Vehicle was brought to dealer to replace ROTTED transmission cooler lines. During inspection it was noticed that the vehicles rack & pinion steering tube is almost completely ROTTED through as well, this is a complicated and expensive repair, which if it completely fails will render the vehicle unsafe for the road, a danger to myself and others on the road. The vehicle has only 127,000 miles. I wa…
2011 toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
EXTREME WEAR AND STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION OF THE REAREND GEARS THAT CAUSES A CLUNKING AND WINDING SOUND. THE CLUNK SOUND OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IT PUT INTO GEAR AND THE WINDING SOUND AS IT IS DRIVEN.
FIRST EXPERIENCED CLUTCH SLIPPAGE UNDER ACCELERATION IN 4TH GEAR ABOUT 240 MILES INTO A 300 MILE TRIP ON 12/16. AGAIN LATER THE SAME DAY I EXPERIENCED MORE SEVERE CLUTCH SLIPPAGE IN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR WHILE TRYING TO MERGE ONTO I-95 AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED BY A WASTE TRUCK DUE TO LACK OF ACCELERATION (SLIPPAGE). 20 MILES LATER I EXPERIENCED PRONOUNCED CLUTCH SLIPPAGE AT 50-55 MPH IN 5TH GEAR DUR…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2011 toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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