YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

7/100

#15 most-complained of 16 Tacoma years

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma ranks 15th of 16 model years with a complaint index of 7 and a Best verdict. NHTSA lists 87 complaints, 1 recall, 6 crashes, and 7 injuries, with Fuel System issues the top problem area at 26% of complaints.

Complaints
87
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
6 / 0
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
18.5 city / 22 hwy

Top 2020 Toyota Tacoma problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System23 (26%)
  2. Engine22 (25%)
  3. Transmission & Powertrain15 (17%)
  4. Brakes13 (15%)
  5. Collision Avoidance & Cameras11 (13%)
  6. Electrical System9 (10%)
  7. Other8 (9%)
  8. Structure & Body5 (6%)
  9. Airbags4 (5%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (5%)

What owners report

  • Backup pre-collision system fails to warn or brake, allowing the truck to hit objects while reversing.
  • Airbags fail to deploy in low-speed and moderate-speed collisions, including a front/right impact and a T-bone crash.
  • Side curtain airbags reported deploying at an odd angle during a slide-off-road incident, striking the driver.
  • Fuel system develops a gasoline smell inside the cabin that lingers after driving, reported around 4,000 miles.
  • Engine reportedly accelerates on its own after cruise control is engaged, reaching 83-85 mph before being manually disengaged.
  • Fuel pump failure causes the truck to stall without warning while driving, including while exiting a freeway.
2020 Toyota Tacoma complaints: complaints filed per quarter252019 Q32020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42024 Q12025 Q22026 Q2
123 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (25).

2020 Toyota Tacoma recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 20V682000Nov 4, 2020Fuel System1,525,742 vehicles

    Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

    Risk: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

2020 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy and fuel cost

City
18.5 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,250
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2020 compared with other Tacoma years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good33206320
2019Caution73218420
2020Best787120
2021Caution5380020
2022Good4759320

All Toyota Tacoma years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Tacoma ranks among the better years, sitting 15th of 16 with a complaint index of 7 and an overall Best verdict.
What is the biggest problem with the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?
Fuel System complaints are the top problem area, making up 26% of all complaints, with a median failure mileage of 4,000 miles.
Does the 2020 Toyota Tacoma have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists one recall (campaign 20V682000) for the fuel pump assembly, which Toyota replaces free of charge; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2020 Tacoma compare to other bad years like 2010 or 2012?
The 2010 Tacoma has a complaint index of 87 and the 2012 has 80, both rated Avoid, far higher than the 2020's index of 7.
Are airbags a problem on the 2020 Tacoma?
Airbags account for 5% of complaints with 4 reports and 3 crashes, including cases where owners said airbags failed to deploy in a collision.

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.