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: other or unspecified
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Apr 13, 2016
WHILE DRIVING THE TRUCK WE HEARD A RUBBING AND CLANKING NOISE. THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER SUPPORT ,ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY ALONG WITH THE FRAME AND IS NOW RESTING AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK BED. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A TOYOTA DEALER WHO INFORMED US THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME IS PERFORATED WITH HOLES, THE FRAME ON THE DRIVERS FRONT IS EXTREMELY DAMAGED AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE CONTACTED TOYOTA AND WERE TOLD THEY WILL DO NOTHING BECAUSE THE FRAME IS OUT OF WARRANTY BY 46 DAYS.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Mar 20, 2016
RUST SEEMS TO BE COMING OFF BY THE HANDFULS AND PIECES THICK ENOUGH THAT I AM CONCERNED. I LOOKED UNDER MY TRUCK AND AMONG OTHER THINGS, METAL LINES (BRAKE, STEERING, NOT SURE), THE GAS TANK, AND STEERING LINKAGE BECAME MY BIGGEST CONCERN. BY THE THICKNESS OF RUST I HAVE GOTTEN FROM MY VEHICLE I AM CERTAIN IT IS NOT SURFACE RUST. HOW MUCH WILL SOMETHING RUST BEFORE IT BECOMES A FAILURE, ESPECIALLY WITH A LINE UNDER PRESSURE SUCH AS BRAKE LINES? THE LAST TIME I FILLED UP I NOTICED GAS LEAKING ON THE CONCRETE. I AM NOT SURE IF IT IS COMING FROM THE TANK ITSELF OR NOT.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Jan 6, 2016
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA AND NOTICED IT NEEDED TO GO IN FOR A RECALL FOR THE SPARE TIRE BEING IN NEED OF REMOUNTING. I NOTICED THE FRAME RUST WAS BAD. AS IN FIST SIZE HOLES ALL DOWN THE FRAME. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE RECALL AND MENTIONED THE FRAME RUST AND THE RECALL ON THE FRAMES. I WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULDNT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE RUST. IM NOW STUCK WITH A VERY UNSAFE TRUCK FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN TO BE IN AND A COMPANY THAT FLAT OUT MADE A MISTAKE AND WONT OWN UP TO IT. I WILL UPLOAD DETAILED PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGE LATER ON.
Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2015
INSPECTION FAILED. TOLD FRAME RUSTED BADLY AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. CONTACTED TOYOTA DEALER AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING.
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 25, 2015, crash
WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL COMPLETELY BUCKLED UNDER THE TRUCK. LUCKILY, I WAS ONLY DRIVING 15 MPH. HAD THIS BROKEN WHILE I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR INJURED SOMEONE ELSE. AS A RESULT, THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT BOTH BALL JOINTS WERE BAD SO BOTH WERE REPLACED. THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SPARE TIRE CANNOT BE REMOVED. NO NOTICE WAS EVER GIVEN TO US OR THE PREVIOUS OWNER BY TOYOTA, REGARDING THE PROBLEMS STATED ABOVE.
Other or unspecified, Jun 22, 2015
MY FRAME IS ROTTED OUT AND THE BED IS UP AGAINST THE CAB. CAN NOT DRIVE IT NOW. HAVEN'T DROVE IT SINCE OCTOBER 2013 DUE TO BRAIN CANCER.
Other or unspecified, May 20, 2015
THE ENGINE REVED UP AS IF THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK PRESSED DOWN. THERE WAS NO FLOOR MAT IN THE WAY. I HAD TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER. I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I TURNED THE ENGINE BACK ON, THE RPMS WERE STILL EXTREMELY HIGH, SO I HAD TO TURN IT OFF AND LET IT SIT FOR OVER 5 MINUTES. THIS HAS HAPPENED 6 TIMES SINCE THEN. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO A MECHANIC WHO CAN NOT GET IT TO REPEAT FOR HIM. THIS IS VERY SCARY. THE GOOD THING IS THAT THIS IS A STANDARD TRANSMISSION, SO NEUTRAL IS EASY. IT IS VERY UNSAFE ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT HAPPENS.
Other or unspecified, May 12, 2015, fire
MY SON WAS DRIVING NORTH ON I45 FROM HUNTSVILLE, TX TO FORT WORTH, AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 PM. HE WAS DRVING APPROXIMATELY 70-75 MPH NEAR MM159 WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD THUD NOISE COME FROM UNDER HIS TRUCK. HE IMMEDIATELY OBSERVED FLAMES COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK AND IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED. THE FLAMES ENGULFED THE REAR OF THE TRUCK AND UNDER THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE AND SUSTAINED A BURN TO THE LOWER PORTION OF HIS LEFT LEG. SECONDS AFTER HE EXITED THE VEHICLE, THE ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. A TEXAS STATE TROOPER WAS PASSING SHORTLY AFTER MY SON EXITED THE VEHICLE AND REQUESTED ASSISTANCE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND PARAMEDICS. (PHOTOS TAKEN).
Other or unspecified, Dec 2, 2014
THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE UNDER NEATH TIRE RACK TO BE FIXED. IT APPARENTLY HAS RUSTED AWAY. I HAVE CASE 1411181385 WITH TOYOTA. THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX THE TIRE RACK BECAUSE THE REST OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED AWAY AS WELL. *JS
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Apr 17, 2014
I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND WAS ALERTED TO THE FRAME CORROSION. I CAN ACTUALLY PUSH MY FINGER THROUGH THE RUST AND FRAME, HOLES ARE VISIBLE IN THE FRAME. THE TRUCK IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I FEAR OF SAFETY FOR MY FAMILY. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE VOLUNTARY BUYBACK PROGRAM FOR FIXING THIS WAS EXPIRED. I AM NOW LEFT WITH AN IMMACULATELY CLEAN CAR IN PRISTINE SHAPE THAT CANNOT BE DRIVEN AND I AM LEERY OF EVEN SELLING TO SOMEONE ELSE REGARDLESS OF THEIR KNOWLEDGE OF THE FRAME. REPORTS OF THIS PROBLEM ARE POPPING UP ALL OVER AND IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH AS A SERIOUS MATTER AND SUBJECT TO SAFETY RECALL. LESSER ISSUES HAVE HAD RECALLS AND IT HAS BEEN LEFT UP TO TOYOTA TO PROVIDE VOLUNTARY BUYBACK PROGRAMS INSTEAD OF BEING MANDATED FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Mar 20, 2013
I LIVE IN VIRGINIA. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR INSPECTION OF THE TRUCK FRAME FOR RUST CORROSION. AT THE TIME VEHICLE HAD THE RECALL I WAS BEING TREATED FOR A MENTAL DISABILITY AND IN MENTAL HOSPITALS. I WAS NOT OF SOUND MIND OR JUDGMENT TO UNDERSTAND THE "RECALL NOTICE". WHILE HAVING OIL CHANGED BY THE TOYOTA DEALER THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK WAS NOTED TO HAVE HOLES IN THE FRAME CAUSED BY RUST. TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE TRUCK HONORING THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I PROVIDED THE NECESSARY INFORMATION FROM DOCTORS PROVIDING DOCUMENTATION OF MY ILLNESS AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL. ON MARCH 14, 2013, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A SAFETY RECALL FOR RUST OF THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER; WHICH COULD FALL OFF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE TOYOTA DEALER REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER CONSISTING OF TWO METAL PLATES WITH FOUR BOLTS THAT WAS BOLTED TO A DEFECTIVE FRAME THAT HAS HOLES DUE TO CORROSION; ALSO, THEY REPLACED SUPPORTS THAT RUNS BETWEEN THE TWO FRAME RAILS; THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE CABLE NOR THE RUSTED PART THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL TO THE PREVIOUS ASSEMBLY PARTS. THIS HAS NOT FIXED THE ISSUE BECAUSE THEY HAVE ONLY REPLACED THE SPARE TIRE CARRIER PLATE ONTO A FRAME THAT HAS HOLES DUE TO