.

    Risk: This may result in a loss of vehicle control increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front propeller shaft on affected vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on march 22, 2010. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints by Tacoma model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 201025 (9%)
  2. 20118 (4%)
  3. 201235 (12%)
  4. 201322 (18%)
  5. 201413 (14%)
  6. 20159 (9%)
  7. 2016136 (42%)
  8. 201768 (28%)
  9. 201829 (14%)
  10. 201940 (18%)
  11. 202015 (17%)
  12. 202114 (18%)
  13. 202210 (17%)
  14. 20237 (13%)
  15. 202454 (36%)
  16. 202520 (20%)

Frequently asked questions

How many transmission complaints does NHTSA have for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 25 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Tacoma, which is 9% of the 286 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma transmission or drivetrain?
Yes. Recall 10V042000, reported 2010-02-18, covers the front propeller shaft, which may develop cracks during manufacturing and eventually separate. The remedy is dealer inspection and replacement of the front propeller shaft.
At what mileage do 2010 Tacoma transmission problems usually show up?
The median mileage at failure for Transmission & Powertrain complaints is 10,350 miles, though sample complaints range from as low as 100 miles to 42,000 miles.
Did the 2010 Tacoma transmission issues cause any crashes or fires?
NHTSA records 0 crashes and 1 fire tied to Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2010 Tacoma, with 0 injuries reported.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.