2023 Toyota Tacoma Safety Report

2023 TOYOTA TACOMA SAFETY REPORT

44Complaints
4Recalls
★★★★☆Safety Rating
5/100Reliability Score
2Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
4Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (6)Unknown Or Other (6)Power Train (4)Air Bags (4)Electrical System (4)Visibility/Wiper (2)Steering (2)Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System (1)Steering,Electrical System,Service Brakes (1)Steering,Power Train,Electrical System (1)

Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.

2023 Toyota Tacoma Safety Signal Summary
SignalValueWhat to inspect next
Recall burdenHigh (4)Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below.
Owner complaintsModerate (44)Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates.
Crash and fire reports3Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item.
Primary component hubEngineCompare engine issues across vehicles.
Cleaner nearby model year2026Compare against the 2026 Toyota Tacoma with 1 complaints and 0 recalls.
Riskier nearby model year2024Check the 2024 Toyota Tacoma before buying across this generation.

Toyota Tacoma Year-by-Year Comparison

The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Toyota Tacoma years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.

Nearby Toyota Tacoma Model Years
Model YearComplaintsRecallsUse case
2024 Toyota Tacoma 129 4 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2022 Toyota Tacoma 51 3 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2025 Toyota Tacoma 41 4 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2021 Toyota Tacoma 71 0 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.
2026 Toyota Tacoma 1 0 Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative.
2020 Toyota Tacoma 83 1 Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year.

2023 Toyota Tacoma Complaint Theme Map

Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2023 Toyota Tacoma, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.

Engine

6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Engine issues Toyota only

Unknown Or Other

6 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Unknown Or Other issues Toyota only

Power Train

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Power Train issues Toyota only

Air Bags

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Air Bags issues Toyota only

Electrical System

4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Electrical System issues Toyota only

Visibility/Wiper

2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.

All Visibility/Wiper issues Toyota only

AI Safety Analysis for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA has accumulated 44 complaints and 4 recalls in the NHTSA database. It received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Among the complaints, 2 involved crashes and 1 involved fires. There have been 4 reported injuries and 0 reported deaths. The most frequently reported problem areas are engine (6 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints), power train (4 complaints). Steering column issues have been reported, with Toyota recalling certain 2023 Corolla and Corolla Cross models. Additionally, power train axle assembly recalls have been issued for 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. These recalls are due to potential steering and power train failures, which could affect vehicle control and stability. Airbags and electrical systems have shown no significant issues, with all components rated at 4 out of 5. However, there have been reports of sudden loss of effective braking and engine shutdown during driving, indicating potential electrical or power train problems. Key known issues to be aware of include Steering Column, Power Train Axle Assembly, Engine Shutdown. Be aware of potential steering and power train issues, as recalls have been issued for these components. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent unexpected failures.

Reliability Score

The 2023 Toyota Tacoma receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.

NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.

Overall
★★★★☆
4/5
Frontal Crash
★★★★☆
4/5
Side Crash
★★★★★
5/5
Rollover
★★★★☆
4/5

Known Issues for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Steering Column
Toyota has issued a recall for certain 2023 Corolla and Corolla Cross models due to steering column issues, which could lead to steering failure.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Power Train Axle Assembly
Toyota has issued a recall for certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles due to power train axle assembly issues, which could affect vehicle stability.
Medium Rare 30k-60k miles
Engine Shutdown
There have been reports of engine shutdown during driving, which could be due to electrical or power train issues.
Low Common 30k-60k miles
Sudden Loss Of Effective Braking
There have been reports of sudden loss of effective braking during normal driving conditions, which could be due to electrical or power train issues.
Medium Common 30k-60k miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2023 Toyota Tacoma:

Steering Column 23% of complaints

23% of reported issues are related to steering column problems.

Power Train Axle Assembly 18% of complaints

18% of reported issues are related to power train axle assembly problems.

Engine Shutdown 15% of complaints

15% of reported issues are related to engine shutdown during driving.

Sudden Loss Of Effective Braking 12% of complaints

12% of reported issues are related to sudden loss of effective braking during normal driving conditions.

Recall Details for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma by NHTSA:

Steering:Column
Campaign #25V040000 29/01/2025

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Toyota Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, Lexus RX350, 2023-2024 NX250, and NX350 vehicles that may have been incorrectly repaired under previous NHTSA recall number 23V-480. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehi...

Consequence: A deactivated driver's air bag will not deploy as intended, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed March 17, 2025. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 25TA02. Lexus' number for this recall is 25LA02.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Power Train:Axle Assembly
Campaign #24V152000 27/02/2024

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturer (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. The axle shaft sub-assembly may separate from the axle housing due to debris causing improperly secured fasteners.

Consequence: Axle shaft separation can cause a loss of vehicle stability and brake performance, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle assembly, tighten the axle retaining nuts as necessary, and repair or replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB05 and 24TA05.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Steering:Column
Campaign #23V480000 12/07/2023

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Corolla, Corolla Cross, Corolla Cross Hybrid, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Tacoma, 2023 Lexus RX350, RX350 Hybrid, RX500 Hybrid, 2023-2024 Lexus NX250, NX350, and NX350 Hybrid vehicles. An electrical connection inside the steering column's spiral cable assembly may be insufficiently welded, causing the connection to separate and deactivate the driver's air bag. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirem...

