2022 Toyota Tacoma Powertrain (other) Problems

Coolant bypass duct leaking at just 52,000 miles. Part is made of plastic and is a very common problem.

NHTSA ID

11732087

Incident

Apr 18, 2026

Transmission blew at 40200 miles under normal driving conditions going approximately 30/35 mph

NHTSA ID

11709857

Incident

Jan 8, 2026

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NHTSA ID

11682623

Incident

Aug 22, 2025

Transmission is failing, fluid was black and burnt at 35k miles (dealer did not provide a large enough sample to allow for testing the fluid because I didn't specify the amount I needed), and vehicle is not throwing a CEL or MIL so therefore Toyota says that there is no defect. Fluid change did improve the functioning, but it did not correct the problem. Transmission failures are a known problem on numerous Toyota vehicles using an A series transmission. My vehicle has done this and progressively worsened since it had roughly 500 miles on it. Dealership originally refused to document my complaints in their system and Toyota Customer Care's assistance has been minimal at best. My vehicle suffers from numerous of the same complaints that are listed under the 2024 model Tacoma. Before servicing the transmission fluid the vehicle would occasionally have an extremely hard shift around 55mph that would result in the truck spinning tires on the interstate which shouldn't even be possible. I actually managed to capture a short video of the dash as it was doing this once and even sent it to Toyota but they said if they can't replicate it then it doesn't count. I think there needs to be an investigation into Toyota's transmission issues as well as someone should investigate their programming for MIL/CEL activation parameters as their vehicles are alerting the driver's to a problem until there is a complete and total failure which could leave the driver in an unnecessary and dangerous situation that could possibly be avoided if the driver was informed when the "Fail-safe" features activate instead of when they're unable to compensate. I am unable to load the video through this computer; however, I can upload the video from my phone upon request.

NHTSA ID

11658181

Incident

May 1, 2025

Vehicle exhibits symptoms typically associated with (at least in older vehicles) of a failing torque converter. Initial onset was around the 5k mile mark, the truck was purchased brand new. Vehicles shudders under load, especially uphill or from a stop, the truck frequently hunts for the gears during shifts (truck will initiate a shift and then just rev up and down, depending on if you remove your foot when it does it to avoid damaging the engine), I have clanking and a metallic clicking sound coming from the bell housing, tranmission casing and bell housing radiate heat from under the vehicle hot enough to be uncomfortable climbing out of the vehicle after a 30-45 minute drive (my youngest recently started asking me to pick her up out of the truck cause it "burns" **is hot** on her leg, where she used to love climbing and jumping off my steps), my avg milage dropped from low to mid 20s to avg 14-18 miles per gallon since the initial onset, and the dealership and toyota customer service keep telling me there's nothing wrong with it, they all do that, and they're just "Vehicle Characteristics" of the Tacoma.. I've driven friends and family members tacomas of the same generation that did not do it, and mine DID NOT DO IT NEW! They told me at first it was just the transmission learning my driving habits and I told them I would give it time.. Last interaction with dealer, who hinted they would buy it, toyota told me that I would have to pay for a transmission service in order to check it properly (manually/not with an OBD scanner) and IF there was a confirmed issue that I could TRY and apply for reimbursement. This vehicle has 22k miles on it and has been serviced as instructed everytime. Originally only very slight surging felt between 40-50mph, now it is at any speeds and significantly more violent at lower speeds or when trying to merge on interstate (truck loses traction to rear end occasionally during 55mph shift in moist or foggy weather while merging)

NHTSA ID

11590921

Incident

Jan 1, 2023

The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the gear shifter turned hard. The contact also stated that while shifting the gear, she noticed an abnormal sound. The contact stated that no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure millage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11585485

Incident

Apr 26, 2024

Transmission pops out of 2nd gear everyday after setting on level ground. I have questioned Toyota about the fluid levels, which they say its a sealed unit and cant be checked. It takes about 20 feet before the transmission rengages. It only happens when the transmission temperature is cold, then does not happen again. This can leave me without any power. Toyota has checked the vehicle twice and cannot duplicate the issue. The issue started shortly after i bought the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11519552

Incident

Sep 15, 2022

My 2022 Tacoma has 1200 miles on it. While turning a corner I slowed down to make the turn when I pushed on the pedal to speed back up there was no response from the engine. It was dark outside and my dash lit up like the key was turned off. I kind of panicked and began pumping the pedal thinking I was out of gas. The fuel gage showed 3/4 an after 3 or 4 seconds it started back up. A week or so before I was at a red light when it turned green I tried to accelerate, the engine hesitated again like it was out of gas. I pumped the pedal but no response. After a few seconds it took off like a jet across the intersection and my foot was barely touching the pedal. Also while driving around 40-50 mph it feels like a stick shift vehicle that needs to be down shifted in a lower gear as there is a chunging feel which I think the transmission can't decide what gear to use. At those speeds it goes away if I manually move the shifter out of D into 4 or 5. Then It runs smooth. I took it to a Toyota Dealer near my house on 1/3/2023 They said they could not duplicate the problem. I said it does not happen all the time. The tech said he reset my computer.

NHTSA ID

11500132

Incident

Nov 1, 2022

When stopped on an hill and depressing the throttle lightly the "Hill Assist" disengages and allows the vehicle to roll backwards. The 1st time this occurred I had a trailer in drive and it rolled backwards breaking a taillight in a jack-knife situation. I took the vehicle to my dealership were the vehicle was checked and no problem was found. They refused to replaced the tail light as no problem was found. The 2nd time was in congested traffic moving at a snails pace. On a steep hill stop and start traffic. When I slowly applied throttle the vehicle "Hill Assist" disengaged and the vehicle rolled backwards. Appling more throttle finally caused the transmission to engage. Now knowing how this occurred I was able to recreate again and again. I again took the vehicle to my dealership even taking my salesman and the service technician on test drives showing them the safety concern. I was again told that no problems were found. I then took my wife on a test ride to show her how the vehicle could roll backwards on a hill in stop and go traffic. During this drive once the vehicle not only started to roll backwards but when the throttle was depressed more the vehicle stalled and continued to roll backwards until i moved my foot from the throttle to the brake. As the engine was off additional effort was required in depressing the brake. The steering was also harder to turn. Had I rolled an additional 12 feet I would have backed into a retaining wall on the passenger side. My wife has decided to take a different routes to avoid hills that have stop and go traffic. I called Toyota filed case # 220407001182 which they declined to repair the taillight and told me that the vehicle operated as designed and no problems were found. They did tell me if I felt the vehicle was unsafe not to drive it. They indicated they would not provide documentation on the decision. Owners manual doesn't indicate vehicle can roll backwards as "Hill Assist" disengages. Safety Issue

NHTSA ID

11466518

Incident

Apr 7, 2022