2014 Toyota Tacoma
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 93 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 21st highest complaint count among 26 Tacoma model years with reports.
Of the 2014 reports, 10 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 8 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Structure, body, hood, hinge and attachmentsJul 3, 2017
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2011-2016 Toyota Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles equipped with accessory hood scoops installed by SET or SET dealers. The adhesive attaching the hood scoop may weaken, allowing the hood scoop to detach from the vehicle.
If the hood scoop detaches, it may become a road hazard, increasing the risk of a crash.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will mechanically fasten the scoop to the hood, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2017. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-954-429-2000. SET's number for this recall is SET17B.
Campaign 17V425000 on NHTSA.gov
EquipmentDec 30, 2014
Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 Toyota 4Runner, Tacoma, FJ Cruiser, Land Cruiser, RAV4, Scion FRS, and XB vehicles. The affected vehicles may have accessories installed by SET, such as running boards or other items, that were incorrectly installed. The accessory attaching fasteners were not tightened with the proper torque, possibly causing the accessory to detach from the vehicle.
Accessories that detach from a vehicle may result in a vehicle crash and/or personal injury.
SET will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and tighten the affected bolts, free of charge. The recall began February 23, 2015. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226. SET's number for this recall is SET-14B.
Campaign 14V828000 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
EngineNov 7, 2013
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2013-2014 Tacoma vehicles manufactured July 1, 2013, through October 11, 2013. The engines of the affected vehicles contain valve springs that may break over time.
If the valve springs break, the engine could fail and stall while the vehicle is being driven, increasing the risk of a crash.
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the valve springs, free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2013. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Campaign 13V557000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints
93 reports, newest first.
Power train, Mar 2, 2015
WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS COLD (BELOW 10 DEGREES F) THE CLUTCH PEDAL STICKS FOR 1-2 SECONDS AT THE FLOOR WHEN PRESSED AND RELEASED. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I CANNOT SAFELY MERGE INTO TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND AS I WOULD EXPECT. THE PROBLEM GETS WORSE AS THE TEMPERATURE DECREASES. AT -10 DEGREES F, THE VEHICLE IS ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE. ON 2/20/2015, ACTON TOYOTA OF LITTLETON, MA WAS ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM ON MY VEHICLE. TOYOTA CLAIMS TO KNOW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT DOES NOT HAVE A FIX. *TR
Service brakes, Feb 26, 2015
THE ABS SYSTEM ON THIS TRUCK IS VERY UNPREDICTABLE AND UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD 3 INCIDENTS WHERE THE ABS SYSTEM DISABLED ALL BRAKING POWER TO THE WHEELS AND JUST COASTED TO A STOP NARROWLY MISSING OTHER VEHICLES. THIS HAPPENS MAYBE 10 PERCENT OF THE TIME WHEN DRIVING ON SNOWY ROADS. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS NO PULSING FROM THE ABS SYSTEM IT IS JUST A DEAD BRAKE PEDAL. THE OTHER 90% OF THE TIME THE ABS WILL PULSE AND THE TRUCK WILL STOP JUST FINE. I HAVE GONE DRIVING IN THE SNOW TO INTENTIONALLY TRY TO RECREATE THIS SITUATION AND I COULD ONLY GET THE VEHICLE TO DO THIS NON BRAKING EFFECT ONCE. THE OTHER TIMES THE ABS PULSED AND STOPPED FINE. MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING SIMILAR ISSUES WITH TOYOTA TACOMAS AND IT IS WELL DOCUMENTED ONLINE AT WEBSITES LIKE WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM. MANY PEOPLE ARE RESORTING TO REMOVING THE ABS FUSE FROM THEIR TRUCK IN ORDER TO HAVE A SAFER AND MORE PREDICTABLE VEHICLE. NONE OF THE OTHER ABS EQUIPPED VEHICLES I HAVE OWNED HAVE EVER PERFORMED LIKE THIS. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AS YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH DISTANCE YOU WILL NEED TO STOP.
