← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Structure complaints

228 reports
Clear category filter
144,321 miles · Feb 3, 2015
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE W…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,321.

NHTSA ODI #10680780

198,000 miles · Jan 27, 2015
Structure

I TOOK MY TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP TO SIGNATURE TOYOTA IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN FOR A FRAME RECALL AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED AND I HAD LETTER IN HAND THAT SAID IT WAS. NOW IN DECEMBER 14, 2014 I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR THE SPARE TIRE RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE I D…

Read full complaint

I TOOK MY TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP TO SIGNATURE TOYOTA IN BENTON HARBOR, MICHIGAN FOR A FRAME RECALL AND THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS NOT RECALLED AND I HAD LETTER IN HAND THAT SAID IT WAS. NOW IN DECEMBER 14, 2014 I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR THE SPARE TIRE RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT IT COULD NOT BE FIXED BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THE FRAME RECALL FIXED AND I TOLD THEM THAT I HAD IT IN THERE AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. AND THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT AND TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX IT EARTHIER. THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT THE TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO JORDEN TOYOTA FOR A SECOND OPINION. I THOUGHT THAT SIGNATURE WAS TELLING ME THE TRUTH WHEN IN FACT THEY WEREN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10679249

220,000 miles · Jan 21, 2015
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE.…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR FRAME BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.

NHTSA ODI #10677036

236,074 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Structure

RECENTLY, I BROUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA INTO THE DEALER IN HYANNIS, MA TO ADDRESS A RECALL OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME AND I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THAT AS WELL. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2013 FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHO ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE …

Read full complaint

RECENTLY, I BROUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA INTO THE DEALER IN HYANNIS, MA TO ADDRESS A RECALL OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER. THERE WAS A PRIOR RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FRAME AND I ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT THAT AS WELL. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE IN 2013 FROM THE PREVIOUS OWNER, WHO ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE ORLEANS TOYOTA DEALERSHIP(IN ORLEANS, MA), DURING THE PREVIOUS RECALL/EXTENDED SERVICE PERIOD - IN MAY 2011 - WHEN HE HAD RECEIVED NOTICES, AND THAT HE WAS ADVISED THE FRAME WAS SOLID AND DID NOT HAVE A PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO TOYOTA'S RECORDS, ORLEANS TOYOTA DOCUMENTED THAT THE FRAME WAS CHECKED OUT AND PASSED THEIR INSPECTION. NOW, ACCORDING TO [XXX]. AT TOYOTA NATIONAL CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT., THE RECALL/EXTENDED SERVICE WARRANTY PROGRAM ON THE FRAME THEN EXPIRED LATER, IN SEPT., 2011. NOW, HERE IS THE CATCH-22 THAT I AM CONFRONTED WITH ?? I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY . [XXX] AND OTHERS, THAT AT THE TIME OF THE INSPECTION, IN MAY 2011, IF THE ORLEANS TOYOTA SERVICE DEPT. HAD PROVIDED A RUST PREVENTATIVE COATING TO THE FRAME, THEN THIS VEHICLE WOULD HAVE HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 15 YEARS ON IT. AGAIN, THE PREVIOUS OWNER BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN AS INSTRUCTED WHEN HE HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DOES NOT KNOW WHY HE WAS NOT OFFERED THE RUST PREVENTION COATING BACK IN 2011, AND WAS CONTENT THAT THE FRAME WAS SOLID, BECAUSE HE HAD BROUGHT IT IN TO ORLEANS TOYOTA, AND THEY HAD INSPECTED IT. I UNDERSTAND THE NHTSA CURRENTLY HAS 134 OPEN COMPLAINTS JUST ON THIS YEAR 2001 TACOMAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT TOYOTA SHOULD RECONSIDER AND FIX THE PROBLEM, SINCE FOR WHATEVER REASON, IT WAS TOYOTA 'S ERROR IN NOT APPLYING THE RUST PREVENTION COATING BACK IN 2011. FOR TOYOTA NOW TO NOT STAND BEHIND THE VEHICLE BASED ON THEIR ERROR IS A POOR, AND DANGEROUS ACTION ON THEIR PART. THANK YOU! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10670769

190,000 miles · Dec 2, 2014
Structure

THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK IS RUSTED AWAY. THERE IS A RE-CALL FOR REPAIRING THE TIRE MOUNT UNDER THE TRUCK. TOYOTA STATES THEY CAN NOT FIX BECAUSE OF THE RUST. MY CASE WITH THEM IS 1411181384. THE BODY AND MOTOR ARE EXCELLENT. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10661571

72,000 miles · Nov 13, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN FOR AN INSPECTION, THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA ODI #10654750

140,000 miles · Nov 12, 2014
Structure

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL NOTICE ON SPARE TIRE MOUNT. LATER THAT DAY, DEALER CALLED AND SAID THEY COULD NOT PUT VEHICLE ON LIFT TO CHECK THE MOUNT, AS FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THEY FEARED IT WOULD BREAK. I WAS INFORMED AT THIS TIME THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EARLIER RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUE…

Read full complaint

BROUGHT VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR RECALL NOTICE ON SPARE TIRE MOUNT. LATER THAT DAY, DEALER CALLED AND SAID THEY COULD NOT PUT VEHICLE ON LIFT TO CHECK THE MOUNT, AS FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THEY FEARED IT WOULD BREAK. I WAS INFORMED AT THIS TIME THAT THERE HAD BEEN AN EARLIER RECALL REGARDING THIS ISSUE, BUT THAT IT HAD BEEN DISCONTINUED. I TOLD THE DEALER I NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR FRAME CORROSION. I CALLED TOYOTA AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RECALL HAD BEEN EXTENDED BUT WAS NO LONGER ACTIVE, AND THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BROUGHT IN WHILE THE RECALL WAS ACTIVE, THE 15 YEAR WARRANTY ON THE FRAME WAS VOID. CONSEQUENTLY, ALL COSTS TO REPAIR WOULD BE TOTALLY OUT OF POCKET. DEALER THEN TOLD ME THAT IN THE PRESENT CONDITION, THE TRADE-IN VALUE OF THE VEHICLE WAS NOW $200-$300 INSTEAD OF ANYWHERE NEAR THE BOOK VALUE OF THIS MODEL ($6000-$7000). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10654480

151,458 miles · Nov 6, 2014
StructureSuspension

THE FRAME ON MY TOYOTA TACOMA 2001 TRUCK IS SO RUSTED OUT THAT IT IS NOT INSPECT-ABLE. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP WILL DO NOTHING FOR ME....I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE...WAITING FOR A CALL BACK...TOYOTA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO FIX THE PROBLEM....NHTSA...PLEASE HELP!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10653152

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2014
Structure

EXCESSIVE RUST EVERYWHERE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640825

126,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIM…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS BEING PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000..UPDATED 09/30/14 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10631758

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.