Is Toyota's Reputation For Reliability Slipping? This 2025 Toyota Tacoma Is On It's 3rd Transmission

[Tacohunter2024]

Negative reviews and trashing on things in general do much better on Youtube than anything positive. Not saying that there isnt merit to the vid, just something to keep in mind.

That said, Toyota needs to step up their game. While their reliability is still better than most the gap has closed some. The amount of features you get on other vehicles for similar pricing compared to Toyota's is becoming ridiculous.

This truck also does not have that Toyota resale value that usually makes any headaches worth it.

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[Kielly]

Negative reviews and trashing on things in general do much better on Youtube than anything positive. Not saying that there isnt merit to the vid, just something to keep in mind.

That said, Toyota needs to step up their game. While their reliability is still better than most the gap has closed some. The amount of features you get on other vehicles for similar pricing compared to Toyota's is becoming ridiculous.

That's a damned if you do damned if you don't situation.

Toyota's reliable because they don't cram it's self with new technology and features, and that's a big reason why a lot of these previous Tacoma gen users were so upset over these new Tacoma's.

I love Toyota because of their reliability and driving comfort but I'd personally like a little more offerings as well, but alot of people don't when it comes to the Tacoma's, and I understand why.

I'll trust a Tacoma over any vehicle out in the bush overlanding but if they were to start cramming new tech and features in these trucks to keep up with current market I'd be a little less trusting heading out where a recovery becomes harder.

Toyota's true and true with running what they know works and is reliable in their vehicles, which is more than likely why they're years behind competition with tech and features. And unfortunately with reliability comes a heftier price tag, which aligns with competition (which has more features) but it's known to be less reliable

 

[pinkertonfloyd]

This is like the morons I see in full overdrive going up a steep grade and lugging down their engine. Then going down the grade at 100 mph or riding the brakes the whole way down... never learned what the L mode, or manual shifting (or gear limiter) was for.

Also (Since I'm a local) watching idiots with trucks taken right off the dealership floor and think they can do the full Rubicon trail. It never ends up well, I don't care what "Trail Rated" or "Pro" model you have. You need the skills and proper equipment to get up that trail. (And even then, a brake down in your group is almost 100% certain).

Learn how to drive your vehicle. RTFM! Dealer here should have sat down and explained it, but then again, most of them have no clue either.

 

[Tacohunter2024]

I hear what you're saying, but the market is speaking loudly about the reliability of these vehicles. The resale value and depreciation is on par with a Kia, not a Toyota. I agree, maybe some operator error here, but the thing should not have a catastrophic failure. That's poor engineering and design too.

 

[MT-Taco]

 

[BAQ717]

I hear what you're saying, but the market is speaking loudly about the reliability of these vehicles. The resale value and depreciation is on par with a Kia, not a Toyota. I agree, maybe some operator error here, but the thing should not have a catastrophic failure. That's poor engineering and design too.

The Tacoma still has the highest resale in class. I imagine it will only get better too as time goes on and the initial news cycle of unreliability fades

 

[TacoFreak]

The Tacoma still has the highest resale in class. I imagine it will only get better too as time goes on and the initial news cycle of unreliability fades

Exactly. All the made up BS about how the 4 cylinder engines would never last has hurt their rep a bit, but they are doing fine. Add in some new model issues and the sky is falling crowd has gone wild.

First year depreciation is always rough, but over time I expect 4th gens to do as well as Tacos always have. My Toyota trucks have held their value better than anything else I have owned and I don't see that changing.

 

[CharlotteBlue]

In the comments on the youtube, someone had a good point: if the original transmission had metal shavings in it and dealer replaced it without flushing/replacing the transmission cooler (radiator) and lines, they're probably still clogged. So the new transmission wasn't getting enough cooling.

 

[MT-Taco]

Was there even a problem with the replacement trans? All he said was first shift of the day when cold was hard. Pretty normal, my 01 4 runner, 13 Tundra and now my 24 Tacoma all behaving similarly. My 13 Tundra shifted far harder when cold than the new Tacoma and had 150k on it, now has 175 and still going strong. Even the car car nut talks about cold trans hard shifting being normal behavior.

 

[SilverSurfer]

I hear what you're saying, but the market is speaking loudly about the reliability of these vehicles. The resale value and depreciation is on par with a Kia, not a Toyota. I agree, maybe some operator error here, but the thing should not have a catastrophic failure. That's poor engineering and design too.

Resale is lower because Toyota over produced the new Tacoma and they were optimistic with the new generations MSRP. After 5 months, dealers had to start heavily discounting tacomas because high interest rates and MSRP’s impacted sales while Toyota continued to produce and then over produce the Tacoma relative to the muted demand caused by economic conditions. If dealers are giving 5k off a new Tacoma trd sport, then resale will be less that 5k plus a dealers normal margin at least 5 more k, so they have a profit margin while hedging. No surprise there and lower resale is a thing across almost all makes. You think Tacoma is bad, try trading in a 65k F150 XLT….

 

[wire4money]

Resale is lower because Toyota over produced the new Tacoma and they were optimistic with the new generations MSRP. After 5 months, dealers had to start heavily discounting tacomas because high interest rates and MSRP’s impacted sales while Toyota continued to produce and then over produce the Tacoma relative to the muted demand caused by economic conditions. If dealers are giving 5k off a new Tacoma trd sport, then resale will be less that 5k plus a dealers normal margin at least 5 more k, so they have a profit margin while hedging. No surprise there and lower resale is a thing across almost all makes. You think Tacoma is bad, try trading in a 65k F150 XLT….

Tacomas have always been able to be had at a good discount, aside from COVID times. I got 8% off MSRP when I bought my 2019 off road.

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