2005

I found a 2005 with 20k miles on it. I know it's the first year of the 2nd generation trucks. Can I get some feedback on issues the 2005 had that were worked out in later model years? Would this be a good truck with the lows miles, or would a 2007-2008 with 40k be better? Thanks everyone.

 

Rear Leaf sag
Timing chain cover oil leak
Clock spring (Sr5 airbag)

check to see if these tsb's have been repaired.

 

Wow. That's low miles!. Definitely run Carfax on that, and a good lookover..Bought mine w/57K miles, no issues..

 

I recently purchased an 05 with 17k miles and am very happy with it- with the exception of the rear leaf springs, which I am replacing with OME in a month.

 

I got mine at 52k miles. I added an AAL and haven't had any issues.

 

Maybe you should get a newer one. That way you can deal with the failing radios and such. j/k

There weren't too many "common" problems that you could say an '05 had that others didn't. It's more of a truck-by-truck situation. Some will point out the failing motor mount welds on some early 05's, but I have an early 05 and mine still look perfect. Most common problems with the 05's were not fixed in later years (rear leaf springs, weak tailgate...or did they finally getting around to reinforcing the tailgate?). Anyway, later years have problems that the 05's didn't have. So just look it over like you would any vehicle.

 

The motor mount issues, did those follow on into the 2006 model years or were they only 2005 related complaints?

 

Read thru this thread:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/87825-05s-only-year-bad-motor-mounts.html

Or the longer thread:
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/21849-05-motor-mounts-failed-failing.html

 

How about the oil chain cover leak, is that an expensive fix?

 

Dealer would probably charge around $1,000 for that cover leak, but that shouldn't be a problem till you get some miles racked up on the truck

I think someone said around 75,000 miles it was leaking

I love my 05 Pre-Runner Below are my list of problems:

NO PROBLEMS!

 

Bought my 05 w 92000 miles.... still looks and runs like new!

 

Check for dampness in the carpet and underpad in the driver and passenger side footwell. The first three months of production had issues with the cowl seam leaking. I, of course found this out after I purchased my '05. Other than that, my biggest gripe would be the tailgate.

 

Dealer quoted me $1450. . . So, I proceeded out the front door.

 

I was a new 2005 owner, traded to it with my '01 (a perfect truck), and traded the '05 for my '10 last December.

Issues in the 2005 were:

1) the soft rear suspension (bottomed out with rear passengers or cargo in the bed going over bumps at speed), they wouldn't fix and I finally had air bags installed...

2) intermittent brake noise for a few thousand miles they couldn't solve, that disappeared with new pads installed...

3) ABS brake system noise and lack of stopping truck well in wet or off road situations, they said was 'normal'...

4) air bag warning light came on, required a $300 wire harness replacement, out of warantee.

However, with over 102,000 miles put on, in less than 5 years... the truck otherwise performed so well, I got a new one... and I like it a whole lot better, so far! The new traction controls are dynomite!

 

And what David K said about the newer vehicles is a big plus. All the traction control would be good to have...

As far as oil chain cover, I've got 90K and no leak. I do have, however, the front diff output bearing problem. It could be that most of the trucks (even newer ones) have the problem but you won't know until you raise the front end an inch. Could be they'll all have this problem with time/mileage though. I know it's not limited to the any specific year because people with less than 30K miles are having this problem.

 

I bought my '05 just over a year ago with 64,000 miles on it. It's got 78,000 on it now. Not one single problem, love it!

 

Thanks guys for all the feedback. Carmax are tools and want 1 grand more than book value and $ 500 to ship it from Las Vegas to Knoxville. So I have moved on. The truck looks good though. Right now I am negotiating on a 2007 with 34k and a 2006 with 22k, both are manuals. I'll let everyone know what I get and update my profile when the deal is done.

Here is the 2007 I am negotiating for: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6ZFbJAAPU

 

Good luck with the purchase!

 

Pending test drive I am getting the 2007. I will be going to drive and pick-up on Saturday.

 

No A-TRAC in 2007... Think about it!