Vehicle speed control, Feb 3, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 9, 2015
THERE ARE TWO PROBLEMS OCCURRING WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE IS THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION SWITCH AT ALL. I WAS AT THE GROCERY STORE FOR HALF AN HOUR TRYING TO TURN ON MY TRUCK AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. NOT EVEN ENOUGH TO TURN A.C/HEAT ETC. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS ALREADY. THE OTHER ISSUE THAT SCARES ME IS THE BRAKES. IT STARTED OFF AS A LOUDER THAN USUAL SQUEAKING OF THE BRAKES ONLY WHILE REVERSING. THEN WHEN BRAKING, IT FEELS AS IF THE ABS KICKS IN THEN LET'S GO. THIS HAPPENS OFTEN, EVEN IN MY DRIVEWAY GOING LESS THAN 2 MPG. THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELS EXTREMELY SOFT WHEN PRESSED AND THE PEDAL NEARLY HITS THE FLOOR. IT'S HAPPENED TWICE WHERE THE BRAKES FEEL LIKE THEY LOCK WHILE I'M DRIVING AND AT TIMES THE TRUCK WILL NOT STOP APPROPRIATELY. THE ROAD HAS USUALLY BEEN DRY ON IN THESE CASE. *TR
Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, Dec 2, 2014
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL TURNS OFF WHEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON. VEHICLE STABILITY IS COMPROMISED. ALMOST ROLLED THE TRUCK OVER. DEALER TECHNICIAN REPORTS THAT RODENTS ATE THE HOSE CONNECTING FUEL INJECTOR AIR PUMP TO VALVE WHICH TRIGGERS THE ECU TO FAULT AND CASCADES FAILURE TO STABILITY CONTROL. TECHNICIAN REPORTS THAT TOYOTA IS USING EDIBLE SOY-BASED PLASTICS FOR ENGINE HOSES AND WIRING HARNESS AND RODENTS ARE CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE IN TOYOTA VEHICLES. TOYOTA DOES NOT COVER RELATED REPAIRS UNDER MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY. WAS QUOTED $1000 TO REPLACE ONE HOSE SINCE DEALER CLAIMS TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL INDIVIDUAL REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS HOSE. THEREFORE, THE ESC WILL NOT GET FIXED FOR SOME TIME. *JS
Wheels, Dec 1, 2014
WHEEL'S ARE NOT MADE FOR TRUCKS ACCORDING TO MANUFACTURE GUIDES LINES DUNLOP AT GRAND TREK 20 ARE SPL. MADE FOR SUV'S AND 4 CLY NOT 6 CYL. TRUCKS.TRUCKS AS TOYOTA WAS TOLD ON MANY OCCASIONS THESE TIRES BUBBLE OUT AFTER 2700 + MILES THIS IS THE 3RD INCIDENT WITH THESE TIRES FOR ME AND EVERY TIME I ADDRESS THIS ISSUE IT'S DUNLOPS FAULT AND WHEN I CONTACT DUNLOP IT'S TOYOTA'S FAULT WHAT ARE THE OBILGTIONS TO REPAIR AND FIX THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOME 1 GET'S KILLED OR HURT. *JS
Steering, Power train, Seat belts, Nov 26, 2014
ANY TIME I ENGAGE THE 4X4 ONCE YOU MAKING A TIGHT EIGHT ER LEFT OR RIGHT THE STEERING KINDA LOCKS ON YOU AND IF YOU TRYING TO GIVE SOME GAS TO MAKE TRUCK MOVE IT STALLS I MENTIONED TO TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THE GUY SAID A FEW PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT HE CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT......THIS CREATES A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I'M PARKED ON A TIGHT SPOT AND NEED TO ENGAGE MY ALL WHEEL AND I CANT MOVE THE TRUCK.... OR AT ANY SITUATION WHERE I HAVE TO MAKE A TIGHT TURN....HAD 4X4 BEFORE AND NONE DID THIS TO ME...... I HAVE A TACOMA BASE 5 SPEED MANUAL. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Nov 11, 2014
MY 2014 TOYOTA TACOMA WHEN DRIVING ON THE FWY OVER 60 MPH HAS VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE,DEALER HAS REPLACED TIRES, RE-ALIGNED AND ROAD FORCE BALANCE ALL WHEELS AND PROBLEM STILL PERSIST. VEHICLE IS NOW AT 5000 MILES AND BEING BOUGHT BACK AFTER ARBITRATION, OH IT TOOK 2 TACOMA'S WITH SAME ISSUE AND 2/1/2 YEARS TO GET TO THIS POINT. *TR
Service brakes, Sep 23, 2014
THE BRAKES ARE "FADING" AFTER STOPPING AT A LIGHT. BY "FADING", I MEAN THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WILL REQUIRE MORE PRESSURE AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SITTING FOR AT A STOP FOR A TIME. THIS IS ANOTHER HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE THIS IS CAUSING ME TO INCH FORWARD (SO SLOW), THAT I DON'T RECOGNIZE IT, RIGHT AWAY, SOMETIMES, AND I'M DRIFTING INTO THE STOPPED VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE DRIVERS, DRIVE THE SAME VEHICLE, AND THEY CAN (ALSO) CONFIRM THAT THIS IS HAPPENING WITH THE ABOVE VEHICLE. I (ALSO), REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NEW AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I PLAN ON TAKING THE VEHICLE BACK TO HAVE IT RE-INSPECTED. IT CURRENTLY HAS 5,000 MILES. *TR
Structure, Sep 22, 2014
THE 2014, TOYOTA TACOMA 4X4 - CREW CAB, HAS A HOOD SCOOP. UPON DRIVING WEST INTO THE SUN THE GLARE WAS SO BRIGHT FROM THE HOOD SCOOP THAT I COULD NOT SEE THE ROAD. I CONSIDER THIS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. IT WAS "TOTALLY" IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE TRAFFIC OR ROAD CONDITIONS, BEING COMPLETELY BLINDED BY THE GLARE. VEHICLE VIN#: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Suspension, Power train, Structure, Sep 5, 2014
WE WERE DRIVING HOME AFTER THE PURCHASE OF THE TRUCK. THERE WAS SEVERE VIBRATION INSIDE THE CAB AND IT FELT LIKE THE DRIVESHAFT WAS GOING TO FALL OUT. WE HAVE HAD BACK TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES FOR THIS ISSUE AND HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALER AND 2 OTHER REPRESENTATIVES FROM TOYOTA. THE DEALER HAS CHANGED DIFFERENT COMPONENTS ON THE SUSPENSION AND MOTOR MOUNTS, NO CHANGE. TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED, RE-BALANCED AND REPLACED NO CHANGE. THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS TRUED AND BALANCED, NO CHANGE. THE DRIVESHAFT WAS REPLACED, NO CHANGE. WE TRIED TO WORK WITHIN THE SYSTEM AND BROUGHT OUR CONCERNS TO TOYOTA REPEATEDLY, WE EVEN COMPLETED THE ARBITRATION PROCESS ONLY TO BE TOLD THAT THE VIBRATION IS NORMAL AND A CHARACTERISTIC OF THE TACOMA. THIS DEFECT IS HUGE CONCERN FOR US, THE VIBRATION HAS CONTINUED TO GET WORSE AND OUR GREATEST FEAR IS THAT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE DRIVE LINE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, CAUSING INJURY TO US AND OTHERS OR POSSIBLY SOMEBODY'S DEATH. AFTER NEARLY 10 VISITS TO THE DEALER, TIRE COMPANIES, DRIVE LINE SPECIALISTS AND REPEATED CALLS TO TOYOTA CORP, WE HAVE RUN OUT OF OPTIONS. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE TACOMA, AND WE CERTAINLY DON'T WANT ANYBODY ELSE DRIVING IT OR ANOTHER TACOMA WITH THIS ISSUE.. *TR
Seat belts, Aug 4, 2014
SEAT BELT GETS CAUGHT IN TENSIONER. SHARP PIECE IN TENSIONER CUTS SEAT BELT. SEAT BELT DOES NOT RETRACT. FAKE BUMPER ON FRONT OF TRUCK PLASTIC COVER GIVES ILLUSION OF REAL BUMPER. *TR
Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 28, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 TOYOTA TACOMA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED FROM THE DRIVE TO REVERSE, THE DOORS FAILED TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY. THE DOORS ON THE VEHICLE ONLY LOCKED WHEN THE POWER DOOR LOCK CONTROL WAS MANUALLY PRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSISTENTLY. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WAS INSTALLED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC, THEN THE WARRANTY WOULD BE VOIDED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LOCKS WERE NOT INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,320. UPDATED 8/28/14*CN UPDATED 11/25/2014 *JS
