YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Best The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 20, the second-lowest among all 21 model years covered, earning a Best verdict. It has 87 complaints, 1 recall, and no do-not-drive campaigns.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
20/100
#17 of 21 Tacoma years
Verdict
Best
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
87
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
6
reported in complaints
Fires
0
Injuries
7
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2023
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
20
18.5 city / 22 hwy
Injuries / deaths
7 / 0

Top 2020 Toyota Tacoma problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners report gasoline smell inside or around the truck that lingers after short and long drives.
  • Some describe sudden catastrophic engine failure, including one case where the engine seized at low mileage.
  • Brake pedal pulsation at highway speed has been reported with no warning lights on and no dealer-confirmed diagnosis.
  • Owners describe difficulty starting the truck, with the ignition delaying or requiring multiple attempts before the engine turns over.
  • Some report the collision-avoidance system failing to warn or brake during low-speed reversing, resulting in a crash.
  • Airbag non-deployment has been reported in several crashes, including one where curtain airbags deployed at an angle and struck the driver.
2020 Toyota Tacoma complaints: complaints filed per quarter142019 Q32020 Q42021 Q42022 Q42024 Q12025 Q22026 Q2
87 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2019 Q3 to 2026 Q3; peak 2021 Q1 (14).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Good25206320
2019Caution60218420
2020Best2087120
2021Good4080020
2022Good3059320

All Toyota Tacoma years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2020 Tacoma ranks 17th worst out of 21 model years, meaning it's one of the better years, with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict.
What problems does the 2020 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA data shows 87 complaints, with Fuel System issues the top problem area (23 complaints, 26% of the total), followed by Engine (22 complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (15 complaints).
Does the 2020 Toyota Tacoma have a recall?
Yes, one recall, campaign 20V682000, covering a fuel pump assembly replacement. It is not a do-not-drive or park-outside recall.
How does the 2020 Tacoma compare to other years?
With a complaint index of 20, the 2020 Tacoma is far below high-complaint years like 2024 (index 100, Avoid) and 2009 (index 95, Avoid), placing it among the better Tacoma model years.
What is the median mileage for complaints on the 2020 Tacoma?
NHTSA data lists a median mileage at failure of 5,000 miles overall, with the Fuel System problem area showing a median of 4,000 miles.

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.