Common Tacoma problems I should be aware of?

I was wondering what some of the common problems are with tacomas. I am looking at buying one and so I would like to know what I should expect. I will be doing light offroading and it will be my DD.

I have been looking at this one. It doesnt give you much info but I emailed the owner and am waiting for a reply. If its 4wd I may go take a look at it but I am wondering about the miles it has on it.

http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/885481625.html

 

welcome to the forum!!!

Looks like a good deal to me... I would get the vin# and run a check at www.carfax.com .... he shouldn't have anything to hide.

Keep us posted!

 

seems a little steep to me especially with 153K mile, whats the KBB on it?

 

Well I found out it was 2wd so im not getting that truck. I would still like to know some common problems with the tacomas though.

Thanks for the welcome!

 

Come out to SoCal and come get my rig!

 

I have a 4wd ford ranger right now and it rides really ruff, so a ruff ride is fine with me.

Nice truck but SoCal is a little to far to go.lol

 

no problems with mine at 122k. only possible complaint is a dash rattle, but then again larger tires and its a truck so really no complaints.

very solid truck, even hit a tree and only got a cracked bumper, excuse to get a new off road tube bumper

 

Be careful of the rust too, but if you're in the Texas area I would say there is little to worry about.... maybe.

 

I'd watch for the following issues which seem to been common on the boards:

Frame Rust - 1995.5-2001 between cab and box
Rear Leaf Springs - sag, wear out, I think there is a TSB
Lower Ball Joints - wear out prematurely - even fail
Steering Wheel Looseness - column slide joint has too much slop
Automatic Transmission - thunk/clunk when taking off or stopping
Idle Quality - dirty IAC, other

Hope this helps, and you can find most of the answers/repairs on here, TW has been very helpful for me anyway.

 

I bought my 2004 Taco with the trd package and all that. Everything on it is cherry. Picked it up with 46K on it for 15,000 off the dealer. Dont have anyproblems ( knock on wood) lol.

 

Well just so you know anything with the word Pre-runner is 2WD.
But has 6 lug and can be lifted like a 4X4 and some have Locker rear ends.

All 5 lugs are 2WD

back in the 90's there was ahead gasket re-call done for almost all Trucks.
not sure if that has passed yet.

But any newer 3.4L should be fine. I think the issue got fixed by 2000.

These trucks are pretty Solid. See post #11 that is a bet list I have ever seen.
With 90% of fixable...

My self I am looking for a 4X4 as well, but would take a pre-runner if the price was right.

Once you get it, just do your self a favore, replace 100% of the fluids, spark plugs and filfter. Air, fuel, cabin if it has it.
This will give you a base line for your service intervolts.

 

Thanks alot for all the info guys. Ill be searching the forums for the problems you guys have posted to find more info on them.

 

only proublems with my 98 taco is
1) rear leave springs have negitave arch
2) exaust manifold cracked in 2 places
3)valuve cover gasket leak
4) mostely stock =(

 

Why didnt anyone mention how much ol ridgerunner LOVES his Tacoma yes he does dont ya wanna hear it again??????

 

Hey yall, I'm reanimating this dead thread to ask basically the same question OP asked. Has anyone experienced any new problems on 2000-2004ish tacos? I have a 2005 right now but I didn't climb under the truck when I bought it and it turns out my frames rusted to shit, and Toyota's recall for my year excluded my truck since I don't live in a cold weather state, plus its now anyway .___. SO I can either pay 10k for a new frame, do nothing and hope my frame doesn't rot out from under me in the next couple years, or trade on an older taco. On that last note, I found this 04:

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/ctd/5595181960.html

I'd be losing a LOT of interior space, but the mileage makes it worth it imo. I've only had my 2005 for about a year and i'm kicking myself now that I didn't take the time to inspect it thoroughly enough, whatever truck I get next HAS to be good to go, no issues whatsoever. So, hit me with some knowledge!!

 

Exhaust tends to have minor issues. Mostly gaskets and o2s going bad and cat converters get tired.

Rear drum brakes have a problem with the pot metal that is used to activate e brake tends to freeze up if you don't use it.

Idler pulleys always get worn out

Calipers freeze more often than other vehicles

Steering rack guides suck and tend to wear out. Same symptoms as loose steering shaft

Steering rack bushings are a problem as well. Same symptoms again.

As with any ifs vehicle I would always check the front end.

Borrow/buy a code reader or ultra gauge to scan. If there are no codes check the pending codes/test run if they are all pending then the computer was recently reset which is usually a bad sign.

 

Thanks! I have a code reader. Sounds like fairly minor stuff. The 3.4's don't have any big flaws eh?

 

I used to have a dash rattle too, just shove a piece of rubber down in the center between the dash and windshield....problem solved