Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.The 2022 Toyota Tacoma and 2022 Nissan Frontier represent two different philosophies in the midsize truck class, the Tacoma the perennial best-seller with a deep reputation, the Frontier a freshly redesigned challenger that arrived for 2022 with a proven V6. On reliability, the honest starting point is that these two are closer than the Tacoma's reputation implies, and on at least one measure, the Frontier actually comes out ahead. But weighing repair data, dependability surveys, long-term durability, and resale value together, the Tacoma emerges as the more reliable used buy, with the Frontier a closer second than many would expect.2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD ProRepair data and dependability scoresThis is where the picture is genuinely mixed, and the Frontier makes its strongest case. On one major repair-tracking measure, the Frontier earns a 4.0 out of 5.0 reliability rating and ranks first among midsize trucks, while the Tacoma sits at 3.5 out of 5.0, with average annual repair costs that are nearly identical at around $470 to $478. The Frontier also shows a lower probability of a major repair on that measure. It is worth noting that the Tacoma's rating there spans many model years, including older versions, rather than the 2022 specifically.2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4XNissanInitial-quality dependability surveys put the two roughly even. Both the 2022 Tacoma and 2022 Frontier scored about 83 out of 100 in owner-reported dependability, an effective tie, with some measures giving the Frontier a slight edge. The 2022 Frontier benefits from a proven 3.8-liter V6 that Nissan torture-tested extensively before launch, and the redesign closed much of the historical gap to the Tacoma. So on the pure repair-and-survey data, the two are close, and the Frontier can legitimately claim a narrow lead on certain measures.Long-term durability and track recordThe picture shifts when the focus moves from short-term data to long-term durability, where the Tacoma's reputation is built on real history. On one independent quality-and-reliability assessment, the Tacoma rates 8.5 out of 10 against the Frontier's 7.9, and it ranks first among midsize trucks for overall quality where the Frontier sits fifth. Toyota's track record of Tacomas running well past 200,000 miles is among the strongest in the segment, and the 2022 model uses powertrains from an era with a long, proven service history.2022 Toyota Tacoma TRD ProThe Frontier is no slouch here, and well-maintained examples routinely pass 150,000 miles, with its V6 a proven and durable engine. But the Tacoma carries a deeper and longer record of trouble-free high-mileage operation, which is the kind of durability that matters most to a used-truck buyer planning to keep the vehicle a long time. On the question of which is more likely to still be running strong a decade out, the Tacoma's history gives it the edge, even if the gap is narrower than its reputation suggests.What goes wrong with eachThe typical trouble spots are worth knowing on both. The 2022 Tacoma's most common complaint involves its six-speed automatic transmission, which a number of owners across the 2018 to 2022 range describe as hesitating or delivering a delayed, sometimes abrupt engagement when shifting at low speeds, such as from park to drive. The 3.5-liter V6 itself is robust and the issue is more an annoyance than a failure for most, but it is the Tacoma's best-known quirk. Otherwise its problem list is short, which is the foundation of its durability reputation.2022 Nissan Frontier PRO-4XNissanAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 2022 Frontier, redesigned that year, has its own documented issues. The most discussed mechanical concern is a water pump design on its 3.8-liter V6 that can leak coolant internally, a problem worth checking on higher-mileage examples. The 2022 model was also subject to recalls, including ones for a transmission parking pawl pin that could allow the truck to roll away when shifted to park, and owners have reported the forward collision system braking unexpectedly. Nissan torture-tested the V6 extensively before launch, and the engine has a sound reputation, but these are real items to verify on a used example. Neither truck is trouble-prone, but the Tacoma's shorter and milder list is part of why it holds the durability edge.So which one is the most reliable?The 2022 Toyota Tacoma. While the repair-data picture is genuinely close, and the Frontier even leads on one major measure, the Tacoma wins on the factors that reflect real long-term durability: a higher independent quality-and-reliability rating, a deeper track record of high-mileage dependability, and dramatically stronger resale value, which is the market's verdict on how well it holds up. For a used buyer who wants the safest long-term reliability bet, the Tacoma is the answer. But that aside, the margin is closer than the Tacoma's reputation implies, and the Frontier deserves real consideration if you're in the market for a used truck on a budget.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Jul 1, 2026, where it first appeared in the Car Buying section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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