2009 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 519 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 4th highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2009 reports, 25 involved a crash and 18 involved a fire. 2 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerJun 2, 2016
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.
If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET number for this recall is SET16B.
Campaign 16V396000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, seat heater/coolerNov 19, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.
Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.
Campaign 14V743000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, springs, leaf spring assembly, leafSep 29, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V604000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsAug 4, 2014
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."
If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.
For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 14V475000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, driver side, inflator moduleApr 9, 2014
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.
If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.
Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall. Toyota will mail owners a second letter when remedy parts are available. General Motors sent Pontiac Vibe owners an Interim letter on June 20, 2014 notifying them that parts are currently unavailable. General Motors sent notices to the Pontiac Vibe owners on September 15, 2014, that a remedy is available. The recall began on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331. Owners may contact General Motors at 1-800-762-2737.
Campaign 14V168000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat beltsAug 7, 2013
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V337000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, sensor/control module-inactiveJan 16, 2013
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.
If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.
Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contact Southeast Toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 13V014000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalMar 7, 2012
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 12V092000 on NHTSA.gov
Tires, pressure monitoring and regulating systemsMar 4, 2011
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS)." WHEN FACTORY-INSTALLED WHEELS AND TIRES WERE REPLACED WITH TOYOTA AUTHORIZED ACCESSORY WHEELS AND LT TIRES PRIOR TO FIRST SALE, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS WERE NOT RE-CALIBRATED CORRECTLY AND THEREFORE DO NOT START ILLUMINATING THE LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE AT THE REQUIRED MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE.
FAILURE TO WARN OF TIRE DEFLATIONS IS A NON-COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS 138 AND COULD LEAD TO TIRE FAILURE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL AT NO CHARGE. FOR THE FJ CRUISER VEHICLES, THE TPMS CANNOT BE RESET SO THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT (ECU) FOR THE TPMS WILL BE REPLACED. TOYOTA IS CURRENTLY DEVELOPING THE REMEDY ECU. IF AN OWNER IS NOT CERTAIN WHETHER HIS OR HER VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THESE ACCESSORIES, PLEASE CONTACT ANY TOYOTA DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION AT NO CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 11V148000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
Campaign 10V036000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsFeb 3, 2010
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
Campaign 10V035000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, accelerator pedalOct 5, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Campaign 09V388000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsJun 15, 2009
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
Campaign 09V223000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
40 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,619. It was later discovered through Carfax in August 2025 that the mileage on the Title was 297,651.
Electrical system, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Oct 17, 2020
CRUISE CONTROL BECAME FINICKY SPRING/SUMMER 2019. I FOUND ARTICLES STATING THAT IT COULD BE THE CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CABLE. I REPLACED THE CLOCKSPRING AND THAT FIXED THE CRUISE CONTROL ISSUE, BUT IT CAUSED MY AIRBAG LIGHT TO TURN ON. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING AROUND WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON FOR THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF. OVER THAT TIME, THE RADIO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL HAVE QUIT WORKING (FIRST THE VOLUME, THEN THE CHANNEL, AND THE MODE BUTTONS). THESE HAVEN'T BEEN WORKING FOR AT LEAST 3 MONTHS NOW. JUST YESTERDAY, THE CRUISE CONTROL WENT OUT COMPLETELY. NO WARNING SIGNS OR ACTING UP. IT JUST QUIT. FROM WHAT RESEARCH I HAVE DONE, THIS ISSUE WAS HANDLED UNDER A RECALL, BUT THE RECALL ONLY APPLIES TO THE TACOMA MODELS WITHOUT AUDIO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL. HAS THAT CHANGED AT ALL? WHY WERE NOT ALL VERSIONS/CONFIGURATIONS COVERED?
