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.
Power train, May 10, 2010
2009 TACOMA 4 CYL. 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANS 4 X4. CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AT 5000 MILES, AT 15,000 SLIPPING BADLY. BROUGHT TO DEALER WHO REFUSED TO RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM AS A WARRANTY ISSUE. DEALER WANTED AUTHORIZATION FOR REPAIR COSTS OF $480 -$1000 BEFORE THEY WOULD DISASSEMBLE AND INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF A DEFECT EXISTS.DEALER IS LOOKING FOR A BLANK CHECK, ONLY TO CALL THE DEFECT A WEAR ISSUE AND CHARGE CUSTOMER FOR REPAIR RATHER THAN ACCEPT A LOWER WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT FROM TOYOTA. DRIVER HAS HAD 4 PREVIOUS TOYOTAS AND ALL HAD MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS . VEHICLES LOGGED BETWEEN 161,000 AND 191,000 MILES AND NEVER NEEDED A CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, May 10, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SITTING IDLE WITH THE ENGINE RUNNING, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS TO 4000 FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE THEN RESUMED NORMAL IDLING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY THREE TIMES BEFORE TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 3,500. SEE ALSO 10288703 *DSY UPDATED 05/19/10 *BF ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS RECEIVED UPDATED 06/01/10 ADDITIONAL 06/08/10 *BF UPDATED 06/09/10.*JB
Seat belts, May 5, 2010
SEATBELT INERTIA REEL LOCKS UP UNDER NORMAL (NON EMERGENCY) DRIVING MANEUVERS, SUCH AS NORMAL STOPS, LOW SPEED CURVES, ETC. SEAT BELT WILL NOT UNLOCK, THEREBY PINNING DRIVER TO SEAT. DRIVER IS TRAPPED IN SEAT FOR SEVERAL MOMENTS UNTIL SEATBELT DECIDES TO RELEASE. THIS IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE, WHILE PINNED TO SEAT, DRIVER CANNOT LEAN FORWARD TO LOOK OUT WINDOWS AND MIRRORS--WHICH OFTEN NEED TO BE DONE QUICKLY TO MAINTAIN SITUATIONAL AWARENESS. DEALER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OR FIX PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Apr 22, 2010
'09 TOYOTA TACOMA. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY AT SLOWER SPEEDS. DROPS INTO FIRST GEAR AND LURCHES WHEN TURNING A CORNER. TRUCK TRANSMISSION FEELS OUT OF CONTROL AT APEX OF TURN IN AN INTERSECTION. NOT SAFE FOR FOOT TRAFFIC OR OTHER VEHICLES IN THE INTERSECTION. DEALERSHIP SAYS TRANSMISSION IS OK. MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM ON EDMONDS.COM FORUM. TOYOTA WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2010
I LIVE IN CHARLESTON, SC AND I PURCHASED A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA ON MARCH 17, 2010 WITH 12,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS EXCITED TO TAKE IT ON VACATION TO THE FLORIDA PAN HANDLE OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND. MY EXCITEMENT TURNED TO A NIGHTMARE ON SATURDAY APRIL 3RD WHEN WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE ON A RURAL ROAD IN FLORIDA THE TACOMA GAS PEDAL PULLED AWAY FROM ME AND THE CAR ENGINE WENT TO MAXIMUM RPM. I PUT THE TACOMA IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AT MAX RPM, EVEN AFTER I TURNED IT OFF AND THEN RESTARTED IT. I HAD THE TRUCK TOWED TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER WHICH WAS LOCATED IN TALLAHASSEE FL. THE SERVICE DIRECTOR AT LEGACY IMMEDIATELY STATED THAT THE FLOOR MATS CAUSED THE ACCELERATION. HE PROVIDED A RENTAL CAR FOR ME FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE WEEKEND, AND TOLD ME HE WOULD HAVE THE TRUCK CHECKED OUT ON MONDAY MORNING. I RECEIVED A CALL BACK ON MONDAY AFTERNOON TELLING ME THAT TOYOTA WAS RELEASING THE CAR BACK TO ME, AND THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I TOLD THE DEALER THAT I FELT THE CAR HAD A PROBLEM, AND THAT I DID NOT FEEL THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM CERTAINLY NOT AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEER OR A MECHANIC, HOWEVER I DO HAVE A MASTER'S DEGREE IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING, AND HAVE BEEN A LICENSED PROFESSIONAL ENGINEER FOR 20 YEARS. I RENTED ANOTHER CAR AT MY OWN EXPENSE, AND DROVE 400 MILES BACK TO SOUTH CAROLINA ON TUESDAY APRIL 6. MY 19 YEAR OLD SON WAS GRADUATING FROM MARINE BOOTCAMP AT PARRIS ISLAND ON THURSDAY APRIL 8TH. I AM CURRENTLY WITHOUT A CAR, AND MORE THAN 400 MILES AWAY FROM WHERE MY TRUCK IS CURRENTLY LOCATED. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2010
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK. THIS IS A SECOND "FAILURE" REPORT DUE TO RAPID ACCELERATION. FIRST REPORT WAS MADE ON 12/03/09 OR 12/04/09 TO YOU FOR SAME PROBLEM. YOUR CASE # [XXX]. NHTSA ID # [XXX]. SEE ALSO 10294490 AND 10367974. *DSY ON APRIL 13, 2010 AT 1:25 PM I WAS LEAVING A COMMERCIAL PARKING LOT IN MY TACOMA TRUCK. I BACKED OUT OF THE PARKING SPACE IN REVERSE, CAME TO A STOP, AND THEN MOVED THE SHIFT LEVER DOWN TOWARDS DRIVE. WHEN THE SHIFT INDICATOR REACHED NEUTRAL THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY UP TO 4,500 RPM. THIS TIME I WAITED ABOUT 10 SECONDS AND THEN THE ENGINE WOUND BACK DOWN TO NORMAL IDLE. MY FOOT WAS ONLY ON THE BRAKE, NOT THE GAS PEDAL, AND THERE IS NO FLOOR MAT PROBLEM. DURING THE DEC-09 INCIDENT I DID NOT WAIT FOR THE ENGINE TO SLOW DOWN. I JUST TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. MY TACOMA'S SITUATION SEEMS TO BE CONNECTED TO THE FLOOR-MOUNTED GEAR SHIFTING MECHANISM IN SOME WAY SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I DID/WILL NOT TAKE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER SINCE THEY WILL FIND NOTHING WRONG JUST LIKE THE LAST TIME. THE TRUCK MILEAGE WAS AT 14,102 MILES ON 4/13/10. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 13, 2010
S10 APPROPRIATE-LETTER FROM RE CONCERNS ABOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL IN HIS 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP TRUCK. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL ALMOST WENT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING WRONG IT. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Apr 7, 2010
UNINTENDED ACCELERATION IN A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE SHIFTING FROM THE 3RD TO 4TH GEAR, THE ENGINE STAYED AT HIGH SPEED EVEN THOUGH MY FOOT WAS OFF ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I WAS ABLE TO GET THE TRUCK OFF THE ROAD WITH THE ENGINE OFF. AFTER GETTING OUT OF TRAFFIC, I RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND IT WAS STILL RACING. I TURNED IT OFF AND RESTARTED IT ABOUT 1-2 MINUTES LATER AND IT WAS NORMAL. *TR
Seat belts, Apr 6, 2010
I HAVE AN '09 TOYOTA TACOMA EXTRA CAB. WHEN I EXIT THE VEHICLE THE SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT ON MY SHOULDER AND TWISTS IN SUCH A WAY AS TO NOT RETRACT PROPERLY. IF I THEN OPEN THE REAR DOOR, THE BELT WILL ALWAYS GET TRAPPED BY THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR DOOR WHEN I CLOSE IT. SINCE THE BELT IS NOT IN THE PROPER PLACE AND NOT SECURED BY THE PROPER ANCHOR POINT I FEEL THAT IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT BE ABLE TO HOLD MY HIPS IN THE SEAT AND RESULT IN MY SLIDING UNDER THE BELT. ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION I HAVE HAD TO BREAK HARD TO AVOID IN-ATTENTIVE DRIVERS AND FELT THE BELT SUDDENLY GO SLACK AS I WAS SLIDING FORWARD IN MY SEAT. I MENTIONED THIS TO MY LOCAL DEALER, SHOWED HIM THE PROBLEM AND HIS ONLY REPLY WAS "SEEMS TO BE A BAD DESIGN". IS THIS THE BEST THEY CAN DO; CALL IT A DESIGN FLAW? THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN ONCE, TODAY INCLUDED. *TR
Service brakes, Air, Fuel system, Gasoline, Mar 31, 2010
MY CONCERN INVOLVES THE VACUUM BRAKING SYSTEM ON MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB. THE BRAKES ARE VERY INCONSISTENT AND AT TIMES THE RPM'S INCREASE WHILE BRAKING. SOMETIMES THEY ARE VERY 'STICKY' AND MORE OFTEN IT TAKES CONSIDERABLE FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP. I'VE INFORMED KERRY TOYOTA OF FLORENCE, KY OF MY CONCERNS MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO RESOLUTION. THIS IS AN ON-GOING PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT GOTTEN BETTER WITH TIME. ALSO, I'VE HAD SEVERAL ISSUES REGARDING HESITATION WHEN PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR. IT WAS TAKEN IN TO THE DEALER AND I WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS WRONG.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 28, 2010, crash
A SOME TIMES LOW BRAKE PEDAL, NEVER TAKES HOLD AT THE SAME HIGHT. SOME TIMES AS HIGH AS JUST A 1/2 INCH. THE NEXT TIME BELOW THE THROTLE BY AN INCH. I HAVE HIT A PICK UP IN THE REAR AND A BOULDER. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS IS NORMAL. WHO DO I BELIVE. *CN
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT WOULD FEEL SPONGY AND WOULD NOT ENGAGE FULLY. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 MPH. THE BRAKES WOULD FALL ON THE FLOOR BOARD. IN ORDER TO GET THE BRAKES TO ENGAGE, HE HAD TO PUMP THE BRAKE PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT LOCATE ANY FAILURES IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED AND THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO GET COMFORTABLE WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 8,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 12, 2010
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA GAS PEDAL STUCK ON FREEWAY ON OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON. WE HAD TAUGHT HIM FROM SEEING TOYOTA ON THE NEWS TO PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AND GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHICH HE DID SUCCESSFULLY. THE TRUCK WAS TOWED TO THOUSAND OAKS TOYOTA, THEY STATED NOTHING WAS WRONG AND ASKED FOR MY SON TO "DRIVE IT WITH A TECHNICIAN AND TRY TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM". WE SOLD IT BACK TO THEM, LOST $8500 DOLLARS, THE DEALER WAS UNHELPFUL AND OTHER IMHO RUDE AND TOYOTA CORPORATE 800 NUMBER DIDN'T ANSWER AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS AND 3 HOURS ON THE PHONE. WE ARE EXTREMELY UPSET ABOUT THIS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
PURCHASED NEW TOYOTA TACOMA TRD SPORT IN AUG 2009 WITH ZERO MILES. ALL SEEMED OK, OTHER THAN A FEW FRUSTRATING CAB RATTLES HERE AND THERE. HOWEVER, I ALSO NOTICED THAT AS MY TRUCK NEARED MORE MILES (7,000 CURRENT), I NOW HAVE TO PRESS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL A BIT HARDER, YET WHEN I BROUGHT THIS UP TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED ALL WAS NORMAL AND COULD NOT REPLICATE. I'VE HAD A COUPLE OF INSTANCES WHERE I'VE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PRETTY HARD TO COME TO A STOP OR SLOW DOWN. IT SEEMS I NEED TO RIDE IT A LITTLE HARDER THAN WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT MY TRUCK. I ALSO WANT TO ADD, THAT BESIDES THE IRRITATING RATTLES (DOOR PANELS/TRAY HOLDER IN CENTER CONSOLE BELOW THE STEERING WHEEL - WHICH WAS REPLACED, BUT STILL MAKE POP SOUNDS HERE AND THERE, THE OTHER SMALLER RATTLES - SOME OF WHICH WERE COMING FROM ILL-FIT WINDOW SEALS WERE NOT REALLY FIXED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEALS AND THE POPPING SOUNDS STOPPED FOR A DAY OR SO THEN RETURNED. I FOUND THE PROBLEM IS THE SEALS TEND TO BE SOMEWHAT IMPROPER FIT. IN OTHER WORDS, THEY ARE TOO LARGE AND CAUSE THE RUBBING. I PERSONALLY CORRECTED THIS BY REMOVING ALL DOOR PANELS ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT SOME OF THE RATTLE SOUNDS I HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT MERELY HAD A SMALL PIECE OF FELT ON THE BACKSIDE, WHICH DID NOT COMPLETELY CURE THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED AN ENTIRE ROLL OF THIS MATERIAL MYSELF AND COATED THE INSIDE OF EACH DOOR PANEL THEN ADDED A SMALL PIECE OF WEATHER STRIPPING TO THE INSIDE OF DOOR PANEL EDGE WHERE IT TOUCHES THE GLASS WINDOW. THIS HELPED CONSIDERABLY IN REDUCING AIR NOISE AND NO MORE RATTLING. MY COMPLAINT IS STILL WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL SOMETIMES, NOT ALWAYS, NEEDING TO BE PUSHED HARDER THAN NORMAL TO COME TO STOP OR SLOW DOWN. ON OTHER THING I ADDRESSED WITH THE DEALER WAS THE FACT THAT WHEN I SLOW DOWN AND MAKE TURN, NOT COMPLETE STOP AND GO, MY ENGINE RPM'S DON'T DECELERATE QUICKLY ENOUGH FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO CATCH UP. DEALER STATES THIS IS NORMAL OPERATING RPMS CATCHING DOWN TO SHIFT DOWN OF TRANNY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 10, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS TURNING INTO HIS GARAGE , DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO APPLY THE VEHICLES BRAKES TO STOP THE ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 6000.
