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.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Feb 25, 2010
I HAVE 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB 4X4 V6. I ALSO HAD 2008 MODEL OF THE SAME VEHICLE. BOTH THESE VEHICLES SHARED A COMMON NEGATIVE CHARACTERISTIC. THE ENGINES HAVE SUDDEN RPM INCREASES THAT ARE SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO PROPEL THE VEHICLES FORWARD. THIS USUALLY OCCURS WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS IN THE DRIVE POSITION , AT A RED LIGHT FOR INSTANCE. ADDITIONAL PRESSURE MUST BE APPLIED TO THE BRAKES TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM WAS IDENTICAL ON BOTH TACOMAS. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 24, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH ON SNOW COVERED ROAD CONDITIONS; PROCEEDING TO MAKE A TURN. THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SKID AND STEERED INTO ONE DIRECTION UNCONTROLLABLY. THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF A CURB. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL AND RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WAS A ONE TIME FAILURE OCCURRENCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 27,000.
Power train, Feb 23, 2010
NOTE: THE DATE GIVEN IS FOR THE FIRST OF SEVERAL INCIDENTS. VEHICLE: 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA; 4 CYL. AUTO TRANS. WHEN ASCENDING MOUNTAIN PASSES, IN DRIVE, LETTING OFF ON GAS AS SUMMIT IS REACHED, VEHICLE ACCELERATES OVER SUMMIT AND CONTINUES ACCELERATION. I'VE BEEN ABLE TO DROP THE RPM BY REPEATEDLY HITTING BRAKE AND THEN TAPPING GAS. THIS LOWERS THE RPM AND PUTS TRANSMISSION BACK INTO HIGHEST GEAR. THIS IS A COMPUTER OR ELECTRONIC PROBLEM. IT HAS HAPPENED THE SAME WAY SEVERAL TIMES, OVER A FEW THOUSAND MILES AND SEVERAL MONTHS. I NOW MAKE THE ASCENT IN THIRD, SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AT THE SUMMIT, WITH NO PROBLEMS. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, LITHIA TOYOTA IN KLAMATH FALLS OR, AND WAS TOLD "THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO ADJUST TO YOUR DRIVING STYLE", BUT IT STILL HASN'T HAPPENED. TOYOTA IS STONEWALLING, AND TELLING THE DEALERS TO DO THE SAME. THERE ARE DOZENS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ABOUT TACOMAS WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 23, 2010
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR WITH OUT STOPPING, HAD IT TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES WITH OUT A PERMANENT FIX. *TR
Suspension, Air bags, Equipment, Feb 22, 2010
THE RADIO ACTS ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. IT CHANGES STATIONS, TURNS ITSELF OFF AND ON, ETC. SOMETIMES THE CONTROLS, SUCH AS THE VOLUME, ARE NON-RESPONSIVE, SO THE RADIO CANNOT BE TURNED DOWN OR OFF WHEN NEEDED. SINCE FIDDLING WITH THE RADIO USUALLY MAKES IT EVENTUALLY START WORKING AGAIN, IT IS A DISTRACTION HAZARD. I HAVE DRIFTED OVER THE YELLOW LINE TRYING TO GET IT WORKING AGAIN. THE DEALER HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE DEFECT BUT REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. IT IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THE DEALER SAID IT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM BUT TOYOTA WILL NOT PROVIDE REPLACEMENT PARTS. I BELIEVE FEW PEOPLE REPORT IT BECAUSE THE RADIO IS NOT SEEN AS A SAFETY ISSUE, BUT IT IS A SERIOUS DISTRACTION. *TR THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR TWO YEARS. ALSO, ONE OF THE LEAF SPRINGS HAD BROKEN IN HALF.
Power train, Feb 22, 2010
I BROUGHT A 2009/TACOMA PRERUNNER /ACC CAB 4X2 V6-AND IT HAS ABOUT 18,500 MILES. MY COMPLIANT IS WHEN YOU PUT THIS VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AT A RED LIGHT OR WHEN YOU STOP AND THEN PUT IT IN DRIVE---THE TRANSMISSION SPINS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN IT TAKE OFF. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE ATTENTION OF THE LOCAL TOYOTA DEALER AND THE SERVICE PERSON TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NEURAL WITH THIS VEHICLE. IT?S HARD TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A NEUTRAL THING. MY OTHER TACOMA 2007 DID NOT DO THIS AT ALL. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. TO ME IT'S A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE THE VEHICLE IS NATURAL/PARK AND THEN YOU PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THE VEHICLE GOES NO-WHERE FOR A FEW SECOND AND THEN IT TAKE OFF VERY FAST. THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOK IN TO I WOULD BE HAPPY TO BRING IN MY VEHICLE FOR TEST AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. MAYBE I AM NOT EXPLAINING WELL ENOUGH FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND --HOWEVER, PLEASE CALL ME AN I CAN EXPLAIN BETTER. *TR
Seats, Feb 22, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FRONT DRIVER SEAT CAUSES BACK PAIN AND HIS HEAD REST CAUSES NECK PAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT REMEDY THE ISSUE WITH THE SEAT.THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THIS IS A PERSONAL SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT CAUSES NECK AND BACK PAIN. FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 10,000. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 28,000.
