Owners' Reviews

Bought a brand new Tacoma dbl cab 4wd trd package in '04. This is my 6 Toyota PU covering a span of 35 years. Amazing. I have 140,000 miles. I get a clunk when the tranny downshifts to low, when coming to a stop. Dealer said that's normal; feels like a rear tranny mount. Small issue with the dome light; sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Front springs are a joke. Replaced the whole suspension (springs and shocks, with 3" lift) at 120,000 miles and it's like driving a brand new truck again! Toyota Amazingness!

I have owned this truck for 9 years and love it best truck I ever owned. At 300000 toyota put new frame under .now at 364000 idle problems I will fix. Ithink this truck is indestructible.

I bought a new Tacoma STD cab 5 speed from the dealer in 1997, I now have 646k on this truck, never touched the engine, did put a bearing kit in the transmission at 489k. I always can depend on this truck.

I bought this regular cab, 4-wheel drive, 4 liter 1995 Tacoma in '97 with 30,000 miles on it. I live in Alaska and it has been a real champ. In 2008, I replaced the original battery after it died on New Year's Eve in Fairbanks at minus 45. We dragged it ito the garage, warmed it up, jumped it and I made it back to Anchorage. It still has the original muffler. Granted the starter probably will be replaced for the second time this week, but I'm not complaining! I had a tune up with a local mechanic who used non-Toyota spark plugs and the dealer service manager took me to task for not using Toyota plugs, which in fact I think killed one cylinder, which now operates at 60 percent. People are always trying to buy it from me, but I swear I will replace the engine before I ever sell.

Since new in '03 I've put 93K. Took it to the dealer after 5 yrs of cautious avoidance. They said an "open recall for frame corrosion" would get me a free undercoating. The check engine lamp has been on ever since = code P-042 "OS2 sensor bank one". Found to be sending 100% properly. That poor guy in Arizona : If it aint (isn't) broke DONT FIX IT ! I live in fear of having to buy anything or trust anyone now...What a drag. ~ JD

1996 4WD bought this truck with 2k miles in 96' when I was 18 just out on my own from high school. Dealership that sells Chevy and RV's got it as a trade in from a guy who wanted to haul his tow-behind RV with it. It didn't have quite enough balls to do the job, so he traded them both for a Bus RV. Almost 16 years and 245k miles later this truck is still looking good and running strong. No truck payment since 2000 and maybe $1500 in non-scheduled maintenance since then. Rough Chicago winters, Chicago potholes and Chicago cab drivers can't kill it. If some people on here got a lemon, I got the opposite end of the spectrum. It's like the Terminator of pick-ups. I swear, if i put this truck in a car crusher, the cube would un-crumple itself and start on the first key turn. I replaced the starter in 2009 and the exhaust from the catalytic back in 2010. Other than that, all major components are factory. I will admit, it's a little puny compared to American trucks and even the new Tacoma's. If you see one used buy it, you will get your money's worth.

Gas mileage sucks! Stock 17.5 mpg hwy I added K/N filter and cold intake with minor difficulty for a whopping 20mpg! My friends have Dodge diesel 4x4s that get 21. Front wheel wells on this model have openings that collect leaves and has to be cleaned regularly to prevent rust. Paint job chips, scratches and stains very easily. I keep teflon wax on it but the paint is bad. A/C is only fair and I have had it checked by pros. Stock brakes sucked (dealer did them twice before 30k) so I went proactive and installed drilled and slotted front discs along with ceramic pads to great effect! Electronic tranny button is worthless, nobody can figure out what its use or need is. Complained to the factory about these problems and they told me I was the only person to do so. Was told by the dealer that only auto trans was avail in my model. My next truck will be a manual even if I have to buy used. Door lights would be great as my friends tell me they cannot see my open doors at night. Other than that it is a great truck and I expect to have it for at least 5 more years before I move up to a cab over for camping.

bought my 1st toyota pickup 5 yrs ago loved the truck took alot 2 get her running paid $2000 for it had sum major issues for a 91 took it to the toyota place and they told me theyd give me $3500 for it on a new 08 tacoma so i did it shure glad i did ive got 60,000 miles on her now getn 28mpg compaired to the 15mpg on the 91 . been upgradeing this 1 since i got it afe cold air intake,tornado,fuel miser,dual catback exhaust,bed cover,,side steps. soon to come body armor front bumper and a chip from gforce.im going to drive this truck till theres nothing left then fix it and drive some more

bought an o6 4x4 in 2008 had 26000 miles on it I have replaced rearend U joints condensor wheelbearing need to replace balljoint leafsprings on driver side which are broken and needs torque convertor. The truck now has 130000.This is my 2nd taco and the first one didnt give me any problem.I am really dissapointed in my truck.To bad they wont let you keep them for a 2 month test drive!

