Thoughts on 2021/22 Tacomas

Looking to get a semi newer Mid size truck. 4x4 dual cab. I had the first model year tacoma and a couple frontiers and a old Chevy(66) 4x4. Haverent owned a truck in years though. Just cars and small to mid size SUV's.

Now retired im driving less so the MPG issue(which is why I switched from a truck back in the mid 2000's) would now be offset by well driving almost 1/2 what I used to.

Ive gotten info on the other ones ive looked at Tacomas now on the table. looks for what I want I can get a 2021 or 22 Tacoma TRD of some kind.

-What I want to know about is reliability for those years, I know they hold value well
-Anything to check/look for when test driving or looking at one
- Any major issues 21/22 TRD's

I am more or less looking TRD because its one of the few in the Tacoma lineup that may have

Heated seats, blind spot monitor,power seats(at least driver), heated mirrors

Seems like stuff like that is limited to the TRD type(upper) trim levels just from a initial look.

Thanks in advance.

 

Had a 2016 Sport for 5 years, 51,000 mi. No issues at all. Fell in love with Army green, so I bought a 2021 Offroad. 28,534 miles later, zero complaints or issues.

 

My 2021 TRD off road had chunks of metal in the rear diff that was fixed under warranty - apart from that 70,000kms trouble free. It does have a slight whine in the rear diff when feathering the throttle at 80km/hr, im told its harmonic - honestly I dont hear it unless im listening for it.

I think others have reported a leak around the rear brake light, and thats fixed under a TSB.

 

Nice, is there any TRD level(i think I saw 3 Sport,Off Road and Pro) that would have the heated seats,push button start,blind spot monitor, power seat(s) on them or is it a package, im having trouble figuring out which TRD models have those things or package has them.These dealers all have certain stuff standard and others package options. I mean i know if I want a Nissan its the Pro4X in say a Ridgeline the RTL(or RTL-E) now im trying to pin down Tacomas I loved my 95 but that was the literal "stripper" model as in it had nothing as far as options went.. 5 speed, AM/FM radio 2 speakers, roll down windows single cab no AC no Cruise..

 

My 2021 has been pretty flawless. Tranny is what it is... Use S mode and the Ect button. Harmonic diff, I call my rig whistling Dixie. 32,000+ and running strong!

 

My 2016 has been great and only needing regular maintenance. Heated seats, blind spot monitor and heated mirrors are still working great. Power seats were not available in 2016.

 

I don’t know about the TRD Sport or Pro, but my 2023 TRD Off Road has heated seats, heated side mirrors, blind spot monitor, push button start, and power driver seat (passenger seat is manual).

 

Welcome to TW.

 

My 21 Off Road ran and shifted like crap when new. A tune took care of that. Otherwise at 43k miles there’s been no issues.

 

I have a little over 55K miles on my 2021 4x4 SR5 and I love it. Zero issues just regular maintenance. Best vehicle I’ve ever owned.

 

Both seem to be solid so far, but most these trucks will have <60k miles. I have 46k on my 21' Limited and it's been great.

22's just got hit with a rear axle recall looking for welding debris (seems to be minor).

 

I have a 22 TRD Off Road. It’s had zero problems in 2 years. Mine came with the following two optional packages.

TRD Premium Off-Road Package (Double Cab A/T)—includes leather-trimmed seats with heated front seats, auto headlights, moonroof, Premium JBL® Audio, Dynamic Navigation with 3-year trial, Remote Connect with 1-year trial, Destination Assist with 1-year trial, and Service Connect with 10-year trial.

Technology Package—includes parking sonar and Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA) (requires colored-keyed rear bumper).

I think the push to start was standard on this trim (With the automatic transmission).

I think there were several other optional packages that included some of the same items listed above as well.

 

I have a 2022 OR DCLB with 21,000 miles on it. It replaced my 2018 OR DCLB that was rear-ended and totaled with 30,000 miles on it. No complaints at all. The transmission shifting is better than on my 2018. It’s very happy cruising at 2,000-2,200 rpm while going 75-78 mph. Katzkin leather seats and seat warmers are nice, stock heated mirrors and LED headlights are great. I upgraded all the interior lights with Diode Dynamics LEDs, they are a big improvement.

 

I'm like 99.9% sure, all TRD models with the Technology Package have all of the features you're looking for except for the models with manual transmissions; they have everything except the push-button start.

 

I did not know that. I always wondered why when im looking I almost never see heated seats.. I never had them till my 2013 Charger R/T AWD since then I love them one of the wouldnt want to do without here in PA.

 

Thanks guys.. You are much more helpful, and friendly group. I will admit i asked a few questions elsewhere(another Toyota Forum) wont name it no name and shame here but over there in less than13 posts i was told this model year Tacoma sucked, get a Pro4X(Nissan) and that I didnt want a truck I should get a SUV(4Runner) even though stated I wanted a bed..still got told no put it in the back of the 4 Runner lots or room there for rocks,firewood and mulch and refrigerators..

Ty having a Tacoma I know they didnt suck.. I know some years had a few growing pains.. most recent one id driven was a 2019 i think and that drove fine for the hour I drove it..

 

I’ve got a 2022 trd off-road. And absolutely love it. I’ve got 20k miles on it no issues. Just change the oil every 5k miles and it’ll last forever!

 

20/21’s are the best 24’s suck though

 

Not trying to talk you out of a Tacoma, but have you seen the Dodge discounts lately?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUdaRgHVAfc&t=377s

 

Glad you found more helpful responses here. Just make sure you take the truck on a thorough test drive because a lot of people agree that the 3rd gen trucks have terrible shift points and that the factory tune on the transmission is terrible. It bothers some people and doesn’t bother others.