2017 Toyota Tacoma Problems and Recalls (236 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma is Transmission / driveline (24% of 236 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Transmission / driveline — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 236 complaints · 5 recalls

What problems show up on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

57 of 236 filings named Transmission / driveline (24% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Engine (23 reports).

There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Brakes, and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2016 has 323 reports on file; this year has 236. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2017 Toyota Tacoma

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

  1. Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 5 campaigns on file below.
  2. Transmission / driveline. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped.
  3. Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
  4. Brakes. Have a shop check pads, rotors, fluid and whether the pedal feels firm.
  5. Skim a few owner reports below for Transmission / driveline. Look for the same symptom repeating.
  6. Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Transmission / driveline 57 complaints · 24.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
  • Crashes 12
  • Fires 6
  • Injuries 9
  • Deaths 0
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

Which systems owners named Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) appears in 57 of 236 owner complaints (24.2%) in this vehicle snapshot. Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN): 57 complaints, 24.2% of reports Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 2 crash reports 1 fire reports 57 · 24.2% Engine (ENGINE): 23 complaints, 9.8% of reports Engine (ENGINE) 1 fire reports 23 · 9.8% Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES): 23 complaints, 9.8% of reports Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 23 · 9.8% Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM): 19 complaints, 8.1% of reports Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 19 · 8.1% Body / frame (STRUCTURE): 19 complaints, 8.1% of reports Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 19 · 8.1% Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM): 14 complaints, 5.9% of reports Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 2 fire reports 14 · 5.9% Airbags (AIR BAGS): 8 complaints, 3.4% of reports Airbags (AIR BAGS) 7 crash reports 8 · 3.4% Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING): 6 complaints, 2.5% of reports Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 6 · 2.5% Suspension (SUSPENSION): 6 complaints, 2.5% of reports Suspension (SUSPENSION) 6 · 2.5% Unclassified NHTSA leftover: 65 complaints, 27.5% of reports Unclassified NHTSA leftover 1 crash reports 2 fire reports 65 · 27.5% 0% 25% 50% 75% 100%

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table
System / Component Complaints Share of Reports Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) 57 24.2% 2 crashes · 1 fires
Engine (ENGINE) 23 9.8% 0 crashes · 1 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) 23 9.8% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) 19 8.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE) 19 8.1% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) 14 5.9% 0 crashes · 2 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS) 8 3.4% 7 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING) 6 2.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Suspension (SUSPENSION) 6 2.5% 0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover 65 27.5% 1 crashes · 2 fires
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

When reports and recalls showed up Owner reports in this snapshot begin in Jul 2016; the first recall shown was reported in Apr 2017. 2016-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2016-Q4: 3 owner reports 3 2017-Q1: 6 owner reports 6 2017-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2017-Q3: 16 owner reports 16 2017-Q4: 11 owner reports 11 2018-Q1: 17 owner reports 17 2018-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2018-Q3: 19 owner reports 19 2018-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2019-Q1: 5 owner reports 5 2019-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2019-Q3: 8 owner reports 8 2019-Q4: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2020-Q2: 7 owner reports 7 2020-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2020-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q1: 9 owner reports 9 2021-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2021-Q3: 6 owner reports 6 2021-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2022-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2022-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q3: 1 owner reports 1 2022-Q4: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q1: 1 owner reports 1 2023-Q2: 2 owner reports 2 2023-Q3: 3 owner reports 3 2023-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2024-Q1: 8 owner reports 8 2024-Q2: 5 owner reports 5 2024-Q4: 9 owner reports 9 2025-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2025-Q2: 1 owner reports 1 2025-Q3: 5 owner reports 5 2025-Q4: 4 owner reports 4 2026-Q1: 3 owner reports 3 2026-Q2: 8 owner reports 8 2026-Q3: 2 owner reports 2 Owner reports Jul 2016 Jul 2026 Recall campaign 17V285000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V285000 Recall campaign 17V356000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V356000 Recall campaign 17V831000 ◆ Recall campaign 17V831000 Recall campaign 18V211000 ◆ Recall campaign 18V211000 Recall campaign 20V682000 ◆ Recall campaign 20V682000 Investigation EA19001 ● Investigation EA19001
  • Campaign 17V285000 was reported 224 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 17V831000 was reported 275 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
  • Campaign 20V682000 was reported 1,195 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
Date Record type Count Record identifier
2016-Q3 Owner reports 1
2016-Q4 Owner reports 3
2017-Q1 Owner reports 6
2017-Q2 Owner reports 7
2017-Q3 Owner reports 16
2017-Q4 Owner reports 11
2018-Q1 Owner reports 17
2018-Q2 Owner reports 7
2018-Q3 Owner reports 19
2018-Q4 Owner reports 5
2019-Q1 Owner reports 5
2019-Q2 Owner reports 8
2019-Q3 Owner reports 8
2019-Q4 Owner reports 5
2020-Q1 Owner reports 8
2020-Q2 Owner reports 7
2020-Q3 Owner reports 5
2020-Q4 Owner reports 9
2021-Q1 Owner reports 9
2021-Q2 Owner reports 5
2021-Q3 Owner reports 6
2021-Q4 Owner reports 4
2022-Q1 Owner reports 3
2022-Q2 Owner reports 1
2022-Q3 Owner reports 1
2022-Q4 Owner reports 2
2023-Q1 Owner reports 1
2023-Q2 Owner reports 2
2023-Q3 Owner reports 3
2023-Q4 Owner reports 4
2024-Q1 Owner reports 8
2024-Q2 Owner reports 5
2024-Q4 Owner reports 9
2025-Q1 Owner reports 3
2025-Q2 Owner reports 1
2025-Q3 Owner reports 5
2025-Q4 Owner reports 4
2026-Q1 Owner reports 3
2026-Q2 Owner reports 8
2026-Q3 Owner reports 2
Recall campaign 1 17V285000
Recall campaign 1 17V356000
Recall campaign 1 17V831000
Recall campaign 1 18V211000
Recall campaign 1 20V682000
Defect investigation 1 EA19001
NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (5)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Transmission / driveline, Brakes, and Fuel system.