Equipment, Feb 21, 2010
THE RADIO/MP3 PLAYER ON MY 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA RANDOMLY SHUTS OFF. IT WOULD RANDOMLY COME BACK ON AFTER A FEW MINUTES OR SOMETIME 20-30 MINUTES LATER. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 19, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON A HILL WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE CHANGED GEARS AND THE RPMS INCREASED RAPIDLY. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 20 TIMES. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED, TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DUPLICATED THE FAILURE; YET, THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17311. UPDATED 03/19/2010. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. UPDATED 07/19/10*JB
Vehicle speed control, Feb 18, 2010, crash
I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. I HAVE HAD 3 INSTANCES WHERE THE TRUCK WOULD HUNCH UP AT A STOP LIGHT LIKE SOMEONE WAS PRESSING ON THE GAS PEDAL AS I WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. IN THE LAST CASE THE TRUCK WAS BEING DRIVEN OUT OF A CHURCH PARKING LOT AT A LOW SPEED AND THE VEHICLE TOOK OFF AND LOST CONTROL AND HIT A CAR. I PERSONALLY INSPECTED THE FLOORMAT ENTRAPMENT THE FLOORMAT WAS NOT EVEN CLOSE TO THE PEDAL. I HAVE BEEN A TECHNICIAN FOR 25 YRS AND BELIEVE IT IS IN THE CONTROLLER. I CONTACTED TOYOTA AND THEY WANT TO SEND SOMEONE OUT TO INSPECT IT. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR ALL DAMAGE YET. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 4,825 MILES ON IT. *TR
Power train, Feb 17, 2010
DURING SLOWING DOWN AND COASTING AROUND 10-20 MPH TRANSMISSION NOT BEING ABLE TO FIND RIGHT GEAR AND PRESSING ON ACCELERATOR REVS ENGINE LIKE IT IS IN NEUTRAL NOT RESPONDING. WHEN I CALLED DEALERSHIP WORKSHOP I WAS TOLD BY SOMEONE THAT IS COMMON PROBLEM FOR TACOMA AND THERE IS NO FIX FOR IT. CONTACTED TOYOTA USA CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO SET ME APPOINTMENT WITH DEALERSHIP MANAGER WHO SAID ALL CAR NEEDS IS RESETTING AND FOR CAR "RELEARNING" BUT PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Vehicle speed control, Feb 16, 2010
ACCELERATOR STICKS WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS PEDAL. PEDAL DOES NOT STAY PHYSICALLY DEPRESSED, IT JUST DOESN'T SLOW DOWN. IF I PUSH IN CLUTCH, ENGINE RACES AND RPM STAYS HIGH. DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS ENGINEERED INTO THE VEHICLE TO "ASSIST WITH SHIFTING". *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 15, 2010
TRUCK SURGES FORWARD AFTER BACKING UP AND THEN DRIVING FORWARD OR TURNING WHEEL FROM STOPPED POSITION AND THEN DRIVING FORWARD (I.E. AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 15, 2010
BRAKE PEDAL LOW OR HIGH SOME TIMES , WHAT EVER IT FEELS LIKE. BEEN IN TO FISHER TOYOTA FOUR TIMES WITH NO LASTING FIX, LAST TIME THE FACTORY REP SAID THAT THIS IS STANDARD AND NO TROUBLE. I HAVE ALL MOST WRECKED MORE THEN ONE TIME AS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW HARD TO PUSH DOWN TO STOP. *TR
Power train, Feb 14, 2010
FROM A COMPLETE STOP I TURNED RIGHT AND ACCELERATED. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT CAUSING THE TRUCK TO NEARLY STOP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT PAUSE, THE TRANSMISSION FOUND A GEAR AND THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD. MY BRAKES STOPPED THE TRUCK AND I DROVE IT TO MY DEALER. THIS HAS ONLY HAPPENED ONCE SO FAR. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THE TOYOTA NATIONAL HOTLINE GAVE ME A CLAIM NUMBER AND CALLED MY DEALER TO MAKE SURE THEY LOOK AT MY PROBLEM. WORD ON THE STREET IS THAT TOYOTA KNOWS ABOUT THIS COMPUTER PROBLEM AND IS WORKING ON A "FIX". I JUST HOPE IT DOES NOT TAKE AS LONG AS THE ACCELERATOR PROBLEM TO FIX. *TR
Steering, Feb 11, 2010
FRONT END WOBBLES. DEALER HAS TRIED TO FIX THIS AT LEAST 3 TIMES. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 9, 2010, crash
