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Toyota Specialist Says, “I’ve Found Numerous Build Quality Issues In the New Tacomas, When Was the Last Year Toyota Built a High-Quality Tacoma?”

YotaVerse knows Toyota like the back of his hand. He specializes in upgrading newer Tacoma, Tundra, and 4Runners. In the last few years, he has seen a drop in the Tacoma's build quality. Check out quality issues he finds in the interior and exterior. 

Does Toyota have build quality issues with the Tacoma?

That's the question some Tacoma truck owners are asking, and Toyota specialist Yotaverse (@yotaverse) says he sees it as he works on the truck in his shop. Yotaverse, a Toyota accessory company, has been around since 2016, and he knows a quality product when he sees it. 

And visa versa. 

He asks this question in his recent TikTok video. "When was the last year that Toyota built a high-quality Tacoma?" 

Over the last few years, he has seen the quality of the Tacoma truck decline. It's been gradual, but it has dropped off nonetheless. 

He asks the question because he sees fit and finish issues with the newer Tacoma. Most are inside the cabin. In the video, he shows a 2024 Tacoma and points out its interior quality flaws. 

In the video, I can hear him saying, "I have found numerous build quality issues in the new Tacomas. Let me show you." 

The first issue is the loose-fitting glove box cover. 

As the camera rolls, "Tacoma build quality issues" is the overlay. The Toyota specialist pushes the glove box cover back and forth, revealing the glove box door doesn't fit properly. He jiggles the door back and forth as it moves a quarter of an inch in and out, suggesting the fit and finish is clearly inferior.

The door handle is loose.

As the Yotaverse tech continues, he holds Tacoma's door handle as if anyone were grabbing it to shut the door. The door handle moves back and forth, showing the gap between the handle and the upper frame that houses the window switch and door lock. 

The seat release tab hangs loose. 

Next, he shows the small tab that comes out the side of the Tacoma's front seat.  The seat release lever, when pulled, allows the driver to easily move the seat forward or backward to access the rear passenger area or adjust your driving position more comfortably. He holds the tab, flips it up, and lets it fall down against the seat. He's not impressed with how it simply hangs there. 

The center console is loose.

He then shows the center console, unlatches it, and raises it upright. He moves the console cover back and forth from side to side, revealing that it doesn't fit tight enough to keep it from jiggling even when closed.  It also moves more than a quarter of an inch. 

The upper door armrest is loose.

At the top of the door near the truck's window, he jiggles the piece and it easily moves up and down. Again, he shows that the workmanship was poor when constructing the door.

Below the armrest is a small cubby in the door for storing small items. The whole door assembly is made of plastic, and the front part has holes. He easily moves the piece back and forth. If it's pulled much farther, it would break. 

Finally, he moves to the exterior of the truck. Right next to the Toyota logo, he demonstrates that the truck's front grill, which is also made of plastic, can be pulled out when pulled on.

Are all Toyota Tacoma owners unhappy?

Several users commented on the video, and the responses were diverse. While not everyone agreed that the quality of the Tacoma has slipped, there were more positive comments than negative.

cjhud3232 - 2024 Tacoma here … and absolutely zero of those problems.

Yoru Okami - 2020 Tacoma owner here, and I have none of these issues!?!?

ybncorona - My 2023 is rock solid

However there are a number of owners who agree about the build quality issues showcasing the range of experiences and opinions among Tacoma owners.

fearlchristman - My 2020 Toyota Tundra Platinum had the "leather" on the driver's door melt! How does leather melt in 83° weather? I paid for leather but got something that's not leather.

J. Dillinger - I bought a brand new Tacoma once! Never make that mistake Again! I sold it and bought myself a used F-150. I have been beyond satisfied with my F-150. It has more room, and the built quality is great!

Ayanna - I work for Toyota. Not gonna lie; it just isn't the same (smh).

Ab Gonzalez - They're using very cheap plastics that break easily. I have a 2023 Tundra. I got it brand new with 4 miles on it, now 8,000 miles, and the seat is BROKE!!

Brandon Lewis - Welcome to the club. I own a 23 tundra and it rattles and makes all kinds of noise. On top of the catastrophic engine failure recall!

user25549751346 - My 2024 Tacoma transmission has died twice.

Speaking of the Tacoma transmissions, does the Tacoma with the 8-speed transmission also have problems?

