Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Toyota Tacoma, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 47 | 20% |
| Service brakes | 22 | 9% |
| Engine | 17 | 7% |
| Structure | 16 | 7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 7% |
| Unknown or other | 16 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 14 | 6% |
| Air bags | 7 | 3% |
| Seats | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road (manual transmission) makes a constant chirping sound when the engine is running and increases chirping sound when accelerator is pressed. The chirping sound ceases when the clutch is pressed
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The parking brake sticks. This is an issue because the vehicle automatically applies the parking brake briefly when switching from neutral to first gear or reverse to prevent rollback. When this happens, the parking brak
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Common issue reported amongst 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma owners. Noticed brake fluid dripping from under driver's side dash directly under brake pedal onto floor mat. Upon inspection, found brake fluid dripping down from wh
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Truck has 116k miles, started losing power and acceleration diminished. CEL and Trac Off light came on. Pulled over twice after experiencing same issue. Took to mechanic and diagnostic code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). Re
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Clear coat and paint began to oxidize and fade after 4 years of ownership even when maintaining with wax
NHTSA complaint: Structure
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the engine revved lightly. Over time the vehicle began to lunge forward, and the revving had become more intense. The RPM increased and revved
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Water leak from cabin pressure vents behind rear seats. Water leaks directly into carpet causing unknown mold growth. This mold growth is a safety issue due to the cognitive and respiratory problems associated.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
Product identification: Brand: Dasaita Model: HA2161H3 ASIN: B0CQNWQR8D Purchased: September 4, 2025, via Amazon Aftermarket Android head unit installed in a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport caused electrical interference
NHTSA complaint: Equipment
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Toyota 4Runner and Tundra, 2018 Toyota Highlander, RAV4 and Lexus GX460 and 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles. These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. As such, these vehicles
Risk: An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles equipped with a six-cylinder engine. The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall.
Risk: An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Tacoma vehicles. Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing.
Risk: If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018 Toyota Camry and Highlander vehicles, 2017 Toyota Sienna and Tacoma vehicles and 2017 Lexus RX350 vehicles. During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have b
Risk: A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or L
| Reliability | 70 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 79 | good |
| Maintenance | 79 | good |
| Depreciation | 93 | excellent |
| Performance | 62 | average |
| Efficiency | 40 | below average |
| Safety | 80 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 239 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 47 of them (20%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 70/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 79/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2017 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 74/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.