3rd Gen Issues a Big Deal?

UPDATE— Buying the 2017 tonight.

After 13 years of trouble-free ownership, I sold my 03 PreRunner. And now I am missing a truck. The wife has cleared me for a used 3rd Gen! YAY! But from what I see there are a couple of issues that concern me. Are these common recurring issues that WILL happen? Or are they internet warriors blowing a few cases out of proportion?

Timing cover leaks: The truck that I am looking at is a 2017 Limited with 19k miles. The carfax shows that the timing cover was replaced at 15k by Toyota. Is this something that is going to need repeated attention? Or did Toyota fix the issue? Is this only a 2016-2017 issue?

Water By-Pass Pipe Leaks: The truck that I am looking at is currently not leaking. Even though it has 19k miles, it has run past the 36 month warranty. Is this a problem that will definitely pop up? repeatedly through life of truck? Was this remedied in the 2018+ models? I do not see where 2018-2019 are having this issue.

I'm reluctant to buy a 2016-17 from what I have been reading. And the selection within my budget for 2018-19 is slim. Please help me get back into a Taco! Thanks

 

All GR engines have timing cover issues, even the 4.0 models have it. If its been replaced/resealed its likely good for now on. It's easy to spot, if the power steering pump is wet and covered in oil, its likely the cover leaking. A simple flash light can see it.

The bypass is rare, I've only heard of 3 at my shop, and thats a large sampling.

2016's had a lot more issues per unit than the 17.

Big thing is, test drive it and make sure you like it. Even with updates, tunes, the transmission isn't for everyone.

 

Don’t lug this high revving engine like your ‘03 and put your foot to the floor when driving it. It makes more hp at higher rpms and the AT shifts cleaner.

And if you are looking at a DC, don’t forget the third brake light leak.

 

17 with 19k...BUY the truck! If its not already get it tuned. You won't regret doing either.

Enjoy your new ride.

/thread

 

I have a 2017 with just shy of 62,000kms and over 4 years of absolutely trouble free driving. I have no recalls, no issue. I look forward to another 250,000kms or more with it. I don't regret my choice.

 

I've driven it and like it. But I really want a TRD Sport. So I'm still looking around. I've found an 18 Sport in Inferno (the color I want) with 16k miles. But it is 3 hours away. It may be gone before I can get over to it this weekend. Crossing fingers.

Yeah, I know about the light issue. That is not a big deal to me. That is a one and done fix that I can do myself if needed.

This truck is to take my current daily off the road and into garage queen status. It is a highly modded BMW 435i. So I am familiar with engines that are happier when revved. LOL

What tune are you referring to? I really plan to leave this completely stock and use as my daily commute. I am not much of an offroader anymore. I'm old. LOL

 

KDMax tune. It drastically improves the driveability of a 3d gen Taco.

 

Make the 435 the daily and garage queen the Tacoma. Unless it’s an M it’s silly to garage it.

 

It's a 435i M-Sport (black on black) that has been well modded and tuned. It HAS to have 93 octane and does not get the greatest mileage. Especially since it just begs to be "driven". High $4 a gallon gas is killing me since I just moved well out of the city. LOL It also has plenty of carbon goodies that are easily damaged in daily driving. But the biggest factor is that by the end of the month, it will have flipped 100k miles. 100K is the magic number where stuff starts breaking on these cars. I need something a bit more "reliable" and "tame" for the daily drive. I bought it (the BMW) to build as a car show car. I'd like to keep it that way. By the way, my wife daily drives a modded 428i convertible (red with white interior). And an 06 4Runner Limited when she needs to tote stuff.

 

The “big” problems on a 3rd Gen lol. Go thumb through the Gladiator, Colorado or Ranger forums. There are posts on there at would make your head spin. These are incredibly solid trucks and odds are you can drive one to 250k and never expect repairs bigger than the odd alternator or ac condenser going out.

 

I understand. Have owned both m3/m4 that were heavily modded, air suspension, carbon, tuned, 3 piece wheels, individual paint etc.

In the end unless it’s an M it’s best to drive them. They like to be driven as you said. They simply are not nearly as complex and don’t go up in value, especially at that mileage.

E30,E46, E90 M..different story.

Get a 2018+ Tacoma and cherish it even moreso than the bimmers.

 

I’ve got a 2016 modded to the roof no regrets AFTER a tune! 3rd gens have their problem but there are solutions!

I’ve not had an issue with the timing belt, fuel pump, third brake light… Unfortunately it’s all hit or miss!

 

Those trucks are not even a consideration due to problems. I'm just trying to gather if a 16-17 will have recurring issues. One of them very expensive. And thus be better off excluding those from my search and sticking to an 18-19. One of the threads I read (on this forum) would have you believe that it happens to every single one of them. LOL

 

Just so you know starting with the 2018 MY the Tacoma's have TSS in case that is a big deal to you.

 

I bought my 17 new and have had no issues so far. 56k miles and 5 years later the only things I've had to replace are normal maintenance items

 

2017 here, almost 92k miles, daily driven since Dec 2016, no issues at all, pretty amazing. been tuned for almost all of that, i run this truck hard almost every drive, and it runs stronger now than it ever has. the MT17s are the unicorns to me. if the timing cover is handled that should give you confidence on that for at least 100k miles.

 

I have a 2018 and like the extra electronic gizmos but wouldn't hesitate to buy a 2017 Taco. Take a long test drive and a solid look at the truck for anything off/damaged/suspicious.

 

CarCareNut has a couple great videos on the Tacoma and goes over common issues and which years they affect.

Here's one of those videos: https://youtu.be/ei5yC4IdDhs

Long story short, the first couple years of third gens have some issues that were worked out on later models. They're all pretty minor though, and some were even warrantied by Toyota.

 

same here. 2016 with 54k miles and not one issue. Regeared, tuned, lifted, armor. Not a single issue except replacing the needle bearing with the ECGS bushing. Change oil every 5-10k. Still on stock coolant. Texas made taco

 

47,000 miles (76,000km) no problems. Great truck.