IllustrationMECHANIC NOTED RUST ON FRAME. CONTACTED TOYOTA, THERE WAS A LAWSUIT ABOUT PREMATURE RUSTING ON FRAMES, BUT SETTLEMENT IS DONE AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY(TOYOTA) CAN DO?
2005 Toyota Tacoma
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tacoma years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma are substantially higher than 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
1040–25K
6325–50K
7250–75K
7875–100K
112100–150K
106150K+
535 reports with mileage · 172 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 260 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 137 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
47 crash reports4 fire reports14 injury reports
What owners actually said
707 reportsEXHAUST SYSTEM WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR. SHOP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH NEW PARTS TO. SHOP SHOWED ME LARGE HOLES IN FRAME. THEN ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING IT WITH THE POSSIBILITIES OF BREAKING. WHICH I HAVE HEARD HAPPEN TO OTHERS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A …
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EXHAUST SYSTEM WAS IN NEED OF REPAIR. SHOP WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO FIX BECAUSE THE FRAME IS SO RUSTED THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO ATTACH NEW PARTS TO. SHOP SHOWED ME LARGE HOLES IN FRAME. THEN ADVISED ME THAT I SHOULD NOT BE DRIVING IT WITH THE POSSIBILITIES OF BREAKING. WHICH I HAVE HEARD HAPPEN TO OTHERS. I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE OR RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE ONLY RECALL THAT I HAVE RECEIVED AND TAKEN CARE OF WAS THE ISSUE WITH THE ACCELERATOR. THIS ALARMS ME SINCE I OFTEN HAVE MY CHILDREN WITH ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THAT THE FRONT END FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
STARTED TRUCK AND WHEN PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY STEERING BECOME EXTREMELY STIFF. NO UNUSUAL SOUNDS. STIFFNESS IS NOT ALWAYS THERE, IT PULSATES. FLUID LEVEL AND COLOR ALL WITHIN SPECS. BELT WITHIN SPECS. I PLAN ON PUTTING IT ON A LIFT WHEN I RETURN HOME AND PREFORM AN INSPECTION. SUSPECT U JOINT FAILURE.
INTERMEDIATE STEERING SHAFT FAILURE. CAUSED STIFF STEERING
OUR 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA'S GAS TANK HAD FALLEN OFF THE FRAME DUE TO CORRODED STRAPS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT SLOW SPEED ON OUR PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 140,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO SERIOUS INJURY. HOWEVER, HAD THE TANK SEPARATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN …
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OUR 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA'S GAS TANK HAD FALLEN OFF THE FRAME DUE TO CORRODED STRAPS WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT SLOW SPEED ON OUR PROPERTY. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 140,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THERE WAS NO SERIOUS INJURY. HOWEVER, HAD THE TANK SEPARATED WHILE BEING DRIVEN IT IS VERY POSSIBLE AND PROBABLE THAT THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN IGNITION, FIRE, EXPLOSION AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. THE DEALERSHIP HAD GIVEN US AN AN INITIAL ESTIMATE OF $1,800 OUT OF POCKET EXPENSE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS STATING THAT THE CORROSION IS 'PART OF WINTER DRIVING' THIS IS FAR FROM A PLAUSIBLE AND ACCEPTABLE EXPLANATION. GAS TANKS SHOULD NOT FALL OFF VEHICLES AND POSE SUCH A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY THREAT. TOYOTA CORPORATE REFUSED TO PAY FOR MORE THAN ROUGHLY $400 IN REPAIRS TO THE OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES. THE FINAL BILL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES WERE $2,300 IN COSTS FOR REPAIR.
WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR RUST AND CORROSION THAT WE SEEN, PALMERS AIRPORT TOYOTA SAID THEY SEEN NONE, THE A-FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED TO THE POINT OF SNAPPING AND THE METAL IS CORRODED AND PEELING WITH A CRACK GOING AROUND THE WHOLE A-FRAME. THE TRUCK IS NOW NOT MOVEABLE, THE WHOLE TIRE WILL FALL OFF IF…
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WE BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO HAVE IT CHECKED FOR RUST AND CORROSION THAT WE SEEN, PALMERS AIRPORT TOYOTA SAID THEY SEEN NONE, THE A-FRAME HAS RUSTED AND CORRODED TO THE POINT OF SNAPPING AND THE METAL IS CORRODED AND PEELING WITH A CRACK GOING AROUND THE WHOLE A-FRAME. THE TRUCK IS NOW NOT MOVEABLE, THE WHOLE TIRE WILL FALL OFF IF WE DO MOVE IT, WE MADE IT BACK TO OUR HOME WITH IT LUCKILY AND TOYOTA CORPORATE SAYS THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE U-JOINTS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE DEALER (LEGACY TOYOTA, 3800 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 688-9264…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG VIBRATION COMING FROM THE VEHICLE, THE SERVICE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE U-JOINTS HAD NOT BEEN PROPERLY LUBRICATED FROM THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THE DEALER (LEGACY TOYOTA, 3800 W TENNESSEE ST, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32304, (850) 688-9264) DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE DRIVETRAIN AND THE U-JOINTS. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY HAD TO LUBE THE U-JOINTS TO PREVENT DRYNESS, WHICH WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE DRIVETRAIN TO FRACTURE. THE CONTACT, A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE U-JOINTS AND TOOK THE DRIVESHAFT TO THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE PART, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A SERVICE CAMPAIGN AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED; THEREFORE, THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPLACE THE U-JOINTS AND THE DRIVESHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE SAME DEALER FOR FURTHER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FRAME CRACKED AT THE MOTOR MOUNT WELDS, SPECIFICALLY THE DRIVERS (RIGHT) SIDE MOTOR MOUNT. CAUSES THE MOTOR TO DROP DOWN LEADING TO A SERIOUS, AND DANGEROUS CONDITION OF HAVING THE MOTOR FALL OUT. THIS PROBLEM IS MOST NOTICEABLE DURING DRIVING CONDITIONS.
AIRBAG EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING, NO ACCIDENT INVOLVED.
Official recalls
1014V604000 · Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:leaf
Sep 29, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
13V337000 · Seat Belts
Aug 7, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
12V092000 · Air Bags:frontal
Mar 7, 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
10V035000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
10V036000 · Equipment:other:labels
Feb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
09V388000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal
Oct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Remedy: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
09V223000 · Equipment:other:labels
Jun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
06V096000 · Air Bags
Apr 3, 2006
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
05V302000 · Air Bags
Jun 28, 2005
ON CERTAIN REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH SEAT, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR CONNECTOR PINS ARE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, AFFECTING THE ADAPTIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, WHICH IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT FASTENING CONDITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. AN ADDITIONAL SUB-WIRE HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE CONNECTOR PIN MANUFACTURING ERROR, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-431-4331.
05V050000 · Parking Brake
Feb 11, 2005
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION. IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOCK NUT MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, WHICH WILL REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARKING BRAKE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE, THUS RAISING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
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.