How Long Do Toyota Tacomas Last?

The Toyota Tacoma is a luxury compact pickup truck with outstanding features and functions that make it different and worthy enough to buy in the market over other vehicles.

It was launched in the market for sale purchase in 1995. Hence it’s been in the market long enough to be a worthy car for reliable purchase.

How long do Toyota Tacomas last?

It might be roaming around in your head as you look at the vehicle. The truck has a lifespan rate of 200,000 miles or more, depending on how you maintain and keep it.

200,000 miles last up to 10-15 years for the Toyota Tacoma before you need to heavily repair the car or replace its parts.

Let’s not waste another second and get right into all the features and functions you need to know about the Toyota Tacoma to put a lease on your very own.

What Is The Average Life Expectancy Of A Toyota Tacoma?

As I just mentioned above, the Toyota Tacoma has a lifespan rate of 200,000 miles.

With proper care and usage, the vehicle can last a lot longer.

The company promises 10-15 years of excellent performance from the car without repairing or replacing parts.

Although the guaranteed lifespan of the vehicle isn’t a lot, the longevity of any vehicle depends on the driver’s driving habits.

Does Toyota Tacoma Last Longer Than Other Similar Vehicles?

To find out the answer to this specific question, we need hardcore evidence, so for those reasons, below, I have discussed a detailed comparison between the Toyota Tacoma and its competitors to find out if the Toyota Tacoma is superior in its class category or not.

Keep on reading as I analyze this factor further. From performance, reliability, mileage, and lifespan rate to the vehicle’s overall rating, I will be discussing everything below.

1. Toyota Tacoma Vs. Ford Ranger

First up, I have a comparison between the Toyota Tacoma and the Ford Ranger.

Although Ford has a huge name in the market with their amazing and luxurious cars, the real question here is which one is superior in this comparison.

• The Toyota Tacoma has a lifespan rate of 200,000 miles or more which is 10-15 years of amazing service and excellent performance with an average use of 15,000 miles yearly.
• The Ford Ranger has a lifespan rate of 20 years and can easily push to 300,000 miles with excellent and outstanding performance. The Ford Ranger has a higher mileage rate; hence ford gets the point in this category.
• The mileage rate of the Toyota Tacoma is 18 miles per gallon rate in the city and 22 MPG on the highway. The average mileage rate, I would say, is not the best, but for a huge truck, it’s ideal.
• The Ford Ranger has a mileage rate of 21 MPG in the city and 26 miles per gallon on the highway.
• Now, as we look at both the mileage spans, the Ford Ranger has higher mileage than the Toyota Tacoma hence another point for the ranger.
• Lastly, the Ford Ranger has an overall rating of 8.2 out of 10 for performance and 85 out of 100 for reliability and quality of the vehicle. The Ranger has an excellent rating in the market.
• The Toyota Tacoma has an overall rating of 81 out of 100 for quality and reliability and 6.6 out of 10 for performance.
• The rating of the Toyota Tacoma in terms of performance is very low, and as we compare it with the Ford Ranger, it’s lower in rating hence another point for the ranger.

Although the Toyota Tacoma is an amazing pickup truck though it has failed to surpass the Ford Ranger, the Ford vehicle seems to be of superior features and functions over the Toyota.

Hence I’d say go for the Ford Ranger.

Related: How Long Does A Ford Ranger Last?

2. Toyota Tacoma Vs. Nissan Frontier

Next, I compare the Nissan Frontier and Toyota Tacoma.

I chose a Nissan vehicle because it too has a huge name in the car business. The Nissan Frontier has a very capable V6 engine and proves to be an amazing truck.

Let’s find out which one is better, the Toyota Tacoma or the Nissan frontier.