In my earlier report, I said that Toyota had not officially recalled the Tacoma for transmission issues. However, some owners are reporting problems.  

One of my readers, P. H., wrote, "I have a 2024 Tacoma SR5, bought pretty much out of the gate. It has been a migraine since. The transmission shifts rough and slips constantly, at 5,000 miles."

"Bad alignment from the factory, the steering wheel faces about 20-30 degrees to the left to go straight with 7 miles on the odometer, and dealer claims they can't see a problem and won't fix it." 

"Hypersensitive automatic collision prevention, slamming the brakes on me on the highway when oncoming traffic is slightly too close to the line, etc., also prevents me from driving through tall grass, slamming the brake on me randomly." 

"Absolutely the worst truck I've ever had. Worst car I've ever had. Pray a meteor falls on it every day."

Another reader, Mark Berinsky, says, "I purchased a 2024 Toyota Tacoma SR the day before Thanksgiving. On the drive home from the dealership, I noticed a rocker arm/lifter/valve rattling as soon as I entered the interstate. I'm not sure which, but it sounds more like a rocker arm. My particular model has an i-force 2.4 4cyl. Turbo. And I also have the eight-speed tranny this article speaks of." 

"I promptly took it back to the dealer with 400 miles on it and was brushed off, being told it was normal. It's making this noise consistently every time I drive it. Very disappointed. I traded a quality vehicle for this one, and I'm already considering getting rid of it."

Where is the Toyota Tacoma pickup manufactured? The Taco is built in Mexico (pun intended).

In late 2021, Toyota moved all Tacoma pickup production from San Antonio, Texas, to its plant in Baja, Mexico.

Hagerty says that the Tacoma is currently built in two manufacturing facilities. The first is the Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California facility in Tijuana, Mexico, which has been assembling Tacomas since 2004. 

The second Mexico-based plant tasked with building the Tacoma is located in Guanajuato, Mexico. That plant's Tacoma line began running in December of 2019.

I will ask the question. Has Tacoma's quality slipped since then? 

So, I'll also ask you the same question that YotaVerse asked. 

When was the last year Toyota built a high-quality Tacoma? Do you own a newer Tacoma? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and tell us about your truck.

Check out my Toyota quality report titled: Toyota is Desperately Trying to Stop Their Brand Image From Taking a Straight Dumpster Dive, Now The Tacoma Transmissions Are Failing

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReportAll Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierlFacebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via YotaVerse 

Comments

John Andrews (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 12:33PM

My 2021 Tacoma sport with 44,000 miles is fine. No issues. I've owned two RAV and still have the second on.2010 with 238,000 miles. Never been in any shop except to put new shocks on the front. All the other things like spark plugs . Oil changes. Brakes I do myself. Still drives nice but I wanted something with less miles.

Danny Tillotson (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 1:07PM

I purchased a 2024 Toyota Tacoma TRD Offroad and have not had any of the issues talked about in this article! To this point I am perfectly satisfied with my truck!!

Robert Kubit (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 1:09PM

I’ve purchased new Tacomas 2022, 2017, 2012, 2007, 1995. I don’t think Toyota small trucks were called Tacomas before that. I bought a few of those too. Diehard fan, all were manual transmission. All great trucks, including my favorite 1995 with 3000,000 miles bought back by Toyota for $8000 due to rust issues. My 2022 has none of the issues mentioned in the article. I wish though it had a CD player.

Ed Fisher (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 2:47PM

I have 16 taco sport TRD 4 x 4 with the V6 I tow a boat I tow a 3000 pound travel trailer. It works great all vehicles have a quirk one thing I would say as of today I would never ever buy a four banger with a turbo I don’t give a crap what they say. There’s no replacement for displacement. Have a good day

Terry Eggert (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 4:47PM

I bought a 17 taco brand new. It is the worst truck I have ever owned. I previously owned 6 other tacoma trucks. There was a recall on the heater fan. No issue for me, but had it done. The new fan is noisy. When in cruise control the auto transmission just keeps shifting up and down constantly when on a hill. The ac compressor went out at 45000 miles. I rarely used it. One or more of the tpms sensors went out in the same period. I never had so many problems with a taco.

srdtaco24 (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 7:10PM

2024 Tacoma OR with 10,000+ miles including roundtrip FLA to Montana. Many of those miles were off road -- unpaved, wash-boarded and rocky two-tracks. Some miles were cross-country open terrain, no road at all. Have also towed a 4,000 lbs center-console boat hundreds of miles. Bought new, all stock truck with zero defects.

