It had some birthing problems in its sub-50k mile ownership period, but afterward it was reliable as sunrise.
A manufacturing defect in the right front OEM Bridgestone tire inner sidewall caused a massive blowout at 75mph on the interstate at 32k miles. Fortunately, I was able to navigate the vehicle off of the interstate remaining in safe control. I was more than a little disappointed with Toyota and the selling dealer when they stonewalled me on this problem with no assistance forthcoming.
At 10k miles the heavy, leather wrapped front passenger bucket seat developed an annoying rattle when it acted like an inverted clock pendulum (with no passenger in the seat) when riding on uneven pavement or crossing RR tracks that crossed a road at grade level. I created a test procedure so the dealer could 100% reproduce the problem, and "boy, did they ever" even with new unsold 2015's on their lot.
They called the zone office, kept my truck in the service department, and gave me loaner Camry to drive. Toyota said there was nothing wrong and that the "vehicle was working as designed". They had no response when I said "Why doesn't the loaner Camry make the same noises over the same roads?" They just stonewalled me and offered no assistance.
I then addressed the problem by cutting a piece of compressive polyurethane packing foam to jam between the upper seat back and the center console wall. I've been doing that, and replacing this "shock absorber foam" every couple of years ever since 10k miles. I even fitted a similar piece of the foam to fix the same issue for at least five other Tacoma drivers over the years.
I now have this truck for coming up on 11 1/2 years and have put over 155k miles on it. I really like it with its 4.0L V6 power. I wouldn't buy a new one with a four banger and turbo. I just don't trust the long term reliability of that power train.
So even though the truck tried to kill me with that high speed blowout on tires that still had a lot of tread on them and were always inflated properly, between switching over permanently to Michelin Defenders and keeping that chunk of foam between the console and an empty passenger seat fixed this truck's tantrums, and these last 100k miles have been just normal preventive maintenance.
This 2015 Tacoma Limited, quad cab, short bed and I have become great friends once old Betsey learned her place. I'll be keeping her until the wheels are ready to fall off.
This review would have been five stars if I didn't experience the birthing problems.
Propietario Verificado
