2001 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 401 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2001 reports, 41 involved a crash and 4 involved a fire. 36 people were injured and 7 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Tires, temporary/emergency spare tireNov 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 12V542000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
Campaign 06E065000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointMay 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.
THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.
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.
Campaign 05V225000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsMay 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.
THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.
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.
Campaign 03V189000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, sidewallJun 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.
AN IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRE COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS OR A BLOW OUT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TIRE.
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.
Campaign 01V186000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
21 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Mar 11, 2019, crash
THE TRUCK WAS IN A FRONT END TO REAR END COLLISION AT OR AROUND 40 MPH THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT REPORT. & WITNESS OF THE VEHICLE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Mar 17, 2018, crash
TAKATA RECALL. I REAR ENDED A VEHICLE DOING 30+ MPH WHICH IN TURN THAT VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER AND THAT VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER. I WAS CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WOUND UP HITTING MY CHIN ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND LEFT ELBOW HIT THE WINDSHIELD. TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS NOTIFIED AND AN INSPECTOR WAS SENT OUT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ON 3/12/18 BUT WILL NOT TELL ME ANYTHING UNTIL TOYOTA CORPORATE CONTACTS ME IN 30-45 DAYS. ALL I WOULD WANT IS THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AND WOULD FIX IT MYSELF BUT I'M SURE I'M IN FOR A BIG "LET DOWN!".
Air bags, Feb 5, 2018, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTIPLE VEHICLE COLLISION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, WHICH DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. A DIAGNOSTIC APPOINTMENT WAS SCHEDULED FOR FEBRUARY 7, 2018. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THERE WERE NO ACTIVE RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE'S YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,900.
Air bags, Nov 27, 2017, crash
AUTO ACCIDENT ON 10/30/2017 CHEST HIT STEERING WHEEL TAKEN TO LOCAL HOSPITAL BY PARAMEDICS FOR BLUNT FORCED TRAUMA! FILED POLICE REPORT ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT TAKATA AIR BAGS ARE BEING RECALLED. IS THIS HOW I FILE A CLAIM
Air bags, Oct 27, 2017, crash
"TAKATA RECALL" I HAVE BEEN IN 2 CAR ACCIDENTS IN THE 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN BOTH INCIDENTS. 1ST ACCIDENT THE FRONT OF VEHICLE WAS EXTREMELY DAMANGED IN A HIGH IMPACT ACCIDENT IN MOTION ON THE FREEWAY AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE 2ND ACCIDENT THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF TRUCK WAS DAMAGED ON THE FREEWAY WHILE IN MOTION AND THE AIR BAG AGAIN DID NOT DEPLOY.
Air bags, Feb 18, 2017, crash
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.
Air bags, Feb 4, 2015, crash
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN TWO SEPARATE ACCIDENTS. *MW THE FIRST ACCIDENT OCCURRED ON JUNE 9, 2004. THE SECOND ACCIDENT OCCURRED MAY 7, 2013. THE FIRST TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS REAR ENDED. THE SECOND TIME, THE CONSUMER WAS HIT, BY ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO RAN A LIGHT. *JB
Air bags, Jan 9, 2015, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, A DEER JUMPED INTO THE ROAD AND CAUSED A CRASH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 3/26/15*CN UPDATED 03/30/15*LJ UPDATED 10/30/15 *JS
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 31, 2014, crash
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.
Air bags, Feb 27, 2014, crash
ON 5/7/13 MY TOYOTA TACOMA AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WAS INJURED, AND WAS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENT. UN-INSURED DRIVER, 2008 TOYOTA SCION, WAS CAUSE OF ACCIDENT, AND SCION'S AIRBAG WORKED. 2008 TOYOTA SCION WAS RECEIVED BY MF AUTO ON 4/4/13, PURCHASED BY YUKA OKUNA, INSURED BY GEICO ON APRIL 9, 2013 & RE-INSURED ON APRIL 10, 2013 W/ALL STATE INSURANCE (POLICY 4/10 TO 10/10?), AND POLICE REPORT STATED AMANDA LONGLEY OWNED CAR & INSURED BY SAFE AUTO. YET INSURANCE COMPANIES CLAIM IT IS 'PHANTOM OR GHOST DRIVER' AND NOT INSURED AT ALL- NOT LAWFUL IN STATE OF INDIANA AS PROOF OF INSURANCE IS REQUIRED? IT APPEARS BMV RECORDS MAYBE ALTERED AFTER POLICE REPORT- POLICE VERIFIED INFORMATION AT SCENE OF ACCIDENT? ADDITIONALLY, NOTICED POLICE REPORT STATED "SAFETY EQUIPMENT EFFECTIVE" WAS NOTED "YES" FOR SCION & TACOMA BUT MY TOYOTA TACOMA AIRBAG DID NOT WORK PROPERLY- PERCEIVED UNSAFE PRODUCT. LASTLY, TACOMA TOYOTA WAS IN A SEPARATE ACCIDENT IN 2004, NOT MY FAULT (REAR ENDED AT AROUND 35-40 MPH), AND AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY- CAUSED A LOT OF DAMAGES AND INJURY. TOYOTA FAILED TO PROVIDE A SAFE PRODUCT AND IS A CAUSE OF LOSS IN MANY WAYS- TOO MANY LOSSES TO DETAIL. TOYOTA WAS INFORMED IN WRITING BUT FAILED TO ADDRESS PRODUCT SAFETY CONCERNS ADEQUATELY AND APPEARED MORE CONCERNED ABOUT BRAND REPUTATION THAN SAFETY OF PEOPLE? (SEE PHI MATRIX FOR SOME REASONS- LINKED TO STOCK PRICES/BRAND/ DESIGN /BEAUTY ANALYTICS).
Air bags, Jan 17, 2011, crash
VEHICLE LEFT ROADWAY AND STRUCK OBJECT HEAD-ON. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, EVEN THOUGH THE IMPACT WAS DIRECT AND WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO CAUSE VEHICLE TO FLIP END OVER END SEVERAL TIMES. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR
Air bags, Feb 4, 2005, crash
I REAR-ENDED SOMEONE DOING 30 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
Air bags, Tires, Apr 28, 2004, crash
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION WHERE I WAS STRUCK WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO THIS ACCIDENT I WAS ALSO GIVEN A TICKET IN WHICH THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF THE TIRES WERE NOT BAD. TACOMA TOYOTA DOUBLE CAB TRUCK, YEAR 2001. I HYDROPLANED CROSSING THE MEDIAN IN WHICH AN ON-COMING VEHICLE STRUCK MY VEHICLE.
Air bags, Nov 18, 2003, crash
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER T-BONED A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLES DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *NLM
Air bags, Oct 10, 2003, crash
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION THAT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH. MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PICKUP STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. *LA
Air bags, Feb 4, 2003, crash
CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BACK AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Air bags, Dec 11, 2002, crash
WHILE 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
Air bags, Dec 4, 2002
PASSENGER 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
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Oct 17, 2001, crash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A NOISE LOCATED IN REAR END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR END. CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF HIM, HE APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ RAN INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
Air bags, Jun 22, 2001, crash
AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN, DURING THIS ACCIDENT THERE WERE 3 DEATHS.
Air bags, Mar 6, 2001, crash
ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY AND I T-BONED THEM AT 30 MPH. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WAS VERY CONCERNED, AS HE FELT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.*AK