2020 Toyota TACOMA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
87 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
5,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 44 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 21 of 87 complaints (24.1%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 22 | 25.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 14.9% |
| Engine operation | 10 | 11.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 8 | 9.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 4.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 21 |
| Power Train | 15 |
| Engine | 14 |
| Service Brakes | 12 |
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 7 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 5 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 21; Power Train: 15; Engine: 14; Service Brakes: 12; Electrical System: 8; Unknown Or Other: 8; Vehicle Speed Control: 7; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 40 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 40; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (40). 43 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 21 |
| 2021 | 21 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 12 |
| 2026 | 11 |
2019: 1; 2020: 21; 2021: 21; 2022: 6; 2023: 7; 2024: 8; 2025: 12; 2026: 11
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 22 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 10 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11235133 · 2019-07-26 (July 26, 2019)
THE VEHICLE SMELLED OF GASOLINE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE, WHETHER IT WAS 2 MILES OR 20 MILES, ONCE REACHING THE DESTINATION YOU COULD SMELL GASOLINE. THE SMELL LINGERED FOR AT LEAST 30 MINUTES AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED.
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11235133 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299272 · 2020-01-14 (January 14, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT PULSATED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. DAYTONA TOYOTA (51 N NOVA RD, DAYTONA BEACH, FL 32114 [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,800.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299272 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11299632 · 2020-01-15 (January 15, 2020)
RE: 2020 TOYOTA TACOMA, ENGINE FAILURE ON 12/20/19 CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE ON HIGHWAY, TOWED TO DEALER. ENGINE SEIZED WITH 1400 MILES. NO VEHICLE ACCESS, NO ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, CORRESPONDENCE NOR ANSWER FROM TOYOTA FOR ALMOST ONE MONTH
Owner-reported narrative. 1,427 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299632 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11311439 · 2020-02-25 (February 25, 2020)
SEAT BECAME UNLATCHED, WHILE APPLYING BRAKES.
Owner-reported narrative. 3,300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11311439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11320325 · 2020-04-06 (April 6, 2020)
VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO START WITH NORMAL STARTING PROCEDURES. VEHICLE'S IGNITION DELAYS NORMAL STARTING PROCEDURES SOMETIMES ALLOWING THE KEY TO BE HELD SYSTEMATICALLY FOR AN ABNORMAL PERIOD OF TIME BEFORE VEHICLE STARTING. IF VEHICLE FAILS TO START IN THE FIRST TRY WITHIN 3-5 SECONDS VEHICLE WOULD CRANK BUT WOULD NOT START. THEN A SECOND ATTEMPT WOULD HAVE TO BE MADE. THIS IS NOT COMMON FOR A GAS ENGINE VEHICLE . WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THIS IS NORMAL FOR MOST LATE MODEL TACOMAS.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 11320325 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323329 · 2020-05-05 (May 5, 2020)
WHEN IN REVERSE AND BACKING UP, ENGINE WILL SURGE WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. IN A TIGHT SPACE TRUCK IS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 525 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323329 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11325187 · 2020-05-19 (May 19, 2020)
TOYOTA TACOMA 2020 TRD OFF ROAD 4X4 VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE BOOSTER WHICH USE THE ABS SYSTEM TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN IT ROLLS BACK ON A HILL DOES NOT WORKING PROPERLY ON TOYOTA TACOMA OFF ROAD 4X4 VEHICLE. IT CAN NOT STOP VEHICLE AS REQUIRED. IT IS DEADLY DANGERS IN MOUNTAINS STEEP SLIPPERY AND NARROW ROADS. AT THIS CONDITION THE VEHICLE CONTROL IS IN QUESTION. I PERSONALLY FACED IT, BARELY AVOIDED ACCIDENT. SOME OTHER TACOMA DO HAVE DIFFERENT BOOSTER WHICH WORKING PROPERLY. OBVIOUSLY, THAT THIS CAR DOES HAVE DESIGN FLOW. I DID SPEAK …
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11325187 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11326870 · 2020-06-01 (June 1, 2020)
SUDDEN AND COMPLETE LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE ON INTERSTATE. NO VISIBLE SIGN OF DAMAGE TO THE TIRE. OEM TIRE, NEW TRUCK, 2,500 TOTAL MILES. TIRE NAME "OPEN COUNTRY", MADE IN JAPAN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 2,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11326870 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V682000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2018-2019 4Runner, 2019-2020 Avalon, 2019 Corolla Hatchback, 2017-2019 Highlander, 2018-2020 Camry, 2020 Corolla, 2018-2019 Land Cruiser, 2017-2020 Tacoma, 2019-2020 RAV4, 2019-2020 Sequoia, 2017-2020 Sienna, 2019-2020 Tundra, 2018-2020 Lexus ES350, 2017 Lexus GS200t, 2017-2019 Lexus GS350, 2019 Lexus GS300, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500h, 2019-2020 Lexus LS500, 2018-2019 Lexus GX460, 2017 Lexus IS200t, 2019 Lexus IS300, 2019 Lexus IS350, 2018-2020 Lexus LC500, 2018 Lexus LS500, 2019 Lexus LS500h, 2018-2019 Lexus LX570, 2017 Lexus RC200t, 2019 Lexus RC300, RC350, 2017 and 2019-2020 Lexus RX350, 2018-2020 RX350L, 2019 Lexus UX200, 2018-2019 Lexus NX300 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail.
Consequence: If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump assembly with an improved one, free of charge. Owners of specific models were notified that remedy parts were available starting January 21, 2021. Owners of other models will be notified as remedy parts become available. Remedy parts should be available for all affected vehicles by late March 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 or Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 20V-012. Toyota's number for this recall is 20TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 20LA01.
NHTSA campaign record ↗