Satisfied with your Tacoma?

Hey All. I'm thinking of dumping my 2000 Xterra and buying a 2003 Tacoma. I had a '94 4x4 Pick Up and had nothing but a great experience.

Could any of you please let me know how you like the truck, and some of the common problems you have either experienced or heard about.

Thanks for your help.

I don't much care for the premature downshifts on the highway with the AT. You can't get a manual in the DC V6. I don't use the cruise much because it irritates me how quickly it will shift from OD to 3rd on the slightest hill. The seats are also a bit cheaper than in my '95 4Runner Limited.
But overall I love it. It is my 3rd truck and 4th if you count my 4runner

I have a 96 tacoma and I love it. Replaced the brakes and tires. No other issues other than the horn has gone out twice. Maybe I used it too much. I Would recommend one to my mother.

I would stay away from Toyota. I purchased a 2003 Tacoma on 8/16 It had a wiring harness problem, and I took it back two weeks later. It has been in the shop for 3 weeks now and they still can't give me a date when it will be repaired. There support after the sale has been non existent. If I could do it over again I would not buy a Toyota.

Bought my first new Toyota two months ago, a 4-door Tacoma. Very satisfied. A few minor problems: 1. Loud squeak in the rear end which eventually went away on its own. 2. Squeak in dash, which service fixed. 3. Warped seal around front passenger window, which service fixed. 4. Problem with power window on left rear door, which service fixed. 5. Driver's seat has no thigh support, so you kind of roll into the center console when you turn left - but something I can live with. Apparently this is a common complaint. Overall it seems like a rock-solid truck, and I've been very impressed with it. I'm planning to keep it 6 years or more, so I bought the extended warranty. If I totalled this truck on the way home today, I'd go out and buy another one just like it tomorrow. Good Luck!

I also do not much care for the lack of a defrost/mix feature that does not automatically engage the compressor. My '95 4Runner allows me to choose/mix all possible settings and then engage the compressor at will. I suppose too many idiots complain that it is just too hard to remember what all of the buttons are for. This has always been the case for American cars, it is sad to see Toyota follow the dumbing down of their vehicles. I miss the manual hubs the most though but try explaining how/when to engage them to your average slackjaw. Some people will just never get it. Toyota should just accept this and continue to make trucks for those of us who do. Read---I want to manually control all functions of the truck! Anyone agree with me?

Between me and my friends, we've owned a good dozen different trucks from half a dozen different makes. I still like my Toyota and wouldn't buy anything else. The only complaint of my 2003 Tacoma Double Cab are the weak brakes. They seem to suffer brake fade and don't have as much stopping power as I would like even with stock tires and wheels.

I haven't noticed the same fade in my '03. Is yours a 4X4? I would think changing out the pads/shoes should help and stainless/teflon lines should help as well. My '03 DC is stock but my '95 4Runner has these mods and the brakes are awesome even considering the extra 500+ lbs. I have added to it. (winch, bumpers, etc)

I have a 2002 Tacoma (my third toyota truck) and I absolutely loved it
up until a week ago. Because of some "defective bolts", my truck is at the Dealer right now having the engine replaced, or so toyota says. First they tell me due to the engine shift, they will replace the whole engine. I come to find out that they are replacing only a part of my engine and will be using the original parts (rebuilt of course). I ask about an extended warranty or some confirmation on the repair and I am getting such a run around. Now I'm told by a number of people that Toyota is aware of the defect and it is a common problem with the car.

ANYONE ELSE EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM ???? Do I have any recourse??

(I hate to say it but my loyalty in Toyota is fading fast)

I know you are upset now but do not lose faith so fast. I (and about 1 million other owners of 3.0 V6 trucks) went through a similar fiasco about 10 years ago with our head gaskets. My point is this. If it is a common problem then it is my experience that keeping in touch with the dealer now servicing your truck and documenting any futher problems then they will continue to correct related problems in the future. Keeping in touch with other owners, such as you are doing here, is another good way to cope with problems that arise.
What is the alternative? Drive a Ford? If you think this truck has problems! Put 100,000 miles on a domestic truck and then the fun really begins!
By the way, I still have my '94 4Runner LTD and it now has 170k miles on it. The head gaskets were replaced at about 100k miles 6 years ago and I have had no trouble since.

