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2021 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma are lower than the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 80 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports0 fire reports8 injury reports

Engine complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2026
EngineForward Collision Avoidance

Having two issues major issues that’s causing me a $10,000 bill. The timing cover is leaking and there is a coolant bypass hose that is leaking. I have spend a lot of maintenance on this truck on maintaining it to have to remove the engine. As for the forward collision warning ive had it go off multiple times witout a vehicle th…

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Having two issues major issues that’s causing me a $10,000 bill. The timing cover is leaking and there is a coolant bypass hose that is leaking. I have spend a lot of maintenance on this truck on maintaining it to have to remove the engine. As for the forward collision warning ive had it go off multiple times witout a vehicle there. While in cruise control ive had it unexpectedly break on me when there was no visible vehicle infront or next to me.

NHTSA ODI #11755683

Mileage unknown · May 26, 2026
Engine

The plastic coolant crossover valve or pipe failed at 66,000 miles and 5 years of usage. This led to the radiator cracking. After researching online, I read about thousands of Tacoma 3rd generation users with the same issue. Also, the same issue was recalled for several other models of Toyotas but not the Tacoma.

NHTSA ODI #11740269

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2024
Engine

2021 Toyota Tacoma OR coolant bypass joint leaks at only 47800 miles. The cost of repair is $1490.36

NHTSA ODI #11628639

Mileage unknown · Aug 30, 2024
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

This vehicle stalled while driving. It would totally shut off. Once at 75 mph no warning just shut off. Had a cylinder misfire according to dealership. On 2 other occasions it shut off while driving. On those occasions I was backing up out of a driveway and driving slow on a drive. So very slow speeds. On those 2 occasions it …

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This vehicle stalled while driving. It would totally shut off. Once at 75 mph no warning just shut off. Had a cylinder misfire according to dealership. On 2 other occasions it shut off while driving. On those occasions I was backing up out of a driveway and driving slow on a drive. So very slow speeds. On those 2 occasions it had engine stall codes according to dealership. I filed a lemon law claim and because it didn’t stall in the 58 miles the tech drove it Tamara Clear from gulf states determined there’s no evidence it stalls despite the local Toyota dealership having stall codes in their notes. Tamara clear also didn’t comply with Arkansas lemon law and respond within 40 days. She took longer because she’s overwhelmed with cases according to her. Each time the vehicle totally shut off while driving it had master warning lights, charging system lights, oil fluid temp lights, all of it. I took pics but Toyota didn’t care about that either Potentially fatal. And they expected me to drive around with a 6 year old in it

NHTSA ODI #11611737

Mileage unknown · Feb 28, 2024
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

Driving at approximately 55 mph and dash lights started flickering, radio went off, reset to 530 (am radio). Vehicle started sputtering and slowing down in traffic and completely shut down. Lost all power and coasted to side of road. I had no or little control of vehicle. I have "connected services" that was to warn me about m…

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Driving at approximately 55 mph and dash lights started flickering, radio went off, reset to 530 (am radio). Vehicle started sputtering and slowing down in traffic and completely shut down. Lost all power and coasted to side of road. I had no or little control of vehicle. I have "connected services" that was to warn me about mechanical and electrical failures and no warning of this happening. This enrollment was to give me "services designed to help keep you safe, secure and in control of your Tacoma from almost anywhere". "brand engagement center" not concerned of the incident. Apparently two and half year old battery failed. Replaced by myself.

NHTSA ODI #11574484

Mileage unknown · Mar 23, 2023
EngineForward Collision AvoidanceFuel/propulsion System

My vehicle stalls (won't accelerate and rough idle) forcing you to roll off the highway without warning. This has happened multiple times while in cruise control going up steep hills. It shows engine misfire and check engine. I took it to the dealer multiple times and it was determined to be bad gas. I and my insurance company p…

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My vehicle stalls (won't accelerate and rough idle) forcing you to roll off the highway without warning. This has happened multiple times while in cruise control going up steep hills. It shows engine misfire and check engine. I took it to the dealer multiple times and it was determined to be bad gas. I and my insurance company paid for this dealer (Hatch Toyota Show Low AZ) for complete clean and replacement of the entire fuel system. Now 5 months later it is doing it again. The safety issue is the stalling in the middle of the highway where there is no way to get out of the way of traffic. I made sure I bought good gas by paying extra money at a new Chevron gas station with new in ground tanks. But dealer claims bad gas again. That is a separate issue.

