Vehicle report
2021 Toyota Tacoma
Free recalls, owner complaints, and NHTSA safety ratings for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, plus how to check this specific vehicle before you buy.
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has no open NHTSA recalls on record and 15 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Its overall NHTSA crash-test rating is 4 out of 5. Below is the full breakdown, plus how to check this specific vehicle by VIN before you buy in Alberta.
0
Open recalls
15
Complaints
4
Overall safety
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2021 Toyota Tacoma recalls (0)
No open NHTSA recalls were found for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Verify by VIN for the specific vehicle, as recalls can be issued at any time.
2021 Toyota Tacoma safety ratings
4
Overall
4
Front
5
Side
4
Rollover
Source: NHTSA NCAP ratings.
2021 Toyota Tacoma owner complaints (15)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) remain functional but all digital display information is unavailable including speed, warnings, fuel economy data, and safety system status indicators. This failure occurred suddenly with no prior warning. Vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles. I am aware that Toyota issued Safety Recall 25V595 in September 2025 covering the identical combination meter failure on 2023-2025 model year Tacomas and other Toyota vehicles. The root cause identified in that recall — accelerated deterioration of the memory device inside the combination meter due to improper programming — appears to be the same failure mechanism present in my 2021 model year vehicle. I am filing this complaint to formally document that this known defect extends to 2021 model year Tacoma vehicles and to request that NHTSA investigate expanding recall 25V595 to include earlier model years. Toyota should be required to repair or replace the combination meter on affected 2021 vehicles at no cost to owners, consistent with the remedy already established for 2023-2025 vehicles. A Toyota case has been opened with the Brand Engagement Center at [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Digital instrument panel speedometer screen has gone blank. No longer displays speed. This occurred while driving the vehicle.
- LANE DEPARTURE,BACK OVER PREVENTION
About a month ago the Blind spot monitoring system failed, dealer said $2500.00 to repair, about 10 days ago, backup sonar parking system failed, dealer cost to repair $2200.00
- ENGINE
The plastic coolant crossover valve or pipe failed at 66,000 miles and 5 years of usage. This led to the radiator cracking. After researching online, I read about thousands of Tacoma 3rd generation users with the same issue. Also, the same issue was recalled for several other models of Toyotas but not the Tacoma.
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
After I purchased my 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with 4 miles on it and at 1,332 miles on 11/26/21, the Check Engine light with Traction Control Off light came on while I was driving. I immediately pulled over and on the truck media screen it read this: "A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer and have your vehicle inspected." The truck was rough idling and had no acceleration. I had the truck towed to dealership where it was purchased and upon diagnostic, it was determined that #3-cylinder injector was reading "Open Circuit" with code P020313. Being under warranty the dealership repaired the bad injector. No further issues until 4/22/26. On 4/22/26 with mileage at 48,361, I started my truck in my driveway and immediately recognized that the truck was rough idling and the Check Engine Light along with the Traction Control Light Off being on. The exact same message displayed on the screen as above, "A malfunction in the electronic control of the engine, throttle or automatic transmission has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer and have your vehicle inspected.". The truck was towed back to the same dealership and upon diagnostic the same issue of #3-cylinder injector "open circuit" with code P020313 was revealed. It was recommended to replace the bad #3-cylinder injector and also recommended to go ahead and replace all of the spark plugs. The total repair bill we be ~$2600 when I go to pick it up in 3 days. This is not just a coincidence that the exact same #3-cylinder injector has gone bad at 1,332 miles and then again at 48,361 miles. Seems to be a connection between the injector going bad and the issues that they have had with the High Pressure Fuel Pumps. Toyota needs to acknowledge this problem.
- SERVICE BRAKES
when I push the brake pedal, it goes to the floor. I have had the brakes and master cylinder replaced. after about one month the brakes started failing again. I am going to take it back to the mechanic to have them re-evaluate the brakes. No kind of official has inspected my truck. I have been having braking issues for about a year.
- STEERING,POWER TRAIN,LANE DEPARTURE
There are three concerns in this write up: at 117000 miles the blind spot monitoring system has fails and will cost $300 to repair. More concerning is that it was recommended I replace the Power Steering Lines at a cost of $927 and the Transmission Lines at a cost of $797 due to severe rusting and corrosion. Its recommended before they rust through and break/leak.
- FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
FRONT RADAR RECALL- NO BACK COVER AND GOES DEFECTIVE
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
When vehicle is driven at 85 mph (cruise control set) speedometer jolts. Speed must be reduced to 84 to resolve issue.
- AIR BAGS
Vehicle was in car accident where airbags did not deploy.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at highway speeds, the vehicle stalled with the engine oil warning light flashing on the instrument panel. The contact stated that her husband detected a fuel odor coming from the vehicle after the failure. The driver was able to restart the vehicle and drove the vehicle to the dealer. While at the dealer the vehicle was test driven and the failure was acknowledged. The vehicle was then diagnosed with a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was repaired but remained with the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Heated seat stopped working after smelling a slight burning smell. I investigate and found discolored and burnt electrical connections on the heated seat wires. This happened on the driver's seat. I'm worried the same thing could happen on the passenger side.
- SERVICE BRAKES
truck is under 20 thousand miles right front brake shoes are loose and not in place. the whole brake assembly is completely rusted .brake lines are leaking.
- FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced extended cranking on cold start. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under Toyota Campaign Number: 23TE01(High-Pressure Fuel Pump – Low Pressure Fuel Seepage). The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 62,000.
- POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, after depressing the accelerator pedal and then attempting to depress the brake pedal to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. An independent mechanic was contacted. The contact pulled over into a church parking lot. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the diagnostic result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,000.
Checking a used Toyota Tacoma before you buy
The recall, complaint, and safety data above describes the 2021 Tacoma in general. To know the condition and history of the specific vehicle you're looking at, check it by VIN. A VIN check shows whether this particular Tacoma's recalls are still outstanding, and a full history report adds accident, title, and ownership records the data above can't show.
Before you buy a 2021 Toyota Tacoma in Alberta:
- Run a free VIN check on the exact vehicle for its own recalls and safety data.
- Run an Alberta Personal Property Registry lien search so you don't inherit debt.
- Get an independent pre-purchase inspection.
- If it's a dealer, confirm their AMVIC licence.
See other model years of the Toyota Tacoma, or browse more Toyota models.
2021 Toyota Tacoma — questions and answers
Does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?+
Our check found no open NHTSA recalls for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Recalls can be issued at any time, so still verify by VIN for the specific vehicle you're considering — a VIN check reflects whether any recall work has already been completed.
How many complaints does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have?+
NHTSA lists 15 owner complaints for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma in our results. Complaints are problems reported by owners and don't always lead to a recall, but a pattern of similar complaints is worth weighing before you buy.
Is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma safe?+
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has an overall NHTSA crash-test rating of 4. Review the front-crash, side-crash, and rollover ratings above, and pair safety ratings with a mechanical inspection of the specific vehicle.
How do I check a 2021 Toyota Tacoma VIN?+
Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN into our free VIN check to see recalls, complaints, and safety ratings for that exact vehicle, then run an Alberta Personal Property Registry (PPR) lien search before you pay.
Are recall repairs on a Toyota free?+
Yes. Safety recall repairs are performed at no cost by a franchised Toyota dealer, even for a used vehicle and even if you're not the original owner. Confirm the required parts are in stock before relying on the fix.
Get the full vehicle history report
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