VehicleVerdict

2023 Toyota Tacoma problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Among the better years

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma is among the quieter years of the Tacoma on NHTSA's books: 65 complaints (78% below the model's median year), 4 recalls, and no open investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (10), engine (9), and other (9), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 4 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

65

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

6

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

5

Injuries

0

Deaths

4

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2023 compare to other Tacoma years?

Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted977 complaints1995: 214 complaints1996: 321 complaints1997: 148 complaints1998: 358 complaints1999: 303 complaints2000: 274 complaints2001: 504 complaints2002: 443 complaints2003: 479 complaints2004: 545 complaints2005: 871 complaints2006: 977 complaints2007: 676 complaints2008: 556 complaints2009: 612 complaints2010: 343 complaints2011: 226 complaints2012: 406 complaints2013: 169 complaints2014: 133 complaints2015: 140 complaints2016: 416 complaints2017: 318 complaints2018: 275 complaints2019: 299 complaints2020: 124 complaints2021: 113 complaints2022: 77 complaints2023: 65 complaints2024: 182 complaints2025: 89 complaints2026: 10 complaints
Tacoma NHTSA complaints by model year, 2023 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Tacoma years to avoid →

What are the most common 2023 Toyota Tacoma problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1015%
Other914%
Engine914%
Steering812%
Airbags711%
Transmission69%
Brakes58%
Visibility & Wipers35%
Suspension23%
Driver Assistance23%
Lighting12%
Seats12%
Latches & Locks12%
Fuel System12%

Does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

25V040000AirbagsJanuary 29, 2025 · 1,716 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

24V152000TransmissionFebruary 27, 2024 · 381,199 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly, tighten the axle retaining nuts as necessary, and repair or replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB05 and 24TA05.

23V480000AirbagsJuly 12, 2023 · 152,927 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence

A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

22V520000Child SeatJuly 21, 2022 · 75,316 units

Defect

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."

Consequence

An insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing the seat to move during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect the upper child seat anchors and reweld the child seat anchors, as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 02, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB09/ 22TA09.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“The owner and operator of the vehicle, stated that they were driving the vehicle on the Interstate when they noticed white smoke and ashes emanating from the steering column. They pulled into the parking lot to investigate and opened the hood to see no smoke or fire. When they returned to the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · May 8, 2025 · fire

“Wiring harness on the vehicle is being completely replaced due to "rodent damage" according to the dealer. I am not an automotive engineer but if compromised wiring finally fails while driving I suspect a number of systems could be affected. There was no indication of this problem during vehicle…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 12, 2024

“Air Bags (Driver and Passenger Curtain Airbags) no other airbags deployed. Been in repair since 3/8/26. Currently 4/21/26. Insurance already sent Body Shop money. Parts on National Backorder and Manufacturer Switch has not been determined yet by Toyota. Truck will not be released back to me until…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · March 8, 2026 · crash

“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V480000 (Steering) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · September 15, 2023

“I got into a head-on collision with a cement center median going roughly 45-50MPH after fishtailing on black ice. My airbags did not deploy at that speed, I contact toyota corporate and they only removed the CDR information and did not assess the airbag sensors themselves. I was able to press the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · January 25, 2026 · crash

2023 Toyota Tacoma — common questions

Is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Its record is better than the model's norm: 65 NHTSA complaints, below the typical Tacoma year, with 4 recalls and no open investigations.

What are the most common 2023 Tacoma problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (10 complaints), engine (9 complaints), other (9 complaints).

Does the 2023 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Toyota Tacoma years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Tacoma years to avoid are 2006, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2008, 2004, 2001, 2003. The cleanest record among Tacoma years belongs to 2026.

How safe is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2023 Toyota Tacoma earned an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.