What might be expected in future repair cost?

Hi,
New here and need help on a question.

I have a 2006 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner, 6 cyl. 2 wheel drive, extended cab with 150,000 miles that needs knock sensors replaced. Ouch! That looks like $2 thousand or so.

I'm retired and would like to know what kind of repair/costs might be expected in the future.
I have a very small plant nursery business so need a truck, but not necessarily one that is this expensive to fix.

Are all Tacoma models this expensive on fixing knock sensors?

I've had Mazda and Ford Rangers previously and drove them to 240,000 miles with no big issues.
So I'm wondering if I need to start saving for a different used truck or stick it out with this one.
I bought it used 5 years ago and have had no problems.
Thanks for any help/input.

 

It's not easy to get to them. The top of the engine has to be taken off in order to get to them. Sometimes little rodents like to chew on the harness and that will throw the knock sensor code.

 

Thanks, 08TacoTrD

What I'm wondering too is when this is fixed, what else tends to break in these Prerunners?
Are ALL Tacoma models this expensive to fix?

 

I had 175,000 on my '06 when I traded it. I needed rear drums at 125,000 @ $110 each. Expect emergency brake cables to fail any time, about $450 installed at the dealer. You may need rear shocks, not a big deal and an easy job. You and possibly front struts if they are still original. Check your frame if you're in a salty state. Make sure that your rear locker motor still works, they get water in them and fail. Your trailer hitch could be big time rusty by now if it wasn't maintained and kept painted. Serpentine belt and idlers should be checked, I changed mine at around 150,000. Some say water pumps but mine held up.

 

Thanks, hotrod53,
Just replaced front struts and rear shocks. Front wheel bearings also needed replacing.
Frame is in good shape.

Seems like everything is more expensive in this model.
It does seem to have held re-sale, but then all vehicles have gone up.

 

They last a lot longer than the rest and no matter what you replace it's going to cost the same or more no matter what you are driving. Yes the sensors are under the intake manifold be thankful you don.t have a Caddy that's where they put the starter.

 

Sounds like the '93-'04 Isuzu Rodeos. A lot of things to remove. Here's some repair doc:

http://www.customtacos.com/tech.old/files/05FSM/repair.html

 

Hey brother, sorry you have fallen into a problem w/ the knock sensor. I'd definitely have a second set of eyes take a look at it before dropping a couple grand.

Concerning the Tacomas, they have the best re-sale value of any vehicle, and for good reason. Although you are having some issues, overall I have found them to be very reliable, and I wouldn't pick any other truck over them.

There's one thread here of a guy with over 400k with routine maintenance. I'll grab the link and post it in a minute.

Here's to the re-sale value awards, with Tacoma at the top again: http://www.kbb.com/new-cars/best-resale-value-awards/best-resale-top-10-cars/

 

Here's that 400k thread - he also lists all of his repairs / maintenance by mileage:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/400-000-miles.404359/page-8#post-11475350

 

I would definitely get a second opinion before having that work done. The parts themselves look to only be $200 for the pair, but lots of labor involved.

In general, I don't think any Tacoma model would be different from another as far as cost of repairs. RockAuto has a comparison tool to compare parts costs between models, and a quick look at the Ford Ranger 4.0 compared to the Tacoma (both 2006), parts for the Tacoma are about 1.56X more expensive. Even so, you'll probably have to do less with the Tacoma so it all evens out in the end.

Again, I wouldn't dump $2K without getting a second opinion and having the harness checked out. But that is about the most expensive repair I have heard of on one of these trucks with only 150K miles!

 

Had to run out for food and filled up with gas on the way home.

The "check engine" light which had been on, (and the source of the original checking at Advance Auto), has gone off.
Maybe burned out? But this whole thing just happened.

My regular mechanic (who builds race cars) had been closed for a holiday, so I'll have him check it out tomorrow.
Maybe a short? My mechanic should be able to tell.

And no, I don't want to dump $2K, for sure. I'm in a region of Florida where money is hard to find.

 

My regular mechanic checked it and said just to drive it and see if the light would come back on.

 

Keep us posted, glad it went away. Gremlins.