Vehicle speed control, Mar 8, 2010
DEALER FAILS TO ADMIT THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE COMPLAINS IN A ROAD TEST AND INSIST THERE ARE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE RACES AND IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP AT TIMES. THEY ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM IS WORSE NOW. I HAVE ALMOST GONE THROUGH A BUILDING BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. 4 OTHERS HAVE DRIVEN THE TRUCK AND COMPLAIN OF THE SAME DIFFICULTY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2010
MY COMPLAINT IS RELATED TO THE TOYOTA RECALL, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ON MY TOYOTA TACOMA 09 GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE GOLDEN STATE 5 FWY WHERE I MIRACULOUSLY AVOIDED AN ACCIDENT BY PULLING BACK THE PEDAL WITH THE TIP OF MY SHOE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 6, 2010
THIS IS MY SECOND COMPLAINT CONCERNING MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE OTHER WAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THIS FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE WAS DIFFERENT. I WAS DOING ABOUT 65MPH ON THE EXPRESSWAY WHEN I PUSHED THE ACCELERATOR. THE TRUCK DID NOT ACCELERATE, BUT INSTEAD THE ENGINE REVVED UP VERY HIGH. THE RPM'S DROPPED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR. I WAS SO FRIGHTENED THAT I PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY TOYOTA, BUT I MUST DRIVE IT TO GET TO WORK. THESE MALFUNCTIONING TOYOTA'S ARE SO DANGEROUS. THE MILEAGE ON THAT DATE WAS ABOUT 3800. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM TOYOTA AROUND SEPTEMBER OF LAST YEAR. IN THIS LETTER THEY SAID THEY WOULD CONTACT ME ABOUT THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. NOW I AM HEARING ABOUT PEOPLE WITH THE ACCELERATORS STICKING IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION AND OTHER PROBLEMS, SO I DON'T KNOW IF I EVEN WANT TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANYMORE. SHOULD I PARK THIS TRUCK UNTIL I HEAR FROM THEM? THIS IS CRAZY. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 5, 2010
I EXPERIENCED A CASE OF UNCONTROLLABLE ACCELERATION IN MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. IT OCCURRED ON FEB 25, 2010. I STARTED MY VEHICLE IN MY GARAGE NORMALLY. MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE. I LET IT IDLE FOR A SHORT WHILE UNTIL THE IDLE RATE WENT UNDER 1500 RPMS. I SHIFTED IT INTO REVERSE AND THE IDLE SPEED WENT UNDER 1000 RPMS. FOOT IS STILL ON THE BRAKE. I LET IT BACK OUT OF THE GARAGE ONTO THE DRIVEWAY AND THEN ONTO THE STREET TURNING THE WHEEL PARTIALLY TO ALIGN MYSELF INTO THE STREET TO BEGIN TO DRIVE AWAY. FOOT IS STILL ON THE BRAKE WHEN I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. AS SOON AS I SHIFTED INTO DRIVE IT ACCELERATED UNCONTROLLABLY. MY FOOT IS STILL ON THE BRAKE , BUT I REALIZE THAT THE BRAKE WILL NOT STOP IT. I HAD TO MAKE A QUICK TURN TO AVOID RUNNING ONTO THE CURB/MAILBOX AND THEN I QUICKLY SHIFTED IT INTO NEUTRAL TO BRING IT TO A STOP. IT CAME TO A STOP AND I LOOK DOWN AT THE TRANSMISSION AND I ACTUALLY SHIFTED IT THROUGH NEUTRAL INTO REVERSE. BUT, IT AT LEAST WAS STOPPED. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER IN AMES, IA AND THEY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY WOULD TAKE A LOOK AT IT. I TOOK IT IN ON MAR 4, 2010. THEY SAID THEY RAN ALL SORTS OF DIAGNOSTICS ON IT AND IT CHECKED OUT FINE. THEY SAID THEY CONTACTED TOYOTA AND OPENED UP A CASE NUMBER AND WOULD LET ME KNOW WHEN THEY KNEW SOMETHING MORE. MY VEHICLE WAS ON THE FLOOR MAT RECALL, BUT THE SAME DEALER LOOKED AT IT LAST YEAR AND SAID THE FLOOR MAT WAS FINE. IT WAS NOT ON THE FOOT PEDAL RECALL. I BELIEVE THIS IS AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA IS TRYING TO HIDE WITH THESE OTHER RECALLS. I HAVE NO CONFIDENCE THAT THIS PROBLEM WILL NOT OCCUR AGAIN AND BELIEVE TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS ASAP. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 5, 2010
