Toyota Tacoma 2nd Generation 2005-2015 Review

There were two facelifts during the Tacoma's production run - a very minor one for the 2009 model year and a more comprehensive one for 2012. The general design of the interior remained largely unchanged.

The 2009 Tacoma is basically unchanged at the front, with a barely noticeable nip and tuck to the radiator grille on some models¹. The headlight clusters are the same but on the 2009 TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport, and X-Runner trims, they have a smoked finish².

More substantial changes can be seen on the 2012 model, which retains its pyramidal grille shape, but flattened out and slimmer¹, and with the pyramidal theme repeated in the new bumper below it². The fog-light slots are no longer round but angular³. The headlight clusters are brand-new⁴; the Tacoma loses its wide-eyed visage in exchange for slimmer light units with slots cut out of their lower halves where the lights meet the grille and turn signals integrated into their upper halves, above these slots.

The only change to the back of the 2009 facelift is new taillights that lose the all-red treatment in exchange for contrasting clear-and-red lenses. The brake lights retain the circular motif but are white, while the LEDs illuminate in red. The turn signals and backup lights retain their incandescent bulbs¹.

2012 models look virtually identical from behind and retain the LED brake lights¹, but revert to all-red light clusters on the lower trims, with the clear center semi-circle containing the brake lights retained for the upper trims.

From the side, the 2009 facelift looks the same as the old model, save for the two-tone taillights¹ and new available wheel designs².

Few of the 2012 facelift's changes can be spotted in profile, other than the all-red taillights and different front-bumper treatment¹, as well as changes to wheel designs².

The 2009 facelift is virtually identical to the 2008 model, save for an updated standard audio system¹. The Access Cab models have a redesigned rear seat and power windows.

The 2012 model received a substantial interior freshening with a moderately restyled dash¹ and new steering wheel designs². Satin-silver vertical steering-wheel spokes are echoed in the satin-silver uprights on either side of the center stack that contains the restyled air vents³; said center stack is notable for its new audio system with larger display screens⁴. The gauge cluster retains its general layout, but with updated dials sporting contrasting white rings for the numerals ⁵. The 2014 models can clearly be distinguished from other years on the inside, thanks to a standard 6.1-inch infotainment screen, even on base models.

The 2nd-gen Toyota Tacoma was only ever offered with two gas engines and these remain the same from day one until the third generation launched. The first is a 2.7-liter inline-four with 164/159 hp and the other is a 4.0-liter V6 with 245/236 hp. Being a truck, both RWD and 4WD drivetrains are available. The four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission; 2WD models with both transmissions and a 2WD automatic were available from the start, with the 4WD automatic only added for the 2011 model year. From beginning to end, the V6 was available with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission with either 2WD or 4WD.

The four-cylinder engine is often praised for its efficiency and 25 mpg on the highway for the base manual truck is no mean feat. Even the other models do well and all except the 4WD V6 manual manage to top or beat 20 mpg on the highway. Generally speaking, owner-submitted real-world fuel economy figures are in line with EPA combined estimates. The notable exception is the four-cylinder 4WD automatic, which cannot match its combined EPA estimate in the real world. This suggests that it is an underpowered package that struggles with the added weight of the 4WD system and the old-fashioned four-speed automatic transmission, and has to be driven hard to offer anything resembling acceptable performance. All Tacomas have the same 21.1-gallon gas-tank size and, in terms of distance traveled on a tankful on the combined cycle, they range from a best of 464 miles to a worst of 358 miles.

* Real-world mpg and MPGe figures are provided by the EPA. Once a car has been on sale for a significant period of time, the EPA gets real-world figures directly from the customer base. These figures are then provided on the EPA website. Real-world figures are not available for certain models due to a lack of sales, or not enough people partaking in this after-sales survey.

Safety standards weren't terribly high when the second-generation Tacoma saw the light of day and items such as backup cameras and stability control were not yet compulsory equipment as they are today. As such, the only safety features standard across the board on the 2005 Tacoma are ABS brakes with brake assist and two front airbags. Stability control, side- and curtain airbags, hill-start assist, and downhill assist were all on the options list - but at least they were available, so you'll have to check which of these have been fitted. Some safety options were exclusive to some body styles or drivetrains. The 2006 models have standard tire-pressure monitoring. Stability control, traction control, side airbags, curtain airbags, active front headrests, and a limited-slip differential are standard on all 2009 Tacomas.

