Your 2017 Toyota Tacoma Could Have Expensive Transmission Problems
Saving with a used Toyota Tacoma is usually a great idea. It’s a way to get a Toyota truck that will last pretty much forever without having to pay premium prices. However, some used options, like the 2017 Toyota Tacoma could come with expensive problems.
Is the 2017 Toyota Tacoma a good truck?
Yes, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma is a great truck. The Toyota Tacoma consistently earns awards for its long-lasting dependability and strength. However, according to J.D.Power the 2017 Toyota Tacoma only has a score of 79 out of 100 for its reliability rating.
Generally, the reliability ratings are based on a survey that owners take after having their truck for three years. It includes the number of repairs the Toyota Tacoma needed, the cost of those repairs, and asks if drivers would buy the same truck again.
Anything between 70 and 80 is average, while scores between 81 and 90 are above average. So, the 2017 Tacoma is only two points away from being considered above-average.
With such a low rating, we went to CarComplaints to see what problems drivers had to face with their 2017 Toyota Tacoma. The forum allows owners to report the repairs needed and general issues with their vehicles based on model year.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma has 151 issues reported, while the 2017 model has 68 problems. So, at least the 2017 Toyota Tacoma is a safer bet than the 2016 model.
The 2017 Toyota Tacoma has transmission issues
The most common complaint about the 2017 Toyota Tacoma includes transmission problems. About 23 drivers reported that they failed to shift correctly. One driver was going on a country back road and got stuck on a small branch.
Then their Toyota Tacoma got stuck in 2WD, and the transmission wouldn’t let them do anything. Rocking the truck back and forth didn’t help it budge, then the computer took over and became permanently stuck.
Another driver got their 2017 Toyota Tacoma with 32,600 miles on it. They could feel the transmission slipping and took it in for a software update, but it failed to fix the problem. If they noticed the issue during their test drive, they would have picked another option.
Other drivers quickly became frustrated when their Toyota Tacoma models seemed to be shifting to the wrong gear at the wrong time.
There are reports of clunking noises coming from the undercarriage and a delay in shifting gears when passing people on the highway. Some drivers had to press the pedal flat against the floor to make their trucks accelerate.
Other Toyota Tacoma problems
Several drivers also reported drivetrain problems with their 2017 Toyota Tacoma models. Some drivers faced a loud whistling noise that came from the rear. The whine can be deafening, so some owners tried to get it fixed.
Dealerships turned some people away, saying the issue couldn’t be corrected. Others had their heat shield in the transmission replaced and a few holes plugged, but their trucks continued to produce a high-pitched whine.
Other 2017 Toyota Tacoma owners had a variety of electrical problems to report. The wireless phone charging pad started to overheat and bubble up, increasing the risk of fire for one driver.
Another driver noticed a burnt connector near their seat that caused the heater to stop working. Also, one owner noticed their infotainment system rebooted every time they put their Tacoma in reverse.
But with time, the Tacoma seems to be improving. Each year it gets better reliability ratings, indicating that these issues may have been corrected. We can’t wait to see how the new 2024 Tacoma holds up.
