Serious use 3rd gen issues

straight up not having a good time

 

I've owned a 2005 AT PreRunner SR5 V6 (new) then traded to a 2016 AT TRD Sport (new) and traded that two years ago for my current 2018 AT TRD Off-Road 4x4.

With the 2016 first release of the 3rd gen that I received only the Differential Leak (repaired) and Tranny Gear Hunting (ECU Flashed) were my experienced issues. Then for my current 2018 model year, the only issue I am now having is subconsciously 80% of the time relying on the back-up camera display anytime I drive in reverse--ever since the 2016 model--...I got spoiled with that feature that I am consciously retraining myself to use all my mirrors and physically truning my head to look back...spoiled, just spoiled...

 

At 35,500 miles my truck started running rough and showered me with dash lights. 3 weeks in the service bay and diagnosed with low compression on cylinder #1, leaky valve, and that side cylinder head was replaced. Has 67,000 miles now and has run well and problem free since. Never was able to get a straight answer as to what the actual problem was except possible manufacturing or assembly error, but I felt the dealership did a good job. While that was disappointing at the time and I very nearly traded it in at the time, the truck has been awesome otherwise and since, and I don't really have any regrets. Was my first new vehicle purchase and I waited years to save and buy it.

 

Perfect color too

 

Well I will chime in hear, I have a 2016 DCSB OR with a manual transmission and I've put on 170,000 miles and zero issues and no warranty work at all. I'm even still on my stock clutch and I've smoked that clutch atleast 5 times now. I've by far used and abused my tacoma and it is just as capable offroad as my 70 FJ40 and my 1982 Pickup. Best modern day pickup I could have ever purchased!

 

Interesting that the OP uses a photo of a mishap, that has nothing to do with Toyota design, manufacturing or reliability to ask about reliability of 3rd gen Tacomas....you can find forums that complain about EVERY vehicle there is, even those that cost as much a 10 Tacomas.....Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche.....you can find people unhappy with any vehicle made.

 

That's why I like the 2nd Gen forum, they just fix their truck, no bitchin'. The 1st Gen owners are nutty, they're grinding, fabing, anything goes.

 

When I think of "serious offroading" I think of dropping 10-20k on upgrades. When you get to that level of customization - I think it gets harder to point the finger and say toyota has a lack of reliability because of _____.

I think OP should be a little more specific about the level of upgrades he's looking at and what type of serious offroading he'll be doing.

It might help us better answer his questions?

 

I’ve got about 88k on my 3rd gen (2016), and only problems I’ve had are with the BSM, which has been fixed with newer models, and parking brake freezing up and locking the rear wheels in cold temps. The parking brake is a recurring issue that I’ve yet to resolve, except for abstaining from using it. Since I have an auto it’s not crucial for me but something to think about if you get a manual and it’s below freezing.

 

Oof, i’m a field archaeologist and beat on my truck all the time, hope it last longer than 100k

 

No issues, 17K

 

6!

 

That video does not explain what happened as to what got him in that position. Bottom line is, he listened to the wrong people giving him really bad advice, even after they knew and saw that the passenger U bolt snapped.

 

https://www.yotatech.com/articles/tacoma-axle-ripped-out-in-cringe-worthy-video/

 

I LOVE the old pickup
in the front!

 

37k on my 2018 and Ive had to replace my serpentine belt and an idler pulley because it got full of little pieces of metal or rocks and was causing my ish to squeak loud. But I did cross thru a snowy/muddy water hole almost 3 feet deep. Not bad for how much I beat on the truck. My 2016 Colorado didn’t hold up just street driving it.

 

I just purchased a used 2017 with 20k miles and a perfect history, with no recalls or repairs so far. It runs perfect, gets great mileage and has many improvements over the 2nd gens, as it should since it is a 3rd gen. As for is it worth it to upgrade, I am always of the opinion that if you already have a good vehicle that does all you want, do you really need the latest and greatest. I love my third gen, but if I owned a 2nd gen, I doubt I would trade out. Conversely, unless the 4th gen truck is an astronomical improvement, I doubt I would switch out my 3rd gen for one. Improvements are typically micro incremental and not enough to warrant the extra expense in my opinion. Having said that I much prefer the looks of the 3rd gen. Found a video of a guy discussing both gens:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB5YlCmzBTg

 

92k miles on my 2016 trd sport. No major issues.

I have a few boats and tow them 3-4 days a week. 18' lund alaskan I use 3 days a week, and a 24' pontoon I tow once a week.

Blew my rear shocks around 50k, so I did a full 6112/5160, ome leaf, jba ucas lift on it.

Replaced all fluids at 50k miles (not transmission, still figuring that one out)

New cooper at3S4 tires at 55k.

Water pump at 75k (towing a pontoon on the highway for 115 miles each way keeps the revs high). This was the only repair I've needed so far. I'm going to attribute it to the high revs for long periods of time. It was $1000, they apparently have to pull the engine to replace this?

Did spark plugs at 60k, oil changes every 10k, tire rotation every 5k.

 

if you are towing 3-4 times a week, shouldn’t you follow severe use maintenance schedule? You said your revs are pretty high when towing, I honestly wouldn’t wait 10k to change my oil in that case.

 

Towing in ECT and S mode 4 (can use 5 and 6 at discretion for long straights or even slight downhill) should help keep the tranny happy, but I agree with @Mrtacoman88 about using heavy use maintenance intervals