Model year 2021 · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
2021 Toyota Tacoma: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Toyota Tacoma at 18–21 mpg combined across 6 versions. NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 81 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 4 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
0
EPA combined mpg
18–21
NHTSA overall rating
4/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Toyota dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Toyota Tacoma recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 0 safety recalls for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, newest first.
No recalls are listed for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma in NHTSA's recall file as of Oct 27, 2026.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Toyota Tacoma fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | Fuel | City/Hwy/Comb | Fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tacoma 2WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | 20/23/21 mpg | $3,200 | 423 |
| Tacoma 2WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | 19/24/21 mpg | $3,200 | 431 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 2.7L 4-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 19/22/20 mpg | $3,350 | 441 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 6-speed | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 18/22/20 mpg | $3,350 | 448 |
| Tacoma 4WD | 3.5L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 17/21/18 mpg | $3,700 | 481 |
| Tacoma 4WD D-CAB MT TRD-ORP/PRO | 3.5L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | 17/20/18 mpg | $3,700 | 483 |
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Toyota Tacoma crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Tested vehicle | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover | Rollover risk | Forward collision warning |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 2WD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 14.7% | Standard |
| 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/CC 4WD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 19.1% | Standard |
| 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 2WD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 14.7% | Standard |
| 2021 Toyota TACOMA PU/EC 4WD | 4 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars | 4 stars | 19.1% | Standard |
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Toyota Tacoma owner complaints
Owners have filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Toyota Tacoma, most recently on Oct 9, 2026. 9 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 15 injured people and 1 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
| Component named in complaints | Mentions |
|---|---|
| Power train | 14 |
| Engine | 12 |
| Service brakes | 12 |
| Unknown or other | 12 |
| Electrical system | 8 |
| Air bags | 7 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 |
| Structure: Body | 5 |
| Vehicle speed control | 5 |
| Forward collision avoidance: Automatic emergency braking | 4 |
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
Had a safety problem with your vehicle? You can report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem.
Other Toyota Tacoma model years
| Year | Combined | Recalls | Complaints | Overall rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Tacoma | 20–23 mpg | 0 | 12 | 4/5 |
| 2025 Tacoma | 20–23 mpg | 5 | 114 | 4/5 |
| 2024 Tacoma | 20–24 mpg | 6 | 154 | — |
| 2023 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 4 | 54 | 4/5 |
| 2022 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 3 | 59 | 4/5 |
| 2020 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 1 | 90 | 4/5 |
| 2019 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 4 | 219 | 4/5 |
| 2018 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 3 | 209 | 4/5 |
| 2017 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 5 | 243 | 4/5 |
| 2016 Tacoma | 18–21 mpg | 4 | 324 | 4/5 |
| 2015 Tacoma | 17–22 mpg | 4 | 100 | 4/5 |
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Other 2021 Toyota models
Sources
- Recalls: NHTSA recall flat file (FLAT_RCL_POST_2010), dated Oct 27, 2026, plus a live check of api.nhtsa.gov in your browser.
- Complaints: NHTSA consumer complaint flat files (COMPLAINTS_RECEIVED), counts only — we do not republish complaint text.
- Crash tests: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings API.
- Fuel economy: FuelEconomy.gov vehicles file (U.S. DOE and EPA), dated Sep 29, 2026.
- NHTSA, EPA and DOE do not endorse OpenVIN. Vehicle names identify vehicles only; OpenVIN is not affiliated with Toyota.