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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

Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints

12 reports
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61,000 miles · Aug 21, 2013
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructureCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPEND…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER IN THE SECOND VEHICLE SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BRAKES HAD FAILED BECAUSE THE STRUT AND SHOCK HAD DISMOUNTED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO SEVERE RUST ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE UNDER CARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL WHERE THE UNDER CARRIAGE WAS TREATED WITH A ANTI-CORROSION COATING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536464

159,000 miles · Nov 25, 2009
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE EMERGENCY/PARKING BRAKE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED CORROSION ON THE FRAME AND THE BRAKE LINKAGE. HE THEN ADDED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NON-REPAIRABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 159000.

NHTSA ODI #10293551

Mileage unknown · Oct 5, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicStructure

THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE WENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS RUSTING THROUGH. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALL ON OUR TRUCK WOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND THAT OUR TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW EVER I FE…

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THERE HAS BEEN NO INCIDENT AS OF YET. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AFTER WE WENT TO HAVE THE BRAKES FIXED AND WERE TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS RUSTING THROUGH. THE DEALER INFORMED US THAT THE RECALL ON OUR TRUCK WOULD NOT BE PUT THROUGH FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS. AND THAT OUR TRUCK WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. HOW EVER I FEEL THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE SINCE YOU CAN PUT YOUR HAND THROUGH THE FRAME WHERE IT HAS RUSTED. THIS IS OUR ONLY VEHICLE AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER AT THIS TIME. THE TRUCK IS A 2001 AND THIS IS 2008, THIS TRUCK IS USED FOR DAILY NEEDS AND GENERAL RIDING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10244417

51,880 miles · Sep 16, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TOYOTA RECALL ON 2004-2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS REGARDING THE FRONTAL BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER HAS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS ON JUNE 8, 2004. THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM TH…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A TOYOTA RECALL ON 2004-2004 TOYOTA TACOMAS REGARDING THE FRONTAL BALL JOINTS. THE CONSUMER HAS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WHICH DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT BALL JOINTS ON JUNE 8, 2004. THERE WAS A VIBRATION AND A RUBBING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT WAS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER; THEY OPENED A CASE AND DID PROVIDE THE CONSUMER WITH CASE NUMBER 200508100951. *AK THE ROTORS AND PADS WERE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10132410

63,000 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHILE BRAKING AT NY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE PEDAL PULSATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10110962

Mileage unknown · Oct 12, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES PADS ON HIS VEHICLE WAS WEARING OUT TOO FAST. HE STATED HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THEM EVERY 3 MONTHS. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10096656

Mileage unknown · Nov 29, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKE HE ALSO PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PH *JB

NHTSA ODI #8023455

Mileage unknown · Sep 16, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE T…

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THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT SEIZING UP, THE SHOCKS AND REAR BRAKES WAS REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #8018737

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

FRONT BRAKES MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL FROM THE SHIFTING BRAKES PADS. PLEASE ADVISE

NHTSA ODI #756556

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2001
Air BagsService Brakes, HydraulicSuspensionCrash

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A NOISE LOCATED IN REAR END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR END. CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF HIM, HE APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ RAN INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE A…

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CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A NOISE LOCATED IN REAR END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR END. CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF HIM, HE APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ RAN INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #897901

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.