YearToAvoid

2020 Toyota Tacoma Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA lists 15 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, 17% of its 87 total complaints. Median mileage at failure is 5,500 miles, and no related recalls are on file.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
15
17% of 87
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
5,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Vehicle unexpectedly enters limp mode, dropping power and top speed to around 25mph, sometimes repeating multiple times over several years.
  • RPMs rise when the accelerator is pressed but the truck does not accelerate accordingly, described by one owner as happening about 5 times over a year and a half.
  • With the engine warmed up, pressing the accelerator produces little or no forward or reverse movement until the pedal is eased and applied more gradually.
  • Automatic transmission torque converter shows a vibration or shudder during steady-speed driving between 30 and 40 mph.
  • Manual transmission clutch produces a creaking noise and a feelable vibration through the pedal when depressed, worsening over time.
  • Vehicle loses motive power and stalls without warning at highway speed, with no diagnostic cause found by the dealer.

When 2020 Toyota Tacoma transmission complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 6, 2020, latest Aug 4, 2026.

2020 Toyota Tacoma transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3Apr 2020Jan 2021Jun 2021Apr 2023Jan 2026Apr 2026
15 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2020 to Aug 2026; peak Jan 2026 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

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 2020 Toyota Tacoma owners reported transmission or powertrain problems?
NHTSA lists 15 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2020 Tacoma, which is 17% of the 87 total complaints filed for that model year.
Is there a recall for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma transmission?
No. The data shows no related recalls filed for Transmission & Powertrain issues on the 2020 Tacoma.
At what mileage do 2020 Tacoma transmission problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure among reported cases is 5,500 miles.
What kinds of transmission problems do 2020 Tacoma owners describe?
Owners describe limp mode activation, hesitation or lack of acceleration despite rising RPMs, torque converter shudder between 30 and 40 mph, clutch creaking in manual models, and unexpected stalling at highway speed.
Did any 2020 Tacoma transmission complaints involve crashes or injuries?
No. NHTSA data shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to these 15 complaints.

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.