• The Toyota Tacoma, as we know, has a mileage rate of 18 MPG in the city and 22 MPG on the highway, and as I discussed, this mileage rate is for a huge truck like the Tacoma pretty standard.
• The Nissan Frontier has a mileage rate of 10 MPG in the city and 14 MPG on the highway. Now comparatively, Toyota Tacoma has a higher mileage rate hence a win for Tacoma.
• The lifespan rate of the Nissan Frontier is 100,000 miles guaranteed and can go up to 200,000 miles with proper and just maintenance. To be honest, the lifespan rate of the truck is very disappointing, and as I mentioned,
• The Toyota Tacoma has a lifespan rate of 200,000 miles or more which is 15 years on good maintenance and 15,000 miles of usage yearly, hence another win for the Tacoma.
• Lastly, the overall rate of the Toyota Tacoma is 6.6 in performance and 81 out of 100 for reliability. Whereas,
• I would consider this another win for the Toyota Tacoma. The Nissan Frontier has an overall rating of 7.8 for performance, and the reliability rate varies depending on the usage of the truck.
• Although the performance rate is higher than the Nissan Frontier does not have a guaranteed reliability rate.

Go for the Toyota Tacoma over the Nissan Frontier. As mentioned above, Tacoma has proven to be a better choice in terms of quality and parts.

3. Toyota Tacoma Vs. Honda Ridgeline

And last but not least, I have a comparison between the Honda Ridgeline and Toyota Tacoma. The Honda vs. Toyota has been a trend for over decades.

Let’s find out which pickup truck is better in terms of reliability for the customer.

• The lifespan rate of the Toyota Tacoma is 200,000 miles and can even go further with enough care and maintenance of the vehicle. You are looking at 10 to 15 years of excellent performance.
• The Honda Ridgeline also has a lifespan rate of 200,000 miles.
• As Honda has guaranteed this fact with evidence, the older models of the Ridgeline have lasted and surpassed the 200,000 miles mark.
• Both vehicles offer a good and similar lifespan rate hence a point for both in this category.
• The mileage rate of the Honda Ridgeline is 18 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway. For a truck, this mileage rate is pretty average.
• The mileage rate of the Toyota Tacoma, as I previously discussed, is 18 MPG In the city and 22 MPG on the highway.
• Comparing the two, they both have similar mileage spans; hence again, another point for both the trucks.
• Lastly, the performance rate of the Toyota Tacoma is 6.6 out of 10 and 81 out of 100 for reliability and quality of the pickup truck, whereas,
• The Honda Ridgeline has an overall rating of 78 out of 100 for quality and reliability and 7.0 out of 10 for performance. I’d give this point to the Toyota Tacoma. Its rating of it in the market is higher than the ridgeline.

Both the vehicles have many similarities and buying either would be an amazing choice.

Still, I would opt for the Toyota Tacoma as it wins in the market for a good rating over the Honda Ridgeline.

Life Expectancy Of Toyota Tacoma Car Parts

Below I will be discussing in detail the life span you can expect from each Toyota Tacoma car part or, in general, the most important ones that will add or decrease life to the lifespan of the vehicle.

Keep on reading below if you are keen on purchasing the Tacoma truck for your use:

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Brake Pads

The average lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma brake pads is 30,000 miles, and 70,000 miles maximum.

This life expectancy of the brake pads will also vary on you the way you use the brake pads and how much you drive your pickup truck, abusively using any car part will cause a decrease in the lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Battery

The average lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma battery is 3 to 5 years, with an excellent working performance rate.

Avoid parking your car out in wet weather, such as when it snows or rain or hail.

If the battery of the Toyota Tacoma is left unused for a long period, it will die out automatically. This happens to almost any car battery.

The average battery manufactured by the factories also lasts 3 to 5 years; hence Toyota offers a market-friendly rate of battery life expectancy.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Tires

The average lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma tires is 30,000 to 50,000 miles which is a good 2 to 4 years of Tacoma tires life expectancy.

Some Toyota Tacoma tires can last up to 50,000 miles to 60,000 miles, while others will need a replacement after the 10,000 miles mark.

The lifespan rate of the Tacoma is based solely upon the driving habits and the roads where the tires are driven.