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 16, 2014
WINDSHIELD SEAL LIFTS IN HIGH WINDS AND ALLOWS AIR INTO CAB OF TRUCK. *TR
Structure, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Jul 4, 2014
WHILE DRIVING FROM EAST TO WEST AND CROSSING THE GORGE AT GEORGE, WASHINGTON WIND WAS BLOWING REALLY HARD. THEN I HEARD WIND NOISE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT REST AREA AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD SEAL HAD LIFTED AND WAS CAUSING WIND NOISE AND FLEXING OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC HAD THE WINDSHIELD BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT. THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electronic stability control (ESC), Service brakes, Jun 16, 2014
FIRST LET ME START WITH HOW I ENDED UP WITH THIS HORRIBLE VEHICLE. WE HAD A 2012 CHEVY DIESEL, AMAZING TRUCK, GREAT TRUCK. DIESEL PRICES HAD BEEN RISING AND WAS JUST COSTING TO MUCH TO DRIVE AND WE WANTED TO START SAVING SOME MONEY. WE SHOPPED AROUND AND ENDED UP LOOKING AT THE TOYOTA TACOMA, NOT THE BEST QUALITY BUT NONE THE LESS DECENT GAS MILEAGE (OR SO WE THOUGHT). SINCE DAY ONE WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET BETTER THEN 15 MPG ON THE HIGHWAY! ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS! 14 CITY! HAVE HAD FUEL EFFICIENCY TEST DONE AND THAT'S WHAT THEY CAME UP WITH AS WELL AND CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG. CORPORATE REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING AND CLAIM NOTHING IS WRONG, YET EVERYONE I KNOW WITH THIS SAME TRUCK IS GETTING NO LESS THEN 18 MPG HIGHWAY. I HOPE I'M THE ONLY ONE DEALING WITH THIS BECAUSE THE SMALL TRUCK GETS WORSE GAS MILEAGE THEN ANY FULL SIZE TRUCK I'VE EVER OWNED. I WILL NEVER BUY A TOYOTA AGAIN NOR WILL ANYONE I KNOW OR ANYONE IN MY FAMILY. STAY AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE FOR TOYOTA. NOW ONTO THE TRACK CONTROL, IT LIKES TO ACTIVATE AT RANDOM. IF YOUR SITTING AT A STAND STILL AND TRY TO DRIVE FORWARD WITH JUST THE SLIGHTEST ROLL BACK IT GOES CRAZY! AND THE BRAKES, IF YOUR GOING DOWN A HILL AND YOU USE THE BRAKE FOR MORE THEN ROUGHLY 30 SEC IT WILL START TO VIBRATE, MAKE A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL STARTS SHAKING.... THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE IS POOR AND I MUST ADD THAT THEY DO NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT NOR WITH THEY FIX IT. ALL THEY WILL TELL YOU IS "WELL SORRY IF YOUR UNHAPPY WITH YOUR VEHICLE, WE WILL SEND YOU ARBITRATION PAPERWORK." *TR
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Jun 3, 2014
FIRST 3 WEEKS AGO OR SO MY RADIO SHUT ITSELF OFF THEN ON AGAIN, REPEATED THAT 3 TIME SINCE THEN. SEATBELT CHIME WENT OFF LIKE I JUST STARTED DRIVING AGAIN WHILE I WAS DRIVING. DASH TRANSMISSION INDICATOR LIGHT FADED AND RE-LIT. WHILE PARKED AND ENGINE RUNNING TRAC CONTROL OFF LIGHT AND AUTO LSD LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY 6/3/14 THE RADIO TOTALLY RESET BACK TO A DIFFERENT STATION WHEN I TURNED TRUCK ON . *TR
Engine, May 31, 2014
AT COLD START UP, OIL PUMP MAKES A HIGH PITCH WHINE NOISE. DEALER SAYS ITS NORMAL DOES NOT CHECK THE ENGINE. *TR