2014 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 33,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (14).

What to check before you buy

• Look underneath with a flashlight. Utah road salt is hard on frames, brake lines and the bottoms of doors.
• Open and close every door, the hood and the liftgate, and lock and unlock each one.
• Use a paint thickness gauge and compare panels. A panel that reads very differently from the rest has likely been repaired.

Tools that help

What owners said

The Clear coat is failing on the roof and the hood causing the paint to fade. Toyota knows about the problem and fails to do anything to rectify the problem. Thousands of customers are being affected by this. You can go onto any vehicle forum out there and there are thousands of pictures of this.Owner complaint, filed 2026

My 2014 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing paint chipping in large sections on multiple sections of the vehicle. Primarily this can be seen on the passenger side doors near the windows. I believe there was a recall for this vehicle for years 2016-2022. My request is to have my year model included as it is experiencing the exact same issues as…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 9,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The pedal should feel firm and the car should stop straight without pulling, grinding or a pulsing pedal.
• The ABS and stability control lights should go out after startup and stay out.
• Look through the wheels at the rotors. A deep lip on the edge means brakes are due soon, which is a fair thing to negotiate on.

Tools that help

What owners said

Brake master cylinder is leaking into the cab, truck has 80k miles on it. OEM replacement part only available through Toyota dealer (Part number: 47050-04092) is INSANE at $1500. No warning indicators, just a puddle of brake fluid on my floor mat.Owner complaint, filed 2024

With normal braking, and just before stopping, the brakes grab excessively causing the occupants necks to snap forward. Very annoying and could cause neck strain if not anticipating the reaction. This append from the time I twas new & continues since.Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 30 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive it from cold if you can. Shifts should be smooth in every gear, including reverse.
• Feel for slipping (revs rise without the car speeding up), shudder at low speed and a delay when you put it in gear.
• Listen for whining, which is a common CVT complaint, and clunks when you go from drive to reverse.
• If it has 4WD or AWD, engage it on the test drive and ask when the transmission and differential fluids were last changed.

Tools that help

What owners said

While driving the vehicle there is a groaning sound coming from the front end of the Tacoma from the front differential. There is a TSB from Toyota, but they only cover it under warranty and are not treating it as a recall. TSB # 0026-15. I think this is something that is causing wear to the front differential and could cause further…Owner complaint, filed 2025

In the past two years my Tacoma has had to have the air switching valve replaced twice. Vehicle going into limp mode is not safe. Dealer tells me I need to drive it more than 5K miles a year. So I need to drive more to make an emission component work better? How does that even make sense.Owner complaint, filed 2024

What to check before you buy

• Turn the wheel lock to lock while parked and listen for groaning, clicking or binding.
• On a straight road the car should track straight with the wheel centered and no loose feeling.
• A power steering warning on the dash, even briefly, deserves a mechanic’s look before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

When you are driving down the road and get in a curve the wheels lock up like you are on ice or hydroplaining and have no control of vehicle. only happens in curves and i know of multiple trucks doing this - if another car is coming from other direction you will hit them as you cant control truckOwner complaint, filed 2025

Horn will honk when steering wheel was turned to the right or left but could not get it to honk when the steering wheel was in the straight or normal position. Took to local Toyota Dealer and it was found that the Spiral Cable in the steering wheel was the cause and needed replaced so I had the dealer replace this Spiral Cable in the…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Drive over a few bumps and potholes slowly with the radio off and listen for clunks or rattles.
• Check the tires for uneven wear on the inside or outside edges, a sign of alignment or suspension trouble.
• Look behind the wheels for oily, wet shocks or struts.

Tools that help

What owners said

I took my vehicle in to the dealer where I always have it serviced, and asked them to do a front end alignment, since it pulls slightly and I noticed a little uneven tire wear. The mechanic said the front suspension is too rusted to align. I took the vehicle to a tire shop recommended by the dealer service advisor, and they said it is…Owner complaint, filed 2021

While driving on the freeway, the steering wheel began to shake vigorously, then the right front wheel came completely off the truck. The ball joints snapped off causing a wreck. My truck slid into the side of a big rig. Luckily nobody was hurt, but the failed ball joints were the cause of the accident in my opinion. I also have the dash…Owner complaint, filed 2021

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 54,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• The air bag (SRS) light should come on at startup and go out within a few seconds. If it stays on, the system may not work in a crash.
• Air bag recalls are some of the most serious. Check this exact VIN for open recalls and get proof any recall work was done.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owned a 2014 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at 52 MPH, the vehicle drove over a pothole, causing the driver’s and passenger’s side curtain air bags to erroneously deploy. The vehicle was towed to the dealer; however, no cause for the failure was found. The vehicle was deemed totaled by the insurance…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 86,600 miles

The contact owned a 2014 toyota tacoma. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the driver attempted to switch to the right lane and crashed into the rear of the preceding vehicle. None of the air bags deployed and there were no warning indicators illuminated. A police report was filed. There were no injuries. The vehicle was totaled and…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 54,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 133,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Ask the seller not to warm the car up, and start it cold. Listen for ticking, knocking or a rough idle in the first minute.
• Pull the oil dipstick and the oil cap. Low oil, a gasoline smell or a milky film on the cap are reasons to walk away or get an inspection.
• Plug in an OBD2 scanner. Stored or pending codes matter, and so do readiness monitors that show "not ready", which usually means the codes were cleared right before the sale.
• Ask for oil change records. A gap in the records on a model known for engine complaints is a negotiating point at minimum.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the check engine and the traction control warning lights were illuminated, and the vehicle hesitated to accelerate and failed to exceed 45 MPH while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with a secondary air…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 170,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 - 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and diagnosed with rod knock, valve train, and engine failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not…Owner complaint, filed 2021, at 133,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 24,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Test every switch: windows, locks, mirrors, seat heaters, the screen, the backup camera, Bluetooth and every USB port.
• Watch the dash at startup. Every warning light should come on briefly and then go out.
• Have the battery and charging system tested. A weak alternator or battery drain shows up here.

Tools that help

What owners said

The display on the stereo head unit cuts off and on while driving, the stereo still works, just the display turns off. This display is also used for the back up camera. Sometimes when I put my vehicle in reverse, the back up camera is not displayed and I am unable to see what is directly behind the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 95,000 miles

Rodents caused over $3,000 in damage by chewing on cables that are made from one or more of the following (soy, rice husks, wood, sugar, vanilla, peanut oil, and straw; references: www.synlube.com/incredibleediblecar1.htm ; www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=why+do+rodents+eat+cables+on+cars+made+in+japan ; google: rodent damage toyota ).…Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 24,400 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 58,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Pull out and latch every seat belt, and let each one retract on its own.
• Try every seat adjuster, and watch for a passenger air bag "off" light when an adult is in the seat.

Tools that help

What owners said

Hello, writing to make a complaint about the heated seat ECU in my toyota tacoma. It looks like improper wire connectors or improper gauge wires have caused the power connector to melt, and have rendered my heated seats inoperable. It seems if a part gets hot enough inside the vehicle cab to warm up and melt, it could potentially cause a…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Drivers side seat belt inoperable due to 2 inch long spring having come out of female receiver male tab will no longer lock in place. I was putting on seat belt and could not inset tab into seat belt spring was protruding from receptacle and when I pulled on spring it came completely out.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 113,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 15,000 miles.

What to check before you buy

• Read the four-digit DOT date on each tire. Tires older than about six years should be replaced, whatever the tread looks like.
• Check tread depth on all four. On AWD vehicles all four tires should match.
• The tire pressure light should go out after startup.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Tacoma equipped with Goodyear Tires, Tire Line: Wrangler, Tire Size: P235/75/R15, DOT Number: 1PJHLFNWR. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side rear tire exploded. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who informed the contact that the tire had dry rotted and were…Owner complaint, filed 2023, at 160,000 miles

The contact owns a 2014 Toyota Tacoma equipped with Goodyear tires, Tire Line: Assurance All Season, Tire Size: 215/70/R15. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, all four tires were shaking abnormally. The contact took the vehicle to a dealer where he was informed that all four tires were defective. The contact was…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 67,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Smell around the engine bay and under the rear of the car for raw fuel.
• On the test drive, accelerate firmly from a stop and up a grade. Stumbling, surging or a flashing check engine light are red flags.
• Fuel pump recalls are common. Check this exact VIN for open recalls before you buy.

Tools that help

What owners said

I received a notice from Toyota Motor Corporation that certain 2011-2017 Model Year Tacoma Vehicles should be brought in for a Frame Corrosion Inspection. Subsequent to this inspection, the dealership could recommend either an application of Corrosion Resistant Compound OR an entire Frame replacement. My vehicle's Frame was severe enough…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Air injection pump and air switching valve assembly. Vehicle generated an OBD code of p0418 and p2441. Vehicle only has 66k miles. Vehicle is unable to accelerate to normal driving speeds, very sluggish. Cost to repair is $2k. This is the same problem on 2012 toyota tacoma and experienced on 2013 - 2015 being reported. This is dangerous…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 66,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• On the test drive, press the gas gently and firmly. The response should be smooth with no lag or surge.
• Set the cruise control, then use resume and cancel to make sure each one works.

Tools that help

What owners said

While in reverse, idling slowly to a stop to pick up a hot water heater, the vehicle suddenly [VIN] independently. The vehicle did not respond when the brake pedal was depressed. As a result the vehicle crashed into plumbing supply warehouse, sending it through a overhead door and through expensive hot water heaters and spas, the truck…Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 62,700 miles

The contact owns a 2014 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle [VIN] at high speeds. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the failure was unable to be replicated. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 11,000.Owner complaint, filed 2015, at 11,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Check every light: headlights on low and high, fog lights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights.
• Run the wipers on every speed with washer fluid, and run the defroster front and back.

Tools that help

What owners said

Allow me to explain by starting with the following 2 facts: 1. The recommended action to take when it is cold outside and the windshield begins to fog up while driving is to turn on the defroster on high heat. 2. The 2014 tacoma will not allow me to run the defroster with recirculated air, but rather forces me to use 'fresh' air when…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 5,000 miles

When I turn on my a/c it comes through the defogger on the dash fogging up the windshield in certain conditions and can happen while moving occluding drivers vision no matter where I have the vent setting. Ie I turn on the a/c and turn it to floor...air still comes through the defroster vent on top of the dash. This also happens with the…Owner complaint, filed 2019, at 70,000 miles

What to check before you buy

• Where it is safe, try the adaptive cruise and lane keeping on the test drive and watch for sudden braking or warnings with nothing there.
• Check the windshield in front of the camera and the bumper sensors for cracks, chips or poor repairs.
• Ask whether the windshield has been replaced. The camera has to be recalibrated afterward, and many shops skip it.

Tools that help

What owners said

The contact owns a 2014 toyota tacoma. While driving above 60 MPH, the vehicle experienced severe wind noise coming from the door panels. The noise distracted the driver. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the windshield was replaced, but the noise continued. The contact also indicated that the back up camera would sometimes freeze…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 100 miles