AI Damage2020 Toyota Tacoma: common problems
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma filed 90 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and powertrain. The maker issued 179 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 90
- involving a crash
- 6
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 179
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 23% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 16% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Forward collision avoidance 10% of all complaints
- 7 Vehicle speed control 10% of all complaints
- 8 Air bags 4% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 21 complaints (23% of all).
- Powertrain: 15 complaints (17% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 12.
- Engine: 14 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Service brakes: 13 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 8.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (10% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 40.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.7 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 3.5 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- manual, 6-speednamed in 1 complaints
Drive: 4WD, RWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 90 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 21 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 15 | 0 | 12 |
| Engine | 14 | 1 | 8 |
| Service brakes | 13 | 0 | 8 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 40 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 9 | 2 | 4 |
| Vehicle speed control | 9 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 4 | 3 | 8 |
| Steering | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| Structure | 3 | 1 | 48 |
| Backover prevention | 3 | 0 | 7 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Lane departure | 2 | 1 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
Was driving doing 35mph and some one ran stop sign T boned Car who ran stop sign my air bags didn't deploy all air bags of other car deployed. My car was totaled . None of the air bags deployed according to recall my vin is not in takata recall. I was tosses all over car
The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. No air bags deployed. The contact stated she thinks she hit her head on the front windshield since it was fractured. The contact stated she sustained a concussion and has bruises on her right chest and right arm.
My wife was backing up in our driveway, and hit another vehicle parked in our driveway. The backup pre-collision system did not issue any warning, and did not stop the vehicle (as it is supposed to do).
The side curtain airbag also trapped him in between the seatbelt and the airbag. The contact was rushed to the hospital once the authorities arrived and was diagnosed with permanent right eye blindness.
No warning lights have come on to indicate a problem with either rack's failure. The rack is currently being replaced by the dealership. However, I received a call today that the new rack they had installed has also been shown to be deficient, so they are removing it and replacing it with another part they had in…
The wiper motor does not move fast enough to keep the windshield clear in heavy rain. Yes it is available to be inspected. Unable to see while driving even after slowing down. Only when encountering heavy rain. No No
I lost speed and my service engine light came on. My truck slowed down and I almost got in a car accident with the 18 wheelers because the truck did this. The truck behind me slowed down on time and it went immediately to the right lane to avoid hitting my truck. I feared for my life.
Toyota is reporting that it is wear and tear and denying my goodwill repair but it is a technical service bulletin TSB #0082-21 - so it is a safety issue. I emailed and called and have case number with Toyota - [phone]92
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 619 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 29% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Tacoma has 141 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 90, below average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026
This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.
- Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a…
Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition…
- Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner…
Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White…
- Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid
- TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR…
TECHNICAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR CUSTOMER SUPPORT PROGRAM 23TE08 COVERAGE FOR PAINT PEELING ON EXTERIOR DOOR FRAMES, FRONT INNER FENDERS AND A-PILLARS CERTAIN 2016-2022 MODEL YEAR TACOMA
- To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to…
To assist with the early detection and early resolution of audio related concerns you may be asked to recover MMR data from the head unit. The following steps are instructions on how to retrieve the data from the…
- Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System…
Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software…
- Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along…
Some 2016 – 2022 model year Tacoma vehicles with Super White (040) paint may exhibit paint peeling along the exterior window door frames, inner fender edges under the hood, and/or A-pillars. The affected panel(s)…
- The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix…
The condition known as acid rain is caused by airborne chemicals or particles in the atmosphere, which mix with rainwater, nighttime dew, or high humidity to form acidic compounds. If these contaminants settle and…
- To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used…
To prevent brake rotor rust from forming during transportation and storage, wheel film will be used instead of a cardboard type of anti-rust cover. The purpose of the wheel film is to shield the disc brake rotor from…
- Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical…
Acid rain results from rainwater or other airborne moisture that become acidic due to industrial chemical impurities in the atmosphere. If these acidic compounds settle on an exposed vehicle, especially the horizontal…
NHTSA lists 179 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, powertrain, engine. Total complaints: 90. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (23%), fuel system, fuel smell (17%), stalls while driving (11%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA lists 179 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2020 Toyota Tacoma from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2020 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.