2017 Toyota Tacoma Problems

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 5,000 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

My 2017 Tacoma TRD Off Road (manual transmission) makes a constant chirping sound when the engine is running and increases chirping sound when accelerator is pressed. The chirping sound ceases when the clutch is pressed in. It's clear through research that this is a "throw out bearing" issue. Toyota dealership confirmed the same issue…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Transmission line was described by two auto mechanics (one from a Toyota dealership) as “rusted out” and “porous”, “low pressure/fluid” and “needs to be fixed”. I was totally unaware of the issue until I had to get my AC recharged. Note: this is a 2017 truck with 82,000 miles driven in Massachusetts. No warning lights went off.Owner complaint, filed 2023

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

Have had engine issues such as stalling, rattling, limp mode, rough idling and engine missing. Have had repairs done but continues to have major issues where it is not functioning properly.Owner complaint, filed 2026

The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked and unoccupied, he was inside a client's home, and the contractors who were working on the client's roof came inside the client's home and alerted the contact that his vehicle was on fire. The contact stated that upon exiting the client's home…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 123,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 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

The parking brake sticks. This is an issue because the vehicle automatically applies the parking brake briefly when switching from neutral to first gear or reverse to prevent rollback. When this happens, the parking brake sticks, and the rear wheels lock. I believe the brake cables have been infiltrated with water resulting in…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Common issue reported amongst 2016-2019 Toyota Tacoma owners. Noticed brake fluid dripping from under driver's side dash directly under brake pedal onto floor mat. Upon inspection, found brake fluid dripping down from what appears to be brake booster. Leaking brake booster should be a safety recall with replacement covered by Toyota.Owner complaint, filed 2026

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 20,000 miles. Parts named most: Body (26).

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 contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving in the rain, the passenger inside the vehicle became aware of fluid leaking inside the cabin of the vehicle from the third rear brake light. The contact inspected the vehicle and became aware that there was mildew nearby where the failure started. There was an…Owner complaint, filed 2026, at 55,000 miles

Vehicle: 2017 Toyota Tacoma Issue: Persistent water intrusion, extensive mold contamination, and unresolved condition following Toyota Limited Service Campaign 21TD03. Approximately 12, 18 months ago, Gray-Daniels Toyota in Brandon, Mississippi, performed Toyota's service campaign addressing water intrusion through the rear center…Owner complaint, filed 2026

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

Vehicle stalled on highway bridge. Took to mechanic shop. They put the diagnostic code machine on and the code indicated fuel pump failure. Toyota does have a recall notice for the year, make, and model of my vehicle. But not showing on my VIN.Owner complaint, filed 2026

I was driving my 2017 Toyota Tacoma and I my car suddenly was lurching and running rough. I had to put on hazards on a main road and pull over immediately and was not even able to let it run for air conditioning. It was 108 degrees out that day, waited for 1 hour 30 minutes in heat. Had truck towed to mechanic that stated my fuel pump…Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 40,000 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

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 87,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 220,717 miles

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving or idled, the front driver’s side seat heater failed to operate. The contact then stated that he smelled a burning odor and upon inspecting the seat, he noticed burned and charred marks on the amp and wiring harness. No warning lights was illuminated. The…Owner complaint, filed 2022, at 40,000 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 22,000 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

While driving at highway speeds on the interstate, the driver-side sun visor suddenly experienced an internal mechanical failure, snapping at the pivot point. Instead of detaching completely, the visor dropped down into a vertical position, completely blocking my forward windshield view. Because this occurred while driving directly into…Owner complaint, filed 2026

Water leaked through the third brake light gasket at the rear, top of the cabin. There is a service campaign, I believe, for 2016-2018 Double Cab Tacomas. However, this issue is present in my Access Cab Tacoma. I have water leaking through onto the rear windshield.Owner complaint, filed 2022

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 26,000 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

Unit 1 vehicle ran a red light at approximately 45mph and impacted the passenger side door of the Tacoma (unit 2) pushing the Tacoma into a stop vehicle (unit 3) in the turning lane. Unit 1 and unit 3 air bags deployed but none of the air bags in the Tacoma deployed. One of the pictures taken show the front driver side air bag sensor in…Owner complaint, filed 2024

Airbags did Not deploy during car accident. This was the 2nd time, but 1st accident was minor because it was with a deer. The vehicle is available in the Towing company per police instruction. Driver had several bruises. Insurance companies are involved, have not hear anything about this specific situation. No warnings and all switches…Owner complaint, filed 2021

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

The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, it was discovered that the front driver’s side heated seat was inoperable, and the seat was not heated while the switch for the heated seat was activated. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that the electrical wire connector and wiring…Owner complaint, filed 2025, at 65,000 miles

The rear seatbelts metal ends are disintegrating with extreme corrosion. Discovered just before 25,000mile service. No corrosion in any other part of the vehicle.Owner complaint, filed 2025

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 6,000 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

The contact owns a 2017 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle [VIN] independently with the gear shifter in drive, park or reverse. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The [VIN] was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.Owner complaint, filed 2020, at 5,000 miles

I was driving at 35 MPH on a city street when the speedometer shot up to 60 MPH for no reason. Tachometer started going up and down for no reason as well. Kept having problems throughout the rest of week. Took it into toyota dealership service department. They told me that they had to take my truck because it was a safety issue and might…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 2,375 miles

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 18,000 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

Purchased 4 new Firestone Destination LE3 P245/75/R16 tires. I immediately noticed my truck vibrating a lot. The higher rhe speed , the bigger vibration. I took it back twice. The service tech. Indicated that he balanced them, so i took them to another service station. Two front tires wrre determined to be egg-shaped and could not be…Owner complaint, filed 2023

We purchased a set of these tires at the end of June and have only about 15,000mi on them now. The embossed tire wear indicators show more than the 80% tread life left. About two weeks or so ago, I noticed a blister on the tire. Looking at it, there were a few tread blocks separating from the carcass. Yes, separation like what caused…Owner complaint, filed 2023

Half of the owners who gave a mileage had the problem by about 2,000 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

Mileage 64000: Vehicle went in for oil change and the mechanic noticed an issue with the differential mounts. The right bolt was corroded and broken leaving that side unsecured. The other bolt was heavily corroded also but still "intact". I had the support bolts, nuts and washers replaced on both sides for safety. These bolts were in a…Owner complaint, filed 2022

Vehicle has a vibration on decelaration between 20 to 0 MPH without foot on the brake and vehicle out of gear on manual transmission. Vehicle is always on a street going straight and happens at every decelaration.Owner complaint, filed 2018, at 1,880 miles

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

The contact owns a 2017 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that the steering wheel failed to retract no matter how the steering wheel was turned. The vehicle was taken to toyota of escondido (231 lincoln parkway, escondido, ca 92026) where the technician checked the alignment. The vehicle was not repaired. The [VIN] was not notified of…Owner complaint, filed 2017, at 650 miles