Are Toyotas Reliable?

• Known for its reliability, Toyota balances dependable vehicles with innovative technology, though this may affect long-term reliability.
• Toyota models like Corolla and RAV4 are highlighted for their dependability, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
• Factors like engine failure, airbag recalls, transmission issues, and fuel pump malfunctions are noted among common problems in various Toyota models.

Toyota continues to uphold its reputation as a reliable brand. What it lacks in the latest and greatest features, it more than makes up for in dependability. However, stiff competition in the automotive industry has spurred the brand to introduce cutting-edge technology, potentially threatening its legacy. Whether Toyota will recover or succumb to the issues that plague other brands remains to be seen. 

Reliability can be challenging to gauge, especially between various makes and models. The resources below can help inform your perception of a vehicle’s reliability score based on multiple factors, from safety and efficiency ratings to average repair costs and cost of ownership: 

• J.D. Power dependability rewards 
• FuelEconomy.gov’s fuel efficiency ratings 
• Safety ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
• Average repair costs reported by RepairPal
• Kelley Blue Book’s (KBB) 5-Year Cost to Own

Ultimately, reliability depends on how well you care for your vehicle, from performing routine maintenance with high-quality components to reducing the impact of daily wear and tear. However, specific components can reduce a vehicle’s reliability if they’re defective or malfunction in some way from the factory. In these cases, it’s a matter of identifying those components and either taking advantage of factory recalls or accounting for them in your repair budget. 

The Toyota Corolla and RAV4 are just a few of the most reliable cars from Toyota. Learn more about how reliable Toyota variants can be based on different measurements. 

1. Dependability

Toyota won several dependability awards from J.D. Power in 2022: 

• 2019 Toyota Corolla for most dependable compact car
• 2019 Toyota Tundra 4WD for most dependable large light-duty pickup 
• 2022 4Runner for upper midsize SUVs for resale value ratings
• 2022 Avalon for large cars for resale ratings 
• 2022 Toyota Tundra 2WD for best large light-duty pickups for resale ratings

2. Average repair costs

RepairPal ranks Toyota eighth out of 32 car brands. The four out of five stars the brand earns translates to 0.3 shop visits per year, with a 12% chance of severe repairs required. Though the brand maintains 325 recalls across its vast lineup, paying for annual maintenance on a Toyota only costs you $441 on average. The most common recall among Toyotas is a stuck accelerator pedal due to faulty floor mats. 

3. Safety features and ratings

Toyotas tend to score well in safety ratings, including the following models evaluated by the IIHS and NHTSA: 

• 2024 ToyotaPrius Prime: “Good” ratings in all categories
• 2024 Toyota Corolla: “Good” ratings in four categories; two “Acceptable” ratings 
• 2022 Toyota Avalon: Top Safety Pick+ and “Good” rating in all categories 
• 2024 Toyota4Runner: “Good” ratings in two categories and “Marginal” in “Small overlap front: driver-side” 
• 2023 Toyota Tundra 4WD: Five out of five overall safety rating
• 2023 Toyota Corolla: Five out of five overall safety rating
• 2023 Toyota RAV4 FWD: Five out of five overall safety rating
• 2023 Toyota4Runner 2WD: Four out of five overall safety rating 

The large footprint of many Toyotas, primarily the SUVs and pickups, often helps drivers and passengers feel safer on the road.  

4. Cost of ownership

According to KBB, several Toyota models have earned rewards for low cost of ownership over five years, including: 

• 2022 Avalon and Avalon Hybrid: Best (first and second) for full-size car ($51,439 for hybrid variants and $54,451 for gas)
• 2023 Camry Hybrid: Third in mid-size car ($40,139)
• 2023 Tacoma Double Cab: Third in mid-size pickup truck ($41,229)
• 2023 Sienna: Best in minivan ($47,721)
• 2023 Corolla Hybrid: Second in hybrid/alternative energy car ($35,432) 
• 2024 Prius: Best in hybrid/alternative energy car and second in compact car ($34,859)

Many of these models include 2023 and 2024 variants, which indicates Toyota keeps ownership costs low even as other brands cost more to maintain with current economic conditions. 

