TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
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
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.
What owners actually said
396 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHASSIS, THE SPARE TIRE CABLE AND THE HOLDER BECAME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHASSIS, THE SPARE TIRE CABLE AND THE HOLDER BECAME CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 95,200. KMJ UPDATED 7/29/13 *CN
I HAD MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP, STARTED ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO SPEED. AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BANG/POP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FRONT LEFT DROPPED DOWN. I HUNG ON TO TRY AND KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AS IT TOOK AN SHARP LEFT HAND TURN TOWARDS A POLE. EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO T…
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I HAD MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO FREEWAY ENTRANCE RAMP, STARTED ACCELERATING TO GET UP TO SPEED. AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH THERE WAS A LOUD BANG/POP NOISE AND THE VEHICLE FRONT LEFT DROPPED DOWN. I HUNG ON TO TRY AND KEEP VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL AS IT TOOK AN SHARP LEFT HAND TURN TOWARDS A POLE. EVEN THOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR I WAS ABLE TO SOME HOW GET THE VEHICLE STOPPED BEFORE THE PASSENGER SIDE HIT THE POLE WHERE MY 1 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS RIDING. I HAD THE TRUCK CHECKED FOR RECALLS IN LATE 2008 WHEN I PURCHASED IT. THE REPORT SAID BALL JOINT RECALL WAS VIN # SPECIFIC AND THAT THIS TRUCK WAS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE. AFTER THE INCIDENT HAPPENED, I CALLED TOYOTA HOTLINE FOR ASSISTANCE AND EVEN THOUGH THIS IS THE SAME CONDITION, AND PART THAT IS FAILING ON THE VEHICLES IN RANGE THEY SAID, "THAT SENSE THE RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC, THERE'S NOTHING WE CAN DO, AND WE CAN'T JUST ADD A VEHICLE TO THE RECALL". SO, NOW I'M STUCK WITH A WRECKED VEHICLE, BUT VERY THANKFUL THAT I DIDN'T HIT THE POLE WHERE MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND ALL TACOMA'S THAT CONTAIN THIS STYLE BALL JOINT BE FIXED BEFORE SOME ONE DOES GET KILLED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER WARNED HIM OF SPARKS IGNITING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK BRACKET HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAG…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER WARNED HIM OF SPARKS IGNITING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE REAR OF THE FUEL TANK BRACKET HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE BRACKET FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
MY FRAME WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF THE RUST. A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER GETTING MY TRUCK BACK I WAS STRANDED IN 100 DEGREE HEAT BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY SPARE TIRE OUT FROM UNDER BED OF TRUCK. SEVERELY RUSTED BUMPER NO LONGER ALLOWS ACCESS TO MECHANISM TO LOWER TIRE. FOUGHT WITH DEALER AND REGIONAL MGR. THEY SAY I…
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MY FRAME WAS REPLACED UNDER RECALL BECAUSE OF THE RUST. A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER GETTING MY TRUCK BACK I WAS STRANDED IN 100 DEGREE HEAT BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO GET MY SPARE TIRE OUT FROM UNDER BED OF TRUCK. SEVERELY RUSTED BUMPER NO LONGER ALLOWS ACCESS TO MECHANISM TO LOWER TIRE. FOUGHT WITH DEALER AND REGIONAL MGR. THEY SAY IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. I COULD NOT DISAGREE MORE. WHY THEN DO WE HAVE SPARE. HE DID ADMIT THAT IF IT WAS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY IT MIGHT BE DIFFERENT. BUT, NO..... NOW THEY ARE RECALLING THE PART THAT HOLD THE SPARE UNDER THE TRUCK BECAUSE TIRE MAY FALL OFF. THAT WOULD BE DOING ME A FAVOR.... *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. HE THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER STEERING ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WHERE THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE HOOD AND NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR WAS EMPTY. HE THEN DISPENSED POWER STEERING FLUID TO THE PROPER LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE RACK AND PINION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,000.
AT SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH ,WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND NO RESPONSE,AND ALL THE TIME BRAKE IS WEEK AT SPEED ABOVE 30MPH.VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME WAS COM…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE BOTTOM OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000. UPDATED 2/25/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO OFFER ASSISTANCE DUE TO THE RECALL BEING CLOSED ON DEC 31, 2011. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE CONSUMER SHOULD HAVE RECIEVED A NOTICE. THE CONSUMER CHANGED ADDRESSES SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THEREFORE DID NOT RECIEVE ANY NOTICE. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. UPDATED 03/11/2013 *JS
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT ABOUT 5 MPH, MY LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT (DRIVER SIDE) SEPARATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING MY TRUCK TO LOSE CONTROL AS THE ENTIRE TRUCK COLLAPSED ONTO MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE, BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION WAS NO LONGER HOLDING IT UP. IN THE EVENT THAT I HAD BEEN GOING MUCH FASTER (POSSIBLY EVEN TEN MILES PER HO…
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WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD AT ABOUT 5 MPH, MY LOWER LEFT BALL JOINT (DRIVER SIDE) SEPARATED WITHOUT ANY WARNING CAUSING MY TRUCK TO LOSE CONTROL AS THE ENTIRE TRUCK COLLAPSED ONTO MY DRIVER SIDE TIRE, BECAUSE THE SUSPENSION WAS NO LONGER HOLDING IT UP. IN THE EVENT THAT I HAD BEEN GOING MUCH FASTER (POSSIBLY EVEN TEN MILES PER HOUR) I FEEL THAT THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE COMPLETELY RIPPED OFF, CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE AND COMPLETE LOSS OF CONTROL. I THEN FOUND OUT TOYOTA HAD MADE A RECALL ON THIS PART AND WHEN I CONTACTED THEM, I WAS APPARENTLY 2 WEEKS PAST THE RECALL WINDOW. I FEEL THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXTENDED DUE TO THE SHEER NUMBER OF THESE TRUCKS THAT ARE STILL ON THE ROAD. WHEN THE LOWER BALL JOINT FAILS, IT IS A CATASTROPHIC EVENT THAT CAN VERY EASILY RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIR THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FRAME WAS SEVERALLY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED THE PREVIOUS YEAR TO TREAT THE FRAME AND PREVENT CORROSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE NOTIFICATION OF THE RECALL AND NEVER HAD THE VEHICLE TREATED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THERE WAS NO REPAIR FOR THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE FRAME CORROSION. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000. UPDATED 01/14/13
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.
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