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: power train
75 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Sep 11, 2009
I HAVE A NEW 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK WHICH HAS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THIS IS NOT A QUALITY ISSUE AS MUCH AS IT IS A DESIGN ISSUE SINCE THE PROBLEM I AM EXPERIENCING IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND OCCURS WITH ALL THE TACOMAS USING THEIR NEW 5 SPEED ECT-I AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. HERE ARE SOME WEB SITES REFERENCING THE PROBLEM HTTP://WWW.ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM/COMPLAINT/2009/TOYOTA/TACOMA HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F0DE869 WHEN SLOWING DOWN AROUND TURNS OR DECELERATING FOR OTHER REASONS, THE CAR WILL DOWNSHIFT INTO A NON-RESPONSIVE MODE AND THERE IS AN EXTREME LAG FOLLOWED BY A LURCH FORWARD AS THE TRANSMISSION DESPERATELY SINKS WHICH GEAR TO GO INTO. I HAVE DISCUSSED IT WITH MY DEALER TO NO AVAIL. THEY RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM BUT CAN NOT DO ANYTHING TO RESOLVE IT. THIS SITUATION IS OF GREAT SAFETY IMPORTANCE SINCE THE TRUCK FAILS TO RESPOND FOR SAFETY AND AVOIDANCE MEASURES. *TR
Power train, Sep 10, 2009
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA,5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. WHEN SLOWING TO MAKE A TURN AND THEN RESUMING SPEED, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SEEMS TO BE IN NEUTRAL OR SEVERELY SLIPPING. TOYOTA SERVICE STATES THIS IS NORMAL ! MAKES TURNING WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC IS VERY HAZARDOUS AS YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE PROPERLY ENGAGED IN GEAR. ALWAYS HAPPENS AT 20 MPH OR LESS WHEN IN DRIVE. I HAVE ALSO HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WHEN IN LOCAL STOP AND GO TRAFFIC, NO TURNING INVOLVED. *TR
Power train, Sep 7, 2009
WHILE USUALLY MAKING LEFT TURN, COMING OUT OF THE TURN, PUTTING ON THE GAS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE BUT WILL REV UP TO APPROX. 2500 RPM'S AND THEN SUDDENLY ENGAGE AND LURCH FORWARD IN FIRST GEAR. THERE IS A DELAY IN POWER WHICH IS DANGEROUS IF CROSSTRAFFIC IS COMING. SAME SLOWING DOWN THROUGH INTERSECTION, THEN PUTTING GAS DOWN. *TR
Power train, Sep 4, 2009
PURCHASED 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA CREWCAB IN JULY 2009. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO NOTICE WHEN DRIVING THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEARING WAS NOT CORRECT. WHEN DECELERATING TO MAKE A TURN OR AFTER COMING TO COMPLETE STOP FOLLOWED BY ACCELERATION, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPS AND STRUGGLES TO FIND THE CORRECT GEAR FOR THE SPEED THE VEHICLE IS TRAVELING. *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2009
I PURCHASED A NEW 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA IN MAY OF 2009. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION 'SLIPS' AND DOES NOT ENGAGE AT LOW SPEEDS AFTER SLOWING TO AROUND 10 MPH AND THEN ACCELERATING WITHOUT COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND I HAVE HAD SOME CLOSE CALLS WHEN TURNING LEFT AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. THIS IS A DANGEROUS DEFECT. I HAVE CARRIED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TWICE AND THEY SAY THAT TOYOTA HAS RECOGNIZED THE PROBLEM AND IS WORKING ON A COMPUTER 'PATCH' TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I WAS GIVEN NO TIME FRAME TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I "GOOGLED" TOYOTA TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE SO PREVALENT THAT THERE IS A PRIVATE WEB SITE DEVOTED TO THIS PROBLEM. I AM WONDERING WHY THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL? THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR
Power train, Sep 2, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEAR AND ALSO LUNGED FORWARD AT TIMES. THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD AND ALMOST CAUSED HER TO HIT PEDESTRIANS AND OTHER VEHICLES. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS. A TECHNICIAN STATED THAT IT WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY WOULD BE ABLE TO DO. THE MANUFACTURER BACKED UP THE DEALER'S EXPLANATION. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 2,600. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 161. BL
Power train, Sep 1, 2009
TRANSMISSION DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU ACCELERATE AFTER SLOWING PROBABLY BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. THE TACH WILL GO UP BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE AND YOU JUST END UP COASTING INTO A TURN OR MERGING INTO TRAFFIC. THIS HAS OCCURRED SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. BUT FROM OTHER COMPLAINTS I SEE THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH SOME 09 TACOMAS. YOU CANNOT PULL INTO TRAFFIC FROM A ROLLING START SAFELY. *TR
Power train, Sep 1, 2009
I DRIVE A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE TRANSMISSION HESITATES/STICKS WHEN THE DRIVER ACCELERATES AFTER DE-ACCELERATING. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE TRUCK SLOWS TO A SPEED BELOW 15-20 MPH, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING A CORNER OR YIELDING. THE DRIVER IS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR, TRYING TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY OF OTHER TRAFFIC AND THE TRANSMISSION IS STICKING AND REVVING UP; NOT WANTING TO KICK IN AND GO. TOYOTA CLAIMS THIS IS NORMAL. THIS IS NOT NORMAL - IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Aug 26, 2009
MY NEW 2009 TOYOTA PRERUNNER TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY SLIPS (DELAYS) WHEN GOING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR. I FIRST NOTICED IT AT 150 MILES. I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO ESTABLISH A DEFINITE PATTERN, EXCEPT IT HAPPENS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM SPEEDS BELOW 10MPH. I NOW HAVE 1500 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IT STILL SLIPS RANDOMLY AND CONTINUOUSLY. I'M AFRAID THAT ONE DAY I'M GOING TO TRY TO ENTER TRAFFIC AND MY TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO SLIP AND I'M GOING TO HAVE SOMEONE RUN INTO ME OR CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. TOYOTA HAS TOLD ME THIS IS A "NORMAL" THING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE COMPUTER/EMISSIONS/AND OTHER COMPONENTS, WORKING TOGETHER FOR BETTER GAS MILEAGE (WHICH BY THE WAY IS NOT ALL THAT GREAT) AND IT IS NORMAL. IN OTHER WORDS, NOTHING IS WRONG AND NOTHING NEEDS TO BE FIXED, IT'S SUPPOSED TO THAT. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION RANDOMLY SLIPPING IS NOT SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO HAPPEN. *TR
Power train, Aug 12, 2009
IN DECEMBER OF 2008, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA FROM HARR TOYOTA FOR ABOUT $30,000. THIS TRUCK WAS A 4X4 OFF ROAD, AND CAME WITH ALL OF THE EXTRA OPTIONS THAT COULD BE OFFERED. THE TRUCK INCLUDED A 36,000 MILE BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND A LIFETIME POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. SINCE I TRAVEL OFTEN FOR WORK, THE TRUCK WOULD REMAIN GARAGED FOR THE NEXT FEW MONTHS, AWAY FROM THE ELEMENTS OF THE WINTER. IN JULY, AFTER RETURNING FROM A BUSINESS TRIP, I STARTED TO NOTICE THAT ON THE HIGHWAY, THE TRUCK HAD AN UNUSUAL ODOR, AND WHEN THE GAS PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE SMELL WOULD GET WORSE. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK IN TO BE LOOKED AT BY HARR TOYOTA SERVICE DEPARTMENT, WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS IMMEDIATELY REFUSED TO BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO 'CORROSION.' HISTORICALLY, TOYOTA HAS HAD MANY ISSUES WITH CORROSION AND THE IMMEDIATE REFUSAL FOR COVERAGE SHOCKED ME. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE TRUCK APPEARED TO 'HAVE BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH A BODY OF SALT WATER' ' COINCIDENTALLY ON THE TRANSMISSION ONLY. AFTER REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET TOYOTA CORPORATE TO REVIEW MY CASE, THEY CLAIMED THAT THEY CAME TO SEE THE TRUCK, AND DENIED COVERAGE. AS MY RESEARCH SHOWED, THEY HAD NOT ACTUALLY COME DOWN, AND HAD JUST SPOKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP ON THE PHONE. ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT AT A TOYOTA INSPECTION FOR COVERAGE, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT I HAD TO PAY $441.00 FOR THEM TO TAKE THE TRANSMISSION DOWN, AND THEN COVERAGE WAS ONCE AGAIN DENIED. . AFTER NUMEROUS CALLS, AND INSULTING CONVERSATIONS WITH DEMEANING AND SARCASTIC CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVES, I HAVE GIVEN UP AND FEEL THAT TOYOTA MAY HAVE GOTTEN THE BEST OF ME. *TR
Power train, Aug 11, 2009
THE TRANSMISSION IN 2009 TACOMA 4WD V6 DOES NOT SHIFT DOWN SMOOTHLY AS THE TRUCK SLOWS DOWN INTO A TURN AND BEGINS TO ACCELERATE OUT OF A TURN OR IN A STRAIGHT AWAY. THE ISSUE IS PRONOUNCED IN SPEEDS OF 35 MPH AND LESS . THERE SEEM TO BE A DELAY IN RESPONSE WHEN ACCELERATING,. UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION RESPONDS AND THE TRUCK LURKS FORWARD . I CHECKED WITH THE TOYOTA DEALER , AND THE DEALER DOES NOT THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM . I CHECKED TOYOTA FORUMS AND FOUND OUT NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE THAT I HAVE . THERE IS FOR SURE A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION OR THE SOFTWARE. MY TRUCK HAS ONLY 2700 MILES ON IT . ALL THE COMPLAINTS I READ REGARDING THIS ISSUE ARE LOW MILEAGE TRUCKS AND IT SEEMS TO BE AFFECTING THE 2009 MODEL. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 15, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHENEVER THE CONTACT TURNS THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVS VERY LOUDLY. HOWEVER, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED THAT A CRASH COULD OCCUR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO COMPUTER FAILURE, BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET PROVIDED A REMEDY. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER DIRECTLY AND THEY SENT A TECHNICIAN TO TEST DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THIS WAS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,100. UPDATED 8/18/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE SEEMED TO BE MISSING 1ST GEAR FOR A FEW SECONDS. UPDATED 08/21/09
Power train, Jun 30, 2009
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE 2ND GEAR WHEN ACCELERATING INTO A TURN OR COASTING DOWN A HILL. THE RPMS INCREASES BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE. ISSUE OCCURS AROUND 10-12 MPG. DRIVELINE RUMBLES FROM 25-10MPH DECELERATING. DEALER SAYS TRUCK IS NORMAL. *TR
Power train, Jun 9, 2009
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILS TO ENGAGE UPON ACCELERATING OUT OF A TURN OR AFTER COASTING DOWN A HILL. THE RPMS RACE BUT TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE UNLESS ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED AND VEHICLE SLOWS. IN A PULLOUT SITUATION, THIS COULD BE HAZARDOUS WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Jun 3, 2009
