TSB: Some 2005 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with a manual transmission may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2021 Toyota Tacoma powertrain problems
moderate Owners of the 2021 Toyota Tacoma have filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the powertrain at roughly $2,500 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of July 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See powertrain across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$2,500
| Model year | powertrain complaints |
|---|---|
| 2017 Tacoma | 63 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 25 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 36 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 14 |
| 2021 Tacoma (this page) | 10 |
| 2022 Tacoma | 10 |
| 2023 Tacoma | 4 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 51 |
| 2025 Tacoma | 17 |
When does it fail?
Of the 10 powertrain complaints filed for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering powertrain on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
TSB: Some 2019 ? 2023 model year Tacoma Double Cab vehicles may exhibit a whine noise from the rear of the vehicle. This condition may occur while driving around 50 mph (80 kph) at constant speed, slight acceleration, or slight deceleration. This condition may be caused by rear differential vibration transferring through the chassis and body
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some 2020-2023 Manual Transmission Tacoma vehicles may exhibit an abnormal clutch pedal creak/squeak sound during operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TT: Some 2020-2023 Manual Transmission Tacoma vehicles may exhibit an abnormal clutch pedal creak/squeak sound during operation.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TSB: Some 2016 ? 2023 model year Tacoma vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission (6AT) may exhibit a vibration under deceleration (coasting or braking) typically between 30 ? 10 mph. This vibration is felt in the seat, floorboard, and/or steering wheel. Follow the Repair Procedure in this bulletin to address this condition
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
The 2021 Tacoma powertrain shows a cluster of distinct problems. The plastic coolant bypass hose at the rear of the 3.5L V6 engine leaks within the first week of ownership in at least one case, creating a puddle under the truck and leaving a trail on the transmission housing. Owners report hissing, smoke, and chemical smell from the engine, with the thermostat climbing. One owner cited a $1,000 repair cost.
Multiple owners describe sudden uncontrolled acceleration—RPM surges to 4,000 when braking, lasting 4-5 seconds. This happens at highway and residential speeds with no cruise control engaged. Dealerships cannot reproduce the problem on multiple visits. One owner nearly hit a child in a crosswalk; another panicked and shifted to Sport mode to regain control.
Rear differentials are failing early: one owner replaced the differential twice before 10,000 miles, both times finding metal shavings in the fluid. Visible oil leaks appear on the differential housing.
Under cruise control, the six-speed transmission hunts for gears, over-revving and surging forward when it downshifts. Owners manually downshift to maintain control. The Toyota Safety Sense system applies brakes automatically to wildlife, once causing a vehicle to slide and partially enter a ditch on ice—the owner no longer transports passengers out of fear.
Same Toyota Tacoma powertrain reports on nearby years: 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2022 · 2024
Failure modes owners describe
Coolant bypass hose/joint failure (rear engine)
The plastic coolant bypass hose/joint (Part #16356-31051) at the rear of the 3.5L V6 engine connecting the cylinder heads ruptures or leaks coolant, risking engine overheating and sudden failure. The leak may not be immediately visible under the hood, making it difficult for drivers to detect until significant overheating occurs. One owner reported a small puddle of coolant within a week of purchase, with coolant running down onto the transmission bell housing.
When: Early ownership (reported within one week of purchase in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: Coolant puddle under vehicle; Coolant trail on transmission bell housing; Hissing sound from engine; Smoke from engine; Chemical burn smell; Thermostat gauge reading higher than normal
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership confirmed the failed hose/joint. One owner cited potential repair cost of $1,000; repair completed under warranty for another owner.
Unintended acceleration during braking
Engine RPMs surge unexpectedly (up to 4,000 RPM) when the driver releases the accelerator and depresses the brake pedal, causing the vehicle to accelerate on its own at highway speeds (60+ MPH) and residential speeds (25+ MPH). Episodes last 4-5 seconds if brakes are not applied hard. No cruise control is engaged during incidents. One owner reported five or more memorable occurrences; another incident nearly resulted in hitting a child in a crosswalk.
When: Various; one incident at 47,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: RPM surge when braking; Uncontrolled acceleration at highway speeds (60+ MPH); Uncontrolled acceleration at residential speeds (25+ MPH); No warning lights or dashboard messages; Delayed throttle response/near-stall upon acceleration; Stuttering during acceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership unable to reproduce or duplicate problem in multiple visits. Independent mechanic diagnostic result unknown; vehicle not repaired.
Rear differential failure with metal contamination
The rear differential makes a whining noise and contains metal shavings, indicating internal wear or spalling. One owner replaced the differential twice in less than a year with approximately 10,000 miles on the vehicle; both original and first replacement units exhibited the same issue. A potential loss of differential function at high speed or in traffic could result in loss of vehicle control.
When: Early ownership (before 10,000 miles on second replacement)
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise from rear differential; Metal shavings found in differential fluid; Visible oil leak or staining in rear differential area
Repairs/costs cited: Dealership inspected, found metal shavings, performed two replacement differentials within the same ownership period.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Prior recall documented for 2016-2017 model years (RCAK-17V285-5030) addressing rear differential oil leaks and risk of differential seizure. Allegation that 2021 model year exhibits same condition despite newer model year.
Transmission hunting/gear hunting under cruise control
The automatic transmission repeatedly seeks different gears (typically 5th and 6th) while cruise control is engaged, causing the engine to over-rev toward redline and the vehicle to surge forward abruptly when downshifting. The transmission will not hold 6th gear and unexpectedly downshifts to 5th or 4th gear. Owners report more frequent shifting than would occur in manual operation.
When: During cruise control operation
Symptoms owners cite: Transmission seeking gears while in cruise control; Over-revving toward redline; Abrupt downshifts from 6th to 5th or 4th gear; Vehicle surges forward upon downshift; Failure to hold 6th gear in cruise control
Repairs/costs cited: Owners report requiring manual downshift to 4th gear to control the issue; no dealer repairs mentioned.
Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) system over-application of braking
The TSS collision avoidance system automatically applies brakes in response to road hazards (e.g., deer crossing) without allowing the driver to exercise control appropriate to driving conditions, such as an icy road. One owner reported the system caused the vehicle to slide and partially enter a ditch when brakes were automatically applied as the driver was coasting to let a spooked deer finish crossing. This safety system interference has caused the driver to lose confidence in the vehicle's reliability and safety.
When: Multiple occurrences (5+ reported)
Symptoms owners cite: Automatic brake application in response to wildlife; Loss of vehicle control due to inappropriate braking; Vehicle slide on icy road; Vehicle partially entered ditch
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 10 MPH, after depressing the accelerator pedal and then attempting to depress the brake pedal to make a left turn, the vehicle failed to respond as intended. An independent mechanic was contacted. The contact pulled over into a church parking lot. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent…
Had powertrain trouble with your 2021 Toyota Tacoma?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2021 Toyota Tacoma?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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 10 complaints filed, powertrain issues most often appear around 21,667 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Toyota/Tacoma.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.