2021 Toyota Tacoma Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has a complaint index of 40, ranking 13th out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other Tacoma years. It has zero recalls, with Engine (19% of complaints) and Transmission & Powertrain (18%) the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 Tacoma years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 80
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 0
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 9
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 15
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 15 / 1
Top 2021 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine15 (19%)
- Transmission & Powertrain14 (18%)
- Brakes12 (15%)
- Other12 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras10 (13%)
- Electrical System9 (11%)
- Fuel System9 (11%)
- Structure & Body9 (11%)
- Airbags7 (9%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (8%)
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 the forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking system failing to engage before a crash, even when another vehicle appeared suddenly.
- Some drivers say the brakes and collision prevention system did not respond in time to prevent a low-speed impact.
- Multiple owners describe airbags not deploying during moderate to severe crashes, including rear-end and T-bone collisions.
- One owner reported the truck accelerating unexpectedly while shifting into park, resulting in a collision with a tree.
- Owners note driver and passenger doors that do not close properly without forceful slamming.
- One owner found severe rusting, corrosion, and cracked welds on the subframe during an inspection.
2021 Toyota Tacoma recalls
No safety recalls on record for this model year.
2021 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.
2021 compared with other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
- Compared with other Tacoma model years, the 2021 has a Good verdict, with a complaint index of 40 and a rank of 13th out of 21 years tracked.
- Does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?
- No. NHTSA lists zero recalls for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma.
- What is the top complaint area for the 2021 Tacoma?
- Engine complaints make up 19% of reports, followed by Transmission & Powertrain at 18% and Brakes at 15%.
- Are there safety concerns with the 2021 Tacoma's collision avoidance system?
- Owners filed complaints about the forward collision warning and automatic braking system failing to engage, and NHTSA recorded 9 crashes and 1 death among the 80 total complaints for this year.
- How does the 2021 Tacoma compare to nearby model years?
- The 2021 model (complaint index 40) ranks better than the 2019 (60, Caution) and 2024 (100, Avoid) but worse than the 2020 (20, Best) and 2022 (30, Good).