The past ten years have seen two generations of the Tacoma, with the third generation of the truck appearing in North America in 2016 and the current, fourth generation debuting in 2024. The two generations have three engines between them. Digging into them, we’ll find the best and worst of the bunch.
The information here is from PUTT’s own reliability resources, including compilations of known problems, government recalls, and service bulletins.
2.7L Inline-four
The third generation (2016-2023) Tacoma’s base engine was an inline four-cylinder, the 2TR-FE I4. This engine platform has been in service for more than two decades and is considered one of Toyota’s most reliable engines to date. In the Tacoma, this engine produced 159 horsepower.
The 2.7L inline-four has no recalls from its time in the 2016-2023 Tacoma. Known problems are mostly related to high mileage and include coil-on-plug ignition coils failing, which is an easy replacement fix. Other high-mileage problems are common to all high-mileage engines and include things like degrading coolant hoses and accessory belt tensioner wear.
3.5L V6
The 2GR-FKS V6 was the most popular powerplant for the third-gen Tacoma. A naturally aspirated workhorse, the 3.5L output 278 horsepower in the Tacoma. This engine also saw use in many other Toyota models such as the 4Runner, Highlander, Camry, Sienna, etc. The tuning used in the Tacoma had no major recalls during its service life in the third generation of the truck.
Early versions of the V6 did have some known problems, including premature cylinder wall scoring due to oil control ring holes getting clogged and knocking from the foremost cylinders. These problems were no longer an issue after 2017 when a new supplier for the piston rings was used. Most 2GR-FKS V6 engines see very high mileage as a norm.
2.4L turbo-four
The current generation Tacoma uses a T24A-FTS turbo-4 in both the standard and the hybrid model. The V6 was dropped in favor of this new, smaller displacement four. First introduced in the Lexus lineup, the T24A has quickly proliferated throughout the Toyota model roster. This inline-four outputs up to 278 horsepower in the current-generation Tacoma and 326 combined horsepower in its hybrid i-Force Max model. In that hybrid model, the same T24A-FTS turbo-4 has a traction-assist motor/generator between the engine and transmission, but is otherwise the same drivetrain as the non-hybrid Tacoma.
This engine, like the others, has had no recalls associated with it directly. Early production units had the usual array of break-in fixes, such as software changes and the like. The recalls that have plagued the larger turbo-six that is featured in other Toyotas have not affected this four-cylinder engine. So far, none of the fears many enthusiasts had when this engine debuted seem to have come to pass.
Which Engine Is Most Reliable In the Tacoma?
To be fair, none of the engines on our list here have had serious issues. The V6 did have some serious issues early in its career, but is otherwise a solid and known high-mileage goer. Both four-cylinder options are strong units, but the newer turbocharged 2.4 is much more powerful and fuel efficient than its predecessor.
For our money, we’d go with the V6 in the third-generation Tacoma or the 2.4L turbo in the 2023+ truck. Both are great choices with good output and capability. We’d lean towards the V6 due to its longer history and feedback, but feel that either choice is perfect for the Tacoma owner who wants the most out of the truck.
Should You Buy One?
The Tacoma is one of the most reliable and long-lived pickups on the market. Like most Toyota vehicles, it has a well-earned reputation for durability and capability. We would definitely recommend the Taco to anyone looking for a midsize pickup option.
