Owners have reported 6 crashes and 7 injuries to NHTSA for the 2020 Toyota Tacoma. These are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defect rates.
Owner complaints14
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the fuel pump, with symptoms including stalling, loss of power, and difficulty starting. These problems often occur while driving, sometimes at highway speeds, posing a potential safety risk due to sudden loss of vehicle control. Complaints commonly mention that these issues arise around 8,000 to 55,000 miles. Several owners express frustration that their vehicles are not covered under existing recalls, despite experiencing symptoms similar to those described in recall notices. Additionally, a few reports describe a persistent gasoline smell after driving, which may indicate a separate or related issue.
Owner complaints13
POWER TRAIN
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues related to the power train, with a common problem being a vibration or shudder during steady-speed driving, often attributed to the automatic transmission torque converter lock-up behavior. This symptom typically occurs at moderate speeds around 30-40 mph. Other complaints include unintended acceleration or loss of power, with some vehicles entering "limp mode" unexpectedly, which can be alarming during highway driving or merging into traffic. These issues are reported across various mileage ranges, with some occurring as early as 7,800 miles. Safety implications noted by owners include potential loss of control and unexpected vehicle behavior, though no accidents are mentioned in the complaints.
Owner complaints11
SERVICE BRAKES
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the service brakes, particularly involving brake fluid leaks from the master cylinder and inconsistent braking performance. Symptoms include brake pedals going to the floor, rear brake pads locking, and a lack of braking power that sometimes requires the use of the emergency brake. These issues are reported at various mileages, with some occurring as early as 1,000 miles. Safety implications are significant, with several owners describing near-miss situations due to sudden loss of braking power or brakes locking unexpectedly. These patterns suggest potential risks for buyers considering this model, especially if the vehicle has not been inspected or repaired for these specific brake issues.
Owner complaints6
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma frequently report issues with the electrical system, with common complaints involving problems with the vehicle's microphone, infotainment system, and battery. Symptoms described include non-functional microphones leading to distracted driving, infotainment systems turning on and off independently, and battery failures causing further electrical damage. Some owners report these issues occurring around 5,000 to 50,000 miles. Safety implications are noted in cases where electrical failures lead to vehicle shuddering, sudden loss of acceleration, and potential crashes. Additionally, multiple owners mention issues with soy-based wiring insulation attracting rodents, resulting in costly damage and potential driving hazards.
Owner complaints5
ENGINE
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma report several engine-related issues, with some indicating oil leaks from the timing chain cover, leading to potential engine inoperability at around 84,000 miles. Another common issue involves engine stalling while driving, sometimes without warning lights, occurring as early as 5,000 miles. Some complaints describe catastrophic engine failures, including engine seizure and the need for replacement, with incidents happening at low mileages like 1,200 and 1,400 miles. Safety concerns are evident, as these problems can result in loss of control, particularly when the vehicle stalls or the engine seizes while driving at highway speeds. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues and consider the associated repair costs and safety risks.
Owner complaints5
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma report issues with the vehicle's speed control, particularly involving the cruise control and collision avoidance systems. Complaints frequently mention the vehicle unexpectedly braking or decelerating, sometimes without any warning lights, while others describe unintended acceleration when cruise control is activated. These incidents often occur at highway speeds, with some owners noting occurrences around 20,000 miles. Safety concerns arise as these malfunctions could lead to potential rear-end collisions or loss of control, especially when the vehicle abruptly changes speed. Buyers should be aware of these reported issues, especially if considering a used model with similar mileage.
Owner complaints4
AIR BAGS
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma report issues with airbag deployment during accidents. Complaints frequently mention airbags failing to deploy in significant crashes, as noted in two incidents where occupants were injured, one involving a T-bone collision at 35 mph and another at 50 mph in foggy conditions. Another report details a side curtain airbag deploying at an unusual angle during a low-speed incident, causing injury to the driver. These incidents occur at varying mileages, from as low as 3,600 miles to around 45,000 miles. Safety implications include injuries from the lack of airbag deployment and improper airbag deployment, which potential buyers should consider when evaluating this vehicle.
Severity signals: 3 crash, 0 fire, 4 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STRUCTURE
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma report two main structural issues. Multiple owners describe water leakage through pressure release vents mounted on the rear of the cab during rainstorms, leading to mold buildup in the carpet. Another complaint involves the hood vibrating at higher speeds, which can reflect sunlight and create a strobe light effect that potentially blinds the driver. These issues are reported without specific mileage, but the symptoms suggest potential safety implications, particularly with the hood vibration affecting driver visibility. Buyers considering a used model should be aware of these structural concerns.
Owner complaints2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Owners of the 2020 Toyota Tacoma report issues with the vehicle's collision avoidance systems, specifically in scenarios involving backing up. Complaints frequently mention the backup pre-collision system failing to issue warnings or automatically stop the vehicle, as expected, when an obstacle is present. Two reported incidents involve crashes, with one resulting in injuries, highlighting potential safety implications. These issues do not specify mileage, suggesting they may occur at various points in the vehicle's lifespan. Used car buyers should be aware of these reported failures in the collision avoidance features when considering this model.
Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 2 injury reports
Owner complaints2
STEERING
Owners report issues with the steering on the 2020 Toyota Tacoma, primarily involving the steering wheel pulling to one side. One complaint describes the steering wheel turning permanently to the left even when driving straight, with alignment service only temporarily resolving the issue before it reoccurs, typically after about 500 miles. Another owner notes that when reversing and turning the steering wheel, the engine surges, making the vehicle difficult to control in tight spaces. These issues suggest potential safety implications, such as difficulty maintaining vehicle control, but no crashes or injuries are reported.
