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 reports
129,660 miles · May 15, 2012
Service BrakesSuspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 EXTENDED CAB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3-4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROCEEDED TO DETACHED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY DRIFTED FORWARD THREE FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA SR 5 EXTENDED CAB. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 3-4 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A ROAD BUMP AND THE LOWER BALL JOINT PROCEEDED TO DETACHED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. THE VEHICLE THEN UNEXPECTEDLY DRIFTED FORWARD THREE FEET. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE BRAKE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:05V225000 (SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 129,660.
NHTSA ODI #10458582
80,000 miles · May 4, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
NHTSA ODI #10457504
100,000 miles · Apr 16, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS DAMAGED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FRAME AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS DAMAGED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FRAME AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
NHTSA ODI #10455337
173,000 miles · Apr 5, 2012
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN A LOUD, ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED CORROSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE I-BEAM AND THE CROSS BEAM, WHICH WAS DETACHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CON…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN A LOUD, ABNORMAL SOUND EMITTED FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED CORROSION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE I-BEAM AND THE CROSS BEAM, WHICH WAS DETACHED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 173,200.
NHTSA ODI #10454217
144,000 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR FRAME AND WHEEL WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE FROM SIDE TO SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR FRAME AND WHEEL WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 144,000.
NHTSA ODI #10450060
110,000 miles · Feb 21, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE AT AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
NHTSA ODI #10448783
76,000 miles · Feb 16, 2012
Power Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,0…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
NHTSA ODI #10448227
113,000 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA ODI #10446185
212,000 miles · Dec 15, 2011
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 2 MPH AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLES PASSENGER SIDE COLLAPSED TO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THE LOWER BALL JOINT SEPARATED FROM THE KNUCKLE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V225000 (SUSPENSION: FRONT: CONTROL ARM: LOWER BALL JOINT); HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
NHTSA ODI #10440010
102,000 miles · Dec 11, 2011
StructureTires
I FREQUENTLY CHECK THE STABILITY OF THE SPARE TIRE THAT IS STORED ON THE UNDERSIDE EXTERIOR OF THE BED. RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS LOOSE AND MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THIS PROMPTED ME TO LOWER THE TIRE BY USING THE PROVIDED CRANK HANDLE. AFTER IT WAS LOWERED TO THE GROUND I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE RETAINING BRACKET AN…
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I FREQUENTLY CHECK THE STABILITY OF THE SPARE TIRE THAT IS STORED ON THE UNDERSIDE EXTERIOR OF THE BED. RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS LOOSE AND MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THIS PROMPTED ME TO LOWER THE TIRE BY USING THE PROVIDED CRANK HANDLE. AFTER IT WAS LOWERED TO THE GROUND I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE RETAINING BRACKET AND CABLE SPRING WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. I FELT THAT THIS COULD POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD TO ME WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IF THAT BRACKET FAILS. IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND THE TIRE TO FLY OFF AND CAUSE DANGER TO OTHER MOTORISTS. I PROMPTLY REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY SEEMED TO LOOK PAST THE SAFETY HAZARD IT POSES AND WERE MORE INTERESTED IN CHARGING ME ORE $600.00 TO INSTALL A NEW RETAINING BRACKET. I INQUIRED TO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT AS TO WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT BROUGHT ADDRESSED TO ME WHEN MY TRUCK WAS IN THERE A FEW MONTHS EARLIER FOR THE FRAME RUST PERFORATION RECALL. HE REPLIED THAT IF THEY NOTICE ANY ISSUES THEY PRESENT THE CUSTOMER WITH A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS. AT THAT TIME THEY HAD THE ENTIRE CAB AND CHASSIS OFF TO INSTALL A BRAND NEW FRAME. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW SOMETHING AS CRUCIAL AS THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM COULD GO UNDETECTED. I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH 2 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCES PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. ONE WITNESSED A DEADLY ROLLOVER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND THE OTHER HAD HIS SPARE FALL OFF AND ROLL DOWN THE ROAD. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE PROPER OFFICIALS AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN SOON. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU REGARDING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2001 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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