2009 TOYOTA TACOMA ACCELERATOR POLICE REPORT ON FILE WITH SIOUX CITY IOWA POLICE DEPT. I REARENDED A MINIVAN AT AN INTERSECTION WHERE SHE WAS STOPPED FOR A RED LIGHT DUE TO THE VEHICLE LUNGING AND FAILING TO STOP DESPITE ME STANDING ON THE BREAKS.....TOYOTA DEALERSHIPS ARE NOT FIXING THE PEDAL AS RECALL IS ORDERING SINCE THEY SAY IT IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. WE HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR 1 YEAR ON A 3 YR LEASE. MY HUSBAND DRIVES IT AS I FEEL UNSAFE IN IT AND IT HAS "ACTED UP" FOR HIM ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. WE ARE GETTING NO ASSISTANCE FROM TOYOTA IN FIXING THIS DEFECT OR LETTING US OUT OF THE LEASE. IN ORDER FOR US TO "TRADE" IT FOR A FORD F150 WE HAVE TO EAT $4000 OF NEGATIVE EQUITY... I STRONGLY FEEL THAT WE ARE PUTTING OUR LIVES IN DANGER BY DRIVING THIS VEHICLE BUT HAVE NO CHOICE SINCE WE BOTH HAVE A 30 MILE COMMUTE IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS. ITS NOT LIKE WE HAVE OTHER VEHICLES TO DRIVE INSTEAD. ACCORDING TO YOUR WEBSITE, IT HAS A RECALL, BUT WHEN BILLION TOYOTA IN SIOUX FALLS SD RUNS THE VIN THEY CLAIM IT HAS NO RECALL. WE NEED YOUR HELP! *TR
Power train, Feb 9, 2010
TRUCK WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MAY 2009 (TACOMA SR5, 4X4, ACCESS CAB, 4L, V6, AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, TOWING PACKAGE). WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE ENGINE WILL REV UP TO 5000 RPM. MY FOOT IS ON THE BRAKE WHEN THIS HAPPENS, AND I AM NOT SLAMMING ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, THE REVVING STOPS. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES IN TWO DAYS, NOT EVERY TIME I STOP. THE TRUCK HAS 3900 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE THIRD TIME, I DROVE DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER. THEY DID A "SYSTEM HEALTH CHECK" AND THE TEST CAME BACK OK. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE CONDITION IN THE TIME THEY HAD THE VEHICLE. I LEFT THE VEHICLE THERE FOR A TECHNICIAN TO DRIVE TO SEE IF HE/SHE CAN REPLICATE THE CONDITION. *TR
Power train, Feb 5, 2010
I PURCHASED A NEW TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 PICKUP 8/27/09. IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED A PROBLEM WHEN I SLOWED DOWN AT SPEED BUMPS AND TO TURN CORNERS AND THEN STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE THEN SURGE FORWARD. I CAN STOP THE HESITATION SOMEWHAT BY VERY LIGHTLY PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR AFTER I SLOW DOWN AND THEN SLOWLY ACCELERATING. IF I FORGET TO VERY LIGHTLY ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD FOLLOWING THE HESITATION. ONE TIME THIS SURGE AS I TURNED A CORNER ALMOST TOOK ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. I ATTEMPTED TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE WITH SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES LOCALLY WHO TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH TOYOTA, WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD BY THEIR COMPLAINT CENTER THAT IT WAS TOYOTA'S POSITION THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING NORMALLY. I FEEL THAT THIS TENDENCY, WHICH HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY NUMEROUS OTHER OWNERS AT ONLINE SITES SUCH AS EDMUNDS.COM, IS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT SHOULD BE REMEDIED IN A RECALL. THIS SITUATION OCCURS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AND REQUIRES VERY CAREFUL CONCENTRATION TO AVOID A SUDDEN AND POTENTIALLY UNSAFE SURGE IN SPEED. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE AND NO RESPONSE OTHER THAN TO DENY MY COMPLAINT HAS BEEN TAKEN. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 4, 2010
THE BRAKES ON MY 2009 TOYOTA DOUBLE CAB ARE VERY SPONGY AND DOWN RIGHT SCARY. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES OF DRIVING THE BRAKES BECOME VERY SOFT, THE HEIGHT OF THE PEDAL DECREASES AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT BEFORE IT FINALLY COMES TO A RESTING STOP. THE VEHICLE STOPS ONLY WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS PUSHED INCHES AWAY FROM THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE IS VERY DIFFICULT TO STOP WHEN LOADED WITH CARGO OR TRAVELING DOWN HILL. SOMETIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED IT LUNGES FORWARD EVEN WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED. I'VE BEEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FOR 15 YEARS OR MORE WHICH HAS ALLOWED ME TO PARTICIPATE IN NUMEROUS DRIVING COURSES. I'VE ALSO BEEN DRIVING SINCE THE AGE OF SIXTEEN,DURING THAT TIME I'VE OWNED MANY CARS AND TRUCKS INCLUDING TOYOTA. MY TACOMA HAS THE WORSE BRAKES OF ANY VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. MY DRIVING EXPERIENCE HAS ALLOWED ME TO AVOID NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS THAT MY TACOMA HAS PRESENTED. I'M AFRAID MY TACOMA WILL PRESENT ME WITH A SITUATION IN WHICH MY SKILLS WANT MATTER. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2010
ELECTRICALLY ISSUE, HIGHLY DISTRACTING TO DRIVER. WHILE RADIO MALFUNCTION IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE" PER SEA, THE MANOR IN WHICH THE TACOMA RADIOS MALFUNCTION IS HIGHLY DISTRACTING TO THE DRIVER. RADIO CHANGES STATION BY ITSELF, TURNS ITSELF OFF, DISPLAYS STRANGE TEXT CHARACTERS ON THE DASH AND DOES NOT RESPOND TO DASH CONTROLS, IT IS HIGHLY DISTRACTING WHEN DRIVING. (GOOGLE TACOMA RADIO PROBLEMS). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 1, 2010
I OWN A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA PRE RUNNER DOUBLE CAB. THE BRAKES ARE VERY SOFT AND BECOME SOFTER WHEN DRIVEN. THEY ONLY CATCH WHEN PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I'M VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, SPENDING MOST OF MY TIME JUDGING DISTANCE. I'M AFRAID THIS METHOD USED TO OPERATE THIS VEHICLE WILL FAIL ME SOON. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 27, 2010, crash
WE WERE GOING TO PARK THE TOYOTA TACOMA TRUCK IN OUR GARAGE AND IT ALL OF A SUDDEN ACCELERATED ,INCREASING THE SPEED WHICH CAUSED US TO HIT A TREE AND THE NEIGHBORS CEMENT WALL. *CW
Power train, Jan 25, 2010
I AM REPORTING AN INCIDENT I HAD WITH MY 2009 TOYOTA TOCOMA PICKUP TRUCK. I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, WITH BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE, WHEN THE ENGINE STARTED REVVING UP. I ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AS WELL, AND SHIFTEDINTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO RACE, UNTIL I REPEATEDLY PUMPED THE ACCELERATOR AND IT SLOWED BACK DOWN. A TRIP TO THE DEALER (COBB COUNTY TOYOTA, KENNESAW GA) REVEALED NOTHING. THE FLOOR MAT WAS STILL FASTENED BY ITS HOOKS, AND WAS NOWHERE NEAR THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS OCCURED ON JANUARY 14, 2009 WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD APPROXIMATELY 2,100 MILES ON IT. BEFORE THIS INCIDENT THERE WERE TWO TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE REFUSED TO SHIFT GEARS UNTIL IT WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON. THESE INCIDENTS WERE ALSO UNSOLVED BY THE LOCAL DEALER. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Jan 21, 2010, crash
WHILE ATTEMPTING TO COME TO A STOP ON A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP, WHEN I APPLIED FIRM PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE ABOUT HALF WAY DOWN THE RAMP, THE ENGINE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE REAR WHEELS ON MY TRUCK BEGAN TO SPIN AND SLIP. ALTHOUGH THE TRUCK WAS SLOWING DOWN IT COULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND STRUCK A STOPPED VEHICLE AT THE END OF THE RAMP AT SLOW SPEED. WITH EXTREME PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE THE TRUCK REMAINED STOPPED BUT THE REAR WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN AT A HIGH RATE. I SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION KEY. THE TRUCK IS AN AUTOMATIC AND WAS IN 2 WHEEL DRIVE AND THE AUTO SPEED CONTROL WAS NOT ON. I CHECKED THE FLOOR MATS BECAUSE I HAD PREVIOUSLY RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL INTERIM NOTICE AND HAD PREVIOUSLY MADE SURE THE MATS WERE CORRECTLY INSTALLED. THE ALL WEATHER FLOOR MAT WAS CORRECTLY INSTALLED AND SECURED TO THE 2 FLOOR HOOKS, AND WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED BACK ON THE TRUCK OPERATED NORMALLY AND HAS CONTINUED TO DO SO, NOW ABOUT 2 WEEKS. *TR