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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

Structure complaints

228 reports
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170,000 miles · May 15, 2017
Structure

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR SPRING MOUNT. THIS VEHICLE WAS CALLED BACK BY TOYOTA FOR POOR CORROSION PROTECTION OF THE FRAME. THEY SPRAYED THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME WITH AND UNDERSCORING BUT DID NOT TREAT THE INSIDE OF THE BOXED SECTIONS OF THE FRAME.THEY DID NOT PROTECT THE FRAME AS THEY LED ME T…

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THE FRAME HAS RUSTED THROUGH RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE RIGHT REAR SPRING MOUNT. THIS VEHICLE WAS CALLED BACK BY TOYOTA FOR POOR CORROSION PROTECTION OF THE FRAME. THEY SPRAYED THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRAME WITH AND UNDERSCORING BUT DID NOT TREAT THE INSIDE OF THE BOXED SECTIONS OF THE FRAME.THEY DID NOT PROTECT THE FRAME AS THEY LED ME TO BELIEVE. THEY ARE REFUSING TO CORRECT THEIR MISTAKE. I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THEM WHEN THEY INFORMED ME OF THE PROBLEM TO HAVE THEM CORRECT IT, BUT THEY DID NOT CORRECT IT. MERELY COVERED IT UP. I'V E CONTACTED BOTH TEAM TOYOTA IN LANGHORNE PA AND TOYOTA USA. THEY HAVE BOTH IGNORED MY ISSUE. THIS FRAME ISSUE IS DANGEROUS AND THEY'RE LEFT THEIR CUSTOMERS DRIVE UNSAFE TRUCKS KNOWING T H E PROBLEM EXISTS. THEY KNOW OF THE PROBLEM , THEY CREATED THE PROBLEM AND THEY ARE PUTTING MANY LIVES IN DANGER EVERY DAY. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED OR THE OWNERS NEED TO BE PROPERLY COMPENSATED. IT'S ALL ABOUT THEIR PROFITS. THEY'VE PUT MONEY AND DOING THE RIGHT THING IN FRONT OF LIVES LIKE MINE. PLEASE ASK TOYOTA TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. *CN

NHTSA ODI #10985725

120,000 miles · May 4, 2017
StructureWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CORRODED AND THE SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WAS CORRODED AND THE SUBFRAME UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WAS FRACTURED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT WAS BEING DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10983510

170,000 miles · May 3, 2017
Structure

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AT REAR LEAF SPRING BRACKET HAPPENED PRIOR TO 2016 BUT JUST NOTICED WHEN REPLACING EXHAUST AND MUFFLER

NHTSA ODI #10983239

120,000 miles · Apr 17, 2017
Structure

I TOOK MY TACOMA TO BE SERVICED AND WHEN THE TECHNICIAN STARTED TO LIFT IT INTO THE AIR, LOUD CREAKING WAS HEARD AND MOVEMENT OF TRUCK BED FROM TRUCK CAB. TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY LOWERED VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND TRUCK MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. HAD TRUCK INSPECTED AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD FRAME WAS…

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I TOOK MY TACOMA TO BE SERVICED AND WHEN THE TECHNICIAN STARTED TO LIFT IT INTO THE AIR, LOUD CREAKING WAS HEARD AND MOVEMENT OF TRUCK BED FROM TRUCK CAB. TECHNICIAN IMMEDIATELY LOWERED VEHICLE AND I WAS TOLD THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND TRUCK MAY NOT BE SAFE TO DRIVE. HAD TRUCK INSPECTED AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD FRAME WAS A COMPLETE LOSS DUE TO RUST AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THIS YEAR TACOMA WAS NOT IN THE MASSIVE RECALL OF RUSTED FRAMES, BUT SEEMS LIKE WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE, IT SHOULD BE. I'M JUST THANKFUL THAT IT WAS FOUND BEFORE ANYTHING SERIOUS HAD OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING

NHTSA ODI #10978874

133,000 miles · Mar 9, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A PRIOR RUST RECALL, BUT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN A PRIOR RUST RECALL, BUT WAS UNSURE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER. AT THE TIME, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. UPDATED 06/21/17*LJ *CN

NHTSA ODI #10959766

270,000 miles · Feb 23, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME AND TRANSMISSION SUPPORT WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MIL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME AND TRANSMISSION SUPPORT WERE SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 270,000.

NHTSA ODI #10956557

130,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW FRAME AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10949779

220,000 miles · Feb 6, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FRAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 03/29/17LJ THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE FRAME FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 03/29/17LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. UPDATED 9/15/2017 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10949745

17,000 miles · Jan 11, 2017
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE, THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED A HOLE IN THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.

NHTSA ODI #10944279

223,000 miles · Jan 6, 2017
Structure

FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 2010 FOR INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTED NO ISSUES. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 2017. DEALER WOULD NOT PUT IT ON THE LIFT FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD BREAK IN HALF. TOYOTA ASSUMING NO RESPONSIBILITY INSPIRE OF THE FACT OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR SAME. THEY INDICATED IT WAS PAST THE SETTLEMENT…

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FRAME RUSTED THROUGH. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 2010 FOR INSPECTION. DEALER REPORTED NO ISSUES. TOOK IT TO DEALER IN 2017. DEALER WOULD NOT PUT IT ON THE LIFT FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD BREAK IN HALF. TOYOTA ASSUMING NO RESPONSIBILITY INSPIRE OF THE FACT OF THE CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR SAME. THEY INDICATED IT WAS PAST THE SETTLEMENT DATE. I DID BRING IN IN WITHIN THE DEADLINE IN 2010 AND THEY CLAIMED NO PROBLEM. 7YEARS LATER THE TRUCK HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS. I SHOULD MENTION THAT THE AFTER MARKET TRAILER HITCH HAS NOT RUSTED THROUGH AND IS IN GOOD WORKING ORDER. HMMM? I THINK TOYOTA IS NOT BEING HONEST WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS

NHTSA ODI #10940231

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.