Try not to drive on rough and bumpy roads. Slippery roads can also cause a decrease in the lifespan rate of the Tacoma tries.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Transmission

The average lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma Transmission is 100,000 miles to 120,000 miles. The transmission system needs a replacement at least once while using the vehicle.

They aren’t cheap to replace either the Toyota Tacoma Transmission has a repair cost of $3500, which is crazy expensive with the mile rate they offer longevity.

Related: What Are The Toyota Tacoma Transmission Problems?

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Spark Plugs

The Toyota Tacoma spark plugs don’t have a fixed rate of lifespan. Toyota claims that the spark plugs should be replaced or changed after 60,000 miles.

Hence we can state that the lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma spark plugs is 60,000 miles. However, the average spark plug is suggested to be replaced after 30,000 miles.

So the Toyota Tacoma offers a longer lifespan rate for the spark plugs.

Average Lifespan Of Toyota Tacoma Key Fob

The average key fob lasts 3 to 4 years, the Toyota Tacoma also has normal keys, and in this electrified key version, the longevity of these key fobs depends on the little battery that operates it.

This battery has a lifespan rate of 2 to 3 years in the smart key fob and 4 to 6 years in a regular key fob.

Toyota offers key fobs that last three to four years; hence I would consider the Tacoma to have the same key fob life expectancy.

What Is Good Mileage For A Used Toyota Tacoma?

I would say that good mileage for a used Toyota Tacoma is below the 90,000 miles mark.

As the average mileage of the Toyota Tacoma is 200,000 miles or more, the used version should have a quarter of that so that you can enjoy a well-performing truck.

A mileage higher than that is too much for a used car especially.

If you buy a used Toyota Tacoma with a higher mileage rate, you will need a truck replacement sooner.

How To Increase How Long Your Toyota Tacoma Last

To get every possibility of your vehicle to work for the period that you’re using the car, you need to be aware of factors that will further increase the lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma.

Below I’ve mentioned a few factors you can adapt to increase the longevity of this pickup truck:

• Improve driving habits so that you get to enjoy every ounce of mileage and avoid rough driving or driving too fast even.
• Keep a check-up on your car, and go through the vehicle’s system every week to make sure everything is working the way it should be.
• Change the fluids. This is to make sure your transmission and brakes are optimal and will increase Tacoma’s lifespan.
• Filter changing on the regular can also play a vital role in the lifespan of the Toyota Tacoma.
• Maintenance of your car’s tires is another essential role in the truck’s lifespan. The suspension will do its job properly if good, high-quality, well-maintained tires are used and driven.
• Change the oil as the instructions suggest, and read the manual for the vehicle thoroughly to gain a better understanding.

Above I mentioned some key features that will expand your Toyota Tacoma lifespan.

Problems That Limit The Life Of Your Toyota Tacoma

The Toyota Tacoma has been in the production business for almost 25 years, and you would think the company has perfected the vehicle, but nope, problems do arise a bit too often.

Here are some problems that limit the life of the Toyota Tacoma:

• Problems with the automatic transmission system of the truck, the lever needs to be readjusted before it shifts properly, which can cause a pause while driving and is very dangerous on the road.
• Faulty ball joints, the finishing of the ball joints in Tacoma is very untidy. Although the ball joints tend to wear out with time, the ones that Toyota installed on the Tacoma wear out quicker than ever, and many believe it is because of how they’re installed.
• The front parking lights of the truck have been claimed to melt and burn the inside lens in front of them.
• Faulty engine due to bad air flow meter. The air going through the engine combustion system is without proper flow, and this causes problems with the engine.
• Vibration while decelerating, this issue arose in the newer model of the Tacoma. The vibration is felt while sitting on the seats, steering wheel, and floorboard.

Many Toyota Tacoma users have faced these few problems, although each problem is solvable but very annoying to deal with.

Related: Toyota Tacoma Starting Problems

What To Look For When Buying A Toyota Tacoma

If you are keen on buying the Toyota Tacoma, then here are some key factors you should look for in the vehicle, and try comparing them with your requirements in a vehicle to see if the Toyota Tacoma matches your criteria of trucks.

