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
401 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jun 8, 2008
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME ROT - TOYOTA IS ONLY INCLUDING 1995-2000 IN THEIR "SILENT RECALL" FOR FRAME ROT. MINE FAILED THEIR 2 INSPECTIONS (MAY 01, 2008 AND MAY 20, 2008) MY TRUCK WAS TAKEN FROM ME. I WAS TOLD IT IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE". EVIDENTLY TOYOTA IS PAYING OWNERS FOR NEWER TRUCKS MUCH LESS MONEY THAN 1995-2000 TACOMA OWNERS. THEY HAVE A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM WITH THEIR PRODUCTION THAN IS BEING ACKNOWLEDGED AND REPORTED. PLEASE INVESTIGATE LATER MODEL YEARS THAT EXHIBIT SERIOUS FRAME ROT ISSUES BEFORE SOMEONE IN THE LATER MODEL YEARS IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. I AM HAPPY TO SUPPLY PICTURES OF MY SPECIFIC, COMPLETELY RUSTED, FRAME THAT HAS HOLES IN MANY LOCATIONS. THIS TRUCK WAS WELL MAINTAINED, WASHED, WAXED, GARAGE-KEPT. THE TRUCK BODY IS IN FANTASTIC SHAPE. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS THE RUSTED, ROTTED FRAME WITH LARGE HOLES IN IT. *TR
Structure, Jun 7, 2008
MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA FRAME IS RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS A RECALL ON 95-00 TACOMAS. MINE IS AN 01 BUT ASSEMBLED IN 09/00. THEY SAID MY TACOMA DOESN'T FALL INTO THE RECALL CATEGORY. I PAID OUT OF MY OWN POCKET TO HAVE THE RUST TEST PERFORMED ON MY TRUCK, THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME IS IN WORSE CONDITION THAN SOME OF THE 95-00 THAT THEY HAVE BEEN TAKING BACK ON RECALL. THEN THE WENT ON TO SAY MY TRUCK WILL NOT PASS A STATE INSPECTION AND WAS UNSAFE TO BE ON THE ROAD. 95-00 OWNERS ARE GETTING 1.5% OF THE KKB VALUE. I EXPECT TOYOTA TO DO THE SAME FOR ME SEEING MINE FAILED RUST TEST AS WELL. *TR
Structure, Jun 6, 2008
RUSTING FRAME. *TR
Structure, May 22, 2008
2001 TOYOTA TRUCK - WHEN AN AUTO COMPANY FINDS A PRODUCT DEFECT, A RECALL IS ORDERED & THE DEFECT FIXED AT COMPANY COST. NO ONE BLAMES THE SALESMAN, REPAIRMAN, DEALERSHIP, ETC IF THE AUTO COMPANY DOESN'T ADDRESS THE DEFECT, IT LOSES ITS REPUTATION & ITS BUSINESS GOES AWAY. HOWEVER THERE IS A TERRIBLE PREJUDICE WHEN MY VEHICLE HAS THE EXACT SAME DEFECT AND I AM BEING TREATED DIFFERENTLY THAN OTHER OWNERS. I PURCHASED A 2001 TRUCK IT HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, DETAILED AND HAND WAXED TWICE A YEAR AND ONLY HAS 87K MILES. YOUR SAFETY DEFECT OF A BAD BOX FRAME RESULTED IN A RECALL. THE 2000 TRUCK OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE ARE BEING OFFERED A DEAL OF 150% TO RETURN THE TRUCK. I AM NOT BEING OFFERED THE SAME DEAL ' HOWEVER MY TRUCK HAS THE SAME SAFETY DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE MY CASE REVIEWED, RESULTING IN THE SAME OFFER AS THE 2000 OWNERS. THE PROGRAM SHOULD INCLUDE MY 2001 TRUCK IT HAS A SAFETY DEFECT (RUSTED BOX FRAME). *TR
Structure, May 13, 2008
OUR 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS IN FOR MUFFLER REPAIR WHEN THE TECH NOTICED RUST ON THE FRAME. HE SAID THAT IT WAS OVER A 2FT SECTION ON ONE SIDE HE COULD PUT BOTH HANDS THROUGH AND A SMALL SECTION ON THE OTHER SIDE. SINCE TOYOTA EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON VEH YRS 95-2000, I THINK THEY HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED ENOUGH OF A PROB THAT THEY SHOULD INCLUDE OTHER YEARS IF NEWER TRUCKS THAN THAT ARE EXHIBITING PROBLEMS. ONE TECH THAT LOOKED AT OUR TRUCK SAID THAT IT PROB COULD NOT BE FIXED/ WELDED. WE ARE STILL GETTING OTHER ESTIMATES AND WILL PROB HAVE TO HAVE A TOYOTA TECH LOOK AT IT JUST TO HAVE IT ON THE RECORD. *TR
Structure, May 9, 2008
I, OWN A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP TRUCK. I BOUGHT IT NEW IN JAN. 2001. I PUT 93000 MILES ON IT .LAST JUNE I WENT TO MY REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE MY LEAF SPRINGS REPLACED. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT MY FRAME WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT IT COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND PRESENTED THE PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ROAD SALT WAS TO BLAME NOT TOYOTA! NOW THERE IS A RECALL ON 1995 TO 2000 TRUCKS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. SINCE THE RUST PROBLEM I HAVE NOT DRIVEN MY TRUCK IT IS STILL REGISTERED AND INSURED. THE PEOPLE AT TOYOTA SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM BEFORE ONE GETS IN AN ACCIDENT AND SOMEBODY GETS HURT. THERE ARE ALOT OF THESE TRUCKS ON THE ROAD. THANK YOU HPL.
Structure, May 7, 2008
THE FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.... ONLY 60,000 MILES. *TR
Structure, Apr 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE TECHNICIAN NOTICED THAT THE UNDER BODY FRAME HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN DECEMBER OF 2007, A LOCAL WELDER REPAIRED THE HOLE IN THE FRAME AT THE COST OF $80. TOYOTA LATER IMPLEMENTED A BUY BACK PROGRAM AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD ONLY BUY BACK VEHICLES FROM 1995-2000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,910 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,995.
Structure, Apr 11, 2008
TOYOTA HAS ISSUED A "CUSTOMER SERVICE" PROGRAM, WHEREBY THEY ARE BUYING BACK TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK AT 150% OF THE KELLEY BLUE BOOK VALUE. THIS PROGRAM IS ONLY FOR 1995-2000 VEHICLES WITH SIGNIFICANT PERFORATED (RUSTED) FRAMES. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 TACOMA, BUILT IN 2000. MY FRAME IS RUSTED STRAIGHT THROUGH AND IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. MY DEALER HAS STATED THAT IT IS UNSAFE. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AS WELL AS CORPORATE DIRECTLY. THEY ARE DOING NOTHING TO SUPPORT OWNERS. NO REPAIRS, NO BUYBACK. I WAS TOLD TODAY THAT "INDIVIDUALS LIVING IN NEW ENGLAND" SHOULD EXPECT THIS. I BELIEVE STRONGLY THAT THE IMPLIED WARRANTY EXTENDS BEYOND THAT STATEMENT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF TACOMAS OUT THERE NOT BEING COVERED BY THIS PROGRAM. WE ARE CAUGHT BETWEEN THE NEW BUYBACK PROGRAM, AND THE ORIGINAL 5 YEAR WARRANTY. THIS IS WRONG. *TR
Structure, Feb 18, 2008
TOYOTA TACOMA 2001, FRAME IS RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. TRUCK HAS 185,000 MILES WELL KEPT. THE BODY IS IN PERFECT CONDITION. FRAME LOOKS LIKE IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT. POOR DESIGN BOX FRAME. 7 YEARS AND NOW IS USELESS. TOYOTA SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ENGINEERING FLAW. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Sep 13, 2007, fire
CONSUMER BELIEVES TOYOTA OWES HIM MONEY FOR PERSONAL ITEMS DESTROYED IN THE TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE HAS WRITTEN TOYOTA AND THEY HAVE NEVER ANSWERED HE WANTS TO GET MONEY FOR PERSONAL ITEMS DESTROYED IN VEHICLE FIRE. **NAR**KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE CONTINUES TO RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES ABOUT THE VEHICLE THAT WAS DESTROYED IN A FIRE. *JB
Structure, Sep 9, 2007
I OWN A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 WITH 83,000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD CARE OF IT AND HAVE BEEN VERY HAPPY WITH IT EXCEPT FOR THE ISSUE OF SEVERE FRAME RUST. THE BODY LOOKS GREAT, HOWEVER THE FRAME RUST IS JUST ABOUT ALL OVER THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND INCLUDES THE BRAKE SYSTEM, FRAME, DRIVE TRAIN, ETC. I HAVE MANY OLDER VEHICLES THAT HAVE SEEN SIMILAR WEAR AND USE THAT HAVE NO FRAME RUST WHATSOEVER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE RECENTLY MANUFACTURED TACOMAS AND I BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO A MANUFACTURING FLAW. *JB
Suspension, Structure, Aug 14, 2007
DRIVING AROUND CURVE AT 5MPH AND FRONT LEFT WHEEL BROKE AT BALL JOINT AND MY TRUCK FELL ON TOP OF WHEEL BENDING MY FENDER. I HAD TO HAVE TRUCK TOWED AND HAD BOTH BALL JOINTS REPLACE, $453 WORTH OF REPAIRS, NOT HAVING HAD MY FENDER FIXED YET. MY TRUCK WAS MAN. IN 05/01, MISSING THE RECALL ON THE SAME PROBLEM BY A FEW MONTHS. I'M BLESSED TO HAVE IT HAPPEN AT LOW SPEED, NO TELLING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY. *TR
Suspension, May 17, 2007
AFTER NOTICING THAT THE TRUCK DEVELOPED UNUSUAL TIRE WEAR AND SHAKING AND NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT END ,MAKING THE TRUCK DIFFICULT AND HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. A PRIVATE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE FRONT BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I WAS MADE AWARE OF A TOYOTA RECALL, AND WAS INFORMED THAT ALTHOUGH THIS VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING THE EXACT CONDITION DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL THAT WAS ON IDENTICAL MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR THIS TRUCK WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED DUE TO THE VIN. *AK
Steering, May 2, 2007
I HAVE IDENTIFIED A DISCREPANCY WITH THE 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD STEERING SYSTEM. THERE IS A LOOSENESS IN THE STEERING AND UPON INVESTIGATION I FOUND THAT THE SLIP JOIT IN THE COLLAPSIBLE STEERING SHAFT IS PRESENT. THERE IS A HEXAGONAL SLIP JOINT THAT HAS SHOWN TO BE A TYPICAL PROBLEM WITH THESE TRUCKS. REPAIR IS NOT POSSIBLE WITHOUT DEFEATING THE COLLAPSING FUNCTION OF THE SHAFT. THIS PROBLEM MAKES THE VEHICLE DIFFICULT TO DRIVE PRECISELY. TOYOTA SHOULD PROVIDE RETROFIT SHAFTS TO THE OWNERS. *TR
Seats, Apr 27, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA SEQUOIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WELDING ON THE SEAT FRAME OF THE MIDDLE ROW DETACHED AND CAUSED THE SEAT TO SWIVEL AND MOVE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND PERFORMED THE REPAIR, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 109,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.*AK
Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 10, 2007
TOYOTA TACOMA 4 DOOR; REAR DOOR LOCKS NOT WORKING. STAYS LOCKED, AND CANNOT OPEN DOORS. *AK
Electrical system, Oct 14, 2006
THE IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN ALL THE WAY OFF. IT WILL GO ONE NOTCH TO THE LEFT TO ALT. AND TURN THE MOTOR OFF BUT WILL NOT LET THE KEY COME OUT. I'VE BEEN TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY DON'T KNOW THE PROBLEM. THEY 1ST SAID IT WAS THE KEY BUT HAS PROVEN WRONG. I CANNOT LOCK THE DOOR WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION EXCEPT TO USE ANOTHER KEY. *NM
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jun 15, 2006, crash, fire
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTENDED CAB WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE HIT ME BEHIND THE DRIVERS DOOR AND MY TRUCK EXPLODED IN TO FLAMES. I COULD NOT GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE AND HAD TO GO THROUGH THE FLAMES IN THE CAB TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. I SUFFERED BURNS AND WAS HOSPITALIZED IN THE BURN UNIT. *JB
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
Suspension, Apr 11, 2006
FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT. MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB VIN [XXX] HAS DIAGNOSED WITH A WORN LOWER RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT. I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A NOISE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION FOR THE PAST 50,000+ MILES. INITIALLY THE NOISE OCCURRED WHILE TAKING LEFT TURNS, NOW THE NOISE OCCURS DURING ALL PHASES OF OPERATION (LEFT& RIGHT TURNS, AND STOPPING). TOYOTA CLAIMS MY THAT THE RECALL IS VIN SPECIFIC AND MINE IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL/TSB. YET MY VEHICLE EXHIBITS ALL THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED IN TSB 05015 (NHTSA #100015504) AND HAS FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *NM UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Suspension, Feb 27, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE LOWER BALL JOINT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 05V225000, REGARDING THE FRONT LOWER BALL JOINT. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 3/20/2006 - *NM
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
Steering, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2005
ON FEB 2.01 WHEN REVIVING A NEW 200L TOYOTA TACOMA, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED (WOULDN'T TURN AT ALL). I GOT THE SALESPERSON WHO CAME WITH ME. HE JERKED THE STEERING WHEEL HARD AND IF WAS FREED. I ASKED IF THAT IS NORMAL, HE RESPONDED "IT'S OK, THEY ALL DO THAT." OVER THE YEARS WHENEVER IT DIDN'T SEEM TO BE RIGHT, I REMEMBERED THE STATEMENT "IT'S OK, THEY ALL DO THAT". ON SEP 8, 2005 IN THE WALL-MART PARKING LOT WITH 18 CASES OF BOTTLED WATER TO TAKE TO MY CHURCH FOR SHIPMENT TO HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS IN BILOXI, MS, MY IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN NOR WAS I ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED, REPAIRED, AND PICKED IT UP. THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP DIDN'T WANT TO HEAR ABOUT MY HISTORICAL PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING/IGNITION SINCE THE DAY I PICKED IT UP NEW. I MAILED THEM A LETTER BUT THEY TOTALLY IGNORED IT. I BELIEVE THEY ARE BEING NEGLIGENT BY NOT DEALING WITH THIS ISSUE. HAVE THERE BEEN ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE BULLETINS RELATED TO 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUPS STEERING COLUMN/IGNITION PROBLEMS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW. THANKS AND I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A NICE DAY. *NM