Anything to look out for on late 2nd gens 2014-2015

I sold my first gen and while I'm looking at 3rd gens I wouldn't turn down a nice 2nd gen with low miles. I'm looking for a DCSB 4WD TRD OR with an auto trans.

Any weak points on these trucks? I'm not looking to tow anything it just needs to get to the mall

 

Test drive both and go from there.

 

I was and am in this pickle. Ending up finding a 1 owner low-mileage 2014 DCLB that I liked.

Aside from the usual stuff (maintenance records, accident history, etc), the 2012-2015 trucks have the Secondary Air Injection system that has been problematic for some. There isn't a widely accepted fix/delete for this yet but is one thing to read up on to help you decide if a late model 2nd gen is right for you of if you just want to move to a 3rd gen (and deal with their host of problems).

 

The 2012 models had the Air Injection problem,I do believe it was fixed after that year.

 

2015 clock is in the screen instead of stand alone unit... That's about it.

 

Nope.

All 2012-2015 1GR-FE Tacoma's have it (and all years for 2nd gen 2.7L 2TR-FE, but not sure). Toyota claims the problem occurs only on 2012 trucks and extended the "good will warranty" for that year but their fix for later years compromises of a plastic cover for the system and was called good. If the system fails, the truck goes in to limp mode. I am currently trying to figure out a way to remove it for my new 2014 Tacoma

OP: lots of info if you search Secondary Air Injection

 

Other than the Toyota Frame Rust feature and the 2012-2015 model year Secondary Air Injection filter disintegrating, not really. That's about it as far as factory issues. Everything else is going to be a result of ownership.

Did not know about the clock @Juggernaut. Interesting update. Kind of glad my 2014 has it in the dash still.

 

It's a pretty easy fix though.

Option #1


Option #2

I also doubt it can be completely removed without replacing the ECU and whatever else is dependent on that Secondary Air Injection. It sucks, but there are solutions and afterwards there isn't much to think about.

 

Sometimes my face starts to hurt from smiling so much while driving

 

Looking like Sammy Davis Jr. over there?

 

Widely accepted mods to fix the potentially suspect filter of the pump but the valve system (the part of the system by the passenger side exhaust manifold) also fails. So far there's no way to fix or remove any of that, but OVTuning claims they can turn off the system within their ECU tune. I haven't seen much info out there of anyone having done that, though.

 

I'm having serious reservations about OVTune ever returning their attention to the 2nd Gen Tacomas.

 

If it ain't broke dont fix it right?

 

2014 and 2015 are my favorite Tacomas. Outside of what everyone else has said here already, maybe non-standard features such as no locking tailgate (nor dampening), 2" shallower bed, no powered rear window, and trailer wiring assembly mounted lower (below bumper). I won't go into my whole list of personal cons for Gen3, but I still prefer the Gen 2 more even without these newer upgrades.

 

It’s hit or miss. My 2012 never had an issue with the SAIS in 135k+ miles. My 2015 is on its third set of pumps & valves in 48k miles

 

Second gen owner here. The 2013s have the outside air temp, compass and backup cam in the mirror. 2014+ doesn't. I modded my air system to take out the foam, but from what I read on here, Toyota is good about replacing this if it fails (they do it on Tundras too), so I'm not worried about it.

The only other mod I consider essential is to change the fluids in the drive train to full synthetic. Made a huge difference in the way my manual trans shifts.

Second gen is soild. End of the production run, both the 4.0 and the 2.7 L are bulletproof engines. I have no desire to get anything else right now.

 

No complaints about my 15 TRDOR

 

Thats probably one of the best improvements (in my mind) on the 3rd gen over the 2nd gen: factory 4-pin and 7-pin trailer plugs that arent hanging way down low.

 

Truth!

 

This is correct. 2012's v6's saw the introduction of the air pump that pumps fresh air into the exhaust on startup for better emissions. Problem is in 2012 they did not program it to run the pump to do a shutdown purge to push any moisture built up in the air valves down and out. This caused the valves to degrade prematurely. 2013+ v6's still have the air pump systems, but also saw a reprogramming of it to include a shutdown purge so valve problems have been MUCH less on the 2013+ trucks.

The only thing you have to worry about outside of the valves on any of the truck with the air pump (all 2.7L's and 2012+v6's) is the internal POS foam filter degrading and chewing up the pump rotor. This is an easy fix, 1 screw to open up the pump, pull the foam air filter, and put a 1in ID uni crankcase breather on the inlet of the pump, this has been well documented.

About the only things different from 2012-2015 are mentioned above, the 2014+'s saw the removal of the auto dimming mirror, which also meant no outside temp gauge and no compass. You also dont have a next to the hazzards button center dash clock on the 2014+'s. Also note that any 6 lug truck made after november of 2013 got a 3+1 leaf pack stock (previously only TRD Sport's and trucks with tow packages outside of the TRD OR got the 3+1 pack), so for a short time you could get a 2014 model year truck with a 2+1 leaf pack if it was a TRD OR (with or without tow package) or an SR5 without tow package.

There are no mechanical changes to the driveline (motor and trans) from 2012+ as far as i know.

But because of the lack of shutdown purge id stay away from a 2012. 2013+.... and if you want all the features a 2013 ftw.... tho i may be a lil biased.... 2013 DCSBTRDORV6AUTOFTW!