2011 Toyota Tacoma

Learn

What changed

The four can have an automatic, air conditioning is standard, bucket seats come on all but the Regular Cab 4x4, the grille is revised by trim, and two off-road packages arrive.¹

Transmissions: 5-speed manual², 4-speed automatic², 6-speed manual², 5-speed automatic²
Drivetrains: 2WD^2,4, 4WD^2,4
Trims: Base^2,4, PreRunner^2,4, X-Runner^2,5, Limited⁴
Packages: SR5^2,4, TRD Sport^2,5, TRD Off-Road^2,3,4, T|X and T|X Pro (2011–2014)^5,4,6, V6 Tow Package^7,8

Buy

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

Frame rust on later trucks 2011–2015 One source so far

What to check: Look over the frame, and ask whether it was inspected, coated or replaced under Toyota's 2020 campaign.

Toyota's 2020 campaign covered about 320,000 trucks built from June 2010 to June 2017, above all in states that salt their roads.

Sources ¹²
Worn front wheel bearing All years One source so far

What to check: On a test drive, listen for a growl from the front wheels and feel for vibration through the floor at 30 to 45 mph.

Two members of a TacomaWorld buying thread warn of it. One felt grinding and vibration through the floor while accelerating at 30 to 45 mph, and the other warns of a growl from a bad front hub bearing.

Sources ¹³
Valve cover gasket leak All years One source so far

What to check: Look for oil seeping from the valve covers.

Two members of a TacomaWorld buying thread call it common with age. One says everyone seems to have the same leak in the same spot, and the other calls it a simple, easy fix.

Sources ¹⁴

11V148000 2008–2011
The tire pressure warning was not recalibrated, so it may not warn of a low tire.^15,16,17,18
13V337000 2005–2011
Slamming the rear access door can loosen the seat belt pretensioner's screws.^{19,20,21,15,16,18}
14V475000 2008–2014
The tire placard may give the wrong spare tire size and pressures.^{15,16,17,18,22,23,24}
14V604000 2005–2011
A rear leaf spring can break and puncture the fuel tank.^{19,20,21,15,16,17,18}

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Avoid: 2011 and 2012 2011–2012 Less sought after One source so far

The same dealer lists a leaf spring recall on 2011 trucks and air-injection failures on 2012 trucks.²⁵

Every warning and recall for this generation, with a box to tick.