I really don’t like mine. I have a 2016 Limited, and it’s constantly hunting for gears. There’s almost no torque below 4,000 RPM. The beeps and chimes go off for every little thing. If I turn the radio off, it just comes back on. The gas mileage is terrible, and none of the USB or 12v ports work when the truck is off. I thought I’d love owning a Tacoma, but I’m already considering selling it and getting something else. The only good thing is the size. How do you all deal with these issues?
Maybe the problem isn’t with the truck but with how you’re using it? I haven’t had most of those problems, except for the gas mileage. But that’s pretty much expected for a V6 mid-sized pickup.
Jin said:
Maybe the problem isn’t with the truck but with how you’re using it? I haven’t had most of those problems, except for the gas mileage. But that’s pretty much expected for a V6 mid-sized pickup.
I feel the same. Vehicles take time to get used to. I had a 2.5 gen Tacoma and loved it. My current 2023 Off-Road is a bit slow and finicky, but I’ve adjusted. My girlfriend’s the same way—annoying at times but still gets things done! You just have to accept its quirks and appreciate that it’s reliable and not breaking down on you.
I can’t relate. I have a 2016 with 125,000 miles, and it’s just starting to feel broken in. I really enjoy mine.
The ECT button helps with both the gear hunting and low-end torque issues. As for the beeps, they don’t really bother me. My radio turns off fine, so I’m not sure about that. Gas mileage is bad, but that’s true for most trucks in my area. None of these things have been deal-breakers for me. The one thing that annoys me is the A/C outlet in the bed—it’s too weak to even power a coffee maker! Where I live, the roads are horrible, and Toyotas hold up better than anything else. Even Jeeps here need major repairs after 40,000 miles.
I’ve adjusted to the lack of low-end torque by driving differently. For hills, I either slow down or use manual mode to keep the transmission from gear-hunting. My new 2024 model, though, feels much better. The extra torque at low RPMs and the 8-speed transmission are big improvements.
I’ve got a 2017 with 140,000 miles, and I don’t have any of the issues you’re talking about. Sounds like it’s more of a personal thing than a truck thing.
A tune can fix some of those problems. My biggest annoyance is the front radar—it’s constantly giving notifications. Like, do your job, radar, but don’t keep telling me about it! And the navigation system? It’s ridiculous how many steps it takes just to set a destination.
Honestly, it’s way better than the worn-out Sonata I had before. I love driving my Tacoma.
Your first two problems are easy fixes. An OTT tune and the Carista app worked wonders for me. If gas mileage mattered, I wouldn’t have bought a truck. I haven’t noticed any other issues you mentioned, so I don’t have much to complain about.
I’ve got a 2020 SR5 with 75,000 miles, and it’s been great. For the beeping, I got a $15 OBD adapter and a $10 app to disable most of the chimes, including the seatbelt one. The radio powers off fine for me—just press the button. As for gear hunting, I’ve learned to go easy on the throttle, which helps with both shifting and mileage. If you mostly drive on highways, consider highway tread tires. My Falken Wildpeak H/T tires gave me an extra MPG.
Man, I’d trade my 2019 Ford Ranger for your Tacoma any day. My Ranger is the most annoying truck I’ve ever owned. I’m just waiting for my finances to improve so I can get rid of it and order a Tacoma.
I’ve got a 2022 Tacoma, and I haven’t experienced most of what you’re talking about—except for the bad gas mileage. The torque feels fine to me, and I don’t have issues with beeping or battery drain. That said, the infotainment system is a bit frustrating. It randomly switches audio inputs and glitches out sometimes, which can only be fixed by restarting the truck. I’m planning to replace the head unit with a better one someday.