The thing with the interent is those people that don't have problems with their truck will never post about their positive experiences, but those that have problems will log on and post about them until their finger tips are bleeding, because they want to tell the world. There is a saying that a person that has a positive experience will tell 3 people, but a person that has a negative experience will tell 10 people. Take the online reviews with a grain of salt.

Yes there are some known issues with the leaf springs, the stock tires are inadequate for the majority of people who actually use their truck as a truck, the bed is made of a composite/plastic material (I prefer this over a metal bed, saved me $500 by not having to line-x the bed) just need a bed mat to keep things from sliding around.

But, I can tell you the quality of my truck is far superior to those rattle traps that the american auto makers manufacture.

 

There is a saying that a person that has a positive experience will tell 3 people, but a person that has a negative experience will tell 10 people. Take the online reviews with a grain of salt.

This is so true, and with some on the internet, they try to make it even worse. I once posted a comment about an issue with the Brakes on my model year 1 Toyota Sienna, which the dealer fixed. Sold it several years ago. I still get emails from people, trolling, trying to get me to join in and file a complaint against Toyota, sign a petition for a class action lawsuit. etc etc etc.

But to the OP. Yes, people have problems, yes, some are real. But as someone else noted, go to another makes forum, and see what they are saying. Note industry trends (Ford Explorer most traded in vehicle on the CA Cash for Clunkers program, Ford has not changed the Ranger in 18 years, so its finally reliable.......................)

My Tacoma is not perfect, but it beats the heck out of what my friends own.

And yes, the standard seats suck. Get the TRD seats, they are much better. Was a big driver for me to get the hood scoop, just so I could get good seats.

The plastic bed is not a problem for me. I can load and unload heavy stuff all by myself, as it slides like it is on ice. Haven't dented or damaged it, one or two little scratches from a nail I missed once, got under the load.

And yeah, I can make my truck get under 15 mpg. Drive it over 70, and it drops like a stone. Drive it like a hot rod, it drops like a stone. (I suspect those who complain the most are the younger drivers.) But, I average 17.2, and I drive over a 1000 ft ridge every morning to go to work. I'm pretty happy with that.

This generation Tacoma may not have the long term durability of the previous generations, but its a HUGE step up in creature comfort. I've driven and ridden in the previous generations, and could never buy one for a daily driver, they kill my back. For something to use and abuse, no doubt they are the vehicle of choice though.

You want something that's problem free, look at an Acura or a Lexus, at least your odds go up.

And yeah, its a truck. Mine gets to 80K this weekend, at just under 5 years old

 

Guess the biggest question is:

Are you looking for a truck to use as a truck? Or are you looking for a car replacement?

It's a truck. It drives like a truck, it has noises like a truck, and it has gas mileage like a truck. Going from a Subaru to a Tacoma will be a big adjustment. This is the third Toyota truck I've owned and it's been the most fun of the three, but it's still a truck and I knew that going into it. Gas sucks, but it's plenty capable completely stock.

 

2008 trd 4x4 4.0l lwb w/48000 miles and still smiling whenever i leave the garage. never been back to stealership. will drive for a long time.

 

So go buy something else. No need to come on this site and tell us what pieces of crap we all own.
BTW, mine is an 05 Sport DC with 80000+ miles. I'd buy another in a minute.

 

Sorry but your attitude doesnt fly with me. Im asking if these are REAL issues as a potential buyer. Please dont put words in my mouth and attempt to change what I said. The main point I read was that the older trucks had better quality, yours is older. You do not have the newer truck therefor you are not capable of commenting on the "NEW" truck issues. Also in 7 years of ownership I will have put aprox 210,000+ miles on the truck not 80k like yourself. One last point if driving over 70 sinks the mpg then the truck will not work for me as I routinely drive 72-75mph.

My subject line= Potential buyer and reading tons of complaints in reviews

I figured if I posted that topic and it was not true people would reply and then I could make an educated decision. So is it true or is it not?

So go buy something else. No need to come on this site and tell us what pieces of crap we all own.
BTW, mine is an 05 Sport DC with 80000+ miles. I'd buy another in a minute.

 

I will use it as a car and a truck when needed. I go hunting, camping and fishing. I also like to go off roading. But none of you addressed most of the complaints.

The complaints range from horrible seats to tranny hunting for gears/hard shifting to rusting frames and bumpers. When you have a problem will toyota fix it or blow you off and say its normal. Who wants to go through this kind of problem.

Before the Outback I had a 2500 4x4 diesel and it was a nice truck with no rattles. It did have some issues but for the most part the stealer fixed them. Injectors went out twice in 100k but were repaired under warranty. It only got 12.7mpg so I sold it.

 

There have been complaints about the tranny shifting, which Toyota has addressed in the form of a TSB (Technical Service Bulletin), but these are not a recall, they update the software and most that have the work done report it corrects the problem. I am only aware of this affecting the 09-11 model years. With a TSB, Toyota performs the work at their discretion they are under no obligation to perform the work.

I have no complaints about the sport seats, most complain about the SR5 seating, and they are usually "larger" individuals. My seats fit me like glove!

There have been reports of minor surface rust on chrome bumpers, nothing that a bit of elbow grease with a good chrome cleaner wont fix. I have minimal rust on my frame in the three years of ownership, but nothing that would cause alarm. It is normal when driving in harsh winter conditions with road salt like I do.

I have had my truck in for the weak leaf spring TSB, Toyota went out of their way to take care of me and stood behind their product. And the majority of the time they do. I know another member on here had their front diff replaced way outside of warranty and Toyota paid half the cost of the parts and labor. Can't get much better customer service than that!

 

Thats good info to know. I was going to buy the 4x4 4 cylinder sr5 access as a way to save mpg. Any issues with that truck? Im probably going to rip the seats out and install some nicer 12 way electric seats anyways. It just such a pita making brackets.

 

problemchild,

My wife has had 4 Toyota trucks -- 1992, 2002,2005 and now a 20011. Good trucks, but not perfect. I have driven full size pickups or SUV's since 1981. Starting with a 1994 Chevrolet Silverado, I have felt that the full size American trucks that I have had were as good as her Toyotas. My 2003 and 2007 Dodge Rams were in for repairs less than her 2005 Tacoma. The 2002 Tacoma was a 4 cylinder 4X4 with a 5 speed transmission. It was in several times for a squeaky clutch and about four times for squeaky rear leaf springs. The truck was driven almost daily over ten miles of dusty gravel roads. It had over 100,000 miles on it when we traded it and still had a lot more left.

Her 2011 TRD sport is one fine vehicle. But in reality it is not as nice as a full size Ram or Ford F-150. For what it's worth, I get 15 mpg with my Ram and it's a Hemi with a 3.92 rear end. I'll just bet that her new Tacoma V-6 will not do a heck of a lot better. Her four cylinder 2002 only got about 20 mpg.

If you want good mileage, don't buy a 4X4 truck of any size.

 

My 2500 was a nice comfy truck. I really like the full size electric seats built for big guys not teenage boys like the Tacoma. Being 6'4" and 225lbs makes it tough to squeeze into the tacoma. I just need a truck to go hunting and fishing along the eastern sierras in the winter months. I wish toyota or gm would build a small block diesel 4x4 that got 35mpg. They would sell a boat load of those trucks if they ever built it.

My suby Outback is very comfortable but has some kind of steering shake they cannot get rid of. They call it torsional vibration. It been repaired 3x now and still shaking. They offered to buy it back. I took em up on their offer. It is also pretty good at going off road in sand, dirt and snow. I would not try it in mud as I think it would fail. It also has 8.5 inches of clearance so its not banging on rocks every 2 feet. Too bad its not fixable.

 

I just hit 100k miles on my 05 SR5 access cab 4x4 last week. I actually like the standard seats better than the sport seats in my brother in law's 05. I think the factory stereo sounds great. I commute 90 miles a day (drive my mustang and FJ40 in the summer) and the 2.7 tacoma gets a pretty consistent 22mpg and I drive 70-75. Keep in mind the 2.7 isn't going to pick up speed for passing very good over 50-60. That's the good. Now the bad. I've owned at least one Toyota truck at a time (I currently have 4) for the last 20 years. They have always been bulletproof until this one. Frame rust-horrible. At 30k miles this truck looked worse underneath than my 200k mile 00' 4Runner or my 89 pickup with 196k. A liberal application of Rust Bullet paint has kept it from getting any worse. The rear bumper is also a little rusty. And it's rusting underneath the sill plate in the passenger side door jamb. The passenger seat rattles horribly. The cab mounts rattle when it's below zero. The stock tires are garbage on anything but dry pavement. The front wheel bearings (BOTH SIDES) went out at about 72k miles. I now have one that just went out on my 00 4Runner at 200k, and I think that's acceptable, but 72k is crap. And they are a pain to change. The A/C compressor locked up (happened to my brother in law's truck too) at about 85-90k miles, and I've never been able to shift it into 1st when rolling unless I force it into gear. I would still rather have a Tacoma than any of the other competing trucks, but they really don't make them like they used to regardless of what others say. If I had the time I would seriously consider restoring my 89 and selling the Tacoma. If it were an extended cab I probably never would have bought this truck in the first place though.

 

SO...

