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
519 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Feb 22, 2014
DRIVING LIGHT/AMBER SIGNAL LIGHT ON FRONT OF VEHICLE. BULBS ARE TOO HOT AND HAVE MELTED THE LENS INSIDE THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SOCKET THAT BULB PLUGS INTO IS ALSO CHARRING FROM HEAT. CONCERN THAT PLASTIC WILL IGNITE IF LEFT UNRESOLVED. VEHICLE IS TOYOTA TACOMA 2009 PRE-RUNNER. *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
Exterior lighting, Feb 15, 2014
LENS COVERS FOR AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT (DRL) BULBS HAVE MELTED AND CRACKED DUE TO HEAT OUTPUT OF THE BULB. A BRIEF INVESTIGATION INDICATES THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE IN THIS MODEL. *TR
Power train, Engine, Jan 28, 2014
I CAME TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND I HIT THE BRAKES BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN SO GRABBED THE STEERING WHEEL AND PUSHED DOWN ON THE BRAKE PETAL BUT THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT STOP SO PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE THE TACK WAS UP TO 4000, WHEN THE LIGHT CHANGED TO GREEN I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND THE CAR JERKED FORWARD AND AFTER ABOUT 4 SECONDS THE TACK DROPPED BACK TO 2000 RPM. *TR
Power train, Jan 10, 2014
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, UPON REACHING 35 TO 40 MILES PER HOUR THE VEHICLE STARTS TO SHAKE FOR ABOUT TWO TO THREE SECONDS. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER AND AFTER HAVING THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. APPARENTLY THERE IS A TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKUP PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TSB DOES NOT PERTAIN TO MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT TOYOTA IS DELIBERATELY TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO NOT HAVE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. IF THIS IS HAPPENING IN OTHER VEHICLES THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE VEHICLES MILEAGE IS WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURS. TOYOTA WILL GENERALLY STAND BY THE PRODUCTS THEY SELL AND THESE ARE THE VEHICLES MY FAMILY HAS EVER PURCHASED. HOWEVER, WE WILL DEFINITELY NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM TOYOTA AGAIN. *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
Exterior lighting, Jan 8, 2014
BOTH HEADLAMP LENSES ARE MELTED AND CRACKED FROM THE DRL (DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS) BULB HEAT. EITHER BULBS ARE TOO CLOSE TO THE LENSES OR THE WATTAGE IS TOO HIGH. THIS DEFECT IS NOT THE RELULT OF ANY ACCIDENT OR INCIDENT, JUST FROM NORMAL USE. *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
Exterior lighting, Nov 16, 2013
THE AMBER RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AND ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS HAD CRACKED IN HALF. SEEMS TO ME TPO MUCH HEAT FROM THE FACTORY BULBS USED. SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD COULD POSSIBLE CASE A FIRE? DO TO THE HEAT.I ASKED DEALER SAYS NO RECALL. I HAVE LOOKED AT OTHER USED TRUCKS ON LOTS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM.. GO ON THE INTERNET AND YOUR SITE, YOU WILL SEE I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *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
Exterior lighting, Nov 7, 2013
BURNING INTERIOR LENS COVER DUE TO BULB PLACEMENT TO CLOSE TO THE LENS. REMEDY : CHANGING TO A SHORTER BULB WITH LOWER VOLTAGE ( LESS HEAT ) OR LED, WHICH WILL BE POSITIONED AWAY FROM THE LENS. I HAVE BEEN ALWAYS LOVING TOYOTA VEHICLES BUT I BELIEVE DEEPLY IT IS A PRODUCT DEFECT TOYOTA SHOULD REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE FOR THOSE OWNERS. THEY SHOULD KNOW AND AVOID BULB ( HEAT ) / PLASTIC LENS ( POSITION ). *TR
Vehicle speed control, Nov 6, 2013, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGNAL. AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FROM THE SCENE. NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 09V388000 (SPEED CONTROL) WAS NOT RELATED OR ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL. THE UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION OCCURRED TWO TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER SYSTEM. IN ADDITION, AN ENGINEER WAS REFERRED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO PERFORM AN INVESTIGATION RELATED TO THE DEFECT, AND GATHER INFORMATION FROM THE DATA RECORDER. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,500.
Exterior lighting, Oct 31, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LIGHT BULBS WERE OVERHEATING AND CAUSING THE LENS TO MELT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
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
Exterior lighting, Oct 23, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC FOG LIGHT COVER WAS FRACTURED AND BECAME MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FOG LIGHT COVER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
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
Exterior lighting, Structure, Oct 13, 2013
BOTH FRONT AMBER DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS (DRL) ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC LENS COVERS AND IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS RISK OF A FIRE. THE ORIGINAL BULBS ARE IN THE TRUCK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE NEVER OPENED OR CHANGED ANY OF THE LIGHTS ON THIS TRUCK. I DON'T KNOW HOW LONG THIS HAS BEEN LIKE THIS, BUT I WOULD GUESS THAT IT HAS BEEN OVER-HEATING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. THE PLASTIC IS BUBBLING AND IS TURNING A BURNT COLOR. *TR
Air bags, Sep 27, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V092000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
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
Exterior lighting, Sep 14, 2013
MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA X-RUNNER HAS APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES AND HAS DTRL (DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS) AND THE TURN SIGNALS (WHICH ARE USED FOR THE DTRL) HAVE BURNED, MELTED AND CRACKED. I AM GUESSING THIS IS BECAUSE OF THE LIGHTS ARE RUNNING CONSTANTLY AND THIS IS CAUSING EXCESSIVE HEAT ON THE PLASTIC LENSES. I WILL BE SHOWING A LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP THIS WEEK, AND IF THEY WILL NOT REPLACE THE HEADLIGHTS (I AM OUT OF WARRANTY) THEN I WILL HAVE TO BEAR THESE COSTS TO ENSURE SAFETY FROM POSSIBLE FIRE. I WILL BE LOOKING INTO REMOVING THE DTRL OPTION, AS WELL AS POSSIBLY LOOKING INTO LED BULBS TO CUT DOWN ON THE HEAT. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 9, 2013
UPON NOTICING THAT THE LEFT FRONT TURN SIGNAL WAS NOT WORKING, I INSPECTED THE TURN SIGNALS, NOTING THAT BOTH FRONT TURN SIGNALS/DTRL'S ARE CRACKED AND APPEAR BURNED. I REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL BULB, BUT THE TURN SIGNAL STILL DOES NOT WORK. *TR
Exterior lighting, Sep 4, 2013
DAYTIME AMBER RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AND CRACKED THE LENS. HAPPEN AROUND 30,000 MILES BUT TOYOTA SAID THEY HAVE NOT HEARD OF PROBLEM, BUT I KNOW BETTER AFTER READING OTHER COMPLAINTS. TO COSTLY FOR THEM TO FIX. MAYBE SAFERCAR.GOV MIGHT HELP. *JB
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