YearToAvoid

2025 Toyota Tacoma Transmission & Powertrain Problems

NHTSA has logged 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma, 20% of all 98 complaints filed for the year. A related recall (25V656000) covers front driveshaft CV joints that may deform and break.

Transmission & Powertrain complaints
20
20% of 98
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
—
Related recalls
1

Typical transmission symptoms owners report

  • Owners report a front driveshaft CV joint that can deform and break, tied to recall 25V656000, in some cases while using 4-wheel drive.
  • Several owners describe the recall remedy as delayed for months, with dealers unable to obtain replacement parts and vehicles left sitting at dealerships since October 2025.
  • Some drivers report the 8-speed automatic transmission shifting harshly on cold starts, with a jolt or lurch felt between 1st-to-2nd and 2nd-to-3rd gears that fades once the powertrain warms up.
  • One owner describes a rough, clunking transmission feel when coming to a stop, present since the vehicle was new.
  • A separate report describes a front axle breaking while turning a corner at low mileage, with the vehicle later found unsafe to drive.
  • One complaint describes unexpected behavior while in tow/haul mode after restarting the engine and pulling onto a highway on-ramp.

When 2025 Toyota Tacoma transmission complaints were filed

First complaint May 3, 2025, latest Sep 19, 2026.

2025 Toyota Tacoma transmission & powertrain complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2025Sep 2025Jan 2026Mar 2026May 2026Sep 2026
20 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2025 to Sep 2026; peak Jan 2026 (3).

Transmission & Powertrain recalls for the 2025 Toyota Tacoma

  1. NHTSA 25V656000Oct 1, 2025Transmission & Powertrain5,960 vehicles

    Power train:driveline:driveshaft

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break.

    Risk: A broken driveshaft can impair steering. Vehicles with full-time 4WD may experience a vehicle rollaway while parked without the parking brake applied. Both scenarios increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed August 11, 2026. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 25TB11 and 25TA11.

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

Does the 2025 Toyota Tacoma have a transmission or powertrain recall?
Yes. Recall campaign 25V656000, reported October 1, 2025, covers front driveshaft CV joints that may deform and break; Toyota will inspect and replace both front driveshaft assemblies free of charge.
How common are transmission and powertrain complaints on the 2025 Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 20 Transmission & Powertrain complaints for the 2025 Tacoma, which is 20% of the model year's 98 total complaints.
Have there been any crashes or injuries linked to these complaints?
No. NHTSA data for this problem area on the 2025 Tacoma shows 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries.
What do owners say about the recall repair process?
Multiple owners report that replacement parts for the front driveshaft recall were not available for months, leaving vehicles at dealerships since October 2025 while remedies remained pending.

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.