Considering buying a tacoma

Hello,

I currently don’t have a Tacoma, and am currently heavily considering buying a 2018 Tacoma TRD off road.

Doing some research I want to look into what you guys as owners say about the reliability of the 3rd generation specifically the 2017/2018 year. Has anybody had major issues or is there anything you’d let someone know who is getting into a 2018 Tacoma?

I’ve seen negative things about rust, differentials leaking, transmission shift problems etc, how true are these?

Thank you for you’re time and advice!

-Jaime

 

I had 3,800 on my 2016 6MT OR DCSB, no problems.

Traded it on my 2017 6MT PRO. 63K miles. No problems, except for 2 leaking headlights dealer replaced under warranty.

My 2001 DCSB 2.7 has 232K miles on a date farm. No problems.

Do it.

 

I've got a 2016 with 40k on it still going strong.

 

I've had some minor issues with the SRS system, specifically, a faulty seatbelt sensor and then a faulty wiring harness, which both had to be replaced under warranty. In terms of mechanical issues, I've had none, and I'm right around 40,000 miles.

I have a 6 speed auto transmission, and it runs exactly as it's supposed to. No reliability issues. That said, deciding if you like how the transmission is designed to run is a different kettle of fish entirely.

 

My 18 has not had any problems.

 

I’m definitely not picky as to how the transmission runs, as long as it works as intended. I did test drive one already and I really liked how it drove, including shifted. These trucks are absolutely beautiful.

 

Test drive, then test drive some more. get an extended test drive. Test drive on hills, test drive downhills. problems from 2016 and 2017 still showing up in the 2018s. 100% true. YMMV and it seems a lot of it is poor parts or QC . You may get the best damn Taco every manufactured in the history of Toyota or you may get something that will make you regret it everyday you hop in. Some the of the problems may not bother you and some problems that don't bother others may really piss you off. It's a crap shoot. The thing is it's not just Toyota owners. it seems all auto makers are not really concerned with putting a solid vehicle out.

Did I mention test drive? Test drive it cold, test drive it hot. Seriously. Spend some time in one. I wish I would have. Then again a lot of my issues didn't pop up till about 1,000 miles.

 

5 time Toyota pickup owner......No problems....

 

I just purchased a 2018 Pro recently and no problems so far, but it'll last forever. That's coming from someone that has 99 Lexus GS that still runs like it's brand new, and used to have a 95 4runner that had over 300k miles and never had any major problems.

However the transmission is probably the one thing that drives me nuts. Shift and downshifts when it doesn't need to, but will address that with the OVTune.

 

What’s some of your biggest issues you have with your truck?

 

I have a little over 3K miles on my 2018 DCSB OR. No issues so far other than my Blind Spot monitor freaked out one time and was throwing an error. Shut it off and started it back up and has been fine since. I have no complaints.

 

I have had my 17 for a year and it's fine, I do agree with what was stated above with recommending an extended or overnight test drive.

 

I got my 2018 SR5 last week and I love it. No issues yet. I had some concerns with how many people have disliked the transmission and the low power of the 3.5L, but I think it rides great.

 

I have 17 that is running fine, no issues whatever

 

17K on my '17 and no issues so far.

 

I had a 3rd gen (2016) which had no issues until it was involved in a crash. I'm taking delivery of a 2018 this week.

I'd say go for it.

 

You'll do yourself a bunch of good to learn to drive a manual. You'll be happier with the truck overall I think.

 

Bought my 18 off road last week. Low end is lacking but hit the ect and you’ll be fine.

 

Just get a manual transmission!!!! So much fun.

 

Only 3 months into my '18 PRO, and while not perfect, I'm still loving it. Yep, the auto tranny dances a bit, it's not a sports car (though ECT seems to really help, as will OVTune if you go that route), and it has a few quirks. But it's the perfect truck for me, and I doubt from a quality/reliability/resale perspective, there is anything else out there that can come close. TEST DRIVE, have realistic expectations, and the Taco will sell itself to you. BTW, as a Yukon owner, I really wanted to fall in love with one of the GM twins. Didn't. No comparison. Tacoma all the way.