IllustrationTL* 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.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tacoma years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
80–25K
2025–50K
2150–75K
2775–100K
81100–150K
138150K+
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
What owners actually said
396 reportsBROUGHT 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
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
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
EXCESSIVE RUST EVERYWHERE ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE!! *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ …
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHOOK AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 10/23/14*CN UPDATED 10/24/2014*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FAILURE WAS SENT TO THE WRONG ADDRESS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS. UPDATED 4/20/2015 *JS UPDATED 7/8/2015*JS
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
NOTICED THAT THE RIGHT REAR OF TRUCK BED IS SAGGING SO I LOOKED UNDER THE TRUCK AND SAW THE CHASSIS IS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION BUILD-UP. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 171,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. .…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND BEGAN TO DETERIORATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. ..UPDATED 10/06/14 *BF UPDATED 3/11/2015 *JS
Official recalls
412V542000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.