My 2024 Toyota Tacoma Won't Start. Dealership Might Not Be Able To Fix The Problem. Can The Battery Die After Only 7 Months?

The fourth-generation Toyota Tacoma came for the 2024 model year and it is already proving to be the most popular midsize pickup truck in North America. With Toyota having sold 192,813 Tacomas in 2024, you can bet it's hard to see those trucks sitting on the lots. In fact, some 2024 Toyota Tacoma owners are so happy with their purchase that they will never buy anything, but a Tacoma.

But not all is perfect with Tacoma. Toyota's midsize truck is only entering its second model year and some owners are experiencing issues. I stumbled upon a post in the Facebook group, 4th Gen 2024+ Toyota Tacoma where one owner, is experiencing an unexpected issue with his truck. He even supplemented a video, showcasing the problem. Here's what he says:  

“Truck not turning on with remote start or pressing brake pedal. Surely my battery shouldn't be going bad already, only owned for 7 months”. 

In this case, we are talking about a 2024 Toyota Tacoma equipped with an automatic transmission, not a manual. It is always worth starting with the simplest things as some owners ask "What gear is it in?” That's because newer vehicles equipped with a manual transmission and a push-to-start button will not let you start the engine unless you press the clutch pedal. Even my 2011 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has that. 

This is not an isolated issue, but apparently, there is an easy fix. However, it doesn't work for everyone. 

Some owners have given insightful comments regarding this issue, which as it turns out, plagues other 2024 Toyota Tacoma owners. 

Victor Rodriguez says: “Try putting key/fob on the start button then try starting”. 

David Hachey says: “Same thing happened to me and this worked". 

Pete Silva says: “No error messages? Fob battery? Try another Fob?" 

Tony Latham says: “I too wonder if it isn't the fob battery. Try pushing the button with the fob”. 

While some owners have solved this issue in a simple manner, not everyone is as lucky. Those Toyota Tacoma owners that are less fortunate, may have a more serious issue on their hands, and it seems, even dealerships can't figure out why these trucks keep “dying”. 

Chris Liebl says: “Welcome to my world. This has been an issue that (apparently, according to Toyota) has never happened to anyone else with this gen “Taco”. I've been fighting this issue since November and have 11k on my TRD Sport so far. It's been in the shop 5 times, including right now (by the way the 24 Highlander makes a pretty nice loaner), and they've yet to figure it out. If I find a solution with my dealer, I'll let you know. Until then, unfortunately, there's no way to make it work other than time. Sometimes it's 15 minutes, sometimes it's overnight.” 

As with many new models, many owners avoid the first model. The general perception is that early cars don't have all the quirks ironed-out and are bound to be more problematic than later model years. In a Reddit discussion I found, members generally believe that if you stick to this rule and keep your old truck for a bit longer, you would be better off. 

Of course, there are two schools of thought here. The older a car gets, the more prone it is to fail, although there is a good case to be made about the second-generation Toyota Tundra, if you are searching for a “forever” truck. On the other hand, modern vehicles are more tech-heavy, which means there is more stuff that can, potentially, go wrong. This is especially true for hybrids like the Toyota Tacoma i-Force Max, which also has documented issues. Vehicles are also more mass-produced than ever before, leading to a statistically larger probability of defects. 

Even so, the Toyota Tacoma, currently, dominates the midsize pickup truck segment in the US. The second-most sold midsize truck in 2024 was the Chevrolet Colorado with 70,710 units. Third place goes to the Nissan Frontier (55,915) while fourth place is taken by the Ford Maverick (40,949). Despite some recent hiccups, people still perceive Toyota as a brand that makes dependable vehicles, although even the bestseller Toyota Corolla isn't quite trouble-free. 

But I am curious to learn what your thoughts are. Have you had a similar experience? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comment section below, so we can potentially have a better idea of what can cause such issues. 

Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.

Image source: 2024 Toyota Tacoma