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.
Seat belts, Nov 21, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 3X ALREADY. THE BELT LOCKS UP AND TIGHTENS ON PASSENGER WHENEVER VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. TS
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
Vehicle speed control, Oct 28, 2002, crash
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A STORE IN SAN CARLOS MEXICO. I STARTED THE TRUCK, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE. THE TRUCK ACCELATED BACKWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A CEMENT POST IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE BRAKE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL JUMPING A PARKING CURB AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED FOOT. ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGERS SUFFERED A CONTUSION TO HER FOREHEAD. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AND DAMAGE DONE TO THE STORE FRONT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS STILL BEING HELD IN MEXICO BY THE AUTHORITIES. DT
Vehicle speed control, Oct 1, 2002, crash
HAS BEEN IN SHOP (11)TIMES. MR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 17, 2002, crash
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEEDS AND ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH NO WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ANT HIT A FENCE, AS A RESULT ALL 3 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. *SCC
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
Structure, May 6, 2002
VEHICLE LOCKS AND UNLOCKS AT WILL. WHEN IT DOES LOCK CONSUMER HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. MECHANIC STATES THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN FIND.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 6, 2002
WHILE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A PARKING AREA HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN AT LESS THAT 10 MILES PER HOUR, PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENTER A PARKING PLACE, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER THEN COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER ALSO WAS INJURED. *YD
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT A CLAMP FROM A HOSE CAME OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLES RPM TO BE TOO HIGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND SMOKE, DEALER STATES PROBLEM IS DUE TO FACTORY INSTALLMENT. *TT
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)
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 8, 2002
FRONT BRAKES MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL FROM THE SHIFTING BRAKES PADS. PLEASE ADVISE
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 25, 2001
CONSUMER COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DEALER FOUND CONTAMINATED BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THEM, HOEWVER NOISE CONTINUED, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, DEALER FOUND THAT ABS SENSOR WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MADE REPAIRS. *SLC
Suspension, Aug 22, 2001, crash
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS ON AN INTERSTATE THE TRUCK HYDROPLANED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING IT TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY AND FLIP OVER TWICE LANDING ON THE CAB. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ONLY OCCUPANT, DRIVER, SUSTAINED ONLY VERY MINOR INJURIES.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Jul 20, 2001
WHILE DESCENDING A MODERATELY STEEP DIRT ROAD WE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON A FLAT AREA OF ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BRAKE SYSTEM SLOWLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION AND NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE CAUSED BOTH BRAKE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE OVERHEATING OR FATIGUE, NO FLUID LEAKS OR STORED COMPUTER FAULT CODES. DEALER SUGGESTION, "DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILS AGAIN AND BRING IT BACK".*AK
Wheels, Jul 11, 2001
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Air bags, Jun 22, 2001, crash
AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN, DURING THIS ACCIDENT THERE WERE 3 DEATHS.
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
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
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
Electrical system, Apr 19, 2001
INTERMITTENTLY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT OPEN VEHICLE . VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASION S,AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
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
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.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 26, 2001, crash
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT 20MPH AND WITHOUT ACCELERATION FRONT SLID ACROSS ROAD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES, TOYOTA HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. EVERYTHING MET REQUIREMENTS, BUT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE FOR CONSUMER.*AK *YD
Suspension, Dec 26, 2000
PAYLOAD RATED AT 1674/LBS ACCORDING TO THE SALES BROCHURE AND SALEMAN. WE ADVISED THE TRUCK WILL BE USED FOR DELIVERIES OF 600-1200/LBS. LOADED 800/LBS AND THE TRUCK SUSPENSION IS AT ITS FULL TRAVEL. THE TRUCK SEEMS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH MORE THAN A 500/LB PAYLOAD. *AK