Shopping for 3rd gen Tacoma. What should I look for?

Is there a year between 2016 and 2023 that has better options/features than other years?

There are a few OR DCLB locally, but most have branded titles. I'm not totally against that depending on why it is branded, but it better be a really good deal.

 

She hauled cows and goats in a minivan and we get the pic of the old truck!

 

2016 had the diff recall, my 2017 has been good can't speak for the other 2017's, 2018-2019 had fuel pump recalls?, 2020+ had led headlights as a factory option and I think power seats?

I'd look for 2020 or newer.

edit: I think some of 2020's had fuel pump recalls too.

Ideally the newest, cleanest truck with the lowest mileage you can find.

 

LB is not available with a manual gearbox. Period.

I read somewhere that 2021 was the best year for lack of recalls / issues... (and I remember because mine is a '2!). And this is post the 2020 upgrade / refresh.

22, 23 had some rear diff issue. (Not all and not common)

These are all subtleties... They are all good. I'd go for newer (2020+), low miles, AND NOT modded.

 

Mine 22 BCLB OR & Love it almost 50k &
I bought used with 2000 miles on it in Seattle. When i had my Rearend looked at. Was fine & only couple trucks they looked at had anything wrong. .& that 165” 850 in back, LB for the win.

 

I don’t know why there’s so much talk on recalls, yes they pretty much all had a recall, primarily fuel pumps and cab rear lights - but those were likely taken care of by any PO, if not it’s free at a dealership.

in general:
‘16-‘17 had more issues as they were new models, no Toyota safety sensors

‘18-‘19 are solid builds - added Toyota safety sensors. Starting in ‘19 driver side truckbed box was deleted and an extra USB port was added to the center console box

‘20+ added CarPlay, driver power seat, and full LED headlights became optional. also solid builds

White paint has flaking issues on all years, so if you really want white be sure to look around all edges by the doors and in the engine bay.

Aside from the crossover pipe leaking coolant (rare, but check for residue in the back of the engine) there isn’t a whole lot of major money type issues to watch for on these trucks.

I’m not sure how I’d feel about a branded title, it’d definitely be a gamble, but up to you. DCLBs are rarer but you can definitely find them about, all of them are automatic regardless of trim level.

if you want MT you can only find them in the DCSB Pro, DCSB OR/Sport or ACLB Sport (US) or ACLB OR (Canada)

 

Thanks for all the info guys. It's super helpful.

Luckily, we're not in a rush to buy so we have plenty of time to find the right truck for us.

 

Per my shop foreman to replace a steering rack on one of these trucks is 5 hours of labor for the rack and 1 hour for the alignment afterwards. Your results WILL vary depending on who you take it to.

My 3rd gen ACLB 10,265 miles and it’s already starting to use a little power steering fluid.

Honestly, I think Toyota could and should bring back the single cab Tacoma as a custom order only option. I know when my Uncle went to trade in in 2nd gen, he was kindly frustrated that they’d discontinued the single cab Tacomas.

 

I had a 1st gen single cab prerunner. 2002, radiant red, grey cloth bench seat, 2.7, auto. It was too small for my needs and I sold it after a couple of years. The DCSB does 95% of what I need. I can rent something bigger if needed.

 

i dont think these things are issues

 

maybe with a stick tranny

 

this is operator error

 

hello?????? there are alot of strange rules up there

 

Maybe not in the OR? I have a long bed manual, but it's a sport. Also an AC.

Solid advice.

 

haha

Sooo how many litres per 100KM are you getting eh?

 

Must be from up here.

 

sorry i'm busy painting my wooden ladder

 

Nice summary of yearly differences here. I ~think~ the separate transmission cooler was removed for trucks with the tow package after 2018. Can someone else that remembers please chime in.

 

I posted about the tow package the other day. According to the Toyota spec sheets, the 2017 was the last year that a “tow package” affected the tow capacity.

 

haha!

Thats a very important task. I should do mine... Ugh