2nd Gen Tacoma Common Issues & Fixes

Common Issues: 2nd Gen Tacoma

While the 2nd gen Tacoma is one of the most reliable mid-size trucks ever made, there are a few recurring issues owners should be aware of.

Known Issues

• Frame rust — See our dedicated article on this topic
• Leaking water pump (4.0L V6) — Common around 100,000-150,000 miles. Look for coolant weeping from the pump housing. Replace with Toyota OEM for best results.
• Secondary air injection system — Check engine lights related to the PAIR system are common, especially in cold climates. Cleaning or bypassing the system is a common fix.
• Cracked exhaust manifold (4.0L) — A known issue causing a ticking noise on cold start. Toyota offered extended coverage on some models.
• Automatic transmission shudder — Some owners report a shudder during light acceleration, often addressed by a transmission fluid drain-and-fill with Toyota WS ATF.