  1. Recall campaign 17V285000

    Transmission / driveline

    Report date
    Component:
    Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
    Consequence:
    If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear differential for oil leakage. Based on the inspection, dealers will either tightening the fastening nuts or replace the fastening nuts and gasket. If the rear differential components are damaged, the rear differential carrier assembly will be replaced. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall June 19, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0G.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  2. Recall campaign 17V356000

    Safety recall 17V356000

    Report date
    Component:
    Not available in the source record
    Consequence:
    An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the crank position sensor with an improved design, free of charge. The recall began July 26, 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0H.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  3. Recall campaign 17V831000

    Safety recall 17V831000

    Report date
    Component:
    Unclassified NHTSA leftover
    Consequence:
    An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners and provide them with corrected labels, free of charge. The recall began on January 23, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are H0Z for Toyota vehicles, and HLF for Lexus vehicles.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  4. Recall campaign 18V211000

    Brakes

    Report date
    Component:
    Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
    Consequence:
    A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the brake booster vacuum pump, free of charge. The recall began on May 9, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371, or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are J0K/JLD.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
  5. Recall campaign 20V682000

    Fuel system

    Report date
    Component:
    Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
    Consequence:
    If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
    Remedy:
    Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
    View authoritative NHTSA record →
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07
Safety incident filters
Showing 9 of 236 complaints · page 1 of 10
2026-09-02Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
NHTSA ODI 11761605
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 and replaced the throw out bearing on 6/24/26 through 7/2/26 (as covered by extended warranty). On 7/3/26, the chirping sound remains, possibly worse/louder. On 8/28/26 through 8/31/26, a different Toyota dealer changed the throw out bearing again, but added changing the entire clutch system (being clutch disc assembly, clutch cover assembly, pressure plate, fly wheel and fly wheel sub assembly). Car was picked up and still makes chirping noise. Research of this issue notes: Quill Wear: The aluminum snout (quill) the bearing slides on can groove and wear down over time; and Toyota TSB: Dealerships previously addressed this under technical service bulletins with updated OEM replacement parts, though the noise can sometimes return if the core design interaction isn't changed. This is a design flaw, using an aluminum snout/quill versus a steel snout. This issue is all over the internet, although when I called Toyota Brands, they said they cannot help me. This should be a recall item for Toyota to fix.
2026-08-23Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11758934
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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 rust/corrosion.
2026-06-18Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)
NHTSA ODI 11744979
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2026-06-04Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11741962
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Truck has 116k miles, started losing power and acceleration diminished. CEL and Trac Off light came on. Pulled over twice after experiencing same issue. Took to mechanic and diagnostic code P0301 (cylinder 1 misfire). Replaced 6 spark plugs to be safe, and replaced broken coil in cylinder 1. Drove less than a mile and CEL came back on. Brought to dealership this time and they found a leak in the head gasket and noticed warping in cylinder 1, along with code P0301 still present. They reported back to me stating it needed a machinist to resurface the the cylinder head, that the repair is mechanical. Even outside of warranty this fix should not be costing $13,000. The truck has been properly maintained for the past 9 years, all oil services and replacing any wear and tear items. Mechanical (warping) is manufacturing issues.
2026-06-01Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11741321
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Clear coat and paint began to oxidize and fade after 4 years of ownership even when maintaining with wax
2026-05-21Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11739290
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving, the engine revved lightly. Over time the vehicle began to lunge forward, and the revving had become more intense. The RPM increased and revved. While reversing, the vehicle lunged. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the map sensor and throttle body. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
2026-05-19Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11738731
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Water leak from cabin pressure vents behind rear seats. Water leaks directly into carpet causing unknown mold growth. This mold growth is a safety issue due to the cognitive and respiratory problems associated.
2026-05-01Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)
NHTSA ODI 11735232
CrashFireInjuryDeath
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.
2026-04-29Body / frame (STRUCTURE)Unclassified NHTSA leftover
NHTSA ODI 11734469
CrashFireInjuryDeath
My 2017 Tacoma extra cab has paint peeling around the both windows and both fenders. Toyota states the four door trucks are covered under the customer support program 23TE08 but the extra cabs are not. My truck currently has 13,500 miles. They need to include the extra cabs.

Toyota Tacoma Complaints and Recalls by Year

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

Owners named Transmission / driveline most often — 57 of 236 reports (24%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Transmission / driveline, Brakes, and Fuel system. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2017 Toyota Tacoma?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Have a shop drive it and check the transmission: hard or delayed shifts, burnt-smelling fluid, and 4WD engagement if equipped. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21
Supported range: 1,000–60,000 miles per year
Supported range: $1.50–$10.00 per gallon
55% city45% highway
Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources