Known Recalls

Model year record

2001 Toyota Tacoma

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 507 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V542000

Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire

Component
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
Manufacturer
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
Vehicles affected
150,000
Reported to NHTSA
2012-11-23
Owners notified
2013-02-15

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V225000

Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint

Component
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
768,379
Reported to NHTSA
2005-05-17
Owners notified
2005-07-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V189000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
123,360
Reported to NHTSA
2003-05-19
Owners notified
2003-06-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 01V186000

Tires: sidewall

Component
Tires: sidewall
Manufacturer
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS
Vehicles affected
43
Reported to NHTSA
2001-06-07
Owners notified
2001-07-03

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

AN IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRE COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS OR A BLOW OUT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Structure: body104155,819 mi
Structure: frame and members81113,000 mi
Suspension63173,000 mi
Unknown or other41176,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields31144,233 mi
Steering18169,970 mi
Structure15121,790 mi
Air bags11151,900 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1151,500 mi
Vehicle speed control1160,000 mi
Tires961,400 mi
Air bags: frontal840,000 mi
Service brakes7143,000 mi
Wheels7120,000 mi
Power train6148,330 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic551,880 mi
Fuel system, gasoline335 mi
Parking brake3150,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft3—
Seat belts380,000 mi
Seats395,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads3—
Structure: body: bumpers336,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint3250,000 mi
Suspension: rear3120,000 mi
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire3102,000 mi
Engine2220,592 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control234,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings22,800 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2120,000 mi
Power train: driveline2—
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module2—
Steering: column232,556 mi
Suspension: front2134,000 mi
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system1118,599 mi
Electrical system: ignition145,119 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch150,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch175,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train: automatic transmission150,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft144,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1200,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission190,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)170,026 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor163,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1159,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion110,000 mi
Structure: body: door1—
Suspension: front: control arm130,700 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber1—
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: u-bolt, leaf spring to axle1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2000 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.