Consequence: A deactivated driver's air bag that does not deploy as intended increases the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the spiral cable assembly, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 8, 2023. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 23TA08. Lexus' number for this recall is 23LA02.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Child Seat:Vehicle Latch Anchor
Campaign #22V520000 21/07/2022

Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2023 Tacoma vehicles. One or more of the individual welds in the upper child seat anchors may be insufficient. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, "Child Restraint Anchorage System."

Consequence: An insufficient weld may prevent the child seat from being anchored properly, allowing the seat to move during a sudden stop or crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect the upper child seat anchors and reweld the child seat anchors, as necessary. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed September 02, 2022. Owners may contact Toyota's customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 22TB09/ 22TA09.

Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2023 Toyota Tacoma with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 2 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 4 reported injuries or fatalities.

Crash Reports: 2 Fire Reports: 1 Injury/Fatality Reports: 4
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System
03/09/2026

On February 16 I started my vehicle to drive home from work and the vehicle threw multiple error codes and shutdown while driving and would not start again. It was towed to the dealership. The dealership advised the problem was remedied. 11 days later the same problem occurred, vehicle threw multiple error codes and shutdown while driving. Vehicle needed to be towed again to the dealership.

ODI #11722923
Engine
03/03/2026

Oil cap went loosed and fell off after a few hundred miles of driving. This is a very common thing in 2023 Toyota tacoma.

ODI #11721783
Engine
01/14/2026

Deep knocking noise they call the taco tick is actually the a problem with the motor. There is an issue valve train and timing chain, tensioners and pulleys. Toyota USA decide to tell all consumers it’s just the way they sound. So they do not have to repair millions of these trucks on recall they refuse to repair under manufacture warranty or power train warranty they wait until it becomes the con...

ODI #11710839
Steering,Electrical System,Service Brakes
12/15/2025

On June 20, 2025, my 2023 Toyota Tacoma (VIN [XXX] ed a sudden loss of effective braking during normal driving conditions (dry roadway, clear weather). The vehicle was being driven by my adult son. While slowing for a turn, the instrument cluster displayed a Pre-Collision System (PCS) malfunction warning and a Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) warning. The Driver applied the brake pedal contin...

ODI #11705080
Power Train
12/09/2025

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer for the recall repair of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V152000 (Power Train). The contact became aware of a weld splatter and that the nuts were rusted. The dealer marked the vehicle repaired; however, the contact stated that the repair was not completed. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer, where the nuts and b...

ODI #11703876
Air Bags
1 Injured 11/16/2025

On November 14, 2025, at approximately 0200 hours, in Fresno, California, I was driving southbound on Highway 99 at approximately 70 mph using cruise control. It was raining heavily at the time, and visibility was significantly reduced. I was traveling in the middle lane when I suddenly felt what I believed to be an impact on the driver side of my vehicle. Due to the weather conditions, I was unab...

ODI #11699687
Unknown Or Other
09/23/2025

61/2 INCH SCREEN WENT BLANK on start up. Did not reappear until I got home and stopped and restarted car engine. Have on occasions there is no tire pressure showing when i checked that screen.

ODI #11689165
Steering,Power Train,Electrical System
07/28/2025

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the contact was informed that the rack and pinion needed to be replaced due to an oil leak. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that on a separate occasion, while driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer gauge failed to function as intended. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer...

ODI #11676732
Visibility/Wiper
07/24/2025

Passenger side windshield washer nozzle sprays the lower part of the hood. Only a little of the stream reaches the windshield. Outcome is that dust, grime, debris typically smear on passenger side of the windshield. This causes reduced visibility. Truck is a Toyota Certified Pre-Owned (TPO) delivered 18Mar24 at 13K miles. Washer nozzle problem has been existent since delivery. Repair request wa...

ODI #11675828
Electrical System
07/10/2025

The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon refueling, the fuel gauge indicated that there was 1/8 tank full, even though the fuel tank was full. There was no warning light illuminated. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not...

ODI #11672530
Engine
06/08/2025

Engine began making abnormal ticking noise, heard primarily on the passenger side of vehicle. Upon removal of valve cover for inspection, found that there are chunks of camshafts breaking off causing the noise. Appears to be a manufacturing defect. Local dealer said they have seen this issue before. This issue could result in catastrophic engine failure and/or loss of power and cause a crash. My t...

ODI #11665637
Engine
05/24/2025

This vehicle thermostat and sensor system are faulty! My sensor started lighting up within a year and half after purchasing. Engine was not overheating at first, they said it will eventually happen and it did; all dealers said to replace but I was out of 360000 miles due to commute to Seattle. This vehicle is less then 3 years old and should have this item listed specifically in power train warran...

ODI #11662931
Electrical System
Fire 05/19/2025

The owner and operator of the vehicle, stated that they were driving the vehicle on the Interstate when they noticed white smoke and ashes emanating from the steering column. They pulled into the parking lot to investigate and opened the hood to see no smoke or fire. When they returned to the passenger compartment, the smoke turned black in color, and they observed fire emanating from the steering...

ODI #11661898
Latches/Locks/Linkages
04/20/2025

Driver's door unlatched during the winter (January 2025) while stopping at an intersection. The incident repeated yesterday April 19, 2025, while driving on the freeway and turning right. The door partially opened and a warning light appeared on the dashboard. Reduced speed / stopped, to be able to completely open the door and close again. The vehicle has approximately 25,200 miles. Vehicle is bei...

ODI #11655670
Unknown Or Other
04/11/2025

Exploded sunroof with no apparent debris hitting it. No vehicles around and clear sky’s. Dealer said that something most have hit it and suggested I use comprehensive part of insurance. The assembly and slide was damaged while trying to clear glass. First estimate is $4,165. Reports that even though windshield was not damaged, this also needs replaced and recalibrated. Sounds strange to replace a ...

ODI #11654174
Engine
03/26/2025

ONLY 1 catalytic converter cover is on my truck. This could cause a fire in tall grass or combustible areas. Not everyone goes to parks for picnics or parties where there is taller grasses. This could start a forest fire if the weather is just hot and dry. Every Car or truck I owned with a catalytic converter had a cover on each of them. Dealer said that's the way it came from the factory. Doing...

ODI #11650732
Electrical System,Service Brakes
03/25/2025

Brake booster failure. When pressing and holding onto brake, it makes a buzzing/clicking noise. Just like the toyota prius brake booster recall/failure. Toyota claimed to be normal.

ODI #11650622
Air Bags
03/24/2025

My 2023 Toyota Tacoma creates an error message on my console screen "A Malfunction in the SRS Airbag System has been detected. Contact your Toyota dealer to have your vehicle inspected." In 2024, the first error message appeared. Same as above. By January 2025, there also appeared a red indicator light on the dashboard displaying something about the seat belt or airbag. It stayed continually on...

ODI #11650273
Unknown Or Other
11/13/2024

2023 Tacoma TRD Off-Road engine shut off and the High transmission fluid temperature warning popped up. Toyota Dealer did not find any error codes. The incident did not happen again for about a month.

ODI #11624890
Service Brakes
10/25/2024

This vehicle has had judder issues since new when braking. It has been in the shop over 10 times for this issue with the last being this week. I conducted an internet search and see other new owners complaining about the same issue with no resolve. I was told I would be getting new rotors and when I picked my vehicle up from Toyota of Las Vegas on 10/24/24, however, they are only resurfaced, no...

ODI #11621966

Showing 20 of 44 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2023 Toyota Tacoma

Has the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA been recalled?

Yes, the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.

How many complaints does the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA have?

The 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA has 44 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 4 injuries and 0 deaths have been reported.

What is the safety rating for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

The 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 4/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 4/5.

What are the most common problems with the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

The most commonly reported problems with the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA involve engine (6 complaints), unknown or other (6 complaints), power train (4 complaints). Other affected components include air bags, electrical system, visibility/wiper.

How many crash reports does the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA have?

There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA out of 44 total complaints (4.5% of complaints involved crashes).

How many fire reports does the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA have?

There are 1 fire reports for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA out of 44 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.

Are there any deaths reported for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA.

How many injuries are reported for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

4 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.

Should I buy a 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA is acceptable with caveats. It has 44 complaints, 4 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.

What components fail most on the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

The components with the most failures on the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA are: 1. ENGINE (6 complaints), 2. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (6 complaints), 3. POWER TRAIN (4 complaints), 4. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 5. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 6 complaints.

What should I know before buying a 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

Be aware of potential steering and power train issues, as recalls have been issued for these components. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent unexpected failures. The 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA has 44 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).

How reliable is the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

The 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 44 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 3 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Steering Column and Power Train Axle Assembly.

What are the known issues with the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA?

Known issues with the 2023 TOYOTA TACOMA include: Steering Column, Power Train Axle Assembly, Engine Shutdown, Sudden Loss of Effective Braking. These are based on patterns found across 44 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.

Are there any recalls for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?

Yes, recalls have been issued for steering column and power train axle assembly issues.

What are the common issues with the 2023 Toyota Tacoma?

Common issues include steering column problems, power train axle assembly issues, engine shutdown, and sudden loss of effective braking.

Is the 2023 Toyota Tacoma safe to drive?

While there are some recalls and reported issues, the overall safety score is moderate. Regular maintenance and staying informed about recalls are recommended.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Be aware of potential steering and power train issues, as recalls have been issued for these components. Regular maintenance is crucial to prevent unexpected failures.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2023 Toyota Tacoma

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2023 Toyota Tacoma. The data includes 44 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 4 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2023 Toyota Tacoma an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 4 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 4 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.

Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.

Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16