Hey I have had my truck for 87,000 miles and have had very little trouble, considering I have beat the ____ out if it.
I defiantly recommend that you get the manual though, because the auto doesn't work with the engine very well.
Also it depends on your life style. If you have kids or a dog, get a 4 runner because my 88lb lab does not like riding in the ext cab when it is raining. Also if you do a lot of towing get the antilock brakes because I have had a few times where I was towing our boat and was pushed around by the boat, one time into the wall on the highway.

I have two tacomas, a 96 X-Cab 4wd with the 2.7L and a M/T that has 250,000km's on it and a 98 X-Cab 4wd TRD with the 3.4L and a A/T that has 155,000km's on it.

These trucks are rock solid with barely any mechanical failures other than a routine water pump change.

Of course there will be little quirks with the seats, rubber moldings and heater controls, but it's s truck......not a Lexus IS300, these things happen.

Toyota concentrated on what was really important - durability - more so than creature comforts on the Tacoma, which I think was a good move.

My only complaint is the dealers "customer service", which I feel is quite possibly the worst in the industry.

-Rob

I went from an 01 Dodge Quad Cab to a 2004 Tacoma Double cab. I love it :rofl: but if I had it to do over again I would have gone with the TRD model. I plow with mine so being able to lock the rear diff would be nice.

http://home.earthlink.net/~hbrady77/_images/nov03/plowaction.htm

The only complaint I have it the dash rattle which is common and the hard starting issue (occasional with warm engine) which is also common. I'm sure the dealer will fix the dash rattle but it only does it when it's very cold out (below 20) and I just haven't had time to deal with it.


The new Tundra 4 door is very nice too!
http://www.toyota.com/vehicles/2004/tundra/exterior.html

Good luck
-Henri

Tacoma's are the best compact trucks available, anyone who knows their crap will tell you that. Yes, their fit and finish is not perfect, but I'd rather put my money toward functionality and durability, not leather and a quiet ride. Sold my last one at 100k - it ran as good as new, all I replaced was the battery, starter (think I got it wet too many times), and brakes at 90k. I thrashed the crud out of it, too.

http://files.automotiveforums.com/gallery/watermark.php?file=/503/118002Widowmakerrs.jpg

My current truck, a '00, has given me zero problems except the passenger seat rattled. I took it to Karl Malone Toyota, they said it was "normal wear and tear", and could not be fixed under warranty. I then took it to Mark Miller Toyota. Their mechanic came right out, tightened 2 bolts, and sent me happily on my way with the problem fixed. So, I think the service can vary by which dealer you go to, and poor service is not necessarily Toyota's fault.

Toys are more reliable, last longer, and have better resale value than anything else out there. They cost a little more, but it's money well spent.

I have a 1997 Tacoma 4x4 with 187,000 miles. Best truck I have ever had. As long as you change the oil and take care of the engine, these trucks will last forever. I have basically abused my truck and it still keeps on going. Only changed the timing belt, battery, tires (twice), brake pads, oil, and filter. I will never own anything else!!!

Have a 98 4X4, xtended cab, 3.4L 6 Cyl. Very happy with my truck. No problems to speak of, changed the starter, and the battery, and of course minor maint stuff, got 126,000 miles. The one thing I did notice, several people did mention the noise in the dash, which is the only complaint I have. I have a beany baby, Bret Farve, that I have stuck in between the window and the dask, that stoped the noise. I'm hoping to keep the truck til at least 200,000 miles, and will probably buy another one, in fact, I may even purchase another one before then, and keep my 98 as my project truck (Big tires & Rims, and Lift kit). Other vehicles I own; 1999 Mercedes ML430, 1998 BMW 325is, and 1997 Lexus GS300, all really nice, and most with very low miles, all under 60,000. I'd almost rather drive my truck than those other vehicles. I'm thinking of replacing the seats in my truck to try and get a little more support, we'll see.

:rofl::lol2:
I have an 04 Pre-Runner TRD and LOVE IT. I would never drive any other Truck. I have heard of problems with the Dodges and Fords. The CFO of my company had a 96 and had a 120K miles when he got rid of it and the only thing he ever did to it was rutine oil, brakes and tires.