Which 3rd gen

Hi All,
I’m not a Tacoma owner yet but I would like to get more info on selecting a used 3rd gen Tacoma.
What would be the most reliable year to seek out? I’ve read that the 16-17 has their issues.
A 2nd gen 2015 would be my next option if I can’t find a 3rd gen.

Thanks in advance.

 

Depends on what equipment you are interested in, 2016 and 2017 have less electronic nannies.

 

go with 2nd gen.

 

2017's alright from my experience. I'd focus more on maintenance history, vehicle condition, mileage, price, ect.

 

I own a 2017 Tacoma and I have had more then my fair share of issues with it but I'm more of an outlier. If I were you I would get a 2017 or a 2020+ if you want more creature comforts such as LED Headlights and an electric power seat as well as the updated head-unit with Apple carplay/android auto. If you go with a 2016-2019 you could still add things like the upgraded LED headlights or the head-unit but thins like toyota safety features are included in 2018+ models. Like others have mentioned it is more important to factor in condition and price as well as getting the configuration you want such as bed length or 4x4 cab size etc.

 

I’m looking for 4door,4x4 short bed auto trans.
Is the 2018 -2020 more reliable then the 2016-2017?

almost bought a 2015 but wanted to look also at 3 gen

 

I’m also keeping a close eye on maintenance history

 

I was thinking of looking at 2019 and up. But it will depend a lot on maintenance history of the truck. I see tons of 16-17 for sale so I’ll steer away from those years.
I recently drove a 2020 for a day and heard a ticking or a slight knocking noise at idle.

 

16-17 no question. Unless you like even more electronics.

 

You are saying 16-17 would be good years to look into besides the issues they have? Are the issues a deal breaker or are they all fixable?

 

What issues for 2016-2017 are you referring to or are you concerned about?

I know 2016's had the rear diff leak recall.

My 2017 had the battery replaced under warranty (leaked acid) and hvac blower wheel replaced under warranty (stripped out- tsb recall updated part). Also, third brake light leaked until silicone and gasket were applied (tsb available). easy fixes

Not much has changed over the years. Newer years have Toyota safety sense. Pain in the arse for windshield calibrations, lifts, ect. There's better options for aftermarket radios with CarPlay and LED Headlight conversions can be done with a harness easily sourced from a well known forum member on here. Same goes for power seat conversions or seat jackers.

Find one that's rust free with low mileage and stock suspension if possible. Then customize it to your needs/wants.

 

Honestly I think they all have the same issues. You either get a good one or one with issues (unfortunate but true). I’m at 55k on my 2016 and I haven’t had a single issue.

I guess it just depends what you want. I don’t really use cruise control or the blind spot stuff. So I definitely don’t need the advanced electronics of the newer models. If you don’t care about that stuff than go with an older one.

 

2019 owner here with 54,000+ care free miles on mine. Bought new and never looked back. Other than oil changes, front pads and replacing the cabin filter (oh, the fuel pump, recalled under warranty) … zero issues, Zero complaints.

 

There are reviews online about which Tacoma years/gens are the most reliable, and objectively the 2nd gen has the most issues. For the 3rd gen, the 2016 and 2017 are the years to avoid as they have the most issues out of the 3rd gens. Regardless of what some people say in this thread, more electronics does not mean less reliability.

With that said, even the worst year Tacoma is better than the best year of any other manufacturer.

 

I have the same year, at what mileage did you replace front pads? I got 95k out of my first set of pads…

 

For AT especially, ensuring the latest ECU firmware is an important part. Easy to flash. Just need the gear to do it. That is likely the biggest source of the “16-17 have problems” sentiment.

I like the 2015, it’s a great truck. The 4.0 is badass. I also like my 2016, I like the looks of the third Gen front.

I don’t care for etune at all so Toyota CarPlay isn’t a factor for me personally. I’ve never met a stock radio I actually liked.

The only difference which I think has solid value is the bed light wiring and cutouts on 2020+ which is there regardless of trim. I wish Toyota made a plug and play OEM harness for 2016-2019’s but we would still have to cut and that’s the harder part.

and of course factory LED headlights since that’s a cleaner harness but if not buying new then you get what you get there.

I’d spend more time hunting for cab config, rust free frame, etc. There is no compelling reason to avoid specific years.

 

I actually just did it pretty recently. Probably around 50,000 miles. Could’ve got a little further but I just figured what the heck I will knock it out and save on having to replace the rotors later.

When I traded in my second GEN 2002 off-road, I had 213,000 miles on it with the original back shoes still on it.

 

buy new!2023

 

Don’t buy used. You’re playing roulette.

A used Tacoma where you’re the original owner will last you forever. When you’re the 2nd owner, it doesn’t matter what car/truck/suv you buy. None of that matter. Only thing that matters us how the 1st owner took care of the vehicle, which you would never know.

 

The market seems to be even the older 3rd gens w low miles are almost as expensive as the newer years. Like other have said they are some little corks and differences between the years but nothing that would steer me away or to a certain year.

IMO pick the configuration/color you like within your price range and roll on