• Opt towards 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 models of the Tacoma as they have been claimed to be the best rated Toyota Tacoma models. The rest said to have a lot of problems.
• Always buy a vehicle with a warranty. You must have insurance to pay for the damage in case of any mishaps.
• Check for mileage. This is especially important for the used vehicle, so if your main approach is a used Tacoma, make sure the mileage rate is lesser than ever.
• The engine should be in great condition and performing perfectly, another used car tip.
• Owner details, the person you purchase the vehicle from, ensuring this person is a trustworthy source. And the car doesn’t have an illegal badge of burden for you after.
• In accidents, if you’re opting for a used vehicle, make sure the vehicle’s history is clean.

These are just a few common things to look for safety and performance reasons.

Related: Best And Worst Years For Toyota Tacoma

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Is The Toyota Tacoma A Reliable Car?

Yes, the Toyota Tacoma is a very reliable car. It has a reliability rate of 81 out of 100, considered an excellent reliability rate for any vehicle.

If a car surpasses the 80% milestone, it is considered a great advantage in its sales. Improve the way you drive, and you will have a more reliable and long-lasting pickup truck.

Q2. Does Toyota Tacoma Have A Lot Of Problems?

No, not really, and any problem that the Toyota Tacoma has is solvable, so I would consider it not to have many problems.

The Toyota Tacoma has:

• Automatic transmission problems do not shift the lever properly, and you need to readjust it a few times.
• Lousy ball joint finishing causes quick wearing out of them in the Toyota Tacoma.
• Due to a bad airflow meter, the vehicle’s engine system has a problem.
• Vibration in the seats, floorboard, and steering wheel due to deceleration.

These are just a handful of problems faced by Toyota Tacoma users. Most trucks have far more than these.

Q3. Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Used Toyota Tacoma?

Yes, it’s not a terrible idea to buy a used Toyota Tacoma. These trucks have a higher market demand.

But whenever you are purchasing a used vehicle, make sure the mileage rate of the vehicle is as minimum as possible.

This will add more life to your car’s longevity rate, especially a used one. And the warranty is another very important factor when buying a used vehicle.

Q4. Does Toyota Tacoma Rust Easily?

No, the Toyota Tacoma does not rust easily, not more so than other trucks, the Tacoma models from 2005 to 2010 were said to rust very heavily, but the models that came after them, the 2016 to 17 ones, had less of a rust issue.

Hence Toyota has fixed the rust problem over time. Avoid parking your car in moist and rainy weather, and avoid snow as well if possible.

Q5. Is Toyota Tacoma Expensive To Maintain?

No, Toyota Tacoma is not expensive to maintain. The Toyota Tacoma requires $478 annually for repairing.

In contrast, the market rate for maintenance annually of any other car is $652, so the Toyota Tacoma has a 27% lesser demand for expenses, and I can say it’s quite affordable.

The more you take care of your ways of driving and regular maintenance of the car, the less expensive it will be in the long run.

Conclusion

Everything you need to know about the Toyota Tacoma is mentioned above. You can find every major and minor detail of the truck in the article mentioned above.

I tried to answer the most common questions, like, how long do Toyota Tacomas last? How expensive can they be to maintain?

I have covered it all, so don’t waste another second of your time and jump straight in and start reading for what could be your next potential purchase.

Tahir Azam

I am Tahir Azam, and I have been writing amazing articles for TaxiHack for as long as I can remember. I know everything that is to know when it comes to automobiles and is always on top of industry news and developments. While I am not an expert by any means, I pride myself on knowing the ins and outs of many different problems and, of course, their solutions. The articles on our website are some of the best and well-researched content that you will find, and I spend countless hours making sure this remains to be true. This is why I ask you to take your time out and read some of my articles, especially if you find a topic that resonates with you or is something you are looking into. This way, you will find the perfect mix of information and tips on your desired topic. Learn more about Tahir.