HI AND LOW BRAKE PEDAL, HARD TO TELL HOW TO STOP AND HAVE RAN IT A BOLDER AND A PICKUP WITH SMALL DAMAGE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 4, 2010
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA RECALL. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA'S SOLUTION WAS TO ATTACH THE FLOOR MAT PERMANENTLY AND THAT THE ONLY WAY IT COULD BE REMOVED WOULD BE CUTTING IT OUT. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT WAS NOT A SOLUTION IN ANY WAY SHAPE OR FORM AND WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE. SUCH A SOLUTION WOULD REQUIRE THE OWNER TO REPLACE THE FLOOR MATS ON A REGULAR BASIS AS THEY COULD NOT BE CLEANED WHEN PERMANENTLY ATTACHED. THE PROPER WAY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM WOULD BE TO REMOVE ALL THE FLOOR MATS AND CARPET, INSTALL A SINGLE FLOOR COVERING THAT WOULD BE PERMANENTLY ATTACH TO THE ENTIRE FLOOR OF THE CAB. IN THE AREA OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL THERE COULD BE NO IRREGULARITIES THAT WOULD CATCH AND HOLD THE DEPRESSED PEDAL. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Mar 2, 2010
MY 2009 TACOMA WHEN SLOWING OR GOING AROUND A CORNER, PRIMARILY A RIGHT TURN FAILS TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE PEDAL IS PRESSED AND THE ENGINE RACES MOMENTARILY, THEN ENGAGES. I HAVE HAD IT IN TO THE DEALER ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM IS THE "DRIVE BY WIRE" WHICH IS ELECTRONIC, HOW CAN TOYOTA SAY THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ELECTRONICS WHEN THEY BLAME THE REVERSE PROBLEM ON ELECTRONICS? *TR
Vehicle speed control, Mar 1, 2010, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 20, 2010. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE HOME ON THE DATE IT WAS PURCHASED WHILE HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AS HE KEPT HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE UNTIL THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HE ASKED IF THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS TOO CLOSE TO THE GAS PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. ON FEBRUARY 18, 2010 HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE DEALER STATED FOR THE SECOND TIME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY AFTER HE LEFT THE DEALER, HE DROVE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED OVER A CURB AND COLLIDED INTO AN EMPTY STORE WINDOW. THE SAINT GEORGE POLICE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT NUMBER IS 10P004639 AND THE ACCIDENT NUMBER WAS 239-10. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AFTER THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 328 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,960. UPDATED 3/30/2010 UPDATED 00/07/10*JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 25, 2010
AS THE VEHICLE IS COMING TO A STOP AND I AM PUTTING ON THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE REVS UP UNCONTROLLABLY. MY FOOT IS PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE, AND IS NOWHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR. THE ONLY WAY I CAN STOP IT IS TO QUICKLY PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL. I KEEP IT IN NEUTRAL AND KEEP PRESSING MY LEFT FOOT HARD ON THE BRAKE. AFTER IT REVS UP TO ABOUT 6000 RPM, IT FINALLY GOES BACK TO IDLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS IN THE LAST FIVE MONTHS. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURRED WITHIN A COUPLE WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE INTO THE TOYOTA SERVICE CENTER TWICE FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY DIDN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT SINCE THEY SAY IT HAS TO BE DOING IT WHEN THEY LOOK AT IT. THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED IT IN THEIR FILES AND CONFIRMED THAT THE UNEXPLAINED ACCELERATION IS NOT CAUSED BY A FLOOR MAT DEFECT. *TR