5. Fuel efficiency

Toyotas are known for scoring well in fuel economy in addition to the above areas. Below are a few exemplary models: 

• 2023 Toyota4Runner: 16 city and 19 highway miles-per-gallon (MPG)
• 2023 Toyota Corolla: 21 city and 28 highway MPG on the low end and 53 city and 46 highway MPG on the high end (Corolla Hybrid) 
• 2023 Toyota Tundra: 17 city and 22 highway MPG up to 20 city and 24 highway MPG
• 2023 ToyotaPrius: 57 city and 56 highway MPG to 49 city and 50 highway MPG 
• 2023 Toyota RAV4: 25 city and 32 highway and 41 city and 38 highway MPG on the high end 

Toyota incorporates several fuel types among its lineup, from gas-powered variants like the horsepower-packed Supra to hybrids and all-electric models such as the Toyota bZ4X. 

Asking yourself if your car is insured won’t help you address the following problems common on Toyotas. However, knowing what you need to get car insurance can help you insure your new car purchase. Read on to learn more about common Toyota problems with several major systems. 

1. Engine failure

RepairPal calls out a check engine light due to the evaporative emission system or a failed oxygen sensor component as one of the most common complaints by Toyota owners. Several models suffer from this issue, including the 2021 Corolla, the 2020 Toyota Camrys and Camry Hybrids, Avalon Hybrids, RAV4 and RAV4 Hybrids. These engines may also suffer from excessive oil consumption. 

2. Airbags (Takata) 

Toyota models were struck with the Takata recall issued by the NHTSA. While the airbag manufacturer has made progress in recalling affected models, checking to see if this repair has been done should be at the top of your list when purchasing a used Toyota, even from a dealership. Failure to complete this repair can put you and your passengers in severe danger. 

3. Transmission failure

Various transmissions throughout the Toyota lineup across model years received a bad rap. For example, the 2019 Tacoma incorporates a transmission that suffers from jumpy gear changes. Toyota Highlanders and Siennas from 2017 to the present are known for jerky eight-speed transmissions that caused a lawsuit in 2020. Poor shifting on transmissions with high mileage seems to stem from a dirty or failing throttle position sensor or shift solenoid. 

4. Failed fuel pump

Several complaints of failed fuel pumps pop up for various new Toyota models. Broken or malfunctioning fuel pumps can starve the engine of a critical element required to fire. In many cases, trouble starting the engine can signal a failed fuel pump with further diagnosis. 

5. Unintended acceleration 

Toyota issued a recall several years ago to address models that accelerated unintentionally. While the true cause of the issue remains buried, Toyota blamed it on defective floor mats that wedged their way underneath the pedals. However, the issue seems to have resolved itself after a few updates.  

The majority of Toyota models are reliable, but those that stand out include:

• Camry Hybrid
• Prius
• Tacoma
• Tundra
• 4Runner
• Yaris
• Corolla
• Land Cruiser
• Highlander 
• Sienna
• Sequoia 
• RAV4

Standout model years include the 2015 Tundra, 2016 Prius, the 2017 Toyota Tacoma and Camry Hybrid, and the 2018 4Runner and Tundra. 

The average lifespan of a Toyota vehicle extends well beyond the 250,000-mile mark. Indeed, Top Gear put a Toyota Hilux (the UK equivalent of the Tacoma in the United States) through several torture and durability tests to push its limits. This tendency for longevity extends to the average annual repair costs, which RepairPal estimates to be $441. Such repairs are matched by many Japanese car manufacturers, such as Mazda, but not by luxury car giants like BMW, Mercedes, and Lexus. 

Toyotas are generally reliable vehicles and make some of the best cars, especially if they’re well cared for. The import brand has established a solid reputation for reliability that many customers rely on for their own cars and new drivers. However, Toyota has recently begun incorporating more advanced technology, which may hurt reliability in the long run.