Know Your Truck

2024–2026 Toyota Tacoma common problems and fixes

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.

What owners should know

Covers 2024–2026 · 2.4L turbo four (i-FORCE), 2.4L turbo hybrid (i-FORCE MAX) · Updated 2026-10-05

The fourth-generation Tacoma dropped the V6 for a 2.4L turbo four, offered alone or as the i-FORCE MAX hybrid, with an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual.

We counted 251 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2024–2026 Tacomas (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once): 214 from the regular turbo four and 36 from hybrids, identified by VIN. One had no VIN. None had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. These trucks are new, so counts are low and will grow. Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

  • Interior door handles break, so the door won't open from inside, mostly on 2025 trucks.
  • Transmission complaints describe jerky shifts and, in a few cases, trucks that won't go into gear.
  • Recalls cover rear brake hoses, front CV joints and shocks.

Door handles

37 of the 100 complaints for 2025 trucks describe an inside door handle that snapped or went limp, leaving the driver unable to open the door from inside. On TacomaWorld, owners report the same thing and long waits for parts.

Transmission

About 55 complaints mention the transmission, shifting or gears (48 of them from 2024 trucks): hard jerks between low gears, delayed engagement and a few trucks that wouldn't shift into gear. Some were fixed with replacement transmissions under warranty.

Recalls to check

  • Rear brake hoses damaged by packed mud on 2024–2025 4x4 trucks (25V058000)
  • Front driveshaft CV joint on 2025 trucks (25V656000)
  • Shock absorber reservoir flanges that can corrode on certain 2024–2025 trucks (26V514000)

Before you buy

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (6)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2024-2026 Toyota Tacoma. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

  • Interior door handle breaks

    Dealer job

    Signs: The inside handle goes limp and the door won't open from inside; you have to lower the window and use the outside handle.

    Fix: Owners report that a part linking the handle to the latch breaks inside the door; a dealer should confirm which part failed. Dealers replace it if the truck is still within warranty; owners report parts have been backordered.

  • Rear brake hoses can be damaged (4x4)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Mud packed inside the rear wheels can damage the brake hoses, causing a fluid leak and a soft pedal.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall for 2024–2025 4x4 trucks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 25V058000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Front CV joint can deform (2025)

    Dealer job

    Signs: Clicking or vibration from the front when turning. A broken driveshaft can affect steering.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall for 2025 trucks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 25V656000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

  • Shock reservoirs can fall off (2024–2025)

    Dealer job

    Signs: The flange holding a shock's external oil reservoir can corrode and fail.

    Fix: Covered by a Toyota recall for the front and rear shocks. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.

    May be covered free by recall 26V514000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →