2020 Toyota Tacoma reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma holds 87 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 16 per year. Tacoma years here cluster close together — the other years’ median is 17 complaints per year. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Fuel pump.

2020 Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro — Photo by Kevauto, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (21 of 87), then Powertrain (15) and Engine (14). Those filings include 6 that report a crash and 5 that report an injury.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Tacoma has 218 complaints, 48 per year, and the 2021 has 80 complaints, 14 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has more complaints per year than the 2021.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2020 Toyota Tacoma. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (1)

Recall Fuel pump 2020-11-04 · NHTSA campaign 20V682000

Summary Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.

Remedy Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.

Complaints by component (87 total)

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Engine

Service brakes

Electrical system

Forward collision avoidance

Speed control

Air bags

Back-over prevention

Steering

Structure

Fuel system, gasoline

Lane departure

Seat belts

Seats

Tires

Visibility and wipers

Exterior lighting

Hydraulic brakes

Suspension

Wheels

Show 13 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"The wiper motor does not move fast enough to keep the windshield clear in heavy rain. Yes it is available to be inspected. Unable to see while driving even after slowing down. Only when encountering heavy rain. No No"
Visibility and wipers · filed 2026-08-18
"The Clutch in the Manual Transmission makes a "creaking" noise, and you can feel it when driving too, when depressing the clutch pedal... The creaking noise is annoying, but the feel of the creaking is very distracting…"
Powertrain · filed 2026-08-04
"I am reporting a safety-related failure of an aftermarket bull bar / grille guard purchased through Amazon. The bull bar detached from the vehicle while the vehicle was in motion on a public road. After detaching, the…"
Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-09
"Fluid weeping/leaking/staining on differential housing"
Powertrain · filed 2026-04-10
"On Sunday, March 15,2026, I was driving from Houston, TX to Pharr, TX at the speed of 75mph on the left lane to pass an 18 wheeler, with another 18 wheeler behind me, and my truck started idling erratically. I lost…"
Speed control, Unknown or other, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-03-17

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2020 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2020 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 2WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2020 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD	4 stars	4 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Tacoma two-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	19	24	21 MPG	$3100
Tacoma two-wheel drive	2.7L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	20	23	21 MPG	$3100
Tacoma four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	18	22	20 MPG	$3250
Tacoma four-wheel drive	2.7L, 4-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Part-time four-wheel drive	19	22	20 MPG	$3250
Tacoma four-wheel drive	3.5L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Part-time four-wheel drive	17	21	18 MPG	$3600
Tacoma four-wheel drive D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO	3.5L, 6-cyl	Manual 6-speed	Part-time four-wheel drive	17	20	18 MPG	$3600

Specs and fitment

3rd generation, 2016–2023

Body styles Access Cab, Double Cab

Oil 0W-20 (2.7L 4-cyl and 3.5L V6)

Tire size 245/70R17, 265/70R17, 265/65R18 or 265/70R18 (trim-dependent)

Towing capacity 6,500 lbs

Known issues for this generation

Early third-generation production drew several Toyota safety recalls. NHTSA campaign 17V-285 (Toyota H0G) covers certain 2016-2017 Tacomas where oil may leak from the rear differential carrier joint; low oil can seize the differential and cause a loss of control. Campaign 17V-356 (Toyota H0H) covers certain 2016-2017 six-cylinder Tacomas whose crank position sensor may fail and stall the engine. NHTSA campaign 15V-656 (Toyota F0T) covers a small batch of 2016 Tacomas built in August-September 2015 with incorrect bolts on the driver knee air bag module, which can affect air bag performance in a crash.

Compare

Previous year 2019 Toyota Tacoma Next year 2021 Toyota Tacoma See every Toyota Tacoma model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

The complaints owners file most often name Fuel and propulsion system (21 of 87), then Powertrain (15) and Engine (14). Those filings include 6 that report a crash and 5 that report an injury.

Is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2020 Toyota Tacoma been recalled?

The 2020 Toyota Tacoma has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

Owners have filed 87 complaints about the 2020 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Toyota Tacoma get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma is 19.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What generation is the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

3rd generation (2016-2023).

How much can a Toyota Tacoma tow?

Published maximums vary by generation, cab, engine, and equipment; many recent U.S. specs list up to 6,500 lb when properly equipped.

When did the 4th-generation Tacoma start?

The 2024 model year (4th generation) followed the 2016-2023 3rd generation in the U.S. lineup.