Good truck over all. Just bad on gas milage. And I have the 4 cyl.

Bought new one in 1997 V-6 Automatic 4WD. Owned it for 12 years Replaced tires, front brakes, and battery. Did recommended maintenance. 2 years ago Toyota made me an offer I couldn't refuse on rusted frame recall ! Big mistake! MISS THIS TRUCK DAILY! This was the finest , most reliable vehicle I have ever owned.!! Been looking for another ever since ! Someone help!!

great truck to drive. not good in gas

BOUGHT USED WITH 69,000 MILES .. GREAT TRUCK

Reliable TOYOTA!!

Original owner,73,000 miles: Body and interier look great. Under carrige frame is good but gas tank plate is like swiss cheese.(poor metal)Brakes,Drive Train and electrical have been good.2.4L engine seems a little under powered on highway- small wrap noise upon start-up at times. Exaust-Emissions: Had to replace oxegyn sensor about 10,000 miles ago. Muffler is rotted out and also mid way gasket.Heat and AC have been fine. I have 1 leaf spring that broke with no exsess loads. Front end has been good. Over all not to bad....I expected better!

I bought this about 11 years from a dealer in Texas. It had 35,000 miles when I bought it and now it has 348,000 miles. That's right. I love this truck!!! My wife and kids always ask when I'm going to buy a "big" truck. I just say "when the wheels fall off from driving it." I might start thinking about it when I get 500,000 miles on it. I keep all the normal maintenance up on it - oil, tires, spark plug wires, spark plugs, shocks, brakes, etc. It's been a great truck. I hit a deer a few years ago. I thought the insurance was going to total it, so I started looking and found another 1998 Tacoma that I was ready to buy. I didn't have to. Just wanted to share some good news about these very reliable trucks.

Overall great truck. Blows other 4WD's out of the water in the snow. Excellent power and performance. Looks great and has plenty of room. However, I have had some problems with the power steering (had a corroded line and now a bad pump). Brakes seem like they were a bad rotor/pad combo out of the factory. Lastly, I feel the shocks are cheap and should be the first upgrade to the vehicle.

40,000 miles with only 3 short seasons of air conditioning and the air conditioner no longer works. Cost $200 at Toyota to tell me this. Then another $2,800 to repair!!

This has been an outstanding truck for the most part. I have had some very minor issues. I had one with the air conditioning, one with the paint, one with a amber parking / drive light. I presently have just under 60,000 miles on it and still have the original everything except for the windshield wipers. I get just over 20 MPG combined driving with the V-6 engine. I have towed a 4500# travel trailer roundtrip to Alaska and round-trip to Pernnsylvania and back

My check engine light just came on as I'm about to sell my truck for top dollar being that it is in great shape. Does this usually indicate a expensive repair or a easy fix.

I LOVE THIS TRUCK! I bought mine 2 yrs ago with 90k on it, and it is still seems new! i've put about 50k on it so far, driving across the country at least 3 times! the stereo wiring is tempermental, but i think that was done at home by the previous owner. it has a supercharger in it, and is SO FUN!

Third Tacoma... I have never had a more reliable vehicle...

Best Truck Ever..Love it never any problems

Own this truck sense 2000. Has not broke down. Drives well, beside the check engine light does not turn off. Brake great. Paint still good.

Great truck. Never had a problem.

I have a 1997 Tacoma with over 260,000 miles and is still running strong. The engine (3.4L) is big enough to handle a fully loaded 12' trailer or small boat and on the highway, I', getting about 22 miles to the gallon. No complaints, great truck with minimal mechanical issues!

I've had my 2003 Tacoma since it was new and I've put 112,000 miles on it. I set up the back like a little camper and drive it all over the states and it hasn't ever left me stranded. It struggles up hill sometime, so I wish it had more power, but otherwise it's great. I wish the seats were better, and I wish I could see the clock!

This truck has been great! I bought it used with 8k miles and never had any problems. The interior is a bit tight, but it's high quality all around. Highly recommended. If you don't need a diesel engine, I can't imagine buying anything other than a Japanese truck. They're the best!