Show me a vehicle that doesn't have bad reviews posted by idiots who can barely fill them with gas and know exactly NOTHING about their vehicle on Edmunds.

I'll stand by.

 

Well that would be someone like me... I've worked for a mail order parts company for 15 years, I've worked in parts at a dealer, worked at a body shop, restore cars on the side, and I do ALL of my own work with the exception of the rare occasion where I simply don't have the time or the tools to do it. Stuff like machine work when rebuilding engines and I haven't bought a pipe bender yet so I had a local shop bend up the exhaust for my FJ40. And I did have a local shop change one wheel bearing on the tacoma when I did one and it was still making noise from the other side too. I was so pissed off and it was 10 below outside and only about 20 in my garage so I just had them do it. I've been drinking the Toyota Kool Aid for over 20 years and i've had well over a dozen of them. My tacoma isn't a horrible vehicle by any means but it by far the most disappointing Toyota I've ever owned. And oddly enough it's the only one I haven't eve beaten the tar out of off road on multiple occasions. The only reason I can think of why I've had so much trouble with it is they are simply cheaping out on their materials for the stuff built here. All the frames that rotted out on the 1st gen tacomas (and likely second gens before long if mine is any indication) were made by Dana corp here in the US. The A/C compressor that failed on my truck and my brother in law's was made by delphi, a common low bid supplier for GM. All the beds where the seams rotted out on US trucks from 84-88 were all made here too. But this is the truck they offer here. Heck I'm planning on going to look at a low mileage 4Runner to replace the 00 I have this weekend. But if Ford ever brings their diesel crew cab ranger to the states I'll certainly be looking into it when I've finally had enough of my tacoma. But who knows maybe it will be problem free from here on out.

 

Potential buyer and reading tons of complaints in reviews

Hmmm... I think your answer is in your question somewhere.

 

I have put 100k miles total on two (05 and 09) and have had zero major problems. There are minor annoyances but what the hell, it's not a Lexus.

The seats do not suck, I know that much. At least for me. Maybe an overweight person would disagree.

I agree the Internet attracts complainers. People love to bitch.

 

08TRDOFFROAD said it best in the first reply...those that have problems will complain long after people have stopped caring. Not going to bore you with spec and details...plain and simple this is a great truck and I have never had a problem with mine in the 3 years I have owned mine. Just make sure it gets the maintenance it needs and she'll run perfect every time!

 

NOTHING is going to be perfect. IMO Toyota has shown that they stand behind their product.

 

I own a access cab sr5 4x4 2.7 5-speed 2005 model 120k I have never bought anything except tires and oil. And a battery last month. I have had no leaf spring problems, and haul stuff constantly. The seats are the best I have ever owned and most of my passengers say the same. If your fat you wont like them. I am 6 foot 190lb. My only major complaint is the tailgate, it sucks if own motorcycles. It is weak in the middle. I fixed it with an aftermarket plate, a forum member makes. MPG on ethanol free gas. is 23.8mpg at 75-76mph. highway for the whole tank. Unloaded no matter what type of gas, city driving,traffic etc. does not drop below 20mpg. And it has always done everything i ask it to. It gets used as a truck. I did also buy the bilstien 5100 shocks. They made it handle as well as a sedan. but they ride a rough. I still love them. Hope this helps answer your questions. If it doesn't don't buy a taco go buy a GM and report back to us in 6 months LOL

 

Also I bought the extended warranty and never used it.

 

My '06 double cab TRD has 130K on it, I have put less money into this truck that ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER OWNED!

Yes, the rear springs suck, Toyota replaced mine and it still bottoms out once in a while.

Yes, my exhaust manifolds cracked and caused a tick, Toyota replaced them under warranty.

Yes, in 100K I had both hubs replaced, Toyota did it under warranty

Yes, my blower resistor failed, Toyota replaced it

Yes, my overhead display failed, I fixed it myself

Would I buy another one after the fact, you betcha. I would go as far as buying another one from the same dealer, they treated me fantastic.

My father is retired from GM, I can buy any GM vehicle for 18% less than dealer cost, I bought a Toyota without the discount instead! BTW, this was my first non-domestic vehicle, all be it made in Indiana. I liked my Tacoma so well that I went out and bought a Camry XLE too.

 

Your Tacoma was built in California. The Tundra at the time was built exclusively in Indiana.

 

I love my 06' Taco - now.

But I WHEEL it. It is not a "comfy" metrosexual vehicle.

No trips to Starbucks here buddy. No half-caf with a dash of cinnamon.

I can pull (and routinely do) most N.A. made light duty rigs out of places they shouldn't be.

My frame isn't rusted.
My Tranny doesn't hunt for gears
Gas mileage - seriously - it's a truck!! They're all barns on wheels. If you care about MPG you are on the WRONG FORUM.

