Buy Toyota Tacoma Fender

Toyota Tacoma front fender (also called a wheel-arch panel, mudguard, or quarter panel).

Snapshot

A Tacoma fender forms the curved metal shell that frames each front wheel, deflecting rocks and water, anchoring lights and flares, and absorbing light impacts. Fourth-generation trucks (2024-up) keep steel front fenders even though Toyota added aluminum to other upper-body areas; earlier generations (1995-2023) also rely on stamped steel. High-strength grades improve crash performance, while bolt-on design lets owners swap panels after collisions or to fit wider flares for off-road use. (Tacoma4G, Toyota USA Newsroom, SAE International)

Model Fit

• 1995-2004 (1st gen) - narrow body, no factory flares on base trims. (Wikipedia)
• 2005-2015 (2nd gen) - slightly wider arches; most aftermarket fenders list a unique part number.
• 2016-2023 (3rd gen) - shares front clip across cab types, but inner-fender paint complaints led to a Toyota support program. (NHTSA Static)
• 2024-up (4th gen) - new TNGA-F frame, still steel fenders; TRD Pro and Trailhunter trims add extra-wide flare sets. (Toyota USA Newsroom, MySA, MotorTrend)
  Overall body width is about 76.9 inches on current models, so replacement panels must match year and trim. (toyotaofmanchesternh.com)

Materials

Tacoma fenders are stamped from mild or high-strength steel to balance cost, dent resistance, and weight. (Tacoma4G, SAE International)
Steel panels help maintain occupant space in IIHS small-overlap tests, where the outer wheel-arch area carries crash loads. (IIHS)
Toyota's 2016 redesign added ultra-high-strength steel hot-stamped sections to the body shell, boosting rigidity without thickening the panel. (MotorTrend)

Common Issues

• Stone chips & salt-spray rust-forums note rust creeping under paint at the front lip and bed-side arches, especially in snowy states. (Tacoma World)
• Paint peel on 2016-22 inner fenders-Toyota's Customer Support Program 23TE08 extends coverage for this defect. (NHTSA Static)
• Trail damage-off-roading can crush lower edges; many owners add sacrificial flares or high-clearance fiberglass panels. (MotorTrend)

Safety & Rules

US federal law treats a fender as part of the body shell; any replacement must meet OEM crash performance. High-strength steel contributes to maintaining cabin space in IIHS tests. (IIHS, SAE International)
Painting the panel must occur inside a filtered spray booth to keep volatile organic compounds (VOCs) within EPA limits. (US EPA)

Removal Steps

1. Remove front wheel and inner liner clips. (Toyota Tacoma Repair)
2. Unbolt bumper cover and headlamp to expose joint bolts.
3. Support the panel; release the A-pillar bracket screws and antenna wire (if fitted). (Tacoma World)
4. Lift out the fender; reverse steps to install.
   Expect about 90 minutes with hand tools and no welding.

Paint & Finish

A durable finish needs a two-stage base-coat/clear-coat system:

• Sand, degrease, spray adhesion promoter.
• Apply color base till covered.
• Flash-off, then lay wet clear layers for UV protection. (YouTube)

Off-Road Upgrades

Wide flares on TRD Pro or Trailhunter add about 1-inch of tire coverage and bolt directly to factory fender holes. (MySA, Tacoma4G)
Video tutorials show drilling pilot holes and torquing screws to 35 in-lb to avoid cracking plastic flares. (YouTube)

Care Tips

• Hose off mud after trails to stop stone chips from turning into rust pockets. (Tacoma World)
• Wax the paint twice yearly for salt resistance.
• Check liner clips each oil change; broken clips let dirt cake behind the mudguard panel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does a front fender do?
A: It stops rocks, water, and debris from hitting the cab or other cars and shapes airflow around the wheel.

Q: Are Tacoma front fenders steel or aluminum?
A: All generations use steel; other body parts gained aluminum in 2024. (Tacoma4G, Toyota USA Newsroom)

Q: Will a 2020 fender fit a 2024 Tacoma?
A: No. The 2024 redesign moved bolt points; use the exact model-year part.

Q: How wide is a stock 2023 Tacoma fender?
A: The truck's total width is about 76.9 in.; the fender edge sits roughly 1 in. inside that. (toyotaofmanchesternh.com)

Q: Do wider flares need new fenders?
A: Most flares bolt to the existing panel; you only drill small pilot holes. (YouTube)

Q: Why does my 2018 Tacoma have peeling paint under the hood?
A: Toyota issued Customer Support Program 23TE08 for inner-fender paint peeling on 2016-22 trucks. (NHTSA Static)

Q: Can I drive with a dented fender?
A: Small dents are legal, but sharp metal edges can fail safety inspections-repair or replace promptly.

Q: Does replacing a fender void corrosion warranty?
A: No, but keep receipts and use rust-proof primer to maintain coverage terms.

Q: How long to swap a fender at home?
A: About 1 ½-2 hours with sockets, plastic-clip tools, and a friend to help lift. (Toyota Tacoma Repair)

Q: What torque spec for fender bolts?
A: Toyota lists 89 in-lb (10 N·m) for primary bolts.

Q: Are aftermarket fiberglass fenders lighter?
A: Yes, but steel remains stronger for daily impacts. (MotorTrend)

Q: Do fenders affect crash safety?
A: They tie into crumple zones and help keep wheels from intruding into the cab in small-overlap crashes. (IIHS)

Q: What primer is best before paint?
A: An epoxy, then a urethane high-build primer for leveling. (US EPA)

Q: How do I stop future rust?
A: Rinse salt, apply wax, and treat chips with touch-up paint. (Tacoma World)

Q: Will larger tires rub the fender?
A: Anything over 33 inches on stock offset may hit; trimming inner liner or adding a leveling kit solves this. (MotorTrend)

Q: Does insurance cover fender damage?
A: Comprehensive or collision insurance usually pays minus your deductible when the damage is sudden.

Q: Are recycled (used) fenders safe?
A: Yes if structurally sound and rust-free; inspect mounting tabs before purchase.

Q: Do I need to realign headlights after fender replacement?
A: Yes-a shifted panel can tilt the lamp bracket, so re-aim beams per spec.

Q: What's the environmental impact of painting?
A: VOCs from paint can harm air quality, so always use a proper booth and compliant products. (US EPA)

Q: What thickness is a Tacoma fender?
A: Around 0.8 mm (about 22-gauge) steel, typical for light-duty pickups. (SAE International)

This guide should serve visitors looking for everything from basic definitions to installation, safety, and upgrade advice on Toyota Tacoma fenders.