2021 Toyota Tacoma Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 17%of 81 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, 17% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle purchased less than year ago. Vehicle has approximately 10,000 miles on it. I am on my second rear differential replacement. The original and the first replacement were both making a whining noise. Dealer inspected and found metal shavings in both. There are numerous complaints of similar situation on Tacoma owner websites. A new vehicle that is less than a year old should not be on its 3rd rear differential. A failure of the rear differential at high speed or in congested traffic could have catastrophic consequences for occupants as well as any other nearby vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #11469227, filed 2022-06, 10,000 miles“Vehicle will not hold 6th gear while in cruise control. Vehicle will suddenly down shift to 5th and sometimes 4th. This makes the vehicle surge forward abruptly.”
NHTSA complaint #11412879, filed 2021-04, 150 miles“Upon acceleration vehicle will have delayed engagement, up to and including a near stall or stuttering. Has LED to several near misses (x2). The tss system takes over and does it's thing versus allowing the driver to drive the vehicle for the conditions. Example would be automatic application of brakes due to deer in road causing loss of control on an icy road way. Driver released gas pedal and was coasting as deer was crossing. Due to brakes being automatically applied, vehicle began to slide, deer became spooked and stopped crossing, vehicle ended up partially in the ditch. …”
NHTSA complaint #11408651, filed 2021-04, 8,000 miles“I was idling in line for food when I noticed my thermostat gauge going slightly higher in temp. All of a sudden I hear a loud hissing sound and smoke coming off of the engine as well as a chemical burn smell. I pulled over to the side in fear that a fire could potentially start. After some research I’ve concluded that it is the rear coolant bypass joint. It was a high stress situation where my family was in my vehicle. Please look into this!”
NHTSA complaint #11598095, filed 2024-07“My 2021 Toyota Tacoma is experiencing these exact conditions as discussed in this TSB. T12he only difference between the vehicle in this TSB and mine is I have a 2 wheel drive Tacoma and this TSB is for the 4 wheel drive model. 2021 Toyota Tacoma power train TSB (Bulletin T-SB-0124-20) Bulletin Date:Dec. 15, 2020 Component:Power train. Bulletin Summary:TSB: some 2016 ? 2021 model year tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph. …”
NHTSA complaint #11428823, filed 2021-08Related service bulletins
- 10244108Aug 16, 2023TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
- 10241402Jul 21, 2023TSB: Some 2019 ? 2023 model year Tacoma Double Cab vehicles may exhibit a whine noise from the rear of the vehicle. This condition may occur while driving around 50 mph (80 kph)…
- 10234311Mar 6, 2023TT: Some 2020-2023 Manual Transmission Tacoma vehicles may exhibit an abnormal clutch pedal creak/squeak sound during operation.
- 10235239Feb 20, 2023TT: Some 2020-2023 Manual Transmission Tacoma vehicles may exhibit an abnormal clutch pedal creak/squeak sound during operation.
- 10227899Nov 28, 2022TSB: Some 2016 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission (6AT) may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) typically between…
- 10224177Sep 26, 2022TT: If you see this condition, please create a TAS case and contact TAS for instruction prior to diagnosing or repairing of the vehicle. If it is a weekend or holiday, continue…
- 10214326Mar 17, 2022TT: Water intrusion to the ADD actuator is currently being investigated as a cause of 4WD inoperative complaints. P17A0 and P17A4 DTCs may set for this condition but not always
- 10198138May 19, 2021TT: This Tech Tip applies to Tacoma vehicles equipped with a BD20 rear differential ? Part Number: 41110-04130. Some 2020-2021 model year Tacoma customers may be concerned with a…
- 10187246Dec 15, 2020TSB: Some 2016 ? 2021 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph…
- 10186200Dec 15, 2020TSB: Some 2016 ? 2021 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) between 30 ? 10 mph…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 31% |
| 2025 | 22 | 19% |
| 2024 | 55 | 35% |
| 2023 | 7 | 13% |
| 2022 | 10 | 17% |
| 2021 | 14 | 17% |
| 2020 | 15 | 17% |
| 2019 | 40 | 18% |
| 2018 | 29 | 14% |
| 2017 | 68 | 28% |
| 2016 | 136 | 42% |
| 2015 | 9 | 9% |
| 2014 | 13 | 14% |
| 2013 | 22 | 18% |
| 2012 | 35 | 12% |
| 2011 | 8 | 4% |
| 2010 | 29 | 10% |
| 2009 | 75 | 14% |
| 2008 | 23 | 5% |
| 2007 | 68 | 13% |
| 2006 | 56 | 7% |
| 2005 | 57 | 8% |
| 2004 | 22 | 5% |
| 2003 | 18 | 5% |
| 2002 | 21 | 6% |
| 2001 | 15 | 4% |
| 2000 | 11 | 5% |
| 1999 | 16 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 3% |
| 1997 | 9 | 7% |
| 1996 | 14 | 6% |
| 1995 | 12 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma
12 complaintsEngine
12 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsElectrical system
9 complaintsForward collision avoidance
9 complaintsFuel system
9 complaintsAir bags
7 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsLane departure
4 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology