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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

Structure complaints

228 reports
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Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE WENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS RUSTING THROUGH. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALL ON OUR TRUCK WOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND THAT OUR TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW EVER I FE…

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THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE WENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS RUSTING THROUGH. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALL ON OUR TRUCK WOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND THAT OUR TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW EVER I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND THROUGH THE FRAME WHERE IT HAS RUSTED. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK IS A 2001 AND THIS IS 2008, THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR DAILY NEEDS AND GENERAL RIDING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244417

92,330 miles · Sep 27, 2008
Structure

I WAS TOLD SEPT 11,2008 THAT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS RUSTED OUT BEYOND BEING FIXED IN THE FRAME. I WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AN OFFER OF 100% KBB TO BUT THE TRUCK BACK FROM ME AND WHEN I TOLD THEM I OWED MORE THEN WHAT WAS OFFERED THEY REPLIED THAT I HAD TO SAY YES OR NO. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO …

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I WAS TOLD SEPT 11,2008 THAT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS RUSTED OUT BEYOND BEING FIXED IN THE FRAME. I WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AN OFFER OF 100% KBB TO BUT THE TRUCK BACK FROM ME AND WHEN I TOLD THEM I OWED MORE THEN WHAT WAS OFFERED THEY REPLIED THAT I HAD TO SAY YES OR NO. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. I DON'T HAVE THE EXTRA MONEY TO PAY THE LOAN OFF TO SETTLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243621

109,000 miles · Sep 25, 2008
Structure

I HEARD ABOUT THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR FRAME 'PERFORATION' ON 1995-2000 TACOMA PICKUPS. I HAVE A 2001 AND DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK MINE UNTIL A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL DISCOVERED HIS FRAME HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CHECKED MY FRAME AND IT IS ROTTED IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE HIS WAS. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA (#2008092501…

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I HEARD ABOUT THE TOYOTA RECALL FOR FRAME 'PERFORATION' ON 1995-2000 TACOMA PICKUPS. I HAVE A 2001 AND DIDN'T THINK TO CHECK MINE UNTIL A FRIEND WITH THE SAME YEAR/MAKE/MODEL DISCOVERED HIS FRAME HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I CHECKED MY FRAME AND IT IS ROTTED IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE HIS WAS. I HAVE OPENED A CASE WITH TOYOTA (#200809250175) AND AM AWAITING RESPONSE. I AM ALREADY BEING MET WITH RESPONSES FROM TOYOTA LIKE "YOUR TRUCK IS OUTSIDE OF THE SERVICE BULLETIN" AND "YOU ARE NOT COVERED". MY TRUCK IS NEWER THAN THE ONES BEING COVERED AND HAS THE SAME ISSUE. I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. SINCE THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH THE FRAME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. AS FAILURE OF THE FRAME COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10243406

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2008
Structure

FAX FROM SENATOR BERNARD SANDERS ON BEHALF OF HIS CONSTITUENT WHO HAS CONCERNS ABOUT THE RUSTED FRAME OF HER 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS NO LONGER SAFE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10243668

46,563 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Structure

2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH FRAME ROT. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN CONFISCATED AS IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN 3 WKS NOW AND TOYOTA CAN'T EVEN GIVE ME A COMPLETION DATE. THEY ARE STILL INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. MY RENTAL COVERAGE IS ONLY GOOD FOR 30 DAYS THEN I NEED TO PAY FOR IT. TOYOTA IS TELLING ME TO BE PATIENT AS THEY NEED TO …

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2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH FRAME ROT. THE TRUCK HAS BEEN CONFISCATED AS IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IT HAS BEEN 3 WKS NOW AND TOYOTA CAN'T EVEN GIVE ME A COMPLETION DATE. THEY ARE STILL INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. MY RENTAL COVERAGE IS ONLY GOOD FOR 30 DAYS THEN I NEED TO PAY FOR IT. TOYOTA IS TELLING ME TO BE PATIENT AS THEY NEED TO TEND TO THE 1995-2000 CUSTOMERS FIRST AS THEY HAD ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION THAT DID NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH ITS THE SAME FRAME PROBLEM. MY FRAME WAS CORRODED AND WASN'T GOING TO PASS INSPECTION NOR WAS THE VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM LEFT PAYING ON A VEHICLE I NO LONGER HAVE IN MY POSSESSION AND CASE MANAGER TELLING ME TO BE PATIENT!!!! THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO COVER THE ROTTING FRAME ISSUE IN ALL OF THEIR VEHICLES SINCE ITS TOYOTA'S PROBLEM, NOT THE CONSUMERS. PLEASE HELP ME!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241858

121,946 miles · Sep 10, 2008
Structure

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERE FRAME CORROSION, THE VEHICLE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT DUE TO THE SEVERE FRAME CORROSION, THE VEHICLE WAS A SAFETY HAZARD ON THE ROAD. THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2001 TACOMA FRAME INTO THE RECALL; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,946 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,946. UPDATED 10/03/08 *BF UPDATED 10/07/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10241691

129,274 miles · Sep 9, 2008
Structure

THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE FRAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UP THAT WAS PURCHASED USED IN FEBRUARY OF 2007 WITH 102,000 MILES. A NYS INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED UPON PURCHASE. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 130K. SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2008, WHILE INSTALLING AT A LOCAL TIRE AND BREAK SHOP, THE TECH NOTICED SERIOUS FRAME ROT ON THE …

