what year of 3rd gen should i avoid buying?

ive heard multiple answers to this question. i wanted to take it to bigger community.

 

Somewhat depends on what you like and don't like as there were changes along the way.

Also depends a bit on how you'll use it and if you are DIY oriented or not.

The newer they are the more Nadar-isms they come with. They are also a bit more plush.

 

"Nadar-ism's" Love that....

 

I read something that said pre 2020 had problems. Not sure that was accurate.

 

most people agree the first model year is one of the worst, as they work out the issues, though because the 3rd-gen was really only a refresh and engine update, there wasn't as much to go wrong as a clean-slate new design like the 4th gen build.

so in this case, considering that 2016 was the earliest model year, prior owners maintenance history is really going to play a much larger part in any 'new-to-me' purchase than oem quality.

 

19 and up has less issues. Timing Cover, Coolant bypass pipe, Rear Diff Howling, Rear Brake Light Leaking,

 

I purchased a used 2017 Off-Road about 2.5 years ago, with 59k miles. No issues, great truck. Love being back in a Tacoma! Just my experience, good luck

 

Buy the newest one you can afford.

 

Retired Lemon Law hearing officer here..... says stay away from 2016 with automatic transmission

 

Skip 2016. Any of the others are fine. Go 2020+ if you want more tech.

 

What's wrong with 2016?(rhetorical)
Bought mine in 2018.
About a month after, the tdc sensor went bad.
Haven't had a single issue since that wasn't self induced.

 

I bought a 2018 and sometimes wish I looked around more for a 2020+ for more tech in them, but I’ve upgraded my head unit to a wireless car play pioneer and did led headlights and that got me pretty close to the tech that I would have wanted from a 2020.

 

Mine was a fall 2015 build (one of the first ones produced) purchased November 2015.

being on the later ecu cals would definitely help but that didn’t exist at the time I had mine and it’s fun trying to convince the dealer to update it. I was originally 04b00 and I think updated to 04b02 before I eventually traded it off.

I also had a few weird issues like hood flutter at interstate speeds (the connection between the skin and frame wasn’t right in mine).

the 2017 I had after has been problem free and is currently over 150k miles.