How Long Do Toyota Trucks Last? [Answered!]

If you are wondering how long Toyota trucks can last, then you have come to the right place. Toyota is known for producing reliable vehicles, meaning their trucks can be expected to be long-lasting and dependable.

Toyota trucks can last 300,000 miles. With routine maintenance, expect 20 years of service from these vehicles. Both the Tacoma and Tundra can last two decades. However, the Tundra is the most reliable model. These trucks have few issues, the most common being their brakes and transmission.

To learn more about how long Toyota trucks last, continue reading!

Toyota Tundra

The Tundra is the most reliable of the Toyota trucks. That said, even the Tundra has experienced problems over the years. While it is important to know what types of problems are common in Tundras, if you’re looking to purchase a used Tundra, it’s better to know which models are the most reliable. Below we’ll look the least and most reliable Tundra models.

Least Reliable Tundra Model

The 2016 Toyota Tundra received a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. Of all the current Tundras, this model is the least reliable. There are many issues to look out for, such as problems with the drivetrain as well as the brakes. According to Car Complaints, the drivetrain has been reported to shake and vibrate while driving, and the integrated brake control malfunctions as well.

Most Reliable Tundra Models

While 2016 was not the year of the Tundra, Toyota quickly corrected their mistakes and the next five model years were the best Tundras ever made.

The 2017, 2019, and 2020 Toyota Tundras received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. This is an improvement from its predecessor and is an overall great score for the Tundra. These consistently high scores prove that Toyota is dedicated to reliability.

Common complaints in the 2017 model include vibrating brakes; however, this only requires a rotor replacement to fix. While the 2019 modeled received no complaints, there were 6 recalls issued. Two of such recalls affected over 1,000,000 vehicles. Toyota also issued a recall for the 2020 model’s fuel pump, which impacted 1,000,000 vehicles.

Currently, the two most reliable models for the Toyota Tundra were the 2018 and 2021 model years. Both models received a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. These models are expected to last up to 300,000 miles.

Like the other Tundras mentioned above, the 2018 model has some brake problems. This model has common reports of owners saying that the brake light came on without a cause, according to Car Complaints. However, this is primarily an annoyance and will not detract from the longevity of the vehicle.

There are currently no complaints or recalls affecting the 2020 model. This is partially because the vehicle was just recently released. However, it is expected to be an overall durable vehicle and last drivers many years.

Toyota Tacoma

Like the Tundra, the Toyota has had its fair share of bad model years. Let’s take a look at the best and worst years for the Toyota Tacoma below.

Least Reliable Tacoma Models

The least reliable Toyota Tacoma models were the 2017 and 2020 models. Both models received a reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. These reliability ratings caused concern for some drivers since the Tacoma appeared to be fluctuating in terms of reliability, especially when it came to the 2020 Tacoma.

The 2020 Tacoma featured all of the newest components and technology. Even with advanced technology, the 2020 model failed to reach the standards set by prior model years (we’ll discuss these models in the next section).

According to Car Complaints, 2017 Tacomas struggled most with a faulty transmission. This problem made it difficult for drivers to shift gears. Other common problems affected the drive train and the engine.

While the 2017 experienced significant mechanical errors, complaints concerning the 2020 model primarily focused on the interior features. Luckily, these issues were only minor inconveniences and did not significantly impact the vehicle’s performance.

Most Reliable Tacoma Models

The 2019 and 2021 Toyota Tacoma models received a reliability rating of 4 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. While this was higher than the 2017 and 2020 models, these ratings did not put them at the top of the most reliable list. As you can see, the reliability of the Tacoma fluctuated from 2019 to 2021 with the somewhat unreliable 2020 model.

The 2019 Toyota Tacoma was the first model where the transmission wasn’t the biggest complaint. According to Car Complaints, the biggest problem in 2019 Tacomas is the drive train, specifically the power train. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that this problem starts occurring after 3,000 miles.

Because the 2021 Toyota Tacoma is so new, it has yet to receive any complaints or recalls. However, with such a high reliability rating, drivers can expect this vehicle to last at least two decades or 300,000 miles with proper maintenance.

The most reliable Toyota Tacoma models are the 2016 and 2018 models. Both models received a reliability rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars from U.S. News. Because these two relatively older models received such high scores, it was a shock when consumers saw sharp drops in reliability later on. That said, even the least reliable Tacoma models still received above average reliability ratings.

Although the 2016 model has a high reliability rating, it has quite a few problems. Overall, this model has the highest number of complaints about the Toyota Tacoma, most of which involve the transmission. The transmission can affect the lifespan of the vehicle, which required owners to get their trucks fixed before they expect to.

Unsurprisingly, the transmission still caused problems for the 2018 Toyota Tacoma, according to Car Complaints. Owners reported problems of the clutch getting stuck in cold weather, jerking harshly, or making unusual sounds. After years of having issues with the transmission, Toyota still had not found a way to fix them. However, these problems were finally corrected in the 2019 model.

While Toyota trucks have had their ups and downs in terms of reliability, drivers can expect their Tundra or Toyota to last up to 300,000 miles with proper maintenance.