IllustrationWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SKIDDED ON ICE AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A GUARDRAIL. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CAUSING OVER $8000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO TRUCK. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MR
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 reportsPASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EMITS ACRID/MUSTY LIKE ODOR WHEN SUBJECTED TO HEAT FROM THE SUN OR AFTER THE HEATER HAS BEEN RUN FOR A WHILE AND HAD A CHANCE TO SOAK THE AREA BEHIND THE DASH. ODOR TRIGGERS WIFE'S ASTHMA ATTACKS. ODOR IS NOT COMING FROM HEATER/AC VENTS. DT
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
CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 3X ALREADY. THE BELT LOCKS UP AND TIGHTENS ON PASSENGER WHENEVER VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. TS
ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW UP ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNIG ALL OVER SUDDENLY MY TRUCK WAS FISH TAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSE A COLLECTIVE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFFERED ME TO THEIR LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK AT THE TIRES BUT THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD…
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ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW UP ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNIG ALL OVER SUDDENLY MY TRUCK WAS FISH TAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSE A COLLECTIVE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFFERED ME TO THEIR LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK AT THE TIRES BUT THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TIRES BLEW UP IN PIECES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE BUT THE DAY AFTER I NOTICE THAT THE TIRE WALL HAS A BIG LUMP.( LOOK LIKE A WEAKER SECTION ON THE SIDE READY TO EXPLODE) DT
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
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
VEHICLE LOCKS AND UNLOCKS AT WILL. WHEN IT DOES LOCK CONSUMER HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. MECHANIC STATES THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN FIND.*AK
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.