2021 Tacomas - still good build quality?

I've been wanting to get a Tacoma for years and I've finally reached the financial position that I can do it.

Knowing that I'd be pulling the trigger soon I started reading forums about the trucks and was surprised and discouraged when I read about the poor sound of the stereo, glitchy collision warning system, vibration and rattling that the garage denies exists, and more. All of these comments said that Toyota has really dropped the ball on the 2021 build quality.
Frankly, it's turned me off on the truck a bit.
The whole reason I wanted a Tacoma was because everyone gushed over its reliability; that the truck will last for years and years with nothing more than typical maintenance.

Should I avoid 2021's and or other years? Does the Tacoma live up to the hype?
Thanks for your time and comments.

 

Get a manual and you’ll be good.


It’s all good otherwise.

Sound system is just ooook…

All problems get listed here right away. For each of those, there are 10-20 others - or more, going about their day without issue.

 

2021 Toyota Tacomas will have lowest reliability ratings. 2020 Toyota Tacomas will have the highest reliability ratings.

 

They're fine. All vehicles have quirks. Test drive before buying and don't expect a luxury vehicle.

 

Dont buy it, 3rd gen gets wet when it rains. Worst truck ever.

 

I bought a fully loaded off road in march and the only complaint that I really have is the speakers seem to kind of suck lol. other than that I have been loving it. Manual transmission too

 

3rd gen makes noise when you step on the gas, it's a POS.

 

What's wrong with the auto trans?

 

lol

 

I bought a 2021 off road 4x4 in March. Only complaint I have is the speakers aren't great. I don't get the searching for gears problem on cruise control going 75 even going up hill, vibrations, etc

 

I got my 2021 last February. I have no complaints so far. The more I drive it, the better it runs. No problem with gear shifting on my end. My Sienna SE does the same thing when going uphill and accelerating...etc. As for the speakers, it sounds perfect to me. With Sirius XM and a small cabin, I just don't want to ruin my eardrums this early. @Skuldugary Give it is test drive and ask around. It is your style of driving that will determine what kind of vehicle you will end up in the long term.

 

I have a 2021 SR and I hate the transmission in regular drive but putting the gear selector in S5 and ECT solves every issue. I love this truck.

 

The problem with the AT is neurotic shift points programmed into the ECM, ECU, TCU (or whatever the fuck) to make the EPA and green shit heads happy. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. The SR5 is the first AT vehicle I've ever owned and so far it doesn't bother me that much. The "electronically controlled transmission" or ECT button supposedly makes the trans behave more like a trans is supposed to behave but I haven't tried it yet.

My impressions after 600 miles are all positive. I enjoy the fuck out of driving it. The stock suspension was a bit "floaty and bouncy" but still comfy AF. I did the TRD lift and now it's better.

Reliability? I'll get back to you on that.

Like others have said, go drive one.

 

21 OR DC manual, not a complaint.

 

The stereo isn’t the best I’ve ever heard, but it sure isn’t the worst. Other than that, I haven’t had any of the issues you mentioned (or anything really) in the 7 months I’ve had my ‘21 OR 4x4 auto. There’s no loss of reliability or quaility in the ‘21 compared to the previous years of the 3rd gen Tacoma. In fact, the most problematic years by far were ‘16s and ‘17s while Toyota was still ironing out the issues of a new design. Year six into this generation, the ‘21 is arguably the most reliable year of the 3rd gen so far.

 

I just got a 2021 automatic TRD off road 2 weeks ago

I believe they have done some updates with the stock ECU which has helped with gear hunting issues and gear lagging in the automatics. I’ve put about 360 miles on it so far and it drives great. I don’t notice any issues with acceleration or getting up to speed/passing on the freeway. And I’m ranging from 20-21.5mpg in the city, which for me is about 70% street and 30% freeway driving

The only negative I hear from owners of new 2021’s is apparently it can gear hunt if trying to pass on an uphill at interstate speeds. Living in the flat az desert, I haven’t had a chance to confirm this

Despite not noticing ANY issues with the engine, I plan to get an OV Tune done as soon as the VF Tuner software is updated to work on my make (05/21). This is because I’m hearing not only does it boost MPG slightly, it also gives more low end torque. Even though I personally don’t notice it lacking, more is always better

in regards to the ride quality it’s nice on the roads with the TRD Off road shocks, no gripes there. The seat position is a commonly heard negative and I admit it was a bit uncomfortable until I used the electric adjusters to get the perfect tilt, seat back and seat distance. Having a complete full range due to the electric vs lever really helps when it comes to comfort. Now I have no issues with the position and I’m 6’0 225 lbs

In regards to the stereo, it’s better than my last vehicle’s /shrug. The only weird thing about it is it seems to come completely front-dominated stock; there’s like no sound coming from the backseat. I almost never have passengers and if I did they wouldn’t like my music anyway so I don’t care lol

All in all it’s been great

 

Exact same build quality as the 2nd gen, just more useless bells and whistles.

 

Good to GO!

 

The biggest and most critical issue it has, is simply that it is NOT a manual…



(I prefer manual transmissions… in anything - but that is just me…)

if you’d like the auto, then go for it. It will even be easier for you to find the right taco!