Is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
245 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 68, 5.7× a quiet Tacoma year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 1k–15k miles, where you are now.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2017 Tacoma owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 6,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 68 (28%) | 1k–15k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Engine | 36 (15%) | 4k–68k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 32 (13%) | 3k–20k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Body structure | 28 (11%) | 4k–51k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (4%) | 4k–20k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 25 (10%) | 10k–48k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Electrical system | 22 (9%) | 23k–44k miles · ahead | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 13 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Seats | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 10 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Wheels | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 6 (2%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 6,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 245 complaints: 12 mention a crash · 6 mention a fire · 7 report an injury · 11 say the car was towed.
23 complaints were filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2026.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Received a safety recall involving leakage from the rear differential, NHTSA recall no. 17V-285. Took to peterson Toyota, boise, id, on 6/28/2017, and was told that I should turn the vehicle in.
When driving at highway speeds and you come to an abrupt slowdown to rolling the truck will shudder, clunk into gear and then when about to stop will lunge forward at times.
Brought car in for a 15k mile check up and recall check on 08/04/2017. The service manager told me that there was in fact a leak and they would need to keep the car for a few days to repair.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 6,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2017 Toyota Tacoma: 5
The low-pressure fuel pump inside the fuel tank may fail. If the fuel pump fails, the engine can stall while driving, increasing the risk of a crash.
During the manufacturing process, the oil galley in the rotor for the brake booster vacuum pump assembly may have been improperly machined possibly resulting in a sudden loss of brake assist. A sudden loss of braking assist can increase the risk of a crash.
These vehicles may have incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels. An incorrect load information label can result in the operator overloading the vehicle and increasing the risk of a crash.
The affected vehicles have a crank position sensor that may malfunction, potentially resulting in an engine stall. An engine stall may increase the risk of a crash.
Oil may leak from the area where the rear differential carrier is assembled to rear axle housing. If the vehicle is operated with an insufficient amount of oil in the rear differential, the differential may seize and cause a loss of control, increasing the risk of a crash.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Toyota: 193
Repair instructions Toyota sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2017 Toyota Tacoma. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Non-electric water pump leak inspection and diagnostic tips for some 2008 - 2025 model year Toyota vehicles
Some vehicles may exhibit a squeak or creak noise from the clutch pedal when it is depressed or released
Some vehicles may exhibit a hard start and/or MIL ON condition with one or more of the following Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs): DTC P0171 and/or P0174…
Some vehicles may exhibit a knocking noise from the vacuum pump at idle
NHTSA defect investigations: 1
Electrical overstress
Neighbouring years
2016 Tacoma: 324 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission · 2018 Tacoma: 210 complaints, keep it.
Every Toyota Tacoma year
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Questions
Is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma a bad year?
245 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 68, 5.7× a quiet Tacoma year. At 6,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. Half of the transmission complaints for this year were filed at 1k–15k miles, where you are now.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Toyota Tacoma?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (68), engine (36), brakes (32), body structure (28), speed control (11). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 1k–15k miles.
How many recalls does the 2017 Toyota Tacoma have?
5 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 20V-682), Brakes (NHTSA 18V-211), Equipment (NHTSA 17V-831), Engine (NHTSA 17V-356) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.