RADIO TURNS OFF ON ITS OWN. DISPLAY SOMETIMES DOES NOT WORK WHILE RADIO IS ON. DISPLAY SOMETIMES IS ERRATIC. TOYOTA OF SAINT CROIX,US VIRGIN ISLANDS REMOVED IT. WILL PUT IN A NEW ONE BY 6/8/09. I'M DRIVING WITHOUT A RADIO FOR NOW! AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO ENTER A SHARP TURN, WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE OUT OF THE TURN THE VEHICLE'S RPM RAISES TO 2000 BUT ONLY REVS. NO OUTPUT IS ACHIEVED. TO CORRECT THIS I LET GO OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND DEPRESS A SECOND TIME. OUTPUT IS ACHIEVED THIS TIME. ACCELERATION OCCURS. INFORMED TOYOTA OF SAINT CROIX. NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADDRESSES THIS ...YET! WAS ADVISED TO KEEP FILING COMPLAINTS WITH TOYOTA. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jun 2, 2009
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASE A TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB 4X4 2009, ON FRIDAY MAY 22, 2009, AND WE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIO. WHEN WE ARE SLOWING DOWN TO TURN ON A CURVE AND WHEN WE DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS INTO WHAT APPEARS TO BE THE 1ST GEAR. THE ENGINE WILL RACE UP TO A HIGHER RMP AS THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS POSSESS A POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT AS OUR VEHICLE NOW SLOWS DOWN QUICKLY AS WE ARE COMING OUT OF THE CURVE, LIGHT INTERSECTION OR ENTERING INTO AN INTERSECTION. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE WE PURCHASED BOTH VEHICLE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED, BUT CANNOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY TOLD ME THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING TO CORRECT THE ISSUE.(TOYOTA OF ST. CROIX,US VIRGIN ISLANDS). RADIO HAS BEEN ORDERED BECAUSE IN BOTH VEHICLES THE RADIO DOESN'T WORK. IT SHUTS OFF , AND IN THE OTHER ONE WHEN YOU ACCELERATE (GAS PEDAL) THE VOLUME GOES DOWN AND SOMETIMES UP. WHAT CAN YOU DO TO ASSIST US. THANK YOU. *TR
Power train, May 29, 2009
AFTER SLOWING DOWN (NORMALLY TO ENTER A TURN) AND WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTS INTO FIRST GEAR, THE ENGINE WILL RACE UP TO A HIGHER RPM AS THE CAR SUDDENLY SLOWS DOWN. THIS LENDS TO THE POSSIBILITY OF AN ACCIDENT AS YOU VEHICLE NOW SLOWS DOWN QUICKLY. *TR
Power train, May 18, 2009
I BOUGHT AN '09 TACOMA 4X4 ON APRIL 4, 2009. SINCE THAT DAY MY TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE COMING OUT OF A TURN. RPMS BOUNCE AROUND AND SOMETIMES IT GET STUCK IN A GEAR OR REVS LIKE ITS IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT TWICE FROM BEHIND BECAUSE THE TRUCK DOESN'T ACCELERATE. THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM AND A SAFETY ISSUE. WHEN I TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY ADMITTED IT WAS HAPPENING BUT THAT IT WAS "NORMAL" DUE TO NEW TECHNOLOGY WITH COMPUTERS. WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH IT SEEMS THAT LOTS OF OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND TOYOTA ISN'T DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT-THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR
Power train, Apr 23, 2009
HAVE 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA TRD SPORT PCKG. TRUCK THAT I BOUGHT IN FEBRUARY. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO TURN ONTO ANOTHER STREET, ONCE I TURN AND PRESS THE GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE, THE ENGINE REVS AND THE TRANSMISSION TAKES ABOUT 2-3 SECONDS TO SHIFT GEARS. HAPPENS 5-6 TIMES A WEEK, WHETHER ENGINE IS COLD OR HOT. SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD, AS THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN MAKING A U-TURN IN TRAFFIC WITH CARS APPROACHING. TWO DIFFERENT TOYOTA MECHANICS TOLD ME THE TRANNY IS COMPUTER OPERATED AND NEEDS TO LEARN MY DRIVING HABITS. TOLD ME IT WILL TAKE AT LEAST 5,000 MILES FOR THE COMPUTER TO LEARN MY DRIVING HABITS AND FOR TRANSMISSION TO ADJUST. I HAVE OVER 3700 MILES NOW AND TRANNY STILL SEEMS WEIRD. STILL SLIPPING WHEN SLOWING DOWN AND THEN ACCELERATING ONTO ANOTHER STREET. ALSO, TRUCK FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION TIGHTENS UP WHEN SLOWING DOWN FROM 30MPH TO 20MPH (IT DOES NOT SEEM TO COAST FREELY, ALMOST LIKE THE BREAKS ARE BEING SLIGHTLY APPLIED). CAN FEEL THE DOWNSHIFTING, EVEN THOUGH IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE COMPUTER DRIVEN TRANNY SLOWS THE TRUCK DOWN UNDER 30 MPH AS THAT IS PART OF THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHEN YOU TAKE YOUR FOOT OFF OF THE GAS, THE COMPUTER PREPARES TO BRAKE AND THUS THE TRANNY PREPARES FOR A STOP HE SAID. MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE CAMRY'S HAD AN ISSUE WITH THEIR TRANSMISSIONS AND TOYOTA HAD TO REPROGRAM THE COMPUTERS. TOYOTA DEALERSHIP RAN A COMPUTER "COLD START" TEST AND SAID EVERYTHING WAS NORMAL. HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NATIONAL TOYOTA HOTLINE. NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 AND THE TRANSMISSION INTERMITTENTLY SLIPS,MOSTLY WHEN YOU FIRST ACCELERATE(I HAVE ALMOST BEEN INVOLVED IN 2 CAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO THIS)AFTER TALKING AND BRINGING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THEY SAY ITS NORMAL,I HAVE FOUND THAT ON EDMUNDS.COM 108 OTHER TOYOTA TACOMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND GETTING THE SAME ANSWERS FROM THE DEALERS,YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN ITS GOING TO SLIP BUT I DON'T LET MY WIFE OR KIDS RIDE IN THE TRUCK. *TR
Power train, Apr 13, 2009
MY NEW 2009 DOUBLE CAB TRD 4X4 HAS DANGEROUS SHIFT PATTERNS. WHEN YOU SLOW DOWN TO GO THROUGH AN INTERSECTION AND BEGIN TO MAKE THE TURN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JUMPS DOWN INTO 1ST GEAR AND RACES THE ENGINE MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE PROPERLY. TOYOTA SENT ME TO THE DEALER THEY TESTED IT AND STATED, "NORMAL FOR THE MODEL" ON MY TICKET. THEY RESET THE "LEARN CODE" AND TOLD ME OFF THE RECORD THAT OTHER TOYOTA CARS HAD THIS PROBLEM IN THE PAST - TOYOTA FIXED IT WITH A NEW SOFTWARE/FIRMWARE RELEASE, BUT WE JUST DON'T HAVE A SOFTWARE FIX FOR THE 09 TACOMA". I SENT ANOTHER EMAIL TO TOYOTA LAST WEEK THEY OPENED A CASE - BUT HAVE NO SOLUTIONS. OTHER OWNERS ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS AS WELL. *TR
Power train, Apr 6, 2009
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLECAB 4X4 TRD, UPON SLOWING DOWN AND ENTERING A TURN ENGINE RPM WILL INCREASE WHILE PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL WITHOUT VEHICLE ACCELERATING BEFORE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES ABRUPTLY..DESCRIBE AS "SLIPPING". *TR
Power train, Mar 23, 2009
CONTINUAL PROBLEM. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION SLIPS/DISENGAGES DURING OR PRIOR TO ACCELERATION, PRIMARILY AFTER TURNING A CORNER. AS A RESULT THE ENGINE REVS AND THEN THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH/SURGE SOMETIMES UNCONTROLLABLY. "SHIFT LOGIC" CONTROL WAS RESET BY DEALER ON 03/23/09 BUT DID NOT CORRECT SITUATION. PROBLEM HAS EXISTED SINCE VEHICLE PURCHASE 03/02/09. VEHICLE HAS 470 MILES. *TR
Power train, Dec 22, 2008
TRANSMISSION SLIPS, ENGINE RACES AND GOES INTO GEAR. SPORADIC AND UNRELIABLE ACTIONS, SOMETIMES CAUSES WHEEL SPIN. MANUFACTURER CLAIMS ALL NEW VEHICLES PERFORM THIS WAY AND REFUSES TO FIX. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC VERIFIED MY CONCERN AND STATED IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
Power train, Nov 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE ACCELERATING, THE VEHICLE ACTS AS IF IT IS STUCK IN NEUTRAL. AFTERWARDS, THE RPMS SLIGHTLY INCREASE ACCOMPANIED WITH SUDDEN SCREECHING NOISES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPUTER MODULE. SOON AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT INSPECTED, AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 400 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 700.