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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2021 Toyota Tacoma has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 78 owner complaints, and gets about 18 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2021 Toyota Tacoma

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.5L
  • Drive Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Small Pickup Trucks 4WD

Should you worry?

Be careful

Serious flags in the public record. Read the details below before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

None

No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.

Serious

What do owners report?

1 death reported

Out of 78 owner reports. Read the Owners section before you buy.

Good

How did it score in crash tests?

4 out of 5 stars

5 is best. This model scored well in government crash tests.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 20194recalls
  • 20201recall
  • 2021 · this car0recalls
  • 20223recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 23, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
4 / 5 stars
Frontal
4 / 5 stars
Side
5 / 5 stars
Side pole
4 / 5 stars
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard
Forward collision warning
Standard
Lane-departure warning
Standard
Government crash-test photo
Photo from a government crash test of this model

Tested as: 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD · 4 versions tested

Open safety recalls

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 23, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 2019210reports
  • 202085reports
  • 2021 · this car78reports
  • 202256reports

78 owner reports on file

9 crash mentions 15 injury mentions 1 death mentions

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 78 total reports.

  • SERVICE BRAKES 11 of 78

    Brake master cylinder is leaking in the interior of truck on driver side floor mat. Oil is come from brake master cylinder seal.

  • POWER TRAIN 10 of 78

    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 in

  • UNKNOWN OR OTHER 10 of 78

    AC compressor pressure release discharges gas. Dealer states new compressor needed. Vehicle is only 4 years old.

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 7 of 78

    The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedo

  • AIR BAGS 7 of 78

    Vehicle was in car accident where airbags did not deploy.

  • ENGINE 6 of 78

    Having two issues major issues that’s causing me a $10,000 bill. The timing cover is leaking and there is a coolant bypass hose that is leaking. I have spend a lot of maintenance on this truck on maintaining it to have to remove the engine.

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 23, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the 4WD D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2021.

  • 201921mpg
  • 202021mpg
  • 2021 · this car18mpg
  • 202221mpg

$3,400

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 17 mpg
Highway driving 20 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 18 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $6,000 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 23, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.5L

Drivetrain

Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Manual 6-spd

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.5L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.5 L
Drivetrain
Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Manual 6-spd
Body
Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 23, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2021 Toyota Tacoma listings

    Quick answers

    Are there any recalls on the 2021 Toyota Tacoma? +

    No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

    What gas mileage does the 2021 Toyota Tacoma get? +

    The EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tacoma at 18 mpg combined (17 city / 20 highway), about $3,400 a year in fuel.

    How safe is the 2021 Toyota Tacoma? +

    NHTSA's NCAP program gives the 2021 Toyota Tacoma 4 out of 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover resistance.

    What do owners complain about on the 2021 Toyota Tacoma? +

    Owners have filed 78 complaints with NHTSA for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, including 9 involving a crash. The most-reported area is service brakes.

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