NHTSA ODI #11513414

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2023
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

- Engine throttle went into wide open throttle causing the Unintended acceleration in traffic - The truck was doing about 45mph the passing gear came on and a second I was doing 60mph I quickly applied full pressure on the brakes and the car did not slow down at all, the truck failed to STOP or slow down and was getting closer t…

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- Engine throttle went into wide open throttle causing the Unintended acceleration in traffic - The truck was doing about 45mph the passing gear came on and a second I was doing 60mph I quickly applied full pressure on the brakes and the car did not slow down at all, the truck failed to STOP or slow down and was getting closer to the vehicle in front, it was in the Expressway. My only thought was too press the ON OFF button and instantly shut down the passing gear and slowed down. _ The vehicle was dropped of at the dealer for 2-weeks and was inspected no problem found. - There were no warning lamps messages on the screen or voice message at all. I am afraid to drive this vehicle it became a runaway wild horse. If I didn`t react in milliseconds i would of hit the car in front at a high rate of speed causing damage to everyone. I took pictures after right after having full control of the truck. All the record of my complaints of the Tacomas drive train started more than 1 1/2 years ago the records are the facts of Toyotas negligence. I have total fear and don`t trust this truck with my life. Please check the recorded dealer is Doral Toyota and you can speak with the Service manager [XXX]. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11500891

Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2022
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

The truck will accelerate on its own during highway speeds of 60+ MPH and residential 25+ MPH. Also accelerates when coming up to a stop sign causing me to almost hit a child in a crosswalk. There was no cruise control engaged during the incidents. I took it into the Autonation toyota dealership twice and they said they could no…

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The truck will accelerate on its own during highway speeds of 60+ MPH and residential 25+ MPH. Also accelerates when coming up to a stop sign causing me to almost hit a child in a crosswalk. There was no cruise control engaged during the incidents. I took it into the Autonation toyota dealership twice and they said they could not reproduce and or duplicate the problem. It is very frightening when it happens as it lasts between 4-5 seconds if you do not apply the brakes hard. There has not been any warning lights or anything that comes up on the dash board.

NHTSA ODI #11459755

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2022
Engine

in traffic engine surges at times,going from 1200 to 3500 rpm's very dangerous, afraid to drive , wife refuses to drive it, naturally the dealer says NO PROBLEMS, that truck will last 300.000, at 3000 miles in seven months ,thinking about trading it in, dealers tell me I must repair the engine knocking noise, I didn't tell them …

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in traffic engine surges at times,going from 1200 to 3500 rpm's very dangerous, afraid to drive , wife refuses to drive it, naturally the dealer says NO PROBLEMS, that truck will last 300.000, at 3000 miles in seven months ,thinking about trading it in, dealers tell me I must repair the engine knocking noise, I didn't tell them about the revving up part, very unhappy ,have owned Toyota's never had problems !!

NHTSA ODI #11449441

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2021
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

I was my 2021 Toyota Tacoma home after work on the highway at night at 11:00 pm. While on the highways there was highway construction and traffic was coming to a stop. I was driving in the slow lane doing 60-65. As I approached the stopped traffic i let my foot of the accelerator pedal and put my foot on the brake pedal to slow …

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I was my 2021 Toyota Tacoma home after work on the highway at night at 11:00 pm. While on the highways there was highway construction and traffic was coming to a stop. I was driving in the slow lane doing 60-65. As I approached the stopped traffic i let my foot of the accelerator pedal and put my foot on the brake pedal to slow down, as i did this the rpm's jumped up to 4000 and the truck went to take off full speed on its own. I held the brake pedal down to the floor and i shifted the truck from drive mode to sport mode than back to drive mode. ( I panicked) but soon as i did that the engine stopped accelerating thankfully because i had many stopped cars in front of me that i would have plowed into. I love my truck but I am not scared to drive it always have my hand on the shift waiting for it to happen again possibly.

NHTSA ODI #11427804

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.