2021 Toyota Tacoma problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 80 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, most often about transmission & drivetrain. There are 0 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
80
Recalls
0
Crashes
9
Fires
0
Injuries
15
Median mileage
9,700 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Transmission & Drivetrain is the most-reported problem area, named in 14 of 80 complaints (18%).
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech (13) and engine (13) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 9,700 mi.
  • Owners reported 9 crashes, 0 fires and 15 injuries.
  • It ranks 2nd of 22 Toyota Tacoma model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 8% fewer complaints than the 2020 model year (87).

2021 Toyota Tacoma problems by category

  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    14 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech · 3 crashes
    13 complaints
  • Engine
    13 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    12 complaints
  • Brakes · 2 crashes
    12 complaints
  • Electrical System
    9 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    9 complaints
  • Airbags · 5 crashes
    7 complaints
  • Body & Structure · 1 crash
    6 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control
    5 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts · 2 crashes
    3 complaints
  • Suspension
    3 complaints
  • Steering
    3 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Power train14
Service brakes12
Unknown or other12
Engine11
Electrical system8
Air bags7
Fuel/propulsion system6
Structure:body5

When problems happen (mileage)

9Under 10k210k–30k430k–60k260k–100k1100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Toyota Tacoma complaints that list mileage.

2021 Toyota Tacoma recalls (0)

No recalls on file.

Recent 2021 Toyota Tacoma complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Sep 8, 2026LATransmission & Drivetrain
    Driving in town 30 to 40mph, (while in drive) the vehicle rev’d up like it was in neutral then went back to normal. That is concerning because it will cause transmission problems & pulling onto a road the truck could shift to (neutral) causing it to not go.
    NHTSA complaint #11762933 · source
  2. Filed Aug 29, 2026FLBody & Structure
    The cabin air pressure vents behind the back seat are leaking letting water into the vehicle. The seals have dried up. It's causing a moldy smell in the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11760539 · source
  3. Filed Aug 8, 2026CADriver Assistance & Safety TechEngine
    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 complaint #11755683 · source
  4. Filed Jul 13, 2026TXBrakes
    Brake master cylinder is leaking in the interior of truck on driver side floor mat. Oil is come from brake master cylinder seal.
    NHTSA complaint #11750147 · source
  5. Filed Jun 26, 2026KYElectrical System
    The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) remain functional but all digital display information is unavailable including speed, warnings, fuel economy data, and safety system status indicators. This failure occurred suddenly with no prior warning. Vehicle has…
    NHTSA complaint #11746832 · source
  6. Filed Jun 25, 2026NYElectrical System
    Digital instrument panel speedometer screen has gone blank. No longer displays speed. This occurred while driving the vehicle.
    NHTSA complaint #11746375 · source
  7. Filed Jun 10, 2026VTDriver Assistance & Safety Tech
    About a month ago the Blind spot monitoring system failed, dealer said $2500.00 to repair, about 10 days ago, backup sonar parking system failed, dealer cost to repair $2200.00
    NHTSA complaint #11743192 · source
  8. Filed May 26, 2026CAEngine
    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 complaint #11740269 · source

Compare the 2021 Toyota Tacoma with another vehicle →

Other 2021 Toyota models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology