BALL JOINT SEPARATED CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF 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
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.
What owners actually said
396 reportsMY FRAME HAS ROTTED AWAY LEAVING THE REAR END HANGING ON A FRAME DISAPPEARING!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME THAT SUPPORTED THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS AL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL TANK STRAP FRACTURED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME THAT SUPPORTED THE REAR SUSPENSION WAS ALSO EXCESSIVELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V225000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,613.
WE RECENTLY HAD OUR TOYOTA TACOMA 2001 BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC TO FIX THE ALTERNATOR & CHANGE OIL. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF THE BODY WAS SO RUSTED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE & THAT DUE TO THE STEEL USED IN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE IT HAD RUSTED EASILY FROM ROAD SALT USED IN COLD CLIMATES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBL…
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WE RECENTLY HAD OUR TOYOTA TACOMA 2001 BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC TO FIX THE ALTERNATOR & CHANGE OIL. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE FRAME OF THE BODY WAS SO RUSTED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE & THAT DUE TO THE STEEL USED IN MANUFACTURING THE VEHICLE IT HAD RUSTED EASILY FROM ROAD SALT USED IN COLD CLIMATES. APPARENTLY THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS YEAR & MAKE OF TOYOTA HOWEVER WE WERE UNAWARE OF THIS. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA & THEY SAID THAT ANY FIX TO THE VEHICLE WAS EXPIRED. APPARENTLY THERE IS SOME SORT OF A REVIEW FOR THE TIRE LIFT BUT DUE TO THE RUST OUR LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER SAYS IT CAN NOT BE FIXED AND THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. WE REALIZE THIS IS AN OLDER VEHICLE BUT IT DOES RUN WELL & IT SEEMS UNFAIR TO LOSE THE USE OF OUR TRUCK DUE TO AN ISSUE THAT TOYOTA HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR MANY YEARS. THE RUST TO THE VEHICLE FRAME IS SO EXTREME THAT IT WAS DESCRIBED BY OUR MECHANIC AS LOOKING LIKE "SWISS CHEESE" & THAT HAS BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING. WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THE ALTERNATOR WENT OUT OR WE WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN HOW UNSAFE THIS VEHICLE IS & THAT NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED DUE TO THIS CONDITION. IT SEEMS WRONG TO PURCHASE A VEHICLE & BECAUSE POOR MATERIALS WERE USED HAVE NO OPTION BUT TO SALVAGE IT. I AM WRITING YOU TO SEE IF THERE IS AN OPTION THAT WE ARE UNAWARE OF. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. *TR
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME OF TRUCK. HOLES SO LARGER THAT YOU CAN PASS A HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM BUT DID NOT GET LITERATURE ETC. TO THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES. THEY STATED PROGRAM WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVI…
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2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME OF TRUCK. HOLES SO LARGER THAT YOU CAN PASS A HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM BUT DID NOT GET LITERATURE ETC. TO THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES. THEY STATED PROGRAM WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE FOR 15 YEARS. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE CLOSED THE PROGRAM, BUT THIS WAS OPEN TO TACOMAS ALL THE WAY THROUGH 2004. 15 YEARS AFTER 2004 IS 2019. WHY THEY WOULD CLOSE THE PROGRAM BEFORE THE STATED 15 YEARS WAS UP IS BEYOND ME. I OWN 3 TACOMAS. THE 1997 MODEL IS FINE, BUT ONE 2001 MODEL'S FRAME LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEESE AND IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE OTHER 2001 MODEL IS VERY CLOSE TO BEING NOT DRIVABLE. WE ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO AND TOYOTA ISN'T BACKING THEIR WORD OR PRODUCT.
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME OF TRUCK. HOLES SO LARGER THAT YOU CAN PASS A HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM BUT DID NOT GET LITERATURE ETC. TO THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES. THEY STATED PROGRAM WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVI…
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2001 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS SEVERE RUST ALL OVER THE FRAME OF TRUCK. HOLES SO LARGER THAT YOU CAN PASS A HAND THROUGH. TOYOTA HAD A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM BUT DID NOT GET LITERATURE ETC. TO THE OWNERS OF THE VEHICLES. THEY STATED PROGRAM WAS A 15 YEAR WARRANTY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM AND IT WAS SUPPOSED TO LAST FROM THE ORIGINAL DATE OF SERVICE ON THE VEHICLE FOR 15 YEARS. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE CLOSED THE PROGRAM, BUT THIS WAS OPEN TO TACOMAS ALL THE WAY THROUGH 2004. 15 YEARS AFTER 2004 IS 2019. WHY THEY WOULD CLOSE THE PROGRAM BEFORE THE STATED 15 YEARS WAS UP IS BEYOND ME. I OWN 3 TACOMAS. THE 1997 MODEL IS FINE, BUT ONE 2001 MODEL'S FRAME LOOKS LIKE SWISS CHEESE AND IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE OTHER 2001 MODEL IS VERY CLOSE TO BEING NOT DRIVABLE. WE ARE AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO AND TOYOTA ISN'T BACKING THEIR WORD OR PRODUCT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE, SEVERE RUST WAS NOTICED ON THE FRAME. THE ENTIRE FRAME HAD PERFORATIONS DUE TO COROT ION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2009 FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE FRAME AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLACING A FLAT TIRE, SEVERE RUST WAS NOTICED ON THE FRAME. THE ENTIRE FRAME HAD PERFORATIONS DUE TO COROT ION. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER IN 2009 FOR AN EVALUATION OF THE FRAME AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG AND THE CORROSION RESISTANT TREATMENT WAS NOT NEEDED. IN JULY 2016, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD MISSED THE WARRANTY REPAIR IN 2012. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
I WAS JUST INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT MY 1001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME AT THE POINT WHERE THE REAR SPRINGS ATTACH IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE REAR SPRING IS LIKELY TO DETACH AT ANY TIME. MY TOYOTA TACOMA IS READY TO FOLD IN HALF DUE TO THE EXTENT OF FRAME RUST. THE MECHANIC WENT ON TO SAY T…
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I WAS JUST INFORMED BY MY MECHANIC THAT MY 1001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME AT THE POINT WHERE THE REAR SPRINGS ATTACH IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE REAR SPRING IS LIKELY TO DETACH AT ANY TIME. MY TOYOTA TACOMA IS READY TO FOLD IN HALF DUE TO THE EXTENT OF FRAME RUST. THE MECHANIC WENT ON TO SAY THAT THE FRAME RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT DUE TO INADEQUATE DRAIN HOLES.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN IT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD FRACTURES IN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR WHEN IT WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND HAD FRACTURES IN THE CENTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000. UPDATED 09/29/16*LJ *JS CONSUMER STATED SHE SENT A LETTER AND PICTURES SAME DAY AS RECEIVING VEHICLE OWNER'S QUESTIONNAIRE. UPDATED 06/13/18*JB
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS RECALLED IN 2011 DUE TO RUST/CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE FRAME. WE PROMPTLY FOLLOWED ALL RECALL INSTRUCTIONS AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL. TOYOTA TREATED THE FRAME WITH A SOLUTION AND WE WERE ADVISED THE THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE FRAME RECENTLY COLLAPSED …
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2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS RECALLED IN 2011 DUE TO RUST/CORROSION OF THE VEHICLE FRAME. WE PROMPTLY FOLLOWED ALL RECALL INSTRUCTIONS AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER IN RESPONSE TO THE RECALL. TOYOTA TREATED THE FRAME WITH A SOLUTION AND WE WERE ADVISED THE THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED. THE VEHICLE FRAME RECENTLY COLLAPSED / BROKE IN TWO. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA OF THE ISSUE AND WAS ASSIGNED A CASE #1606222761. I WAS NOTIFIED TODAY BY TOYOTA AND THEY ADVISED THAT THE FRAME WARRANTY HAD BEEN EXTENDED BUT THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 11/7/2015. THEY ADVISED THAT THERE IS NO APPEAL PROCESS AND NO SOLUTION. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS IS PERFECT RUNNING ORDER AND IN VERY GOOD CONDITION (OTHER THAN A BROKEN FRAME). THE BROKEN FRAME WAS NOT A RESULT OF ABUSE OR A SPECIFIC MOMENT IN TIME - IT JUST COLLAPSED DUE TO CORROSION - THE VERY ISSUE OF THE 2011 RECALL THAT WE WERE TOLD HAD BEEN RESOLVED.
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.
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