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 17, 2019
HEADLIGHT LENS GET HOT MELTED LENS, LIGHT BULB PLUG IS ALSO BURNED READY TO CRACK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE
Electrical system, Feb 17, 2016
BOTH HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SHOW INNER RUNNING LIGHT/TURNSIGNAL LENS HAVE BUBBLING, BURNING AND NOW THE RIGHT ONE HAS CRACKED WITH THE INNER LENS SEPARATING. I HAVE CHECKED BOTH BULBS AND THEY ARE THE PROPER, LISTED BULBS, 4157NA
Electrical system, Oct 24, 2015
ENTERING MY COMPLAINT AS ELECTRICAL AS IT INVOLVED THE DOOR ACTUATOR MECHANISMS AND FOB FOR LOCKING AND UNLOCKING THE DOOR LOCKS - FOB GETS EASILY "UN PROGRAMMED" AND CANNOT BE REPROGRAMMED. DOOR ACTUATORS ARE FAULTY WITH LIGHT DUTY DC MOTORS THAT OPERATE THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM - THE DC MOTORS ARE PRONE TO CARBON BUILD-UP INSIDE, ETC. REAR DOORS (AND POSSIBLY FRONT DOORS, AS WELL) HAVE INTERIOR FAILURE OF DOOR EXIT HANDLE WHICH IS A LIFE-SAFETY ISSUE IN THE EVENT ONE MUST EXIT THE VEHICLE. AND, THIS IS A NUISANCE SIMPLY WISHING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WHEN THERE IS NO EMERGENCY. THIS IS A FAILED COMPONENT OF NOT JUST THE TOYOTA TACOMA, BUT NUMEROUS OTHER TOYOTA VEHICLES. I HAVE ENTERED TODAY'S DATE AS TO WHEN THIS OCCURRED; HOWEVER, THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN HAVING THE PROBLEM MENTIONED ABOVE FOR THE LAST TWO YEARS.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Mar 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE LENS TO FRACTURE AND THE BULBS TO BURN. THE TURNING SIGNALS THAT ARE CONNECT TO THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ALSO FAILED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULBS SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT SYSTEM WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2014
BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT DTRL LENSES ARE MELTED FROM HEAT FROM THE BULB, I AM WORRIED ABOUT AN ELECTRICAL SHORT, OR FIRE. DEALER SAYS IT IS COSMETIC AND DOES NOT WANT TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES SINCE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT TOYOTA MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD ADDRESS WITH URGENCY. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Feb 16, 2014
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED THE LENS AND THE HIGH HEAT HAS ALSO CRACKED AND DISTORTED THE MAIN HEAD LIGHT LENS ON MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 10, 2014
THE DRL (DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS) BULBS WERE DESIGNED TO CLOSE TO THE LENS COVER AND THE BULB IS TO HOT. IT BURNT / MELTED THE LENS ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT HEADLIGHTS. IT LEAVES A DARK SPOT ( APPROX 2.5 INCHES IN DIAMETER) . IT HAPPENED WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMP WAS HOT (GREATER THAN 105 DEG F) AND THE RUNNING LIGHTS WERE ON (THEY COME ON AUTOMATICALLY WHEN TRUCK IS STARTED). I HAVE LOOKED ON LINE (GOOGLE SEARCH) AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THERE HEADLIGHTS HAVING A MELTED / BURNT SPOT ON BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT SIDES. THE LOCAL DEALER SAYS THERE IS NO FIX OR RECALL CURRENTLY. I HAVE READ THAT SOME PEOPLE WERE GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED IF THE MILEAGE OR TIME WAS WITHIN THE WARRANTY. MINE OCCURRED AFTER. I BELIEVE THIS COULD BE A FIRE CONCERN AND THE BURNT SPOT IS SEMI BLOCKING THE PERFORMANCE OF THE DRL. THE DRL IS SO PEOPLE CAN SEE YOU COMING. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 9, 2014
THE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT ALSO DOUBLES AS TURN SIGNALS ARE BURNING A HOLE THROUGH THE PLASTIC LENS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHTS AND CRACKING THE LENS AS WELL. THESE ARE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH TOYOTA AND THEY PUT OUT A T-SB-0129-11 ON SEPTEMBER 7TH, 2011 AND CALLED IT AN "APPEARANCE CONCERN". IT IS ALSO A FIRE HAZARD AS I DON'T BELIEVE THE LENSES SHOULD BE MELTING. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Dec 25, 2013
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON AND HORN DOES NOT WORK. AFTER RESEARCHING, LEARNED THIS IS AN AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING (OTHERWISE KNOWN AS A SPIRAL CABLE) ISSUE THAT HAS A RELATED RECALL FOR 2005-2009 TOYOTA TACOMAS UNDER CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V-092. THAT RECALL APPLIES ONLY TO 7 CHANNEL CIRCUIT SPIRAL CABLES AND NOT THE 16 CHANNEL ONES. THE 7 CHANNEL CIRCUITS ARE STEERING WHEELS WITHOUT THE AUDIO CONTROLS, WHERE THE 16 CHANNEL CIRCUITS HAVE STEERING WHEEL AUDIO CONTROLS. TOYOTA DEALER WANTS TO CHARGE $400 FOR PART, PLUS LABOR. ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS WHEN THIS IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM THAT IS OCCURRING REGARDLESS OF THE CHANNEL CIRCUIT TYPE. MY DAUGHTER HAS A 2008 TOYOTA TUNDRA WITH EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Nov 22, 2013
THE AIR BAG SENSOR CAME ON IN MY '09 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC AND A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS RUN. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS A FAULTY AIR BAG SPIRAL CABLE. THIS IDENTICAL ISSUE FORCED A RECALL OF 481,000 TACOMAS, INCLUDING '09 VEHICLES. HOWEVER, I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK DID NOT FALL WITHIN THE VIN # DATABASE THAT IS COVERED BY THE RECALL. THIS IS RESULTING IN AN OUT OF POCKET REPAIR COSTING $500. I FIND IT HARDLY COINCIDENTAL THE EXACT SAME DESIGN FLAW THAT AFFECTED NEARLY 500,000 VEHICLES JUST POPPED UP IN MY VEHICLE. WITHOUT SPENDING THE $500, MY BARELY 4 YEAR OLD TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION IN THE STATE OF MA. I BOUGHT A TACOMA BASED ON IT'S REPUTATION FOR RELIABILITY. CURRENTLY I AM BREAKING THE BANK JUST TO MAKE IT LEGAL TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Nov 14, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULBS ON BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES HAVE BURNED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE ORANGE PLASTIC COVERS, CAUSING THEM BOTH TO BUBBLE, AND CRACK IN HALF. THIS IS NOW CAUSING THE ENTIRE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY TO FOG OVER! BOUGHT TRUCK BRAND NEW FROM DEALER SO THESE ARE THE ORIGINAL, FACTORY EQUIPPED HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES. THEY HAVE NEVER BEEN CHANGED. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 27, 2013
WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR ASSISTANCE THE TACOMA'S RADIO WILL, ALL BY ITSELF, RANDOMLY CHANGE STATIONS, TURN ITSELF ON/OFF AND INCREASE/DECREASE THE VOLUME. DURING THESE OCCURRENCES IT DISPLAYS ODD CHARACTERS ON IT'S LED SCREEN. WHEN IT SHUTS ITSELF OFF IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN BACK ON UNTIL QUITE SOMETIME LATER. WHAT'S ESPECIALLY DISTURBING IS WHEN IT SUDDENLY TURNS ITSELF ON AT MAXIMUM VOLUME. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 17, 2013
MY VEHICLE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), ARE BURNING THROUGH THE LENSES. THE LENS IN FRONT OF THE BULB IS DISCOLORED AND SEEMS TO BE MELTING AND CRACKING DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE PLASTIC IS DARK AND LOOKS BURNED. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THERE IS CONCERN FOR DRIVER SAFETY AS THERE SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN BOTH OF MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 26, 2013
