Is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

2017 sits in the middle of the 3rd gen generation, so reliability tracks the generation-wide picture. Reliability holds up well when the known problems are addressed proactively: Rear differential leaks; 6-speed automatic hunts for gears at low speed; Buzzing/vibration around 2000 rpm (some owners).

Should I buy a 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

2017 is a carryover mid-cycle car — a safe pick with a well-known problem list. If the car checks out on a pre-purchase inspection, a 2017 Toyota Tacoma is a defensible used purchase.

What are the common problems on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

Rear differential leaks; 6-speed automatic hunts for gears at low speed; Buzzing/vibration around 2000 rpm (some owners); Weak factory shocks past 60k miles

Is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma expensive to maintain?

Expect Tacoma maintenance costs typical of the 3rd gen generation. Engines: 2.7L I4 / 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6. Transmissions: 6-speed manual / 6-speed automatic. Budget for the usual service intervals (oil, brakes, cooling, transmission fluid) plus preventative work on the known-weak items above. Parts for a 2017 Toyota Tacoma are cheap and widely available.

What's new for the 2017 Tacoma?

2017 was a carryover model year within the 3rd gen generation. Powertrain, transmission, and core features are unchanged from the prior year.

What engines and transmissions did the 2017 Toyota Tacoma come with?

Engines: 2.7L I4, 3.5L 2GR-FKS V6. Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic.

What should I inspect on a used 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

Engine: Cold-start smoke, oil level and color, valve cover / cam-cover leaks, timing components if due. Transmission: Shift quality from a cold start, TCC lockup smoothness, fluid color and smell. Suspension: Bushings, ball joints, shocks/struts; listen for clunks over bumps. Rust: Rocker panels, wheel arches, frame and suspension mounts; critical on trucks and SUVs in salt-belt states.

Who is a 2017 Toyota Tacoma best for?

Buyers who want a mature, carryover model with a known problem list and mature aftermarket support.

Should I consider a different year instead?

The 2016 Tacoma is mechanically identical unless a refresh was applied.

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Buyer's Guide · Toyota Tacoma · Mid-size pickup

Used Toyota Tacoma Buying Guide

3 min readUpdated July 15, 2026

The Tacoma is the default used mid-size truck for a reason: the 1GR-FE V6 is legendary, resale is unmatched, and the aftermarket is enormous. Frame rust on Northeast trucks is the single biggest thing to inspect.

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Overall

★★★★★4.6/5

A Tacoma with a documented, un-modified life and no frame rust is one of the safest long-term truck buys on the market. A lifted, wheeled, or Rust Belt truck is a very different vehicle.

Reliability

★★★★★4.7/5

Maintenance

★★★★★4.6/5

Parts availability

★★★★★5.0/5

Ownership cost

★★★★★4.4/5

Top Picks

Best Years to Buy

Generations with the strongest long-term reputation.

2005–2015 (2nd gen)

1GR-FE V6 with a proven 5- or 6-speed automatic. The aftermarket has flushed out every issue.

2016–2023 (3rd gen)

V6 refined and refreshed; 6AT is proven. Excellent long-term outlook when un-modified.

Do your homework

Years to Research Carefully

Not deal-breakers — but they reward a careful buyer.

2016 (first-year 3rd gen)

Some early 2016 trucks had transmission harshness (addressed via software) and rear-end noise.

2005–2010 (early 2nd gen, Rust Belt)

Frame rust warranty extension covered many trucks; verify frame condition and any replacement history.

Known issues

Common Problems

Bring this list to your pre-purchase inspection.

✓
Frame rust on Northeast/Rust Belt trucks
Deal-breaker on unaddressed examples.
✓
Rear leaf spring wear and lower ball joints
✓
3rd-gen transmission harshness (software addressed)
✓
Manual transmission shift feel on 4- or 6-cyl models
✓
Cracked exhaust manifolds on higher-mileage examples

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Ownership

Maintenance Expectations

The 1GR-FE is one of the most durable modern V6s. Basic maintenance keeps it running well past 300,000 miles.

Suspension components (ball joints, leaf springs, sway-bar bushings) are the primary long-term cost driver. Parts are cheap.

Before you buy

Inspection Checklist

What to verify on any candidate car.

Frame

Get under the truck. Rust flaking or perforation on frame rails is a walk-away.

Suspension

Lower ball joints, upper ball joints, leaf springs, shocks.

Drivetrain

Transfer-case service history on 4WD; differential fluid condition.

Engine

1GR-FE should be smooth and quiet at idle; check for exhaust manifold leaks.

Modifications

Lifted trucks with big tires often hide accelerated wear or worse.

Living with it

Ownership Experience

• The Tacoma trades on-road refinement for durability and resale — it will never be a Ridgeline on pavement.
• Real-world fuel economy is honest, not efficient. 18–20 mpg is realistic for the V6 4WD.
• Resale value is genuinely class-leading — a decade-old Tacoma with reasonable mileage sells for close to what a new mid-size sedan costs.

The Verdict

Should You Buy a Used Toyota Tacoma?

Yes, if you can find one without frame rust and without a lifted, wheeled history. Verify service records and get underneath before writing a check.

Frequently Asked Questions

How reliable is the Toyota Tacoma?

Our scoring puts the Toyota Tacoma at 4.7/5 for reliability. A Tacoma with a documented, un-modified life and no frame rust is one of the safest long-term truck buys on the market. A lifted, wheeled, or Rust Belt truck is a very different vehicle.

Which Tacoma years should I avoid?

2016 (first-year 3rd gen) deserve the most scrutiny — see the Years to Research section for the specific issues to check.

What are the best years for the Toyota Tacoma?

2005–2015 (2nd gen) are the strongest years to target — 1GR-FE V6 with a proven 5- or 6-speed automatic. The aftermarket has flushed out every issue.

How long does a Toyota Tacoma last?

A well-maintained Tacoma from the recommended years should comfortably reach 200,000 miles, with the strongest powertrains clearing 300,000+.

Is the Tacoma expensive to maintain?

The 1GR-FE is one of the most durable modern V6s. Basic maintenance keeps it running well past 300,000 miles.

What should I inspect before buying a used Tacoma?

Focus on: Frame, Suspension, Drivetrain, Engine. Details for each are in the Inspection Checklist section.

What are the most common Tacoma problems?

Frame rust on Northeast/Rust Belt trucks; Rear leaf spring wear and lower ball joints; 3rd-gen transmission harshness (software addressed); Manual transmission shift feel on 4- or 6-cyl models

Is 150,000 miles too much for a Tacoma?

Not on its own. A 150k-mile Tacoma with documented service history is often a better buy than an 80k-mile example with no records — the Tacoma's core mechanicals routinely run well past 200k.

Should I buy a used Toyota Tacoma?

Yes, if you can find one without frame rust and without a lifted, wheeled history. Verify service records and get underneath before writing a check.

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