2021 Toyota Tacoma

Learn

What changed

No changes recorded for this year.

Transmissions: 6-speed automatic^1,4, 6-speed manual^1,4
Drivetrains: 2WD¹, 4WD¹
Trims: SR^1,2, SR5^1,2, TRD Sport^1,2, TRD Off-Road^1,3, Limited^1,2, TRD Pro (2017–2023)^3,4
Packages: SR Utility Package^5,6, SR Convenience Package^5,6, SR5 Appearance Package^5,6, Premium and Technology Packages^5,6, SX Package (2019–2021)^6,7, Trail Special Edition (2021)^8,7, Nightshade Edition (2021–2023)^8,7,9

Optional leather Leather-trimmed; SofTex for 2023, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, 2021–2023 ^7,9
Black Leather, Limited, 2018–2023 ^12,7,9
Brown Leather-trimmed, Limited, 2021–2023 ^7,9
Black Leather, with red stitching from 2022, TRD Pro, 2017–2023 ^11,7,9
Black with tan stitching Fabric, on the Trail editions, 2021–2023 ^7,13,9

Buy

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

Rear differential leak or howl All years One source so far

What to check: Look for oil on the rear differential, and listen for a howl at highway speed.

Two members of a TacomaWorld thread on 3rd gen problems report rear differential trouble: one a leak, and the other a howl that a service bulletin did little for.

Sources ¹⁷

Rare options, colors and interiors to look out for, and whether finding one is good news.

No recalls are listed for this year.

Checked against NHTSA records on 21 October 2026.

Reputation: what owners and the press report

Sought after: 2018 to 2023 2018–2023 One source so far

The same dealer says Toyota had addressed most of the early faults by 2018, with a recalibrated automatic and standard safety aids.¹⁸
Sought after: 6-speed manual All years One source so far

Four members of a TacomaWorld thread on 3rd gen problems recommend a manual, and three of them name the 2017 6-speed manual 4x4.¹⁷

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