BOTH FRONT MARKER LIGHT LENSES ARE MELTING AND THE LAMP SOCKET IS CHARRED BROWN. THE PLASTIC LENS IS BURNT BROWN AND CRACKED. AFTER DRIVING FOR JUST A HALF HOUR, THE PLASTIC LENS COVERING THE MARKER LIGHT WAS SOFT AND VERY HOT. THE HOT MARKER LIGHTS WERE ALWAYS ON WHEN DRIVING, AS AS THE DIRECTIONAL TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS. THIS A FACTORY DESIGN DEFECT. AT WHAT TEMPERATURE WILL THE PLASTIC LENS OR SOCKET WIRING START AN ELECTRICAL FIRE? ...UPDATED 11-06-13 *BF
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Sep 3, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO MELT. THE INTERIOR COLORED LENS ON BOTH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, I NOTICED DISCOLORATION AND CRACKS IN THE COLORED LENS WITHIN 1ST 12 MONTHS. MORE RECENTLY THE COLORED LENS BEGAN TO MELT AND RUN, LOOKS AS IF THEY WERE EXPOSED DIRECTLY TO FLAMES. THERE IS ALSO NOTICEABLE HEAT DAMAGE TO THE CLEAR EXTERIOR LENS COVER NEAR THE AREA OF THE DRL. TOYOTA ISSUED A SERVICE BULLETIN BUT DID NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD THIS MAY CAUSE. HEAT DAMAGE HAS CLEARLY BECOME MORE SEVERE OVER TIME. *JB
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Aug 19, 2013
DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) LIGHT BULBS ALONG WITH OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES GENERATED ENOUGH HEAT TO CAUSE BUBBLING AND CRACKED BOTH HEADLIGHT LENSES. THIS MAY POSED A FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 31, 2013
MY VEHICLES DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL), WHICH ARE LOCATED IN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, ARE BURNING THROUGH THE LENSES. THE LENS IN FRONT OF THE BULB IS DISCOLORED AND SEEMS TO BE MELTING DUE TO OVERHEATING. THE PLASTIC IS DARK AND LOOKS BURNED. BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT THERE IS CONCERN FOR DRIVER SAFETY AS THERE SEEMS TO BE AN OBVIOUS FIRE HAZARD THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY TOYOTA. THIS PROBLEM EXISTS IN BOTH OF MY FRONT HEADLIGHTS. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 26, 2013
EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT BULBS CAUSE MY VEHICLE HEADLIGHT LENSES TO SLOWLY BURN AND CRACK. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 11, 2013
HEADLIGHT HOUSINGS TURN SIGNAL/DTRL LENS IS BURNED AND CRACKED DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT FROM BULB. APPARENTLY FROM WHAT I HAVE READ IN FORUMS AND OTHER ON LINE SOURCES, TOYOTA IS AVOIDING THIS PROBLEM BY SAYING NO REMEDY DUE TO FACTORY WARRANTY EXPIRED OR COMPLETELY DENYING IT. HOWEVER, THEY HAVE MADE AVAILABLE UPGRADED REPLACEMENT PARTS. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IN MARCH 2011 AND NOTICED THIS CONDITION RIGHT AFTER PURCHASE. IT HAS NOW WORSENED TO THE POINT THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED. VEHICLE NOW HAS 48,381 MILES. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jul 2, 2013, fire
THE PLASTIC HOUSING/PLASTIC LENS COVERING THE AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS AND THE CLEAR FOG LIGHTS ARE BURNED, MELTED, CRACKED AND BROKEN. THIS IS NOT DUE TO ANY FRONT END COLLISION BUT DUE TO THE EXTREME HEAT GENERATED BY THE ORIGINAL FACTORY-INSTALLED LIGHT BULBS. THE LIGHTS ARE GENERATING SO MUCH HEAT THAT THEY ARE MELTING, BURNING AND CRACKING THE PLASTIC HOUSING WHICH THEN BREAKS UNDER DRIVING STRESS. COMPOUNDING THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO TURN OFF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION. EITHER THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS MUST BE ON OR THE HEADLIGHTS MUST BE ON. THEREFORE, THE LIGHTS CONTINUE TO BURN THE PLASTIC HOUSING. TOYOTA WILL NOT COMPLETELY COVER THE COST TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THESE DEFECTIVE LIGHT SYSTEMS STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE IS ONE YEAR OUT OF THE 3 YEARS MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR OVERNIGHT BUT IS THE RESULT OF 4 YEARS OF USE. THE LENS HAVE BEEN PROGRESSIVELY GETTING WORSE OVER TIME. BECAUSE THE LENS ARE BURNED, WE ARE CONCERNED THAT A FIRE COULD OCCUR. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, May 23, 2013
INSIDE THE FRONT LEFT AND RIGHT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY IS A COMBINATION TURN SIGNAL INDICATOR/ EMERGENCY FLASH INDICATOR/DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT. *TR THE LENSE FOR THIS COMBINATION INDICATOR INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAS MELTED AND AFFECTED THE INTEGRITY OF THE COMPONENT. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP TWICE AND TOYOTA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION BY TELEPHONE. BUT THEY DID NOT OFFER ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR CORRECTING THE PROBLEM, EXCEPT FOR TOTAL REPLACEMENT OF THE COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT MY EXPENSE. BY THE REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WITH THE DOT TOYOTA SHOULD COMPLY WITH PART 564 OF THE SAFETY REGULATION REQUIREMENTS, AND BY THIS SHOULD NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE OPTIONAL REPLACEMENT PARTS AS A SERVICE BULLITIN WITH A MAILED NOTIFICATION LETTER. BECAUSE OF THIS OVERSIGHT TOYOTA HAS CHOSEN TO ADAPT A STRATAGY TO USE AN EXCEPTION TO THEIR WARRANTY CONTRACT BY LIMITING THEIR RESPONSIBILITY IN EFFECT OF COMPONENT EXCLUSIONS I.E. LIGHT BULBS BECAUSE OF TOYOTA'S INABILLITY TO RECOGNISE AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH A NOTIFICATION. MANY OF THE DEALERS AND OWNERS WHO COULD HAVE CORRECTED THE IMPROPER MATCHING OF THE ASSEMBLIES, BEFORE DAMAGE TO THE INTEGRITY OF THE SIGNAL INDICATORS REQUIRED SAFE OPERATION WAS LOST AND TOYOTA GAINED CONSIDERABLE FINANCIAL ADVANTAGE AT THE EXPENSE OF SAFETY.
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Jan 23, 2013
I HAVE A 09 TACOMA AND THE DRL'S HAVE ACTUALLY BURNED, MELTED AND POPPED THE LENS IN FRONT OF THEM. ALSO, THE BULBS THEMSELVES, UPON EXAMINATION, HAVE BURNED THE SOCKET IN WHICH THEY ARE HELD. YOU CAN SEE BLACK AROUND THE BASE OF THEM. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA AT 59K MILES AND I HAVE THE PLATINUM 7YEAR/100000MI WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST ME 1100 FOR PARTS ALONE TO FIX, OFFERED NO HELP AND LIED TO ME AND SAID THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER INCIDENTS OF THIS NATURE AND ITS A RARE PROBLEM NEVER BEFORE SEEN. I HAVE REMOVED MY DRL BULBS OUT OF CONCERN OF A FIRE STARTING AND THEN I PROBABLY GET STUCK WITH THAT BILL OF A BURNT FRONT END. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY BECAUSE TOYOTA PUT IN A BULB THAT'S TOO HOT OR BECAUSE TOYOTA DECIDED TO MAKE A CHEAP PLASTIC COVER FOR THE BULBS. I HAD ZERO INFLUENCE ON THIS FAILURE. THERE ARE COUNTLESS POSTS ON ALL KINDS OF WEBSITES CONCERNING THIS PROBLEM. I CAN TRACK DOWN OVER 1000 IN LESS THAN 30 MIN. PLEASE HELP. WHEN I CALL TOYOTA I JUST GET BULLIED AROUND AND TALKED TO LIKE I'M DUMB OR DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Structure, Oct 15, 2012
THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AND CRACKED THE LENS/PLASTIC. THESE ARE ALSO USED AS FRONT END TURN SIGNALS. IF THESE FAIL, IT COULD BE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. WHILE THERE IS A TSB, THE DEALERSHIP DENIED TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS SINCE MY 36K WARRANTY HAS NOW EXPIRED. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT JUST STARTED TO HAPPEN AND TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *TR