Toyota Tundra and Tacoma Owners Proudly Compete for High Mileage Honors

When you think of the Toyota brand, you might first think of its reputation for quality and dependability and reliability over the course of 10 to 15 years. Statistically speaking, a Toyota is as close to a mechanical sure thing as any other automotive brand on the market.

In fact, Road & Track recently looked at the Top 15 vehicles in the automotive industry that original owners keep for 15 years or longer. You may or not be surprised to learn that Toyota occupied 10 of those 15 coveted slots.

Six of the top 7 slots went to Toyota, including the Toyota Highlander taking the top spot. Think about owning the same vehicle for 15 years or more, and what an amazing accomplishment that is for most drivers. That is incredible. Landing solidly in the Top 5 was Toyota Tundra. Many of us know how passionate and fiercely loyal Tundra owners are to their trucks and to their brand.

According to the study, 14.1% of original Tundra owners keep their trucks for 15 years or longer. This got me to thinking about actual real-life people and the trucks they drive and become part of their families.

Toyota Tundra trucks with high miles

I observed a discussion on high mileage vehicles with members of a large online Toyota Tundra forum. I was surprised, but I guess not all that surprised, to hear of the longevity and reliability that Tundra trucks, as well as other Toyota models, have over the long haul. Just look at some of the responses from proud Toyota Tundra owners.

- “2001 Tundra with 433k. Still an awesome truck.”
- “2008 Tundra is at 309,765 miles. And still a long way to go. Mine runs like new.”
- “My 2000 Tundra....280,000 miles.”
- “01 Tundra with 382k original miles”
- “My 03 Tundra 256,547, it’s my 1st Tundra I love it, runs like a champ.”
- “2013 Tundra 296,000 miles”
- “06 Tundra 228,000 miles”
- “2008 Tundra 4x4 247,000 miles”
- “2012 Tundra TRD 262k never a problem”

And then there was this exchange between two Tundra forum members. Person 1: “2012 Crew Cab Platinum with 136k and running great.” Person 2: “That's low mileage for a Tundra.” Person 3: “Is just breaking in. Some people I know with Chevy, Ford and Dodge are panicking about their trucks at 150k. I’m not worried. Lol. Great trucks, I only own Toyotas. Love them!

Also, let’s not forget about our friend Victor Sheppard in Louisiana, who had over 1 Million Miles on his 2007 Tundra when Toyota offered to buy it back to study it.

Toyota Tacoma can run up the miles too

- “2007 Tacoma. She’s up to 470,000 now.”
- “1998 Tacoma with 350k”
- “My husband just traded his 2006 Tacoma with 366,000 miles.”
- “2008 Tundra 5.7L 250k miles and 1999 Tacoma 450k miles.”

Perhaps the most famous Toyota Tacoma of all belongs to Mike Neal from North Carolina. Mike has logged over 1.2 million miles with his 2008 Tacoma Access Cab. Over 1.2 million miles! If you think the mileage itself is impressive, you should see the “billboard” he keeps on the back of his Tacoma at all times. This is the best free advertising for Toyota overall durability the company could ever ask for.

Watch The Man Behind the 1.2 Million Mile Tacoma and Click Here To Subscribe to TorqueNews Youtube Channel for Daily Auto Analysis.

All Toyota models can have high mileage

What was most interesting to me were the owners of multiple Toyota vehicles and how they are still going strong with hundreds of thousands of miles of windshield time.

- “2007 Prius with 312,000! Original battery!”
- “08 4Runner with 210k and 250k on the 94 Land Cruiser.”
- “Road trip this week … 200K on 2006 Sequoia running perfectly!”
- “My co-worker has an 02 Camry with 358k miles.”
- “97 4Runner with 318k miles.”
- “2011 Sienna van with 221k.”
- “2000 Toyota Camry with 289,015.”
- “02 Camry with 305k.”
- “2006 Corolla with 237,000.”
- “2000 Toyota Sienna van with 386,000 miles original motor and original transmission.
- “02 Camry LE 420,000 original motor & transmission.”
- “My best was a 95 Camry 568k sold it still running.”
- “315k on 05 Tundra, 190k with 12 Camry and only one non-maintenance repair between them!”
- “2013 CrewMax Tundra with 108k, 2001 Avalon with 280k and 1999 4Runner with 320k.”

These personal accounts only add to the mythology that is Toyota quality, reliability and dependability. This is reason #1 people consider and buy the Toyota brand.

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I think one of the forum members, Michael, summed things up nicely in a way I had not previously considered. “I don’t think you can consider a Toyota high mileage until you hit a half million.” Well played, sir. Well played.

Thanks for reading my story everyone. Please bookmark Torque News Toyota News/Reviews here for my latest news in the world of everything Toyota. See you in the next story in which I will discuss Why You Need Traction Control in Your 2019 Toyota Tacoma and When to Turn It Off.

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and Instagram. Twitter @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.