Due to the failure of the secondary air pump system vehicle will experience a sudden loss of power and could cause a loss of control. Toyota is aware of the problem but will not issue a recall.
2015 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500 · see powertrain across all vehicles →
When does it fail?
Of the 9 powertrain complaints filed for the 2015 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
No new NHTSA powertrain complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Truck is only a year old and multiple times now the transmission has failed to engage. Each time it's in drive, and on a slope or hill and when brake pedal is released with the truck in drive it starts clicking and grinding and rolls backwards, unable to engage and continue on. Truck requires that you put it into park and back into drive before you can proceed. Last time this occurred I nearly…
U joint broke while driving
Truck is only a couple months old and multiple times now the transmission has failed to engage. Each time it's in drive, and on a slop or hill and when brake pedal is released with the truck in drive it starts clicking and grinding and rolls backwards, unable to engage and continue on. Truck requires that you put it into park and back into drive before you can proceed. Last time this occured I…
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2015 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 9 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?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 53,500 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
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.