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Before you buy

2021 Toyota Tacoma inspection checklist

Use this beside the car or give it to a mechanic. These checks come from problems in the records we reviewed. They do not replace a full used-car inspection.

Inspect this Tacoma

Mark each check as you go. Your notes stay on this device.

Saved on this device. The shared link never includes a VIN.

Use these notes with a full inspection. A serious warning sign can be enough to walk away.

Required checks

  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Airbags owner reports: 6 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Electrical System owner reports: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and note any warning lights, noises, leaks, or stored codes.

    Service Brakes owner reports: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention service brakes.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer service campaign: Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner fenders under the hood on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer warranty extension: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for paint peeling on door frames and front inner fenders on certain 2016-2022 model year Tacoma vehicles.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away
  • Ask the inspector to test the named system and record the result.

    Manufacturer service campaign: Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color.

    Passes when: No matching symptom during inspection

    Looks okay / Concern / Walk away

Ask the seller

  • Has any named issue here ever been diagnosed or repaired on this car?
  • Can I see the maintenance and any recall-remedy records?
  • Will you allow an independent pre-purchase inspection?

Records to request

  • Service and oil-change history
  • Completed recall / campaign paperwork
  • Any dealer diagnostic reports

Why these checks are here

Airbags owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.

Warning signs: 6 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention air bags.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Electrical System owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.

Warning signs: 5 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention electrical system.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Service Brakes owner reports

Owner reports are bound to model year 2021.

Warning signs: 4 reviewed owner reports for this model year mention service brakes.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer service campaign

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2021.

Warning signs: Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.

Warning signs: Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner fenders under the hood on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.

Warning signs: Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer warranty extension

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.

Warning signs: In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for paint peeling on door frames and front inner fenders on certain 2016-2022 model year Tacoma vehicles.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Manufacturer service campaign

Official record covers model years 2017 through 2022.

Warning signs: Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color.

Good signs: No matching symptom during inspection · Service history addresses the named condition

Sources and limits
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“I was in a severe T-none car accident and the airbags did not deploy. The power restrain activated, the seat locked in place but no airbag deployment. The car that hit me was going at aprox. 50-60MPH. I could have died and so could have my 11 & 6 year old passengers. My sister got cought in between the cabin space and the impacted door.”
NHTSAcomplaintJul 2022Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“The cabin vent system appears to have a design defect, specifically the passenger-side vent located in the back of the cabin. This component is available for inspection upon request. The dealership, Santa Cruz Toyota, has declined to replace the part despite acknowledging the issue. The concern lies in the vent's design, as it allows water to enter the cabin instead of just expelling air. The water intrusion caused by this malfunction poses a safety risk in two ways. First, the presence of water on the floor increases the chance of an electrical fire due to the numerous electrical wires running underneath. Second, mildew spores can grow on the wet undercarpet padding, creating a health hazard. This problem has been confirmed by Santa Cruz Toyota, and we have video evidence to support the claim. While Santa Cruz Toyota has inspected the vehicle, our request for a direct inspection from the manufacturer, Toyota, has not been successful. There weren't any warning lights or messages prior to the failure. However, the issue became apparent after the heavy rains of 2023 in California, when we discovered water accumulated under the passenger-side carpet padding.”
NHTSAcomplaintMay 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: Limited confidence

The records describe a possible crash, fire, injury, or loss of control.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 TOYOTA TAKOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40 MPH WHEN COMING TO A RED LIGHT APPROXIMATELY 500 YARDS AWAY, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN IN SPEED THEN BEGAN TO PRESS THE BRAKES DUE TO A TRUCK NEARBY SUDDENLY COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES AND COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BUT HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED TOTALED AS OF YET. THE CONTACT RECEIVED INJURIES TO THEIR WRIST AND THE ABDOMINAL AREA. THE PASSENGER OF THE VEHICLE RECEIVED NECK, BACK, SHOULDER, AND LEG INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH A DEALER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
NHTSAcomplaintFeb 2021Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Toyota Safety Recall and Service Campaign - Technician Certification Requirements”
NHTSAtsbMar 2021Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner fenders under the hood on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color. Although the vehicle paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above.”
NHTSAtsbSep 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Customer Support Program 23TE08 Paint Repair Process”
NHTSAtsbSep 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“In our continuing efforts to ensure the best in customer satisfaction, Toyota is announcing a Customer Support Program to provide coverage for paint peeling on door frames and front inner fenders on certain 2016-2022 model year Tacoma vehicles. Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames and front inner fenders under the hood on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color. Although the vehicle paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the condition described above.”
NHTSAtsbSep 2024Open source record
Source recordEvidence: High confidence

The records describe a problem worth checking before purchase.

“Toyota has received some reports of paint peeling along the exterior door window frames, front inner fenders as can been seen with the hood open, and on the A-pillars on certain Tacoma vehicles with 040 Super White paint color. Although the vehicle paint is covered by Toyota’s New Vehicle Limited Warranty for three years, or 36,000 miles (whichever comes first), we at Toyota care about the customers’ ownership experience. Toyota is providing coverage for repairs related to the conditions described above.”
NHTSAtsbJul 2025Open source record

The checklist cannot see the car’s full history or condition.

Check this year at your mileage