IllustrationUNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. FORCEFUL BRAKING WAS APPLIED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND GRADUALLY SLOW THE VEHICLE.
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.
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
80–25K
2025–50K
2150–75K
2775–100K
81100–150K
138150K+
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
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
11 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A POLE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
AT SPEED ABOVE 60 MPH ,WHILE THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY HARD AND NO RESPONSE,AND ALL THE TIME BRAKE IS WEEK AT SPEED ABOVE 30MPH.VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
GAS PEDAL STICKS. NOTIFIED TOYOTA 9/26/11 WHO STATED THERE IS NO RECALL AND THEY WOULD NOT TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM. CASE NUMBER [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 6 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT HAD HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE UNATTENDED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO HER HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SPEED OF 6 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHILE THE CONTACT HAD HER FOOT DEPRESSING THE BRAKES. SHE WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE UNATTENDED ACCELERATION AND PROCEEDED TO CRASH INTO HER HOME. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS AND A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 07/19/10. *LJ UPDATED 07/23/10*JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15-30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE RPM'S TO REDLINE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED AT 29,060 MI…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 15-30 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE RPM'S TO REDLINE. THE CONTACT TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF IN ORDER TO STOP IT FROM ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE REPLACED AT 29,060 MILES. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 34000. UPDATED 4/7/2010 *CN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. ALSO, THE FRAME HAD SEVERE RUST. UPDATED 08/24/10*JB
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A STORE IN SAN CARLOS MEXICO. I STARTED THE TRUCK, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE. THE TRUCK ACCELATED BACKWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A CEMENT POST IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT MO…
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I WAS BACKING OUT OF A STORE IN SAN CARLOS MEXICO. I STARTED THE TRUCK, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE. THE TRUCK ACCELATED BACKWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A CEMENT POST IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE BRAKE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL JUMPING A PARKING CURB AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED FOOT. ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGERS SUFFERED A CONTUSION TO HER FOREHEAD. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AND DAMAGE DONE TO THE STORE FRONT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS STILL BEING HELD IN MEXICO BY THE AUTHORITIES. DT
HAS BEEN IN SHOP (11)TIMES. MR
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEEDS AND ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH NO WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ANT HIT A FENCE, AS A RESULT ALL 3 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJU…
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WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEEDS AND ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH NO WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ANT HIT A FENCE, AS A RESULT ALL 3 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. *SCC
WHILE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A PARKING AREA HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN AT LESS THAT 10 MILES PER HOUR, PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENTER A PARKING PLACE, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER THEN COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUSTAIN…
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WHILE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A PARKING AREA HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN AT LESS THAT 10 MILES PER HOUR, PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENTER A PARKING PLACE, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER THEN COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER ALSO WAS INJURED. *YD
Official recalls
412V542000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.