Very few complaints and no recalls
The 2021 Tacoma has one of the lowest complaint rates on this site and no recalls on record. The few complaints are scattered.
Updated November 2026 · based on 81 owner complaints and 0 recalls
32 64% below the Tacoma average
0 free to fix at a dealer
Every Tacoma year compared
Owner complaints per 100,000 cars sold. Lower is better. The newest years have had less time to collect complaints, so they are marked too new to judge.
Top problems and what they cost
Hesitation from a stop
A delayed engagement or stutter on acceleration.
Fix: Software update or throttle cleaning $100 to $300.
Transmission
Brake master cylinder leak
A few owners found fluid on the driver's floor from a leaking master cylinder.
Fix: Master cylinder $400 to $800.
Brakes
White smoke and gas smell at start
Rare reports of smoke and fuel smell at cold start.
Fix: Diagnosis $100 to $200.
Engine
Recalls
No recalls for this year.
Complaints by part
Before you buy a 2021 Toyota Tacoma
- Check the driver's floor mat area for brake fluid.Brakes should stop the car straight and quietly. Grinding, pulling or surging means worn parts or a fault in the brake system.12 of the 81 owner complaints about the 2021 Tacoma involve the brakes (15%).
- Start the truck cold and look at the exhaust.Exhaust smells inside the cabin, especially uphill with the A/C on, mean exhaust gas is getting in. Exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which has no smell of its own.
- Accelerate from a stop and feel for a stutter.A delay or loss of power when you press the gas can mean fuel, sensor or throttle faults. It matters most when merging or pulling into traffic.12 of the 81 owner complaints about the 2021 Tacoma involve the engine (15%).
Questions
Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Very few complaints and no recalls. The 2021 Tacoma has one of the lowest complaint rates on this site and no recalls on record. The few complaints are scattered.
How many recalls does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have?
0 recalls. Recall repairs are free at any Toyota dealer, even for later owners. Enter the VIN on the free government recall lookup to see which are still open on a specific car.
What are the most common 2021 Toyota Tacoma problems?
Hesitation from a stop; Brake master cylinder leak; White smoke and gas smell at start.
Crash rating shown for the 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD. Repair costs are typical U.S. ranges for parts and labor, not quotes. How we score.