Calling all Tacoma gurus - What are some major issues with Tacomas after 2006?

I did the valve cover gasket in about an hour.. both sides. If that's where the leak is coming from.. it's easy..

If it's from behind the water pump.. it's more involved.. but mine leaked for over 20k miles and I never really had to add oil between normal oil changes..

As for other issues... my 06 had most of its problems attributed to steering.. the rack... the intermediate shaft..etc..

 

That's why you do it when you first get your truck like I did.

 

My 07 has had a seeping rack for 40-50k miles, I keep flushing it every couple of years... gonna see how long it will go, as long as its not dripping I'm not gonna worry about it. I never have to add fluid, so its not losing much. just enough to wet the boots. I have broke several mudflaps now, I ran without them for a while but i kept chipping the paint on my doors... I drive a gravel lane every day. Now I have a set of Husky mudflaps that are shorter than stock, they've been on for several years now, luckily I haven't broken one of these yet. I did have the timing cover leak fixed under my platinum extended warranty as well as a window motor on the drivers door, the window motor hadn't failed but did sound bad, my dealer took care of me. I had previously taken my truck to a closer dealership and they wouldn't fix the timing cover, but the dealer I bought it from did..along with the window motor, no questions asked. I no longer go to the closest dealership, unless I'm in a pinch and have to have parts.
Otherwise, the idler/belt tensioner pulleys don't tend to last real long.
I need to fix/replace my blower motor connector and resistor, that's a common problem on these as well.
I did the ECGS bushing on my drivers side as preventative maintenance.
I'm one day gonna get around to adding a zerk to the slip yoke on the driveshaft to make greasing it easier, if I don't grease it from time I get a clunk when I stop or take off from a stop.
My compressor sounds rough, but the a/c is ice cold still. I suspect that the bearings in the compressor are getting bad, I should replace it before it fails and takes everything else with it... depending on how long I decide to keep it.
Overall, I'd say these are pretty solid trucks, over 11 years I haven't had any major repairs or problems that I would classify as abnormal. I'd buy another one.

 

I would source a low mileage used engine and install in your current ride. ALOT less work, less downtime and probably cheaper.

 

X5 on the throw out bearing.
Rack n pinion was leaking slowly, replaced at 85k. Interestingly my Sequoia is doing the same thing.
09s headunit is glitchy, switches between CD and aux randomly .

 

2nd gen whistling/kazoo sounds from the door seals with crosswinds on highway.