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: tires
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Tires, Mar 22, 2018
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTS PERFORATION OF THE FRAME RAILS AND SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE FRAME RAIL RECALL. *JS
Structure, Tires, Oct 8, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER BEING REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES), THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRAME FOR THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. UPDATED 08/02/16*LJ CONSUMER WROTE LETTERS ABOUT RECALLS, RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL FOR THE SAME EXCESSIVE CORROSION TO THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER LIFT PLATE CONSUMER NOTED RECALL SHOULD OF BEEN SENT OUT FOR RUSTED FRAME AS WELL. 04/17/18 *JB *TR
Tires, May 5, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE SEPARATED FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V542000 (TIRES). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM THE RECALL REPAIR DUE TO CORROSION AROUND THE ATTACHMENT AREA. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 6/25/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER REFUSED TO PERFORM THE RECALL, UNLESS HE PAID $ 147 EACH TO REPLACED TWO METAL TIRE HOLDERS. THE DEALER STATED THE METAL RODS WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE SPARE TIRE WAS RUSTED FROM BEING IN THE CARRIER. THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE CARRIER AND THE CONSUMER ACCIDENTALLY RAN OVER IT. UPDATED 05/10/16.*JB
Suspension, Structure, Tires, Wheels, May 12, 2014
HI, I JUST WANT TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN FOR MY VEHICLE AS I LOVE MY TACOMA AND HOW IT DRIVES AND WORKS FOR ME IN MY DAILY LIFE. AS I HAD TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR A RECALL ON MY SPARE TIRE CABLE, THE TECHNICIAN AND SERVICE MAN HAD TOLD ME THAT IN MY FRAME OF MY VEHICLE THERE IS A LARGE RUSTED OUT HOLE. SINCE THEN, I REALLY HAVEN'T FELT SAFE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ANYWHERE AS I'M AFRAID THAT MY FRAME WILL BREAK AND CAUSE A REALLY BAD ACCIDENT. I'VE ALSO HAVE HAD IN THE PAST WHERE MY DAD'S VEHICLE (1998 TOYOTA TACOMA) WAS RECALLED FOR THE SAME EXACT THING (FRAME ISSUE). AS FOR MY VEHICLE, I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND MY BROTHER WAS THE FIRST. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HERE IN THE MINNESOTA WEATHER ALL ITS LIFE TIME. PLEASE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS, IF NOT, I WILL PUSH THIS FORWARD WHERE I WILL GET SOME ATTENTION TO MY VEHICLE, MY SAFETY, AND OTHERS. AND PLUS, I WOULDN'T WANT TO MAKE THIS INTO A LEGAL MATTER AS I LOVE MY TOYOTA. *TR
Tires, Wheels, May 18, 2012, crash
LOSS OF SPARE TIRE ASSEMBLY DUE TO RUST TOYOTA WILL NOT REPLACE WHEEL ASSEMBLY WILL REPLACE THE RUSTED TIRE HOLDER BUT NOT THE TIRE TOYOTA REPLACED THE FRAME ON A RECALL AND DID NOT REPLACE THE RUSTED SPARE TIRE HOLDER THIS IS NEGLIGENCE ON THE PART OF TOYOTA SOMEONE MAY HAVE BEEN KILLED WHEN THE SPARE TIRE CAME LOOSE ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH. *TR
Structure, Tires, Dec 11, 2011
I FREQUENTLY CHECK THE STABILITY OF THE SPARE TIRE THAT IS STORED ON THE UNDERSIDE EXTERIOR OF THE BED. RECENTLY I NOTICED THAT THE TIRE WAS LOOSE AND MOVING BACK AND FORTH. THIS PROMPTED ME TO LOWER THE TIRE BY USING THE PROVIDED CRANK HANDLE. AFTER IT WAS LOWERED TO THE GROUND I WAS SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THE RETAINING BRACKET AND CABLE SPRING WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. I FELT THAT THIS COULD POSE A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD TO ME WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY IF THAT BRACKET FAILS. IT COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER AND THE TIRE TO FLY OFF AND CAUSE DANGER TO OTHER MOTORISTS. I PROMPTLY REMOVED THE SPARE TIRE FROM THE VEHICLE AND WENT TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER. THEY SEEMED TO LOOK PAST THE SAFETY HAZARD IT POSES AND WERE MORE INTERESTED IN CHARGING ME ORE $600.00 TO INSTALL A NEW RETAINING BRACKET. I INQUIRED TO THE SERVICE CONSULTANT AS TO WHY THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT BROUGHT ADDRESSED TO ME WHEN MY TRUCK WAS IN THERE A FEW MONTHS EARLIER FOR THE FRAME RUST PERFORATION RECALL. HE REPLIED THAT IF THEY NOTICE ANY ISSUES THEY PRESENT THE CUSTOMER WITH A LIST OF RECOMMENDATIONS. AT THAT TIME THEY HAD THE ENTIRE CAB AND CHASSIS OFF TO INSTALL A BRAND NEW FRAME. I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW SOMETHING AS CRUCIAL AS THIS POTENTIAL DEADLY PROBLEM COULD GO UNDETECTED. I RECENTLY SPOKE WITH 2 INDIVIDUALS WHO HAD PERSONAL EXPERIENCES PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE. ONE WITNESSED A DEADLY ROLLOVER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM AND THE OTHER HAD HIS SPARE FALL OFF AND ROLL DOWN THE ROAD. I FEEL THIS ISSUE SHOULD BE PRESENTED TO THE PROPER OFFICIALS AND ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN SOON. I HOPE TO HEAR FROM YOU REGARDING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. THANK YOU. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Tires, Apr 2, 2009
WHILE DRIVING ON TX US-59 NB RIGHTHAND LANE GOING APPROX. 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED. I MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP ON THE HIGHWAY SHOULDER. WHAT I FOUND WAS A VERY HOT TIRE WHICH HAD REMAINED INFLATED, BUT HAD LOST APPROX. 75% OF THE TREAD CIRCUMFERENCE DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. APPROX. 25% OF THE TREAD REMAINED WITH THE TIRE, OF WHICH APPROX. 10% REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE STEEL BELT. THE SITUATION DESCRIBED ALLOWED THE TIRE TO BECOME A ROTATING METAL EATING MACHINE, CAUSING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHEEL WELL, TRUCK BED, SUSPENSION AND EXHAUST SYSTEM (3 INCH STAINLESS STEEL PIPE BEND TO 90 DEGREES). INSURANCE ESTIMATES ARE APPROX. $2400.00. AFTER WAITING FOR THE TIRE TO COOL, I DEFLATED AND REMOVED THE TIRE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO BEND AND MOVE DAMAGED SHEET METAL AWAY FROM THE WHEEL WELL AREA TO ALLOW CLEARANCE FOR MY FULL SIZE SPARE, WHICH I INSTALLED AND DROVE APPROX. 5 MILES HOME WITHOUT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. *TR
Tires, Apr 2, 2009
WHILE DRIVING ON TX US59 NB RIGHTHAND LANE AND VEHICLE SPEED APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE RIGHT REAR TIRE FAILED. I MANAGED TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND STOP ON THE SHOULDER. WHAT I FOUND WAS A VERY HOT TIRE WHICH HAD REMAINED INFLATED BUT HAD LOST APPROX. 75% OF THE TIRE TREAD CIRCUMFERENCE DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT. APPROX. 25% OF TREAD REMAINED WITH THE TIRE OF WHICH APPROX.10% REMAINED ATTACHED TO THE STEEL BELT. THE SITUATION DESCRIBED ALLOWED THE TIRE TO BECOME A ROTATING METAL EATING MACHINE, DOING CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WHEEL WELL, TRUCK BED, SUSPENSION AND EXHAUST (3 INCH STAINLESS STEEL PIPE BENT TO 90 DEGREES). AFTER WAITING FOR THE TIRE TO COOL, I DEFLATED AND REMOVED THE TIRE. I WAS THEN ABLE TO BEND AND MOVE SOME DAMAGED SHEET METAL AWAY FROM THE WHEEL WELL TO ALLOW CLEARANCE FOR MY FULL SIZE SPARE, WHICH I INSTALLED AND DROVE APPROX. 5 MILES HOME, WITHOUT FURTHER DAMAGING THE VEHICLE. *TR
Suspension, Tires, Jun 6, 2006
NO FAILURE AS OF YET, BUT HAVE TWO LOWER BALL JOINTS ON MY VEHICLE THAT BOTH ARE OUT OF TOLERANCE AT THE SAME TIME. SEEMS THAT MY MAKE AND MODEL YEAR HAD A RECALL ON THE LOWER BALL JOINTS BUT THEY ARE TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED. IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT THE BALL JOINTS ARE BOTH OUT AT THE SAME TIME, ALMOST LIKE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MORE OF THE JOINTS THAN THEY INITIALLY EXPECTED. *NM
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.
Tires, Nov 6, 2002
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
Tires, Feb 8, 2002, crash
FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT ON SIDEWALL CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEAR INTO IRON GATE DAMAGING FRONT FENDER, SIDE DOOR, SIDE MIRROR, RUNNING BOARD.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2ULAWN160 TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)
Tires, Jun 12, 2001
THIS TIRE WAS FLAT AFTER 1200 MILES OF HIWAY DRIVING. THERE WAS FOUND TO BE A STONE ABOUT 1 CENTIMETER BY 2 CENTIMETER THAT HAD PENETRATED AND TORN THE BODY OF THE TIRE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT . THE PEOPLR WHO REPAIRED THE TIRE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS THE THINNEST THEY HAD SEEN. WE HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES. THIS SHOULD NO HAPPEN ON A NEW PICK-UP. *AK
Tires, Dec 22, 2000
TIRE IS LOW-PROFILE DESIGN STANDARD ON PRIUS. EXPLOSIVE SEPARATION OCCURRED ON DRY ROADWAY WITHOUT DEBRIS. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78 DEGREES. THANK GOODNESS THAT THE TIRE WAS ON THE REAR. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO INITIATE A CONTROLLED STOP FROM THE NUMBER ONE LANE TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER. THE SEPARATION CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE LEFT REAR QUARTER-PANEL, THE ALLOY RIM AND OF COURSE THE TIRE. BRIDGESTONE CUSTOMER CARE WAS CONTACTED AT 800-847-3272 AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD SEND A CLAIM PACKAGE WITHIN 5 DAYS. THERE IS NO REFERENCE NUMBER ASSIGNED. THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR REPAIRS. SERIAL NUMBER FOR ALL 4 TIRES IS: CHA3700. IT IS LIKELY THAT THIS LOT OF TIRES IS ON ALL OF THE PRIUS VEHICLES SITTING AT THE LONG BEACH, CALIFORNIA STORAGE FACILITY. THE TIRE PRESSURE ON THE VEHICLE WAS CHECKED THE DAY BEFORE THE INCIDENT AND ALL TIRES WERE INFLATED ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. *AK (DOT NUMBER: EL9P TIRESIZE: P17565 R14)