I hate the Toyota Dealers - they're WEAK
I hate the stock S45 trucks - need about $ 5,000 to make them capable
I hate plastic on the 2nd Gen - wish I had a Hilux

Any questions?

D

 

every vehicle has its pros and cons. the only complain i have had so far is weak springs but with a bit of elbow grease and searching for DIY on here i couldnt be happier with my truck.:thumbsup:

 

Yes quality sure is slipping in some ways. Build it cheaper, charge more. Toyota has become Americanized. Having said the negative stuff, the alternatives are probably worse. I've had no real problems in 65K which isn't really enough to judge. I turn the key and go. There have been a couple of reports of people walking away from 50 mph head-ons in these trucks on this very forum. What kind of value do you put on that? Yeah, my clutch still squeaks even after the TSB. My blower motor is starting to squeak again now that it's getting cold but all of my cars/trucks have had "quirks" of some sort. I hope to still report the same at 200K.

 

This is what I've been saying. They are still better than the alternatives but nowhere near as goos as they used to be. I was hoping my Tacoma would be like all the other Toyota trucks I've had and need nothing but routine maintenance for the first 200k and then a few annoying but not overwhelming issues after that. It didn't turn out that way, and that kind of sucks. Even as much as it surprised me it's still way better than the new F150 a friend bought in 2005 and the 2 Chevy half tons coworkers bought in 04. They got so sick of fixing theirs they traded them in for new trucks. And they are still making payments. Mine's been paid for since 09 so if I have to throw some more parts at it I will. I just wish it had been a more Toyota-like ownership experience. Now I'll get down off my soapbox and get back to changing the left front wheel bearing on my 202k mile 4Runner. The first relatively major thing it's ever needed. My tacoma needed both before 75k.

 

You might consider the 4runner

 

My wife's 2011 Double Cab is a "Tijuana taxi". Did a complete detail yesterday. Could find no paint flaws...nada. Her 2005 "California carriage" had a few.

 

If i had your worries, I'd buy a low miles early second generation truck- 2005/6.

 

Bullshit on "squeezing into" a Taco. I'm 6'2" and have no problem with comcort in a reg. cab Taco.

 

I agree... I was trying to be polite to the OP. He says he was comfortable in his Outback. We test drove an Outback before we bought a Tacoma, and it had no more room inside.... if anything, it had less.

Since my prior post didn't have any specifics, I'll add this about our trucklet for problemchild:

Seats are supportive & comfortable. No issues with transmission. No rust on frame or bumpers. Audio system is okay... it's the standard unit and I don't expect premium sound from it. Better insulation in the cab would have been nice -- but if it bothered me that much I would have added it myself. Ditto for heated outside mirrors. Engine is not noisy. Bed is plastic? No shit, I knew that before I bought it. It has caused me no problems whatsoever and I don't see that as a negative. Rear springs are fine, they support the back half of the truck and they don't squeak, what more do you want? OEM tires were reasonably good except in snow. When they wore out I replaced them with something else. Not an issue. Fuel mileage from ~16 mpg/winter to ~19 mpg/summer, which I think is fair enough for a mid-size double cab 4x4 truck. Some cruise controls don't work well and ours is one of them.

As I posted before, this is our first Toyota in 45 years and I have no axe to grind in their favor. But I believe it is a very good product and good value for the money. Ours has about 43K miles and has been back to the dealer once (when new) to replace wrinkled molding.

I read only a small sampling of Edmunds customer reviews that you linked and didn't find the gloom & doom that you suggested was there. At this point I think you only came on here to bitch & troll. If you are really interested in a mid-size truck, look into a Nissan Frontier. Or a Chevy Colorado. They might suit you better. Good luck.

 

I'm 6'2" and 185 pounds. I fit into all of out Tacoma's. The 2005 regular cab was better than the earlier ones...much better. The 2011 Double Cab is even better. The TRD Sport's seats are "comfortably snug" for me. If I were carrying more weight they may be a bit too snug.

None of our Tacomas have been as comfortable as my full size SUV's or pickups. Just doesn't work that way. Big trucks simply have more room.

IMO the build quality of the new North American full size pickups is equal to that of either the Tacoma or Tundra

 

After I fixed all the issues that I had (rear leaf springs, leaky radiator from factory, tailgate crunch, etc...) with my 07 Double cab Taco, it's a decent truck.
I like it now, but I hated it for the first two years because those problems should have been fixed at the factory.
I get 20 mpg using Mobil 1 Synthetic oil and driving 70-75 mph on mostly highways and in town.
No rust on the truck.
Would I buy another? I don't know. I'll cross that bridge when I get to it. But my Tacoma is a decent truck now.