Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.For most people who are in the market for a mid-size truck, a Toyota Tacoma is usually part of the decision-making process. It regularly outsells its closest rivals, and a lot of its popularity has come down to just how reliable and durable it is in even the toughest conditions. But a new generation Taco was launched in 2024, and with it came a raft of new technologies and some substantial mechanical changes, too. Now if there's one thing you can be sure of is that Toyota fans don't like too much change.This was borne out in a dip in sales for that model year, but this was soon corrected by a record-breaking performance for 2025. But does that mean that the fourth-generation Taco is as reliable as before, or are owners of Tacoma owners just upgrading their old trucks? Now that fourth-gen models have been around for a few years, we decided to analyze the reliability data of both models from Consumer Reports to see how they compared.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhy did we choose this source? Consumer Reports provides some of the most unbiased vehicle reliability insights because they rely on real data collected from massive annual member surveys representing hundreds of thousands of vehicles. Rather than judging a truck based on a short press drive, their scores capture real, long-term owner experiences regarding mechanical breakdowns, electrical glitches, and build quality over time.The 3rd Gen Toyota TacomaToyotaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel Years: 2016 – 2023Launched for the 2016 model year, the third-generation Tacoma replaced the much-loved second-gen model with a rugged, blocky design and a new 3.5-liter V6 engine utilizing both direct and port injection. The new truck had a lot to live up to, especially as the older Tacoma had become known for a rugged 4.0-liter V6 that would run forever. But even this generation needed an update or two before it overcame the frame rust issues that plagued early examples.AdvertisementAdvertisementOver its eight-year production run, Toyota introduced several updates to keep the third-gen platform fresh and address any latent issues as it became aware of them. In 2018, Toyota Safety Sense became standard across all trims, introducing active safety tech like automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, while the 2020 model year brought a much-needed interior refresh and luxury upgrades like a power-adjustable driver's seat, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Thanks to its incredible toughness and the fact that it was built on thoroughly proven underpinnings, this Tacoma remains very popular on the used car market even three years since it was replaced. The 4th Gen Toyota TacomaToyotaView the 3 images of this gallery on the original articleModel Years: 2024 – PresentThe current generation Tacoma arrived for the 2024 model year, now using the modern TNGA-F global truck platform shared with the full-sized Tundra and Sequoia. Toyota retired the trusty old V6 in favor of a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, alongside a potent 326-horsepower hybrid powertrain.AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota has expanded the lineup with more focused off-road trims, standard multi-link coil rear suspensions on upper packages, as well as massive infotainment touchscreens, and advanced standard active safety features. That's a lot of change from one generation to the next, but in true Toyota fashion, much of what is new in the Tacoma has seen duty elsewhere in the lineup already.Aside from that early dip in sales, the fourth-gen Taco is now selling like hot, well Tacos. The torquier turbocharged engines offer better performance in the mid-range compared to the outgoing V6, and the new transmission is also smoother and less prone to hunting between gears. The driving position has also improved, but some owners have complained about interior trim that isn't always as premium as they would expect.Tacoma vs. Tacoma: Reliability BreakdownView the 2 images of this gallery on the original articleSo, let's get down to the nitty gritty, which of these trucks is the most reliable? We looked at Consumer Reports' reliability verdict for each model across their production years, and then divided up the scores to get an overall average.AdvertisementAdvertisementToyota Tacoma Consumer Reports Scores (Out of 100)Model YearReliability Verdict2026 (Predicted)74202573202475202373202284202166202059201964201868201776201659Regardless of generation or model year, the Tacoma has performed above average in reliability for over a decade. The third-generation model followed the usual pattern of a slightly lower initial score followed by improved figures thereafter, and it also dipped a bit during the 2020 update. 2022 realized the highest result with a very impressive 84/100.The fourth-generation model hasn't had quite as long to get into its stride, but the early signs are promising, with very solid results for the first two model years as well as a high predicted score for 2026. So far, it is the newer Tacoma that has the edge in overall reliability, but it will take a few more years of owner data to see whether it can maintain this high average throughout.Tacoma 3rd Gen Average Reliability (2016–2023): 68.6 / 100Tacoma 4th Gen Average Reliability (2024–2026): 74.0 / 100Having bucked the trend of a low first year score, the fourth-gen Taco has clearly benefited from the comprehensive engineering efforts Toyota put into its most popular truck. Of course, no vehicle is without issue, and Toyota had to issue an early recall for over 100,000 fourth gen (2024-2025) trucks regarding rear brake hoses that could wear down if mud and trail debris built up inside the wheel arches. Then again, 381,000 third gen (2022)2023) Tacomas were recalled for welding debris left in the rear axle assembly, so these things are bound to happen from time to time. The bottom line is that while the old Taco was and remains a solid and robust truck, you don't have to pay a reliability penalty for opting for a new one. In fact, based on the current figures, the fourth-generation Tacoma is proving to be more reliable overall.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Jun 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
