Do newer Tacomas have more technical/electronic issues?

Hello all,

So I've narrowed down my choice to either a 2006 or 2013. I like the simplicity of the 06 as it's only 4 yrs older than my current Tacoma (but with only 65K miles). The 2013 has lot more bells and whistles.

I even had a Toyota salesman tell me that the old 3.4L engines are actually more reliable. While the newer engines are still great, he said that he sees lot of the newer trucks in the shop to fix little technical components. For those of you who have the 2013 (or later), do you find this to be the case?

Obviously, going with the newer truck might be preferred by most. But if all the fancy extras turn into unnecessary headaches, I may lean more toward the 2006. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

If you can find a 2006 with a 3.4, better wake yourself up. 2004 was the last year of the 3.4 in a Taco

 

The 2006 and the 2013 have the exact same engines. I’m pretty sure everything got better including reliability in the 2.5 gen. There were some head gasket issues with the first part of the 2nd gens IIRC correctly

 

Yes, I'm aware that the 2006 is the 2nd generation. My 2002 is the 3.4L.
Hey Oldman, when you say "2.5 gen", are you referring to the 2013?

 

The DELPHI electronics and HVAC, along with garbage brand-wide doorLock actuators and other little things are what you usually have to worry about On the Tacoma. I don’t think I’ve seen very many “tech” things go wrong on any car, let alone the Tacoma.

“Turn it off, and turn it back on” Or a quick reflash seems to solve most Tech issues.

I always laugh when I see folks complaining about the unreliability of “tech” when it’s usually the easiest to fix if it goes wrong in the first place.

A/C, window/door lock motors and other electro-mechanical components are the most trouble prone across all vehicles.

 

I would skip the 06 just for the head gasket issue alone, although not super common its not something you want to deal with. Trust me.

 

Agreed plus 06 will be out of date for the frame coverage

 

And Prbly has more rust unless the 13 is from the belt

 

2013

 

Yes, it was the electro-mechanical I believe that was referred to. Thanks

 

Thanks Coop. Would that also that also apply to the 2008? I'll be taking a look at a 2008 as well.

 

no, just 2005, early model 2006.

 

There is nothing different in that vein between years.

the only “tech differences” are UI related.

Besides, “auto door locks” and “A/C” arent REAL options anymore.

 

09-11 and 2013+ trucks would be the only 2nd gens id consider buying. (skipping 2012 due to no shutdown purge of the SAIS system and 09+ for the extra safety features standard)

Needless to say my vote is for the 2013, the creature comforts are nice but not overwhelming like the 3rd gens.

Have not had a single electronic problem in my 2013 that you wouldnt have in any other year (namely to the tune of $18 dollars worth of 3 lil door lock actuator motors). Thats it.

 

Buy the 13 (the best year),stay away from the 06 year.

 

My 2008 has had one mechanical failure in about 100K miles. One of the brake light bulbs burned out.

2005-2008 were the only years that had a clutch type LSD. Starting in 2009, Toyota switched to a "electronic" LSD where (I think) it was a open diff, and selectively applied brakes to simulate having an actual LSD. 2009 was the first year they put a goofy looking subwoofer in the back...lol

 

General rule of thumb.......

More complexity = more problems = more difficult to diagnose = more $$ to repair.

The KISS principle is a good guideline.

 

1. That was only an option on SR5 and standard on TRD sports, All TRD OR's have the elocker open diff regardless of year due to well, having the locker
2. Subwoofer is only in the JBL optioned trucks.



Actually i Digress, I did recently replace an alternator around 105k miles, but that is something that could happen on any truck.

 

As a control systems engineer I always laugh when people think tech is more reliable than simplistic systems. While with redundancy the system as a whole certainly can be, the individual components are still susceptible to failure and without redundancy, like most electronic components in vehicles, oops when they fail. Hence refrigerators, washers, dryers, tend to last 5 years instead of 15 or 20 like the dumb models lol. My 2007 Colorado had gremlins where all kinds of things failed intermittently, even the horn, ac, and electric windows. Dealer couldn’t find the problem so I diagnosed it and had them replace the body control module. Complexity does not equal reliability. Years of refining designs to eliminate emerging design and component flaws equals reliability.

 

My 14 has been back to the dealer once for a firmware update on the radio. 60k miles