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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.

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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.

40 crash reports4 fire reports25 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

4 reports
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300,000 miles · Apr 4, 2018
Parking BrakeStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ONTO THE LIFT, THE FRAME FRACTURED IN BETWEEN THE CABIN AND THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE CABLE WAS DAMAGED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOUNTED ONTO THE LIFT, THE FRAME FRACTURED IN BETWEEN THE CABIN AND THE BED OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND ALL RECALLS HAD EXPIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300,000.

NHTSA ODI #11083259

150,000 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Parking Brake

EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEIZED FOR A SECOND TIME. WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SEIZED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DESIGN OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ALLOWS THE SYSTEM TO SEIZE DUE TO CORROSION AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE ACTUATING LEVER MEETS THE MOUNTING…

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EMERGENCY BRAKE FAILURE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEIZED FOR A SECOND TIME. WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SEIZED IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPERATE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE DESIGN OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM ALLOWS THE SYSTEM TO SEIZE DUE TO CORROSION AT THE LOCATION WHERE THE ACTUATING LEVER MEETS THE MOUNTING BLOCK. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY HAD THIS REPAIRED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER AT A COST OF $350 (2 MOUNTING BLOCKS@ $90.00 EACH AND 1 HOUR LABOR PER SIDE TO REMOVE AND REPLACE MOUNTING BLOCKS AND ACTUATING LEVER(S). THE PROTECTIVE RUBBER BOOT WHICH SHOULD PROTECT THE JOINT BETWEEN THE LEVER AND MOUNTING BLOCK IS LOCATED APPROX 1/8" FROM THE JOINT, WHICH PROVIDES NO MEANINGFUL PROTECTION FROM WATER AND SALT I.E. CORROSION. ONCE A SMALL AMOUNT OF CORROSION OCCURS THE JOINT SEIZES AND RENDERS THE EMERGENCY BRAKE UNUSABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342067

112,000 miles · May 5, 2010
Parking BrakeStructure

MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS DEALER VERIFIED FRAME RUST PERFORATION. WHEN THE FIRST LETTER FROM TOYOTA CAME TO MY DOOR IN EARLY 2009 I WENT DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHO DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND STATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITH MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECAME AVAILABLE TO THEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATE…

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MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS DEALER VERIFIED FRAME RUST PERFORATION. WHEN THE FIRST LETTER FROM TOYOTA CAME TO MY DOOR IN EARLY 2009 I WENT DIRECTLY TO MY LOCAL DEALER WHO DID NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND STATED TO ME THAT THEY WOULD GET BACK TO ME WITH MORE INFORMATION AS IT BECAME AVAILABLE TO THEM. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WISCONSIN WAS ASKING TOYOTA TO PROVIDE MORE DATA ON THE PROPOSE SOLUTIONS TO THIS ISSUE AND HAD NOT APPROVED TOYOTA TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN I COULD GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED. MANY MORE MONTHS PASSED AND FINALLY I HAD ENOUGH AND CALLED TOYOTA DIRECT. I WAS ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER AND SHE SAID SHE WOULD HELP ME GET MY TRUCK INSPECTED. THIS FINALLY HAPPENED ON APRIL 27, 2010. NOW THEY TELL MY ONLY OPTION IS A REPLACEMENT FRAME, WHICH TO ME IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. THEN LUCKY 2001 OWNERS WHO WERE ABLE TO GET QUICK INSPECTIONS WERE OFFERED THE BUY BACK OPTION. IN VARIOUS FORUMS THE ONES WITH THE REPLACEMENT FRAMES ARE SEEING ISSUES WITH LEAKING GAS TANKS, AND UP CHARGES FOR INCIDENTAL ITEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329075

Mileage unknown · Jul 20, 2001
Parking BrakeService Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE DESCENDING A MODERATELY STEEP DIRT ROAD WE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON A FLAT AREA OF ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BRAKE SYSTEM SLOWLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION…

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WHILE DESCENDING A MODERATELY STEEP DIRT ROAD WE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON A FLAT AREA OF ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BRAKE SYSTEM SLOWLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION AND NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE CAUSED BOTH BRAKE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE OVERHEATING OR FATIGUE, NO FLUID LEAKS OR STORED COMPUTER FAULT CODES. DEALER SUGGESTION, "DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILS AGAIN AND BRING IT BACK".*AK

NHTSA ODI #748811

Official recalls

4

12V542000 · 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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.