2010 Toyota Tacoma: Leaking head gasket
Common wear/failure (not a recall)
Symptoms
Owners of the 2010 Tacoma report: leaking head gasket. CarComplaints.com lists 2 owner complaints, average mileage 105,750 miles.
NHTSA has 9 owner complaints for the 2010 Tacoma in this area. Examples:
- NHTSA complaint ODI #11061585 (filed 01/10/2018): “On 1/2/18 i was driving into a parking lot going slow getting ready to put my truck into reverse to back up into a spot when suddenly without warning an unintended acceleration took place. my truck would not stop accelerating forward with my right foot presse…”
- NHTSA complaint ODI #10928342 (filed 11/28/2016): “Tl* the contact owns a 2010 toyota tacoma. while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle failed to stop and continued to accelerate while driving down an incline. the rpms increased while the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle was shifted into neutral. …”
Likely causes
Sources do not establish a single root cause; diagnosis is needed. Owner-reported fixes are listed below.
Fix, in plain English
Most common owner-reported solutions on CarComplaints.com: replaced head gasket (2 reports). Check for open recalls and extended warranty coverage with a dealer before paying out of pocket.
DIY difficulty: Pro
Internal engine work (lifters, oil consumption, fuel dilution diagnosis) requires engine teardown or dealer software/tests. (Our assessment.)
Cost
CarComplaints.com owners report a typical repair cost of about $2,850 (owner-reported average, not a quote).
Typical parts (search links, no affiliate codes)
AutoZone · O'Reilly · Advance · RockAuto
Sources
Estimated repair cost: head gasket replacement
Average shop cost
$1,135
Range $500–$1,945 (labor)
5.0–14.0 h × $100–$139/h estimated shop labor rate
Parts not included.
Average mobile mechanic cost
$1,705
Range $750–$2,920 (labor)
Shop labor × 1.5 (mobile convenience premium)
Parts not included.
Estimates only, not a quote. Actual prices vary by vehicle, shop and location. See the estimate for your city → · About this repair and its cost
Same repair on other models: 2010 Subaru Forester: Blown head gaskets · 2010 Subaru Outback: Head gasket failure · 2014 Kia Sportage: Failed head gasket-exhaust gas in coolant · 2016 Jeep Wrangler: Blown head gaskets
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