Consumer reports Tacoma review

I just picked up an issue of Consumer Reports and saw they are showing the Tacomas not getting favorable reviews over transmission and engine problems with Toyota scoring the lowest marks on their 2018 models. They didnt specify if it was the 4 or 6 cylinder engines which I have both. Im sure they are using the same transmission as well with the two engines. Really disappointed having to read that. I am mow wondering which engine is the culprit. My 2013 V6 has been flawless with 67000 miles so far. My 17 4 cylinder at 30000 has had 0 issues.

 

It’s probably the fuel pump issues and the automatics lazy and sometimes crazy transmission.

Nobody buying a Toyota cares what consumers reports says. Only people that do care of that magazine’s opinions will end up buying a Mazda or Buick.

 

Yet they're gushing over the yet to be proven 2022 Tundra. I take CR, along with C&D & MT with a generous amount of salt. The only site I trust is Edmunds; they've been pretty much spot on for a number of years.

 

Consumer reports lost credibility a long time ago. I wouldnt fret.

 

I aint even mad....

 

Consumer reports has always had it out for the Tacoma

 

To venture away from the above comments about the credibility of consumer reports:

What it comes down to is the people who are merely upset with the way the truck shifts. It isn't unreliable or flawed and isn't specific to the engine. Some say a tune helps while others, like me, don't notice issues which may be related to the ECU learning.

 

Exactly, probably joint owned now by GM and Ford.

 

Who cares what CR says? You like it or no?

 

I have a similar opinion with those same three automotive journals/magazines...I lean towards a low-sodium diet, and generally I don't bother with those to begin with...

[OP], I suggest just to spend the mental energy of worrying after something does need fixing/replacing; otherwise, keep up the good work you have been doing maintaining your vehicles

 

Weeeeeird. We never see any complaints about engines or transmissions on those around here.

 

Consumer Reports hated my 2013 4Runner for everything I liked about it.

I only traded it because I just missed my Tacoma…. If I had any complaints about my Tacoma it is that it does have the same engine and transmission that consumer reports bitched about in my ‘13 4Runner

 

They aren't wrong from an unbiased POV they are simply reporting the early issues people have had with their truck. And when Tacoma came out there were issues in the first few years with many TSBs for example.

Just because it's a Tacoma and we are on a Tacoma forum, people will say they aren't credible. You will find the same responses on any single forum where that forum's vehicle gets an unfavorable review. Just human nature. If you're truly worried about a vehicle's reliability you have to do much more research from multiple sources to get educated.

 

The complaints are never that something is actually broken or has stopped working though.

 

The other issue is "expectations." For example, Jeep is always highly rated by CR despite being one of the least reliable brands out there

 

Most of the complaints are from those who confused the names Tacoma & Testarossa.

 

Ya. Looking at the page they have on the 2018 Tacoma, looks like it has good reliability rating overall, but there’s a litany of complaints about the fuel pump and the shifting.

 

Depends on what year. OP references a 2018. I would expect this day in age very few makes to have actual reliability issues under 5 years old. So then the expectations are how does it function day to day and does it meet ease of use and performance expectations. Crappy shifting and lugging along or poor infotainment would likely lead the list of complaints that early on.

I'm not familiar with CR and if they rate cars that are much older, but if they do I would expect true reliability to come out then.

 

When I read Consumer Reports I am looking at the long term reliablity they post. New cars are seldom problematic the first 2 years. I saw someone made a comment about Mazdas a few posts back. I just bought a new CX5 based on what they and everyone else were saying. Couldnt convince my wife to stay with Toyota after they refused to replace leaking struts on our Sienna that were leaking at 20000 miles. Kept saying it was a seep. Warrenty ended the seep became a leak. Also left my Tacoma sit for 2 months because they kept sending the wrong parts after I hit a deer. The body shop even told me to take the truck home because it was in the way. Lets see if CR is right about Mazda.

 

As far as Jeeps go the Jeep is pretty good.