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THIS COMPLAINT IS IN REGARDS TO A DEFECTIVE FRAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UP THAT WAS PURCHASED USED IN FEBRUARY OF 2007 WITH 102,000 MILES. A NYS INSPECTION WAS PERFORMED UPON PURCHASE. THE TRUCK NOW HAS 130K. SEPTEMBER 6TH, 2008, WHILE INSTALLING AT A LOCAL TIRE AND BREAK SHOP, THE TECH NOTICED SERIOUS FRAME ROT ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF MY TRUCK. THE SHOP MANAGER INFORMED ME OF A VOLUNTARY TOYOTA BUY-BACK FOR 1999-2000 MODELS, WARRANTY POLICY BULLETIN POL08-03, DATED 3/7/08. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND HAD THE TRUCK IMMEDIATELY INSPECTED BY LIA TOYOTA SERVICE OF COLONIE NY. I WAS INFORMED THE FRAME WAS SERIOUSLY ROTTED, AND THE TRUCK NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I WAS TOLD THE FOLLOWING TO RECTIFY THE SITUATION: 1. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT 'GO TO BAT FOR ME' TO ASSIST ME WITH DEALING WITH TOYOTA FOR A RECALL REQUEST; 2. 2001 MODELS ARE NOT "USUALLY COVERED" IN THE RECALL. AND; 3. IF COVERED, I WOULD NOT GET A LOANER CAR; I WOULD NOT RECEIVE THE 150% VALUE AS IS STANDARD FOR 1995-2001 MODELS THIS IS A SLAP IN THE FACE. WHY SHOULD THE 2001 MODELS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE WARRANTY AND RECALL COVERAGE AFFORDED BY THE 1995-2001 MODELS? MY TRUCK IS NEWER - YET IT HAS THE SAME FRAME ROT. THE FACT THAT THE DEALER REFUSED TO ASSIST ME WITH THIS PROCESS IS ADDITIONALLY INFURIATING. TOYOTA HAS YET TO CONTACT ME VIA THE CASE MANAGER THEY HAVE ASSIGNED ME. I DON'T KNOW IF TOYOTA WILL PAY ME 100% OF THE VALUE OF MY TRUCK FOR MARCH OF 2008 OR AUGUST OF 2008. THE BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY TRUCK HAS DROPPED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED. DEFECTIVE FRAMES ARE NOT EXCLUSIVE TO THE 1995-2000 MODEL YEAR TACOMAS - SO WHY IS TOYOTA EXCLUDING NEWER MODELS? THIS IS DANGEROUS, PERHAPS EVEN CRIMINALLY NEGLIGENT. TOYOTA SHOULD BE RECALLING TACOMA TRUCKS MANUFACTURED AFTER 2000 THAT ARE EXPERIENCING MASSIVE FRAME RUST - WITHOUT DOING SO THE COMPANY IS ENDANGERING THE LIVES OF TACOMA OWNERS. *TR UPDATED 10/22/08*JB UPDATED 02/24/10

NHTSA ODI #10241570

96,570 miles · Aug 30, 2008
Structure

I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP WITH RUST HOLES IN THE FRAME. TOYOTA HAS OFFERED TO BUY MY TRUCK BACK BUT AT A FRACTION OF WHAT THEY OFFERED OWNERS OF 1995-2000 LEAVING ME WITH NOTHING TO TRADE AND NOTHING TO PUT DOWN ON A NEW VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240340

120,000 miles · Aug 27, 2008
Structure

THE FRAME ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS FRAME ROT. IN SOME PLACES ON THE FRAME THE ROT IS 8-10 INCHES LONG. THE ONLY THING THAT I HAVE DONE WITH THE TRUCK HAS BEEN DRIVING IT TO WORK ON A PAVED HIGHWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239953

68,000 miles · Aug 26, 2008
Structure

I OWN A 2001 TACOMA PICKUP. IT HAS BEEN CONDEMNED BECAUSE OF A RUST ROTTED BODY. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. TOYOTA IS DOING A BUY BACK ON 1995-2000 OWNERS AND GIVING THEM 150% OF THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE PLUS $1,000 INCENTIVE TOWARDS A NEW PURCHASE. ALL OF US, AND THERE ARE MANY, 2001 OWNERS ARE ONLY BEING OFFER…

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I OWN A 2001 TACOMA PICKUP. IT HAS BEEN CONDEMNED BECAUSE OF A RUST ROTTED BODY. I WAS NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. TOYOTA IS DOING A BUY BACK ON 1995-2000 OWNERS AND GIVING THEM 150% OF THE KELLY BLUE BOOK VALUE PLUS $1,000 INCENTIVE TOWARDS A NEW PURCHASE. ALL OF US, AND THERE ARE MANY, 2001 OWNERS ARE ONLY BEING OFFERED 100% OF THE KBB ON OUR NEWER, LESS USED VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM TOYOTAS ATTORNEYS GIVING US 6 MONTHS TO ACCEPT OR REJECT THEIR OFFER. IF I REJECT IT, I GET NOTHING. I FEEL THIS IS UNFAIR AS MY TRUCK WAS NEWER BUT AM BEING GIVEN LESS THAN 2000 OWNERS. CAN YOU HELP? THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10239843

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.