Zacheriah hernandez (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 9:47PM

Iv recently traded a 2021 chevy silverado for a 2021 tacoma it's more simple not all dolled up with little fancy things like the chevy was but it feels more solid it's only gotten 37000 on it and my only complaint is the speedometer gets stuck every so often when deceleration happens other than that I had one back in 09 and had to have another one great on gas and over all still impressed with the little yoda

David McMurray (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 10:01PM

Brought a new 2022 TRD Pro (electric lime metallic). I've only put 15k miles on it. So far, it's not had any problems. Sure, when using the cruise on the interstate, it will usually downshift at least twice every minor hill, and sometimes three times. The gas mileage is poor, and the tank size is small, just not as bad as the 2024. I haven't noticed any fit and finish problems. Overall, I'm still pleased with it.

Barry Craft (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 11:17PM

I'm on my 3rd Taco. My first was a 2010, then a 2016, and now a 2020. I'm a collision repair tech, so I'm quite well versed on what quality looks and feels like. I've only had 1 warranty claim in almost 15 years of Tacoma ownership. I now have a 2025 on order. Looking forward to enjoying the new one. Each new generation is a little different, so it's just a matter of getting used to the new designs. Love me some Tacos!!

Allith Galaviz (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 11:25PM

Toyota has stopped building reliable cars since early 2000's. The pedal problem was just the beginning to a long list of problems. BRZ/AE is not built in Mexico, and neither is the Corolla gazu, the transmission is not built in Mexico either. If you think its a Mexico problem then you might want to get your head examined. "The only place in North America that builds engines, transmissions and hybrid transaxles under one roof is Toyota West Virginia." You can bitch all you want, but don't do the stupid nativists stance. The US has produced plenty of crap, like the leveraged buy-outs.

Sharon Shalewa (not verified)    January 11, 2025 - 11:38PM

I have a 2024 Tacoma TRD offroad, was built in May 2024 and I purchased beginning of July 2024. Absolutely NO issues with the truck, I love it and am so glad I purchased it. This was my first "brand new" vehicle and I definitely made the right choice with this truck.

A. Nonny Mouse (not verified)    January 12, 2025 - 12:01PM

In reply to by Sharon Shalewa (not verified)

I have a 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR with almost 15,000 miles on the odometer. It has been trouble free and the interior is fine, but the paint job is terrible and uneven, and is peeling off in some places.

Chuck (not verified)    January 12, 2025 - 4:48AM

I purchased a 2023 Tacoma in November of 22 after the 2015 Chevy Silverado I purchased brand new had to have an engine replacement due to the ATF system causing lifter failure. Still waiting for the class action lawsuit.So far no issues at all with the Tacoma at 20,000 miles... Rock solid so far.

Bill Umbaugh (not verified)    January 12, 2025 - 7:17AM

Absolutely no problems with 2023 V-6, from Montana, great on ice. Owned Toyota pickups since 1981. I might have got lucky, heard a lot of issues with the 24. To bad, was a great product for years!

Rob s (not verified)    January 12, 2025 - 8:27AM

I bought a 22 tacoma TRD off road had it for almost 3 years no issues at all. Traded for a 24 Tacoma TRD off road and absolutely love it. Haven't noticed any quality issues and is my favorite truck I've ever owned. Tows my dual axle trailer with tractor on it better than my Ford f350.

Charlie Foxtrot (not verified)    January 12, 2025 - 8:48AM

I bought a 2014 Tacoma brand new. I change the oil every 5000 miles, new tires and battery since 2014. Driver door armrest has developed a crack. I have literally no complaints what so ever. I must have bought the last decent Tacoma.

Mr. D (not verified)    January 13, 2025 - 1:27PM

I bought a 2018 TRD Off Road - manual trans. I have driven manuals since the 60's and this one was extremely notchy and would grind at times. It also developed a weird coolant leak at the front of the engine at 11K miles due to a defective O ring in the plastic coolant manifold. The dealer had never seen this failure before. Luckily, I sold it during covid for more than I paid when prices were going crazy. I won't buy a turbo 4 or a hybrid powertrain and the prices now are just ridiculous. My 1999 Tacoma will do for now.