The second-gen Tacoma initially did very well in the NHTSA's crash tests, scoring five stars for the frontal and side crash tests and four stars for the rollover test under the less-strict pre-2011 criteria. It held up quite well when the stricter test standards came into force and the 2011 Tacoma still boasts a good four-star overall rating, with a marginal three stars for the frontal crash, but five for the side crash and four for the rollover test. The last 2015 second-gen Tacoma crept up to four-star frontal-crash ratings on the Access Cab and Regular Cab.

The second-generation Toyota Tacoma comes in Regular Cab, extended Access Cab, and Double Cab body styles, two bed lengths, four transmission choices, two engine choices, and in either 2WD or 4WD. Each trim comprises some combination of the above with a varying specification level. Crew Cabs can be had with the V6 engine only but the other body styles can be had with either engine. The basic trims are Base, PreRunner, and X-Runner. The SR5 is sometimes seen as a trim, but is actually an option pack, as are the TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road packages. In fact, most options come in the form of option packages that are added onto existing trims, with the Base trim acting as a blank canvas. All manner of standalone extras can be added to create your own special trim, so few Tacomas from this generation are identical.

More standard features were added over the years, such as tire-pressure monitoring for 2006 and revised audio units for 2007. For 2009, all audio units were upgraded again and all trims have stability control and side and curtain airbags, while the power accessories are standard on the Access Cab for 2009 models, along with a redesigned rear seat. All 2011 Tacomas have standard air-conditioning and Regular Cab 4WD models have front bucket seats, while satellite radio is standard on all trims fitted with the six-CD changer head unit. More options became available, notably the T|X and T|X Pro packages that could be added to TRD-equipped Tacomas with the V6 and Double Cab or Access Cab bodies; the former adds black 16-inch alloys, tubular side steps, and other styling tweaks, while the latter also adds a cat-back exhaust on top of that. These packages are based on the previous year's Tacoma concepts shown at SEMA. You'll have to check which packages have been fitted.

The 2012 Tacoma has better tech yet again, with Bluetooth and USB ports available and the V6 models benefiting from Toyota's optional Display Audio and the Entune infotainment system that enables smartphone-controlled voice commands, navigation, internet music streaming, and HD radio. The 2013 Limited package contains the Convenience and SR5 packages, as well as 18-inch alloys, an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a backup camera, and heated leatherette front seats. For 2014, the Entune infotainment system is standard on all trims in any of four levels and the image of the optional backup camera is displayed on the infotainment screen, instead of on the rearview mirror. Even the Base 2014 trim has a 6.1-inch touchscreen. An SR appearance package essentially took the place of the discontinued X-Runner trim and could be specced onto any Tacoma PreRunner or 4WD model. For 2015, there is no Regular Cab Tacoma body style anymore and the TRD Pro package replaces the TRD TX Baja. You'll have to check very carefully which of the myriad of extra packages and standalone features have been added to a Tacoma because the combinations are endless. The TRD Pro Series trim joined the lineup for 2015 only.

Throughout the 11 model years that the second-gen Toyota Tacoma were for sale, its interior was updated with many new safety and luxury features, but never properly redesigned, retaining the same basic layout and materials throughout. While this was perfectly acceptable in the beginning, the Tacoma was falling well behind the times by the time the final 2015 model rolled by. There are plenty of brittle plastics on display and while there is a good amount of space to settle down in, the seats are mounted too low to the floor. Also giving away its age is the Entune infotainment system, which can be difficult to fathom compared to more modern rivals' systems.

The backward-opening rear doors of the Access Cab add practicality, but any passengers you put back there will be cramped, given the measly 28.2 inches of rear legroom. At least the Double Cab offers over four inches more rear legroom. Overall, it's a rather mundane interior composed of workmanlike plastics and lifted only slightly by the available leatherette upholstery upgrades and infotainment screen. At least everything is bolted down securely and we already know Tacomas are hardy trucks that can run for many thousands of miles.

Toyota stipulates that the oil and oil filter on the 2nd generation Tacoma should be replaced every 5,000 miles and if you stick to this schedule, you should be able to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles on either of the two engines. These minor lube services typically cost less than $200 at an independent dealership. The spark plugs, cabin filter, and engine air filter are due every 30,000 miles and these larger services usually work out at around $800 a pop, since a lot more vital systems are checked at the same time. We would change the transmission fluid at least every 60,000 miles at a cost of around $250 to ensure the longevity of the automatic transmission.

