IllustrationTHE ENTIRE FRAME IS CORRODED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HENDRICK TOYOTA SAYS THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, BUT A LOCAL BODY SHOP SAYS THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAME IS 10-15%. SAYS IT COULD BREAK AT ANYTIME. I PURCHASED IN AUGUST 2015. THE PREVIOUS OWNERS STATE THEY RECEIVED NO RECALL OR NOTICES FROM TOYOTA ON THIS ISSUE.
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
What owners actually said
396 reportsLOWER BALL JOINTS HAVE FAILED. WHILE OTHER 2001 TACOMA'S WERE IN THE RECALL, MINE IS NOT INCLUDED, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME FAILURE! THE TIRES HAVE ARE WEARING UNEVENLY AND THERE IS SOME STABILITY ISSUE. THERE SEEMS TO BE "PULLING" TO ONE SIDE AS WELL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE CABIN AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE CABIN TO THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE IN THE CABIN AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRACKET THAT HELD THE CABIN TO THE FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN FOR THE FRAME RUST FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR; HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED THE CONTACT THAT THE CAMPAIGN HAD EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 07/13/16*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LIFT FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000. THE V…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS ON A LIFT FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE VEHICLE FRACTURED IN HALF DUE TO CORROSION ON THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 158,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
FRAME RECALL. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THEY SENT A RECALL NOTICE WHICH I NEVER GOT. WHEN CALLED THEY SAID THAT THE TIME PERIOD TO HAVE REPAIRS DONE WAS EXPIRED
TRUCK RECALL DUE TO FRAME RUST. TOYOTA WAS CALLED, THEY SAID THEY MAILED A RECALL LETTER BUT I DIDN'T GET THE NOTICE. THEY ALSO SAID IT WAS OUTSIDE THE TIME LIMIT TO HAVE ANY REPAIRS DONE AND THAT THEY WOULDN'T HONOR THE RECALL ON MY TRUCK
TOYOTA TACOMA 2001 HAS SEVERE FRAME AND SUSPENSION CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND WITHOUT EVEN INSPECTING THE TRUCK, I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CORP OFFICE, WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE YET. BUT WILL DO TODAY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET HIS OPINION...HE ADVISED THAT IT WAS SEVERE AND WOULD NOT PASS…
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TOYOTA TACOMA 2001 HAS SEVERE FRAME AND SUSPENSION CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, AND WITHOUT EVEN INSPECTING THE TRUCK, I WAS ADVISED TO CONTACT TOYOTA CORP OFFICE, WHICH I HAVE NOT DONE YET. BUT WILL DO TODAY. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO GET HIS OPINION...HE ADVISED THAT IT WAS SEVERE AND WOULD NOT PASS ANY INSPECTION.
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WE HEARD A RUBBING AND CLANKING NOISE. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SUPPORT ,ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ALONG WITH THE FRAME AND IS NOW RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS PERFORATED WITH HOLES, THE FR…
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WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WE HEARD A RUBBING AND CLANKING NOISE. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SUPPORT ,ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ALONG WITH THE FRAME AND IS NOW RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS PERFORATED WITH HOLES, THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS FRONT IS EXTREMELY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THEY WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE FRAME IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 46 DAYS.
RUST SEEMS TO BE COMING OFF BY THE HANDFULS AND PIECES THICK ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, METAL LINES (BRAKE, STEERING, NOT SURE), THE GAS TANK, AND STEERING LINKAGE BECAME MY BIGGEST CONCERN. BY THE THICKNESS OF RUST I HAVE GOTTEN FROM MY VEHICLE I AM CERTAIN IT IS NOT SURFACE RU…
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RUST SEEMS TO BE COMING OFF BY THE HANDFULS AND PIECES THICK ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, METAL LINES (BRAKE, STEERING, NOT SURE), THE GAS TANK, AND STEERING LINKAGE BECAME MY BIGGEST CONCERN. BY THE THICKNESS OF RUST I HAVE GOTTEN FROM MY VEHICLE I AM CERTAIN IT IS NOT SURFACE RUST. HOW MUCH WILL SOMETHING RUST BEFORE IT BECOMES A FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WITH A LINE UNDER PRESSURE SUCH AS BRAKE LINES? THE LAST TIME I FILLED UP I NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE CONCRETE. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS COMING FROM THE TANK ITSELF OR NOT.
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.