Toyota Tacoma Generation 1 (1995–2004)

Toyota Tacoma Generation 1 (1995–2004) — production years, market prices by model year, NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, and live listings for sale on VehiSales.

Toyota Tacoma — body generations

Generation Produced Facelift
Generation 1 1995–2004 —
Generation 2 2005–2015 —
Generation 3 2016–2023 —
Generation 4 2024–present —

Vehicles within one generation share the same platform and body style.

Engines used in the Tacoma

Engine families this model shipped with, by NHTSA VIN build data — each links to every model that shares it.

Engine Years in this model Also used in VIN builds ⓘ
Toyota 3.5L V6 (2GR) 2016–2023 7 models 168
Toyota 2.7L 4-cylinder 1995–2023 7 models 166
Toyota 4.0L V6 (1GR-FE) 2005–2015 5 models 139
Toyota 2.4L I4 (2AZ-FE) 1995–2026 20 models 80
Toyota 3.4L 6-cylinder 1995–2004 6 models 74

About this generation

The Tacoma was introduced in the US in February 1995 (with a market launch in March 1995) as a replacement for the Toyota Truck (which was the name used for the Hilux in the North American market since 1984). When comparing with the Hilux, the Tacoma receives engineering with greater priority on ride quality, handling, comfort, and safety over ruggedness and payload capacity. The design intends to better suit the needs of the US and Canadian market, where pickup trucks are used as personal vehicles rather than for commercial, agricultural, and off-road purposes.

Development began in 1989, following the launch of the fifth-generation Toyota Truck in late 1988 and concluded in 1994. Design work was done at Calty Design Research in California from 1990 to 1992, when Kevin Hunter's exterior design proposal was chosen in the autumn of 1991 and in final form, frozen for production in 1992. Patents for the production design were filed in Japan in April 1993 and October 28, 1993, in the United States.

Three engines were available for the Tacoma: Two-wheel drive (2WD) Tacomas (excluding PreRunner models) had five-stud wheel-lug patterns and either the 2.4- or 3.4-liter engine. Four-wheel drive (4WD) and PreRunner Tacomas had six-stud wheel-lug patterns and were available with either the 2.7-L or 3.4-L engine. Initially, the 2.4 L was limited to the 2WD models (both regular and Xtracab), while the 2.7-liter the standard engine for 4WD models, and the 3.4-liter V6, shared with the larger T100 truck, was an option for the 2WD (Xtracab only) and 4WD (regular and Xtracab).

The top-of-the-line SR5 trim was available for the 4WD Xtracab V6. From 1997 on, the 3.4 L V6 was dropped as an option for the regular cab models, which were available only with a 2.4-L or a 2.7-L four-cylinder engine. An aftermarket Toyota Racing Development (TRD) supercharger kit was available for the 3.4-liter V6, raising output to. The V6 supercharger kit was specified for model years 1997 and later, as the earlier engine control units (ECUs) had limitations.

A kit to add a 7th fuel injector was available, including a replacement ECU, boosting performance further to. In addition, TRD supercharger kits were available for the 4-cylinder engines (2.4 L and 2.7 L) as well. A five-speed manual transmission was standard for all models initially, with a four-speed automatic transmission available as an option except for the 4WD V6 regular cab. The PreRunner (MY98–04) and Double Cab (01–04) models were available only with an automatic transmission for the first generation.

The 3.4 L V6 was paired with the R150F manual transmission or the A340F (4WD) or A340E (2WD) Aisin automatic transmission; the A340F code is 30-40LE. The first-generation Tacoma has a fully-boxed frame (meaning the main frame rails have a closed rectangular cross-section) until immediately after the rear leaf spring mounting bracket, where the frame transitions into a C-shaped cross-section. The TRD Off-Road package was introduced in 1998.

This package added a locking rear differential and was only available to PreRunner and four-wheel drive models that were equipped with the 3.4-L V6. Anti-lock brakes were made standard across the Tacoma line for the 2003 model year. The first-generation Tacoma underwent its first minor update in October 1996, switching from recessed sealed beam headlamps to a flush design on 2WD models. There were two more cosmetic facelifts: the first in July 1997 and the second in October 2000.

The most visible changes were in the modified front grilles (both facelifts, for model years 1998 and 2001) and tailgate badging and emblems (first facelift, MY1998). The MY1998 facelift included distinct grilles for the 2WD and 4WD models; 2WD models featured a prominent horizontal bar splitting the grille. A StepSide bed was added as an option for MY2000.

Source: Wikipedia — Toyota Tacoma — First generation (N140/N150/N160/N170/N190; 1995), CC BY-SA.

Recalls & complaints by year (NHTSA)

Year Recalls Complaints Most reported
2003 5 371 Structure, Suspension, Vehicle Speed Control
2004 5 414 Structure, Suspension, Unknown Or Other

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.

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