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: power train
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Feb 28, 2017
MY TACOMA HAS BEEN IN A COUPLE TIMES FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED FOR RUST BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE OR SAID ABOUT IT NEEDING ANYTHING DONE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I NOTICED THAT WHEN I SLOWED DOWN MY LIFTED AND WHEN I ACCELERATED MY BED LOWERED. I PULLED OFF TO FIND THAT MY FRAMES HAS RUSTED APART IN FRONT OF REAR LEAF SPRING. TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE?
Power train, Jan 22, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, A LOUD NOISE WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE REAR END. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR AXLE AND DRIVE TRAIN HAD NO OIL PRESENT, WHICH CAUSED THE FAILURE TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
Suspension, Power train, Service brakes, Sep 12, 2013
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A SKIDDING SOUND, LOOK UNDER TRUCK LOST TRD PLATES, ROTTED BECAME LOSE AND FELL. UNDER CARRIAGE CORRODED. *TR
Power train, Mar 22, 2013
LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. IT APPEARS THE DIFFERENTIAL CASE ROTTED OUT LEAVING THE REAR END WITH NO GEAR FLUID. WHEN THEY REPLACED THE FRAME (AS IT ROTTED OUT TO)... THEY SHOUD HAVE REPLACED THE DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING. LUCKY THIS HAPPEN AROUND TOWN AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY. I CAN IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THE DIFFERENTIAL BLEW APART AT HIGH SPEED (WITH FLYING METAL AND NO CONTROL OF ACCELERATION IF NEEDED TO AVOID OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT). I CALLED TOYOTA CAR CARE AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD GO IN HALF ON THE REPAIR AND GET BACK TO ME IN A FEW DAYS WITH THE DETAILS. THEY DIDN'T... I CALLED THEM A FEW DAYS LATER AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP ME. LOOKED TO BE A +/- $2,000 REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Feb 16, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DIFFERENTIAL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND LEAKING OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000.
Power train, Dec 16, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, AND DURING THE REPAIR THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HOUSING WAS LEAKING AND EXHIBITED SUBSTANTIAL RUST. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A COMMON DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 05/11/11
Suspension, Power train, Aug 12, 2010
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA REPLACED REAR AXLE BEARING TWICE ALREADY TRUCK HAS LESS 90000 MILES. IN BOTH INCIDENTS IT HAS RUINED THE INTERNAL PARTS OF THE AXLES CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE CARRIER CASE. I BOUGHT A 3 RD TRD AXLE AT A WRECKING YARD TO FIND THE SAME PROBLEM IN THAT AXLE. I WAS FORTUNATE I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. THE REAR AXLE COULD OF LOCKED UP ON THE HIGHWAY CAUSING A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR DEATH RELATED TO AXLE FAILURE. *TR
Power train, Structure, Nov 11, 2009
RUSTY LEAKY DIFF PROBLEM THE OIL LEAKS CONSTANTLY. I CALLED THE TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL AND NOTHING THEY WILL DO ABOUT IT AT THIS TIME. *TR
Power train, Aug 3, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH A NOISE WAS HEARD THAT GRADUALLY BECAME LOUDER. WITHOUT WARNING, THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TRANSFER CASE LOCKED UP AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO SIN OF A LEAK PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. UPDATED 08//25/06. *JB
Power train, Nov 3, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATES VEHICLE HAD A DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. THE CLUTCH HAS REPEATEDLY MALFUNCTIONED. HE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CLUTCH TWICE WITHIN THREE YEARS. ALSO, CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. NO FURTHER CORRECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AT THIS TIME. *AK
Power train, Jan 27, 2005
