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2001 Toyota Tacoma

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 228.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

295 reports with mileage · 101 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 228 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 81 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports4 fire reports25 injury reports

Power Train complaints

15 reports
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44,000 miles · Aug 3, 2004
Power Train

FILE #200408021294. CUSTOMER (KIM REAMER) 07/27/2004 07:50 AM I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 X 4. IT HAS AN ISSUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED YOU WOULD FEEL A JOLT OR A SLIGHT PUSH FROM THE DRIVE TRANE AREA. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS ENGINE WRAP WHERE THE ENERGY GETS STORED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE…

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FILE #200408021294. CUSTOMER (KIM REAMER) 07/27/2004 07:50 AM I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 X 4. IT HAS AN ISSUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED YOU WOULD FEEL A JOLT OR A SLIGHT PUSH FROM THE DRIVE TRANE AREA. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS ENGINE WRAP WHERE THE ENERGY GETS STORED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RELEASE IS WHEN THE BREAKS ARE RELEASED FROM A STOP. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT IN THE REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU SOMTIMES HERE A SLIGHT THUD. THESE SYMPTOMS DO NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT QUITE OFTEN. PER A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER TOYOTA TACOMA OWNER HE STATED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND HAS A REPAIR DIRECTIVE OUT. I AM SENDING THIS TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION AS MY DEALER STATE HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TOY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A DRIVE WITH ME IN IT. PLEASE NOTE I POINTED IT OUT ONCE BUT HE SAID IT IS NORMAL. NORMAL IT IS NOT SERVICE RESPONSE: RUSS SWANSON: WE MET AND WENT ON A ROAD TEST TOGETHER WHEN YOU WERE LAST HERE ON JULY 21. OUR BEST INTEREST IS IN FINDING ANY ABNORMALITIES AND CORRECTING THEM. IF THIS CONDITION WORSENS TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS AN ABNORMALITY, IT WILL BE OUR PLEASURE TO CORRECT IT. AT THIS POINT, ANY ATTEMPT AT CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. RUSS SWANSON KOOL TOYOTA MY RESPONSE: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED WITH YOU IN IT, I ONLY NOTICED THE VEHICLE DO IT ONCE WHICH WAS SLIGHT TO WITH WHAT IT DOES. AS I STATED IT HAPPED ABOUT 4 TIMES DRIVING IN TO WORK AND HEARD IT THUMB ON ALL 4 CASES. THE PUSH OR ACTION FROM LETTING THE BREAK OFF ONCE STOPPED WAS FELT 4 TIMES AS WELL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS ME THAT YOU SAY SO. THIS WOULD BE CONSTRUED AS ABNORMAL. THERE A REPAIR DIRECTIVE OUT THERE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT. BUT TOYOTA IS FAILING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE TO SAY IT IS NORMA. THEN WHY A REPAIR DIRECTIVE?. PLEASE ADDRESS MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. KIM R. REAMER . *AK

NHTSA ODI #10086079

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE T…

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THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT SEIZING UP, THE SHOCKS AND REAR BRAKES WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8018737

Mileage unknown · Sep 25, 2001
EquipmentPower TrainSeat Belts

CONSUMER COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DEALER FOUND CONTAMINATED BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THEM, HOEWVER NOISE CONTINUED, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, DEALER FOUND THAT ABS SENSOR WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MADE REPAIRS. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #563269

Mileage unknown · Jun 20, 2001
Power Train

MAKES A CLANKING SOUND IN DRIVESHAFT WHEN SHIFTING.REPORTED THIS TO DEALERSHIP PROCEEDED TO ADD GEAR OIL TO REAREND .THIS HELPED SOME BUT DIDNT STOP NOISE . CONTACTED CHARLIES AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DROP AND PACK DRIVESHAFT TO ELIMINATE SOUND. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVESHAFT AND IM AFRAID THAT THE END RESUL…

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MAKES A CLANKING SOUND IN DRIVESHAFT WHEN SHIFTING.REPORTED THIS TO DEALERSHIP PROCEEDED TO ADD GEAR OIL TO REAREND .THIS HELPED SOME BUT DIDNT STOP NOISE . CONTACTED CHARLIES AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DROP AND PACK DRIVESHAFT TO ELIMINATE SOUND. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVESHAFT AND IM AFRAID THAT THE END RESULT COULD BE DANGEROUS. IVE CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD A NEW DRIVE SHAFT WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND THEY WOULD ONLY PACK THE OLD ONE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.I BELIEVE PACKING THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD ONLY BE A BANDAID ON A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE YOU AWARE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TOYOTA TACOMA DRIVESHAFTS? *AK

NHTSA ODI #747122

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2001
Power Train

THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD DRIVESHAFT CAME OUT ALMOST ALL THE WAY . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS FIXED PROBLEM.*AK FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AT FACTORY. *YH

NHTSA ODI #889694

Official recalls

4

12V542000 · Tires:temporary/emergency Spare Tire

Nov 23, 2012

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

05V225000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

May 19, 2003

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

01V186000 · Tires:sidewall

Jun 7, 2001

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TU4 WHITE LETTER TIRE UPGRADE OPTION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. TIRE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE OR A BULGE APPEARING IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRE COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS OR A BLOW OUT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL FOUR TIRES, REBALANCE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED TIRE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.