2016–2023 Toyota Tacoma: what to inspect before you bid at auction

Before you bid: what to have checked

Issues documented for this generation. They are patterns for the model, not findings about any specific car, and many depend on the engine, mileage and service history. Confirm on the unit you are bidding on.

• Recall 17V356000 (2016-2017 Tacoma V6): "The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall." NHTSA recall 17V356000 consequence: "An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2016-2017 model years, V6 only
  Source: NHTSA recall 17V356000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=17V356000), report received 01/06/2017, 31824 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Owner reports of engine knocking commonly reported
  System: Engine (major) · Documented around: as early as ~40,000 mi · About: 2017 model year
  Source: carcomplaints.com 2017 Tacoma (avg repair ~$7,400)
• Poor shift quality attributed by one repair guide to low transmission fluid fill from the factory (single source, not confirmed by Toyota) commonly reported
  System: Transmission (minor) · Documented around: not specified · About: 2016 model year, early production
  Source: go-parts.com repair guide
• Torque converter shudder/surge at 40-50 mph commonly reported
  System: Transmission (minor) · Documented around: not specified · About: 2016-2018 V6 models mainly
  Source: go-parts.com repair guide
• Recall 18V211000 (2017 Tacoma among others): "During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist." verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2017 model year
  Source: NHTSA recall 18V211000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V211000), report received 03/04/2018, 6046 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 18V211000 consequence: "A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash."
• Recall 18V888000 (2018-2019 Tacoma): "Improper machining of the brake master cylinder may result in internal damage of one of the seals, affecting brake performance." NHTSA recall 18V888000 consequence: "Reduced brake performance can lengthen the distance needed to stop the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Brakes · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2018-2019 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 18V888000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=18V888000), report received 13/12/2018, 44121 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Super White (color code 040) paint peeling along exterior door window frames and front inner fenders, covered by Toyota Customer Support Program 23TE08 verified source
  System: Paint/trim · Documented around: not mileage-specific · About: 2016-2022 model years — spans both sides of the 2020 refresh
  Source: NHTSA-hosted TSB PDF MC-11010080-0001, ~142,460 units affected
• Owner reports of clear-coat oxidation/chalking/peeling beyond the Super White program; alleged in a 2024 lawsuit commonly reported
  System: Paint/trim · Documented around: not specified · About: alleged across multiple model years including a cited 2015 example
  Source: carcomplaints.com news coverage of the Greif filing
• HVAC blower motor fan hub cracks causing abnormal noise/failure, covered by Toyota Special Service Campaign J0N (2016-2017 Tacoma) verified source
  System: Climate system · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2016-2017 model years
  Source: Toyota Special Service Campaign J0N, NHTSA-hosted TSB PDF MC-10149993-9999
• Recall 22V520000 (2022-2023 Tacoma): "One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."" NHTSA recall 22V520000 consequence: "An insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing the seat to move during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2022-2023 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 22V520000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=22V520000), report received 21/07/2022, 75316 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Recall 24V152000 (2022-2023 Tacoma): "The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners." NHTSA recall 24V152000 consequence: "Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash." verified source
  System: Drive system · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2022-2023 model years
  Source: NHTSA recall 24V152000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=24V152000), report received 27/02/2024, 381199 units potentially affected per NHTSA
• Recall 23V480000 (2023 Tacoma among others): "An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag." NHTSA recall 23V480000 consequence: "A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash." verified source
  System: Body hardware · Documented around: not applicable · About: 2023 model year
  Source: NHTSA recall 23V480000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=23V480000), report received 12/07/2023, 152927 units potentially affected per NHTSA; NHTSA recall 25V040000 (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls?nhtsaId=25V040000), report received 29/01/2025, 1716 units potentially affected per NHTSA

Recon cost reference

Estimates from the sources shown, priced as of 2026-09-04. Your shop rate, parts sourcing and the car's actual condition decide the real number. These are not quotes.

NHTSA recalls: verify this VIN

A recall that applies to a model is not proof that a specific car has an open recall. Whether this VIN is affected, and whether the repair was done, is shown by NHTSA's VIN lookup. Check it before you bid.

No campaign list is stored for this generation. Look the VIN up with NHTSA.

Manufacturer bulletins (TSBs)

Technical service bulletins are the manufacturer's own guidance to its dealers. A bulletin is not a recall and does not mean a repair is free. Coverage depends on the manufacturer's terms and the VIN.

• Special Service Campaign J0N
  HVAC blower motor fan hub, 2016-2017 Tacoma
  Free replacement
  Source: NHTSA-hosted TSB PDF MC-10149993-9999
• Customer Support Program 23TE08 / 23TE08-2
  Super White paint peeling, 2016-2022 MY
  10 years from first use regardless of mileage
  Source: NHTSA-hosted dot.report PDF MC-11010080-0001

Sources and when this was researched

Last researched: 2026-09-04. VehicleIQ research for this generation; each item above names its own source and whether it is a verified source or commonly reported. Details change, so treat this as a starting point for your inspection.