2020 Toyota Tacoma

The steering rack has failed multiple times. The rack that was installed in the vehicle when I bought it new had cracked by 53,000 miles - not ideal, but these things happen. (This was discovered by my local Toyota dealership when I brought it in for service.) I returned for a six-month service with no problems. When I returned for my 60,000-mile service, thirteen months after the rack was replaced, the new steering rack had also cracked. This was after less than 7,000 miles driven on the new rack, almost entirely on paved roads in a temperate part of the country. At about twelve months, the rack began to make significant groaning sounds when making turns at low speeds. No warning lights have come on to indicate a problem with either rack's failure. The rack is currently being replaced by the dealership. However, I received a call today that the new rack they had installed has also been shown to be deficient, so they are removing it and replacing it with another part they had in stock. At this point, that's 3 problematic steering racks by 60,000 miles. From what I've read online, this is a relatively common problem for third-generation Tacomas. I'm concerned that the parts Toyota is producing are deficient and need to be re-evaluated. I'm worried that if I were not monitoring this problem so closely, I might be in danger of a crash if the rack were to have worsening issues at high speeds.

NHTSA ID

11771190

Incident

Oct 14, 2026

Occasionally Center cluster on start up is black it has gotten more frequent. No odometer, No cruise control, no digital speedometer. The truck has 12,000 miles on it now today October 13,2026. Selling dealer out of town has no knowledge of issue. Local dealer at time it exhibited issue said never seen that before just disconnect battery for 30mins that will fix it that’s what we do. Was waiting for recall or TSB but am tired of waiting.

NHTSA ID

11770970

Incident

Dec 31, 1969

The rear quarter panel pressure vents failed which allowed water intrusion into the cabin of the truck. Severe mold and smell has occurred due to water damage. There were no warnings from toyota or dealership about these pieces failing and causing damage. To have a dealership replace just the parts, NOT including ruined carpet and pads due to mold, I was quoted $800- $5000 to replace a $60 piece of plastic

NHTSA ID

11769281

Incident

Oct 1, 2026

The wiper motor does not move fast enough to keep the windshield clear in heavy rain. Yes it is available to be inspected. Unable to see while driving even after slowing down. Only when encountering heavy rain. No No

NHTSA ID

11757586

Incident

Aug 10, 2026

The Clutch in the Manual Transmission makes a "creaking" noise, and you can feel it when driving too, when depressing the clutch pedal... The creaking noise is annoying, but the feel of the creaking is very distracting when driving the manual transmission, depressing the creaky clutch can distract you from the road because you can feel it; and it only get's worse when left alone. This is a recurring issue on my 2020 Tacoma. It was "fixed" by the dealer in 2022, I think, and now it's happening again... same "creaking" issue that starts out small and gets louder and more violent (you can feel the "creaking" in the pedal more) with time. This really seems like a parts failure and not a lube job. There is a TSB out for this issue (T-SB-0112-19), but this really should be upgraded to a recall.

NHTSA ID

11754665

Incident

Jul 20, 2026

I am reporting a safety-related failure of an aftermarket bull bar / grille guard purchased through Amazon. The bull bar detached from the vehicle while the vehicle was in motion on a public road. After detaching, the bar was dragged on the road and was only partially held by the fog light wiring. This created a road hazard and could have caused loss of control, damage to other vehicles, or injury to pedestrians or other drivers. The failure appears to be at or near the welded joint / mounting area, suggesting a possible manufacturing or weld defect rather than normal wear. The product was installed on the vehicle before the incident and failed during normal driving. Product: - Product type: Aftermarket bull bar / grille guard - Brand / seller: Topline_autopart / Amazon - Purchased from: Amazon - Order number: 114-8975268-2481806 - Purchase date: November 21, 2025 Vehicle: - Year / Make / Model: 2020 Toyota Tacoma - Incident date: Mar. 7th 2026 - Approximate speed: 45mph - Location: Exit 111 at I-16 EB I have photos of the failed weld / mounting area, the damaged bull bar, and Amazon order information. I am concerned that other units of this product may have the same defect and could detach while driving.

NHTSA ID

11742928

Incident

Mar 7, 2026

Fluid weeping/leaking/staining on differential housing

NHTSA ID

11730338

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

On Sunday, March 15,2026, I was driving from Houston, TX to Pharr, TX at the speed of 75mph on the left lane to pass an 18 wheeler, with another 18 wheeler behind me, and my truck started idling erratically. I lost speed and my service engine light came on. My truck slowed down and I almost got in a car accident with the 18 wheelers because the truck did this. The truck behind me slowed down on time and it went immediately to the right lane to avoid hitting my truck. I feared for my life. All the vehicles behind me and the 18 wheelers also went to the right lane to avoid me. By this time, the TRAC light had already come on also. I managed a space of no vehicles and steered towards the right safety lane. I pulled over at the local truck stop and stoped my truck to rest. After about 5 minutes I tried starting my truck and it wasn’t starting. I am a little mechanically inclined, so I started troubleshooting the truck. My code reader gave these codes: P1605-00, P0300-27, P0300-85, and P0302-00. Unscathed to start the truck after a while and got back on the road. The drive was brutal, as the truck kept burping erratically, but I made it home safely. I took my truck to the mechanic and he did some repairs and told me the issue is the fuel pump. I have checked the recalls for my truck but it shows zero recalls for my truck. Luckily I am alive to report this life threatening safety issue that Toyota has on this model. How do I get Toyota responsible to make the repairs on my truck? The part alone is over $1200 at O’Reily auto parts.

NHTSA ID

11725081

Incident

Mar 15, 2026

OBSOLETE NOTICE January 30, 2026: This bulletin is now obsolete. Please see T-SB-0001-26.

Some 2018 – 2024 model year Toyota vehicles equipped with a Premium Audio with Dynamic Navigation System require a Special Service Tool (SST) USB flash drive to update the map, points of interest, and system software.

Some 2005 – 2026 Toyota vehicles that have undergone water intrusion may exhibit a condition in which a musty odor is present. Follow the procedures in this bulletin to remediate the odor and address this condition. The purpose of this Service Bulletin is to provide general guidelines and procedures for odor remediation. This Service Bulletin provides a guide on how to prepare and treat the interior of the vehicle for odor remediation. Refer to the applicable model and model year Repair Manual and the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) website for the most up-to-date safety and precautionary guidelines.

Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color. Although the vehicle paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the conditions described above.

Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color. Although the vehicle paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the conditions described above.

Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process Job Aid