Toyota Tacoma 2.7L Engine: Longevity, Problems, and Specs

Toyota Tacoma has become one of the best-sold trucks in the US. Now, it sells about a quarter million vehicles every year and this is a lot. Actually, the most popular version of the truck is the 3.5L V6 because it's powerful, durable, and quite all-purpose. But there is a cheaper version that can also be pretty good for a lot of people - the 2.7L L4.

Today, we'll be speaking about the smaller Tacoma engine and will obviously reveal some facts about this Toyota unit you didn't know before. Are these engines durable? What are their common problems and possible breakdown reasons? Why are they not as popular as the V6 engines? Let's have a look at all these factors.

Here's what we'll be talking about:

• The Tacoma 2.7L engine - some facts you should know about it.
• What's the durability of the L4 engine in Tacoma trucks?
• What are the common problems with this engine installed in Tacoma?
• How can you prolong its life?

Let's get started!

Some facts about the 2.7L engine under the Tacoma's hood

Well, this is not a new engine and it wasn't engineered especially for the Tacoma. This is the 2TR-FE engine that was first presented in 2004 and was long used in basically all popular Toyota SUVs and other types of vehicles. In 2015 it got a major update and became a little more powerful.

We know that owners have always been praised this engine for being basically problem-free. We still don't agree with this because it naturally shows some problems. But if you compare the 2.7L Tacoma engine with any other competitors from other manufacturers, you will see this is a good unit with few problems.

Here are some facts to know about the 2.7L engine:

• this is a 4-cylinder engine, it offers 159 horsepower and 180 lb-ft of torque which may seem like not a lot for the truck;
• this is a naturally aspirated engine with no turbochargers, the manufacturer didn't even try to make it very powerful, it's made for a different purpose;
• we should say that the power and torque are completely enough for the Tacoma unless you need to tow huge trailers with massive weight;
• the engine is quite economical - on average, your Tacoma will show about 23 MPG on highways and 20 MPG in the city;
• the engine is only coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission which is pretty reliable and durable;
• the same type of engine has been used in Land Cruiser Prado, Fortuner, Hilux, 4Runner, and other models offered by Toyota;
• up to 2015, these engines had a VVT-i system on intake valves only, but in 2015 the company offered a renewed 2TR-FE 2.7L engine with a Dual VVT-i system for all valves;
• the engine is quite good to drive, it resembles the behavior of a diesel engine which is the best option for a truck.

We could continue talking about different technical features of this engine but we believe these points are enough for a potential owner. We don't want to overload you with technical information so that you could focus on some more important things and decide whether the Tacoma equipped with the 2.7L engine is for you or not.

First of all, we should say that personally, we wouldn't buy the Tacoma powered by the 2.7L engine because Toyota has the V6 alternative to offer. Given we use our trucks for towing different things and for off-roading, we want to have a lot of power and torque in store. But if you are a calmer truck owner, then the 2.7L Tacoma is right what you need.

How durable is the 2.7L engine in a Tacoma?

The engine is pretty reliable. It will not get on your nerves with numerous issues up until it's a high-mileage engine. But what should be considered the high mileage for this unit? We think that only after it reached 200K miles, it will become less reliable but still drivable.

The overall longevity of the 2.7L engine in a Tacoma should be around 250,000 miles. We also know that a Land Cruiser Prado powered by this engine will easily go over 300,000 miles with no expensive repairs. But the Tacoma is a truck and it's made for a different purpose. If you use your Tacoma as a truck for hauling and towing, the engine will be loaded much more than in an SUV.

Also, the Tacoma is quite heavy. Its weight is 4040 lbs and this is a lot for a 4-cylinder engine. So, we believe these factors influence overall longevity. But still, 250K miles is a lot considering modern vehicles and their average longevity.

What are the common problems with the 2.7L Tacoma engine?

This engine has been here for almost three decades now, so we know a lot about its possible problems and the mileage when these problems should happen. Also, we know how much it costs to repair this engine and we should say it's not the most expensive Toyota engine. It's one of the cheapest ones to repair and maintain.

Here are some of the common problems that you can (and will) encounter if you own the Tacoma with the 2.7-liter engine or are planning to buy one.

1. Oil leaks

They aren't as common as with some other engines, but still, this 2.7L engine may leak some oil. Usually, the problem may be solved without a lot of investments, but this is still not really good. You may not notice the leak and this may lead to problems.

For example, the oil may leak on something important like a wiring harness. Or the oil level may become too low to keep all parts of the engine properly oiled. One of the best solutions for this problem is to keep an eye on the oil level and possible leaks by inspecting the vehicle under the hood once a week or so.

2. Engine vibration when idling

This problem has been there with the 2.7L engine since 2004. The engine vibrates when warming up and this may seem like a problem. But actually, it's the normal behavior of the unit. You should understand that this it's not the most modern powerplant made by Toyota and it has some common issues that should be just forgiven.

If your 2.7L Toyota Tacoma vibrates when idling or warming up, just don't pay attention to this. Of course, if the vibrations are very bad, you should check engine mounts, misfiring, or any other possible issues that can cause this problem.

3. Bad gas mileage under the load

Unfortunately, the 2.7L engine has only 4 cylinders and 159 hp. It is not really powerful and it doesn't have a lot of torque in store for you. This engine basically always works at the top of its capabilities. And this is a problem if we think about this.

If you need some more power and torque to tow a trailer, the engine will be under huge stress. This will cause excessive fuel consumption. The mileage will significantly drop. This will not happen with the V6 3.5L engine and that's why people often choose this more expensive option.

4. Too weak for the Tacoma

We personally think this engine is wonderful. But it was marketed badly and installed in the wrong vehicles. We would love to see it in something like the Camry or maybe the Corolla. But Tacoma and Land Cruiser seem to be too heavy for this 4-cylinder unit and it can't offer its full potential because of that.

Still, the engine will not let you down and will work for years to justify your spending. It still can tow light trailers and do the work you want it to do.

How to prolong the life of the 2.7L Tacoma engine?

Now you know why the 2.7L engine in a Toyota Tacoma may fail. All you need to do to enhance its lifespan is to avoid these possible problems. Here are just some simple tips you can use to drive your Tacoma for more years and miles:

• never overload your vehicle - pay attention to towing capacity and payload and always remember these factors;
• don't use it for active driving - this is definitely not a sports engine, so be careful when trying to drive your Tacoma actively;
• remember about oil leaks - always watch for any possible leaks in this engine and deal with all possible leaks immediately;
• don't forget about regular maintenance - this engine needs good oil, clean filters, and optimal cooling and these can be achieved by good maintenance.

Final words

The 2.7L 4-cylinder engine in the Toyota Tacoma is not a bad powerplant that will definitely work for dozens of years and will easily go hundreds of thousands of miles. But comparing this version with the 3.5 V6 Tacoma, we would choose the latter. Why? Because it's more powerful and it is just made for the truck.

The 2.7L engine may seem a little stressed in a Tacoma. But when it comes to practical use, this engine is sure to show the best it has. We are sure you'll be satisfied with the Tacoma 2.7L even though it's not the best option on the market.