Toyota Tacoma vs. Nissan Frontier
Both trucks side by side for the years they were both sold (1999–2026): 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 | Nissan Frontier | Typical that year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 10 | — |
| 2025 | 100 | 8 | — |
| 2024 | 151More than typical | 22Fewer than typical | 84 |
| 2023 | 54About typical | 66About typical | 62 |
| 2022 | 59About typical | 111More than typical | 59 |
| 2021 | 80About typical | 19Fewer than typical | 80 |
| 2020 | 87About typical | 23Fewer than typical | 87 |
| 2019 | 218About typical | 28Fewer than typical | 184 |
| 2018 | 206More than typical | 25Fewer than typical | 162 |
| 2017 | 239About typical | 37Fewer than typical | 216 |
| 2016 | 323About typical | 43Fewer than typical | 296 |
| 2015 | 101Fewer than typical | 33Fewer than typical | 202 |
| 2014 | 93 | 42 | — |
| 2013 | 125 | 48 | — |
| 2012 | 295 | 78 | — |
| 2011 | 186More than typical | 64About typical | 53 |
| 2010 | 294⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 59About typical | 50 |
| 2009 | 519⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 37Fewer 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 | 135About typical | 139 |
| 2007 | 541⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 520⚠ Known problem: Hundreds of complaints about radiators leaking coolant into the automatic transmission and ruining it. Ask whether the radiator has been replaced.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 | 617⚠ Known problem: Hundreds of complaints about radiators leaking coolant into the automatic transmission and ruining it. Ask whether the radiator has been replaced.More than typical | 256 |
| 2005 | 707⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 532⚠ Known problem: Hundreds of complaints about radiators leaking coolant into the automatic transmission and ruining it. Ask whether the radiator has been replaced.More than typical | 355 |
| 2004 | 414⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 66Fewer than typical | 361 |
| 2003 | 359⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.More than typical | 77Fewer than typical | 243 |
| 2002 | 333⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 124Fewer than typical | 333 |
| 2001 | 395⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 134Fewer than typical | 395 |
| 2000 | 210⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 189About typical | 210 |
| 1999 | 249⚠ Known problem: Known for severe frame rust. Check whether the frame was replaced, and inspect it closely.About typical | 78Fewer 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.
Nissan Frontier
- 1999–2004 common problems →2.4L four, 3.3L V6 (supercharged option)
Check that the fuel sending unit recall (stalling, fuel leaks) and the steering shaft corrosion recall were done, and look for cracked exhaust manifolds and rear oil leaks on the V6.
- 2005–2021 common problems →4.0L V6 (3.8L V6 for 2020–2021), 2.5L four
2005–2007 trucks are the ones to watch: radiators that leak coolant into the automatic transmission and ruin it, fuel gauges that read wrong, and timing chain whine on the 4.0L V6. Later years have fewer complaints filed.
- 2022–2026 common problems →3.8L V6
Owners mostly mention rough or jerky shifts from the 9-speed automatic, emergency braking that engages on its own on 2022 trucks, and a recall for parking pawls that may not hold the truck in Park.
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.
Nissan Frontier
- 2005–2007 All enginesHundreds of complaints about radiators leaking coolant into the automatic transmission and ruining it. Ask whether the radiator has been replaced.