2001 TACOMA 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 DOOR PRE RUNNER. HAVE HAD A HORRIBLE "CLUNK WHEN I REALEASE BRAKES. THE WHOLE TRUCK JERKS AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER JUMPS ABOUT 3 INCHES. TOOK IT TO PRECISION TOYOTA IN TUCSON AND WAS TOLD IT IS CALLED AXLE WRAP. I DID SOME REASEARCH ON AXLE WRAP AND BASICALLY IT IS WORN OUT REAR SPRINGS. THE ONLY THING I HAVE CARRIED IN THE TRUCK HEAVY IS MY 200 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THE TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND IS ALL INTERSTATE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND HAVE SEEN ANOTHER COMPLAINT HERE. I AM WORRIED WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE IT IS DOING TO THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN. WHAT'S GOING TO "SNAP"?*AK
Power train, Aug 3, 2004
FILE #200408021294. CUSTOMER (KIM REAMER) 07/27/2004 07:50 AM I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 X 4. IT HAS AN ISSUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED YOU WOULD FEEL A JOLT OR A SLIGHT PUSH FROM THE DRIVE TRANE AREA. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS ENGINE WRAP WHERE THE ENERGY GETS STORED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RELEASE IS WHEN THE BREAKS ARE RELEASED FROM A STOP. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT IN THE REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU SOMTIMES HERE A SLIGHT THUD. THESE SYMPTOMS DO NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT QUITE OFTEN. PER A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER TOYOTA TACOMA OWNER HE STATED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND HAS A REPAIR DIRECTIVE OUT. I AM SENDING THIS TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION AS MY DEALER STATE HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TOY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A DRIVE WITH ME IN IT. PLEASE NOTE I POINTED IT OUT ONCE BUT HE SAID IT IS NORMAL. NORMAL IT IS NOT SERVICE RESPONSE: RUSS SWANSON: WE MET AND WENT ON A ROAD TEST TOGETHER WHEN YOU WERE LAST HERE ON JULY 21. OUR BEST INTEREST IS IN FINDING ANY ABNORMALITIES AND CORRECTING THEM. IF THIS CONDITION WORSENS TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS AN ABNORMALITY, IT WILL BE OUR PLEASURE TO CORRECT IT. AT THIS POINT, ANY ATTEMPT AT CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. RUSS SWANSON KOOL TOYOTA MY RESPONSE: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED WITH YOU IN IT, I ONLY NOTICED THE VEHICLE DO IT ONCE WHICH WAS SLIGHT TO WITH WHAT IT DOES. AS I STATED IT HAPPED ABOUT 4 TIMES DRIVING IN TO WORK AND HEARD IT THUMB ON ALL 4 CASES. THE PUSH OR ACTION FROM LETTING THE BREAK OFF ONCE STOPPED WAS FELT 4 TIMES AS WELL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL UNDER ANY DRIVING CONDITIONS AND CONCERNS ME THAT YOU SAY SO. THIS WOULD BE CONSTRUED AS ABNORMAL. THERE A REPAIR DIRECTIVE OUT THERE REGARDING THIS COMPLAINT. BUT TOYOTA IS FAILING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE TO SAY IT IS NORMA. THEN WHY A REPAIR DIRECTIVE?. PLEASE ADDRESS MY CONCERNS. THANK YOU. KIM R. REAMER . *AK
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Sep 16, 2002
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
Power train, Jun 20, 2001
MAKES A CLANKING SOUND IN DRIVESHAFT WHEN SHIFTING.REPORTED THIS TO DEALERSHIP PROCEEDED TO ADD GEAR OIL TO REAREND .THIS HELPED SOME BUT DIDNT STOP NOISE . CONTACTED CHARLIES AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DROP AND PACK DRIVESHAFT TO ELIMINATE SOUND. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVESHAFT AND IM AFRAID THAT THE END RESULT COULD BE DANGEROUS. IVE CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD A NEW DRIVE SHAFT WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND THEY WOULD ONLY PACK THE OLD ONE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.I BELIEVE PACKING THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD ONLY BE A BANDAID ON A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE YOU AWARE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TOYOTA TACOMA DRIVESHAFTS? *AK
Power train, Jun 4, 2001
THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD DRIVESHAFT CAME OUT ALMOST ALL THE WAY . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS FIXED PROBLEM.*AK FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AT FACTORY. *YH