Toyota Tacoma vs. Ford Ranger
Both trucks side by side for the years they were both sold (1999–2011, 2019–2026): owner complaints filed with NHTSA, what each generation is known for, and years with a well-known costly problem.
How to use this: complaint counts are reports owners filed with NHTSA, not a reliability score. Best-selling trucks collect more reports simply because more are on the road. Use the numbers to spot years worth a closer look, then check the specific truck you're considering.
Complaints by year
Each count is compared with the typical (middle) count of the midsize trucks we cover from the same model year. Counts as of October 5, 2026; a year's own page uses the latest count, so it can be slightly higher. Tap a count for that year's recalls, complaints and safety ratings.
| Year | Toyota Tacoma | Ford Ranger | Typical that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 6 | — |
| 2025 | 100 | 42 | — |
| 2024 | 151More than typical | 84About typical | 84 |
| 2023 | 54About typical | 18Fewer than typical | 62 |
| 2022 | 59About typical | 36Fewer than typical | 59 |
| 2021 | 80About typical | 117More than typical | 80 |
| 2020 | 87About typical | 128More than typical | 87 |
| 2019 | 218About typical | 268More than typical | 184 |
| 2011 | 186More than typical | 235⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 53 |
| 2010 | 294⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 156⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 50 |
| 2009 | 519⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 169⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 52 |
| 2008 | 445⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 326⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 139 |
| 2007 | 541⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 270⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 215 |
| 2006 | 780⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 271⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.About typical | 256 |
| 2005 | 707⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 289⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.About typical | 355 |
| 2004 | 414⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 404⚠ Known problem: Takata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls. 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.About typical | 361 |
| 2003 | 359⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 243⚠ Known problem: 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.About typical | 243 |
| 2002 | 333⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 345⚠ Known problem: 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.About typical | 333 |
| 2001 | 395⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 515⚠ Known problem: 4.0L V6 only: The 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.More than typical | 395 |
| 2000 | 210⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 671More than typical | 210 |
| 1999 | 249⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 756More than typical | 249 |
Recent years aren't compared until the typical truck that year has at least 50 complaints. “Not separable” means NHTSA files that year together with other trucks. Recall counts aren't shown here; open any year to see its recalls. ⚠ marks a well-known costly problem that complaint counts alone don't show.
Generations side by side
Toyota Tacoma
- 1999–2004 common problems →3.4L V6, 2.7L and 2.4L four
Frame rust is nearly half of all complaints; Toyota bought back or reframed many trucks. Lower ball joints and spare tire carriers in salt states were also recalled.
- 2005–2015 common problems →4.0L V6, 2.7L four
Frame rust on 2005–2010 trucks led to a huge settlement with frame replacements and buybacks. Rear leaf springs that can break and puncture the fuel tank were recalled on certain trucks, and 2012 trucks are known for air injection pump failures.
- 2016–2023 common problems →3.5L V6, 2.7L four
Owners complain most about the automatic transmission hunting for gears, rear differential leaks on 2016–2017 trucks, fuel pump recalls that can cause stalling, and the third brake light leaking water into the cab.
- 2024–2026 common problems →2.4L turbo four (i-FORCE), 2.4L turbo hybrid (i-FORCE MAX)
Interior door handles that break and trap you inside are the top complaint on 2025 trucks; transmission jerks and early recalls for brake lines, CV joints and shocks round it out.
Ford Ranger
- 1999–2011 common problems →2.5L / 2.3L four, 3.0L V6, 4.0L V6
Every truck needs its air bag recalls checked (2006 trucks had a do-not-drive warning), the frame rusts at the rear spring mounts, 1999–2003 trucks had speed control switch fire recalls, and the 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle.
- 2019–2023 common problems →2.3L EcoBoost four
The 10-speed automatic's rough or jerky shifting is the top complaint, especially on 2019 trucks, which also had the most recalls; some 2019 owners report broken rear leaf springs.
- 2024–2026 common problems →2.3L four, 2.7L V6, 3.0L V6 (Raptor)
A long list of recalls: loose front suspension ball joint nuts, side curtain air bags, and engines that may fail on some 2025–2026 trucks.
Years with a known costly problem
From our owner notes. Some affect only one engine, so trucks with other engines those years aren't affected: check which engine the truck you're looking at has.
Toyota Tacoma
- 1999–2010 All enginesKnown for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.
Ford Ranger
- 2001–2011 4.0L V6 onlyThe 4.0L V6 is known for timing chain rattle that often means pulling the engine to fix. Listen to a cold start.
- 2004–2011 All enginesTakata air bag recalls cover these years, and Ford told owners of some 2006 trucks not to drive them until repaired. Check the VIN for open recalls.