RUST THAT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I NEED THIS VEHICLE AS I AM ON DISABILITY AND LIMITED INCOME; I WANT THE FRAME REPLACED OR A NEW TRUCK WITH THE SAME OPTIONS AS I HAVE ON THE 2001 TACOMA. TOYOTA RECEIVED A 25 MILLION DOLLAR SETTLEMENT FROM DANA CORPORATION, SUPPLIER OF THE TACOMA TRUCK FRAMES, PROPER ANTIRUST PREVENTATIVE WAS NOT APPLIED TO PREVENT CORROSION, WHICH WAS A COST SAVING FOR ONE OR BOTH COMPANIES. FROM 1995 TO 2004 THE TACOMA TRUCKS HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. BY REPLACING THE FRAME TOYOTA WOULD NOT BE LOSING ANY MONEY BECAUSE THEY GOT THEIR MONEY FROM DANA CORP SUPPLIER OF THE TACOMA FRAMES. *TR
Other or unspecified, Nov 20, 2012
I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE, AND WHEN I NOTIFIED TOYOTA THEY INDICATED THAT THEY WOULD NO LONGER HONOR THE RECALL, UNLESS I HAD GONE IN FOR SOME KIND OF UNDERLAYMENT. I NEVER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS, AND SINCE THE VEHICLE WILL BE CONSIDERED UNSAFE I FEEL THAT THEY TOYTA SHOULD TAKECARE OF THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ADVISE IF THERE IS A LIMITATION ON SAFETY HAZARDS FOR VEHICLES. *TR
Other or unspecified, Sep 24, 2012
AS I WAS DRIVING UP A MOUNTAIN, THE TRAFFIC IN FRONT OF ME WAS SLOW, I BRAKED TO SLOW, BUT THE TRUCK DID NOT SLOW DOWN. I PUSHED HARDER ON THE BRAKE, BUT THE TRUCK STILL DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OFF, A DROP OFF ON THE RIGHT AND TRAFFIC ON THE LEFT COMING DOWN THE MOUNTAIN. I KEPT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AS HARD AS I COULD PUSH IT, ALL THE WAY TO THE TOP OF THE MOUNTAIN. THERE WAS A PARKING AREA AT THE TOP AND I TURNED INTO THAT AREA. MY HUSBAND QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE KEY AND WE CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. WE GOT OUT OF THE TRUCK AND MY HUSBAND RAISED THE HOOD. SEVERAL MEN STOPPED TO SEE IF THEY COULD HELP. WHILE THE TRUCK WAS SITTING THERE, WITH THE GEAR SHIFT IN PARK, MY HUSBAND STARTED THE ENGINE A COUPLE OF TIMES. THE ENGINE RACED AT FULL SPEED. MY HUSBAND DID NOT HAVE HIS FOOT NEAR EITHER PEDAL. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE FLOOR NEAR THE PEDALS. A TOW TRUCK CAME AND PICKED UP THE TRUCK, IT WAS TAKEN TO THE OWNER'S LOCATION AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED. THE ENGINE RAN NORMALLY THEN. WE TOOK THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS CHECKED, AND WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE TRUCK.
Other or unspecified, Jan 7, 2011, crash
DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA IT QUICKLY WAS TAKEN OVER BY THE REAR OF THE TRUCK, SPINNING IT IN 2 RAPID CIRCLES, HITTIG THE FREEWAY METAL GUARD RAIING, TEN STOPPED FACING TE ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 23, 2001
WITHIN ONE WEEK OF OWNERSHIP, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO BOG DOWN WHEN MAKING A TURN FROM A DEAD STOP. A DAY LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE PROBLEM WAS BROUGHT TO THE DEALERS ATTENTION AND THE REPLY WAS THAT; "WE DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG, WHEN WE FIND OUT WE'LL LET YOU KNOW...UNTIL THEN, BE CAREFUL" THAT WAS OVER A MONTH AGO AND I HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING FROM THEM. I CALLED TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT WAS WRONG. THE VEHICLE IS UNPREDICTABLE WHEN TAKING OFF AND HAS ALREADY RESULTED IN A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE GENERAL ATTITUDE IS NONCHALANT AND NOBODY HAS MADE ANY ATTEMPT TO NOTIFY ME OF ANYTHING. FROM WHAT I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP. ALL THE 2001 HIGHLANDERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM.