TW Scaring Me Out of Pulling Trigger on a Tacoma

I was initially skeptical of the 3rd gen. Did a test drive on one and it put all of my fear to rest, so I went forward with the purchase. I'm now 6 months into it and have put almost 11K on it. Would I do it again? Nope.

As I drove the truck more and more, it developed inconsistent throttle response and hesitation issues. Still has them even after getting the latest calibration. Couldn't tell you which TSB the dealer applied since they didn't note it anywhere. Most of my driving is done in S4 and/or S5 now. I don't even use D anymore the hesitation issues are so bad. One dealer said it's normal, another said they couldn't replicate. Not interested in getting an OVtune or running premium to cure the drive ability issues. I shouldn't have to spend additional money to make a new truck run correctly.

Other issues I have include:

1. Shudder at around 20 mph when slowing. Dealer says they couldn't replicate.
2. Pre-collision system occasionally shutting itself off in light rain. Could be a dirty sensor...I've only cleaned the sensor once, never washed the truck.
3. Rattling a-pillar trim. I just pulled the trim off.

It's an A -> B vehicle and I'm just accepting the issues it has. Hoping to trade out of it by the end of the year.

 

Here you go. The day I got it.

 

Me gusta.

 

The longevity and market value of Toyota are also great. I say buy one, if you don't like it after a year, it will be easy to trade it. I'm 6'2", the roof is an issue I can't fix, I would not get moonroof if you are tall. Other then that any issues describe has been taken care of while I'm getting my Toyota Care done at the same time. I', at 48k. I have a 2016 TRD OR. I love mine. If you are searching perfection, good luck.

 

The 3rd Gen interior is outdated...

Go jump in any other truck and you’ll see that is a Toyota problem.

The 3rd Gen is updated in all the ways I don’t want it to be. Hate safety sense, hate entune, hate satilite radio, hate push button starts etc.

I want heated leather seats, heated steering wheel, auto sensing wipers, a trailer camera, auto cycle trailer test lights, power seats, Apple carplay and phone mirroring etc.

3rd Gen is updated in none of the ways it needs to be and its still very far behind any other automaker on features.

I don’t want to tow faster.
Thats just irresponsible. Truck drives just fine with a trailer.

 

if u need to haul heavy or tow big/heavy look at full size. if not its a good truck. I had tonsa recall issues with a '14 silverado. dont haul much and tow 0. tundra was bad mpg. ford's f150 seems to have 5.0 engine owners being the happiest if u go ford. If MPG not huge concern, I liked the tundra crew short box better than fords. then u got ford ranger coming out and also have current colorado and zr2. Much better than the old days of s10, ranger, and dakotas. Seems like you could get a slightly used Tundra for price of new taco (OR/pro etc). Keep in mind the tacos have good resale also if u no likey and sell.
If you tow heavy like an RV or big boat often u can do it with a taco with some upgrades but you will be happier with a full size.
If you have kids that are in seats, one kid in seat in middle is ok, but if on rear sides the front seats will likely not go all the way back. If we had 2 kids I def woulda went tundra or a f150 5.0 v8

 

Garage queens, beaters, and old widow mobiles.
Old work trucks too.

Otherwise...

 

All of these (and more) have been and still are major issues with this 3rd gen. I've had virtually every issue that's been cited with the 3rd gens, no lie. pissed me off the first year while I tried to fix everything with often very little help from the dealer and replacing OEM parts myself. but, I love my truck and it runs and drives fine now

 

I totally LOVE my 2018 TRD SPORT!!! Keep in mind this is a forum and people with issues will post them here to get help etc, putting aside the haters with bad comments and influence. There is billions of happy customers with the 3rd gen Tacoma and by looking at this forum the % is very low. Every car/truck will have their ups and down regardless. I came from a 4Runner and also a member on the T4R forum and had to put up with nonsense there as well, nonetheless i loved my 4runner too and had it for about 6 years, sold it to get my 2018 Taco! I have a part time job to help my friend out on the weekends and the company he works for owns over 60 3rd gen Tacomas with over 150K miles each one with no hiccups whatsoever.

This 3rd gen truck is a big two thumbs up for me!!!

 

Sounds like a Ridgeline is your future... I did not want any of that stuff, heated steering wheel

 

Problems are luck of the draw and happen with every brand. The trans behavior is based on opinion, you may like it or you may not. Go drive one for an extended period of time and make sure it has the latest TSB's applied. Plenty of people have had zero issues with their Tacoma. I've had a ton however...every one you can think of and is spoken about on tacomaworld plus some. I would still get a Tacoma, because I know my experience is not typical, and they (toyota) have worked out a lot of the bugs for 2018+. Your poll suggests that only 16% of people would not or may not buy the truck again if they could do it over...my initial thought was that those numbers are very encouraging.

 

#Sweettruckvan

 

The argument that the interior is outdated and lacks of amenities and features that are standard on other manufacturer's vehicles is a valid one, IMHO. That said, I still prefer the strengths of the Tacoma far beyond to anything else on the market.

Hopefully as GM and Ford ramp up their mid-size truck game, Toyota will be forced to be a little more progressive rather than reactive on these issues.

Then again, everything is a compromise.

I think we can all agree that if a full size GM, Ford, Dodge, Toyota, Nissan, etc. truck can have these features and options, there is zero reason a Tacoma can't either. I don't want a heated steering wheel either, but things like that should be an option.

 

Stats don't lie. If the Tacoma has so many problems, then ask yourself this.

Out of all the vehicles out there, which one was has the highest resale value?

All the vehicle manufacturers out there, Tacoma is number one. Period, end of story.

 

I got my double cab long bed OR at the end of September and have a bit over 1,000 miles on it. I had been driving a bulletproof 1998 T100 for 17 years. The Tacoma is not as peppy off the line as the T100, but it cruises well and quietly at 2,000 rpm on the highway. A seat height adjustment would good, as well as a few other amenities found in other brands. But overall, I'm very satisfied and have no issues with the truck. Some folks who complain about some things didn't do their homework or an extended test drive before buying.

 

Have you seen the price of the of a full-size with all these features? No thanks.

 

Obviously I have a 2nd Gen but I will add my two cents. I bought my truck as a CPO in February 2016 with 7,000 miles. I started my new truck search considering a to find a leftover 2015, the 3rd Gen (even though at the time I hated the tailgate stamped "TACOMA" in it.), Colorado/Canyon, and just maybe a V6 Silverado.

I got to test drive one of the first delivered to my area 3rd Gens. before I test drove anything else and my ultimate impression was I preferred the 2nd Generation (4.0) because it felt like it had more power than the 3.5 and I loved the design more of the 2nd Gen. and ultimately I did not want to take the risk buying a first model year of something. I then was dead set on buying a Colorado as I couldn't find any ultra low mile 2nd Gens or found 2014's and couldn't justify paying $500 less than sticker on a similarly equipped new 3rd gen in my area. After almost pulling the trigger on a Colorado, I realized I truly wanted a 2nd Gen and ended up finding the one I bought and love.

I've driven one or two more 3rd Gens. since then and have no complaints, I also know a few people who have bought 2017 and 2018's and they have no complaints at all (other than how expensive trucks are getting). However I knew 2 people that bought a 2016 and had nothing but complaints and both traded them (However these were VERY anal/OCD people). If I were to buy a new truck tomorrow, I'd probably be 99% likely to go 3rd Gen Tacoma and take the risk despite the minute fraction of posters on here out of the over 100,000 sales Toyota has done each calendar year in the USA that are complaining.

Ultimately if you're nervous get an extended warranty if that will calm your brain.. And test drive, test drive, test drive.. If you can rent a 3rd Gen from your dealer or a rental place do it!! When you're gonna be spending over $20-30-40k make the right decision.

 

Take a minute and google some of your consumer goods like your specific TV model, Cell phone or something as basic as your Refrigerator. I bet after you read up on those comments you will be second guessing those decisions as well. Other than enthusiasts like most TW members who have had a good experience with their Tacoma or the small percentage who have had problems you won't see people taking time to post about their uneventful ownership.

 

Agreed.

Unless someone came up with a butt and back-massaging seat. Then I might spring for that.

 

Well, yeah. Duh lol.