Toyota Tacoma transmission and drivetrain problems, 2016–2026
396 of the 1,523 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Toyota Tacoma 2016–2026 name the transmission and drivetrain (NHTSA’s “Power Train” heading — the transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading). The loudest years: 2016 (136), 2017 (68), 2024 (55). Filed under the same heading across these years: 3 manufacturer bulletins, 3 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Toyota Tacoma transmission and drivetrain problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the transmission and drivetrain | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 33% | — | — | the year → |
| 2025 | 20 | 20% | — | 1 recall | the year → |
| 2024 in depth | 55 | 36% | — | 13 TSBs | the record → |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% | — | 5 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% | — | 8 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 14 | 18% | — | 10 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% | — | 14 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% | 2k | 20 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% | 5k | 26 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 in depth | 68 | 28% | 6k | 33 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
| 2016 in depth | 136 | 42% | 12k | 47 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the transmission and drivetrain. Nothing here is a rate.
When the transmission and drivetrain complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2016: 34 · 2017: 100 · 2018: 35 · 2019: 38 · 2020: 26 · 2021: 25 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 11 · 2024: 48 · 2025: 28 · 2026: 38
Across the model years, half of the 198 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the transmission and drivetrain problem between 2,000 and 17,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the transmission and drivetrain, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Shifting from reverse to drive there is a delay so when I go to take off it slams into drive
Windshield cracked 2 weeks after purchasing the truck. Had to pay $500 deductible through my insurance, windshield from Toyota cost $1,000. Next issue is my transmission slipping when shifting from reverse to drive.
H0g / 17v285 recall. Rear differential leak. 66 days waiting on remedy with no definite end in sight. Not one person in the world of Toyota can or will give an answer
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear differential was leaking. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 17v285000 (power train); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable.
New vehicle abruptly began rumbling and shuddering. Vehicle became increasingly difficult to steer and control. Out of concern for driver safety, vehicle towed to dealer. Diagnosed with failed universal joint bearing and subsequent driveshaft damage
What is on file about the transmission and drivetrain, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 25V656000 HighOct 1, 2025 · 5,960 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles. The front driveshaft constant-velocity (CV) joint may deform and break.
- 24V152000 HighFeb 27, 2024 · 381,199 vehicles
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.
- 17V285000 HighApr 27, 2017 · 227,732 vehicles
- 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.
3 manufacturer bulletins filed under this heading, any model year
- Aug 19, 2026
- Some 2022 – 2025 model year Tundra Hybrid, 2023 – 2025 model year Sequoia Hybrid, 2024 –2025 Land Cruiser and Tacoma Hybrid, and 2025 4Runner Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a whine noise from the transmission when in Ready ON mode.
- Apr 15, 2026
- OBSOLETE NOTICE April 15, 2026: This bulletin is no longer applicable and is now obsolete
- Feb 5, 2026
- Some 2024 model year Tacoma and Tacoma Hybrid vehicles may exhibit a MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) present: •P07407F – Torque Converter Clutch Actuator Stuck Off •P074571 – Pressure Control Solenoid “A” Actuator Stuck •P079571 – Pressure Control Solenoid "C" Actuator Stuck •P08BA71 – Pressure Control Solenoid "L" Actuator Stuck •P271371 – P
Every one filed under the heading is listed. Quote the document number at a service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
Other systems with a record on the Toyota Tacoma
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Toyota Tacoma problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Toyota Tacoma years have the most transmission and drivetrain complaints?
2016, 136; 2017, 68; 2024, 55. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (42%).
Is there a recall for the transmission and drivetrain on the Toyota Tacoma?
Yes — 3 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 25V656000 (2025), 24V152000 (2023), 17V285000 (2017). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do transmission and drivetrain problems show up on the Toyota Tacoma?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 8,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 2,000 and 17,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Power Train" heading cover?
The transmission, transfer case, driveshafts, axles and differentials — NHTSA files them under one heading. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.