With proper care, reliability is a given on the Tacoma, but consider flushing and refilling the cooling system from time to time to keep it in top shape, as the V6 has a tendency to eat a head gasket every now and again if neglected. Besides that and the odd occasional cracked exhaust manifold or leaky water pump on the four-cylinder, there are no mechanical deal-breakers to keep you up at night.

Technical Service Bulletins according to the NHTSA. Check service book for:

Toyota was conservative in the design of the 2nd-gen Tacoma and took no chances. The mechanicals are tried and tested, the engines are naturally aspirated, and there is no sign of advanced technology such as turbocharging or direct injection that might have been cutting-edge but unreliable back when the Tacoma was launched. There are a few weak spots, such as frame rust in rust-belt states, weak rear leaf springs, and quite a lot of issues with the radio/infotainment system, with 2009 being the worst year for this issue. There were quite a lot of 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma recalls too, but those problems should have been taken care of for free long ago and even if they weren't, Toyota will still fix the problems if you bring the vehicle in.

The rear leaf springs are weak and may flatten out and break when hauling and towing, potentially punching a hole in the gas tank. In a 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma leaf spring recall, Toyota recalled more than 710,000 2005-2011 Tacomas to replace their rear leaf springs. In one of the biggest 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 Toyota Tacoma safety recall notices, nearly half a million Tacomas were recalled to replace airbag spiral clock-spring cables that may fail. In several other airbag-related recalls, many 2005, 2006, and 2010 Tacomas were recalled to have airbag inflators, wiring, and cabling replaced that may cause airbags to fail or deploy improperly. Some 2005-2010 Tacomas were also recalled for loose seat-belt screws, while there were various recalls for incorrect load-information labels.

One of the biggest recalls was for pedal entrapment, where Toyota issued recalls affecting 2005-2010 Tacomas for floor mats that may trap the accelerator pedal in the open position, as well as faulty pedals; another pedal-related recall covered faulty parking-brake pedals on 2005 Tacomas. Additional recalls were for faulty seat heaters that may pose a fire risk on 2006-2011 Tacomas, driveshaft failures on 2007 Tacomas, incorrectly calibrated tire-pressure monitoring systems on 2008-2011 Tacomas, and incorrectly calibrated occupant-sensing systems on 2009-2012 Tacomas. The 2012 and 2013 Toyota Tacoma recalls for faulty brake-actuator assemblies were issued because they may disable the ABS and ESC systems. Some 2013 and 2014 Tacomas could suffer broken valve springs that may lead to an engine stall and there were recalls for 2012 and 2013 Tacomas' incorrect spare-wheel lug nuts and 2011-2015 Tacomas' accessories such as the hood scoops or running boards detaching in an accident. Finally, the 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 recalls covered possible rear propeller shaft failure.

Here are some typical 2nd-generation Toyota Tacoma OBD2 error codes:

• The Toyota Tacoma code P0022 is for over-retarded bank-two camshaft timing and could be caused by dirty oil, a faulty oil-control valve, or problems with the variable valve timing or ECM
• The 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma engine code P0031 is a generic motor-industry code for a problem with the oxygen (O2) sensors, in this case, a low bank-one, sensor-one heater-control circuit, possibly caused by a problem with the O2 sensor, the ECM, or the wiring.
• The Toyota Tacoma engine code P0102 means the mass airflow (MAF) sensor's circuit is low and that it is functioning outside its normal operating range, usually indicating a problem with the sensor being faulty or dirty, but it can also be due to an intake manifold leak or clogged catalytic converter.
• The Toyota Tacoma 2.7 4-cylinder engine code P0171 or P0174 indicates problems with the fuel mixture strength and both of these are for over-lean mixtures, possibly caused by a leaking intake manifold, other vacuum leaks, or a problem with the MAF sensor. The Toyota Tacoma code P2441 may also be present in the case of a vacuum leak.
• The Toyota Tacoma V6 4.0L code P0333 or P0420 code refers to problems with the emissions-control system. P0333 refers to a knock sensor two high input, which can be caused by a faulty or shorted knock sensor or a faulty ECM. P0420 refers to catalyst efficiency being below threshold, which can be caused by a bad O2 sensor or catalyst, or by an exhaust leak.
• The Toyota Tacoma 2.7L code P0335 indicates a crankshaft position sensor A circuit malfunction, which may be caused by a bad sensor or sensor wiring or a problem with the reluctor ring.
• The Toyota Tacoma code P0441, P1442, or P0456 indicates that there are problems with the evaporative emissions-control (EVAP) system. P0441 refers to an incorrect purge-flow rate in the system. P1442 and P0456 indicate that the system has a leak.
• The Toyota Tacoma P0500 VSS code indicates that something is wrong with the vehicle speed sensor (VSS) or that the incorrectly sized tires have been fitted to the vehicle.
• The Toyota Tacoma engine code P2714, P0705, or P0756 indicate problems related to the automatic transmission. P2714 means that there is a problem with pressure-control solenoid D, probably due to a faulty shift-solenoid valve SLT. P0705 means that there is a transmission range sensor malfunction, possibly due to a faulty, maladjusted, or shorted Park/Neutral position switch, and P0756 means that there is a shift solenoid B performance issue, possibly due to a problem with the solenoid itself or due to low or dirty transmission fluid.
• The Toyota Tacoma engine code P1604 indicates that there is an engine-starting problem.
• The Toyota Tacoma P1609 code indicates that there is an engine-immobilizer problem.

Some 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma problems are not very common but do occur from time to time and bear mention here. Some systems are largely trouble-free and to this end, 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma road-handling, steering-box, Bluetooth, brake, ABS, ignition-switch, key, power door-lock, cruise-control, alternator, starter, emissions, fuel-pump, engine low idle, odometer, heater/heating, fog-lamp, air-conditioning - or AC - problems are not frequently reported. However, one that sometimes is is the tendency of the propeller shaft slip yoke becoming sticky with age, causing odd bumps and jolts when coming to a stop. It usually just needs to be greased. Paint problems were worse for the first few production years, but not too bad compared to most other trucks of this vintage, but fading, peeling, corrosion, and rust do occur, especially in rust-belt states.

Unfortunately, this generation of Tacoma also uses Toyota's environmentally friendly soy-based wiring insulation, which can attract rodents that eat it and collect it for nesting material, potentially causing many unavoidable 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems. Rodents can cause thousands of dollars of damage to the wiring loom of the vehicle and there is nothing you can do about it besides controlling the rodents where you park your vehicle. The overhead temperature display/compass unit sometimes fails, but you can buy another one for $100 and install it yourself. The occasional Toyota Tacoma wheel bearing problems pop up - these can fail and cost around $730 to replace the front ones - and a few rare cases of the rear differential failing have also been reported. In fact, there are actually very few 2005-2015 Toyota Tacoma drive-shaft, rear-differential, TRD off-road, and 4-wheel-drive - or 4x4 - problems. Lastly, the ventilation system's blower motor may fail on 2011 Tacomas.

An early 2005-2008 Tacoma that plied the roads of a rust-belt state should be avoided, so check where your Tacoma was registered. These models may have hidden rot and rust damage and you will not be covered for any repairs. The 2009 model year was terrible for intermittent radio problems and although many have been solved, latent issues might not show up on a test drive. We would avoid the 2.7-liter models with the ancient four-speed automatic transmission, especially in 4WD trim, because the mass overwhelms the drivetrain and makes the truck lethargic and thirsty.

For the second-generation Tacoma, the 2010 model year is a particular sweet spot. The 2009 update brought various new standard safety features, such as standard stability control and side and curtain airbags, but suffered relatively many faults, which were mostly sorted out by 2010. It still has the old look, however, so if you don't mind that, it makes for a good buy. Better still is the 2013 or 2014 Tacomas. They benefit from the comprehensive 2012 facelift and have far fewer problems. The best year of all must be 2014 because this is when the infotainment touchscreen became standard on all trims and it is also the year with the fewest problems overall. Your engine choice depends on whether you don't mind sedate performance and care more for efficiency (four-cylinder) or if you want snappy performance that exacts a penalty at the pumps (V6). If you love the 4WD look but don't want the weight and performance/economy penalty that goes with the 4WD drivetrain - and you don't need the AWD ability - the PreRunner is perfectly positioned for you. With the veritable maze of options and package combinations, check carefully to see whether your Tacoma is specced with what you want. There is one out there for every taste.

The second-generation Toyota Tacoma does mostly what owners would expect from a Toyota. It's a traditionally tough and reliable Toyota truck that is easy to drive, with competent engines and a reputation for extreme reliability if properly maintained. There are a few caveats and hidden frame rot might be one of the biggest pitfalls, so buy carefully. For the rest, there are no glaring issues, as long as you keep our handy guide in mind. A word of warning: 2nd-gen Tacomas aren't really built for hauling and towing heavy loads unless you upgrade the stock rear suspension with something stronger from the aftermarket.