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 reports
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
160,442 miles · Feb 22, 2017
Suspension
LEFT FRONT WHEEL BROKE OFF A ARM.LOWER BALL JOINT COMPLETELY MISSING.VEHICLE HAS 160442 MILES.NO INDICATION OF STEERING PROBLEM.TIRES WERE ROTATED ONE MONTH BEFORE ACCIDENT I REPLACED THE TIRE AND ASKED THE MECHANIC IF HE DOES A VISUAL INSPECTION.THE ANSWER WAS YES.
NHTSA ODI #10956301
200,000 miles · Feb 18, 2017
Air BagsCrashInjury
TAKATA RECALL ...AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY @ 35-40 MPH COLLISION FRONT OF THE TACOMA & REAR END OF ANOTHER VEHICLE.THE SEATBELT LET THE DRIVER GO INTO THE WINDSHIELD.
NHTSA ODI #10955419
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
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2017
Unknown Or Other
TAKATA RECALL OCT.2014 OUR TRUCK WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE FR…
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TAKATA RECALL OCT.2014 OUR TRUCK WOULDN'T PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE FRAME RUSTED OUT. THE SPARE TIRE FELL OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, SO WE KNEW WE HAD A PROBLEM. WE CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE RECALL ENDED AND THAT WE HAD BEEN SENT A PAPER IN 2010( THE YEAR WE MOVED) THEY TOLD US THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE SPARE TIRE BECAUSE WE HAD TO STILL HAVE THE TIRE. SO WE HAD TO FIND SOME TO WELD AND DO THE WORK OURSELVES TO GET IT INSPECTED.
NHTSA ODI #10949550
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
208,000 miles · Jan 5, 2017
Structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRAMES, THE HOSE TO THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING MOLD DID NOT MATCH AND CAUSED THE U-JOINT TO BE CROOKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A NEW BEARING, BUT IT DID NOT ALIGN WITH THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRAMES, THE HOSE TO THE CENTER SUPPORT BEARING MOLD DID NOT MATCH AND CAUSED THE U-JOINT TO BE CROOKED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO INSTALL A NEW BEARING, BUT IT DID NOT ALIGN WITH THE FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BEARING WAS FINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT REMEDIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 208,000. UPDATED 03/16/17*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED TOOK TRUCK IN FOR FRAME WARRANTY WORK, IT WAS RELEASED 85 DAYS LATER IN A "REPAIRED CONDITION." THE CONSUMER STATED FORD MADE THE REPLACE BEARING HOLES THE WRONG SIZE. *TR
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.
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.
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.
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.
2001 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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