Problems · NHTSA complaints
2001 Toyota Tacoma problems
Owners filed 401 complaints about the 2001 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA between Dec 2000 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is structure (227).
Complaints
401
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
41
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
36
People reported injured
Deaths
7
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Structure227
- Suspension81
- Air bags21
- Steering20
- Power train15
- Tires14
- Vehicle speed control11
- Service brakes, hydraulic11
- Wheels7
- Service brakes7
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Seat belts4
- Parking brake4
- Electrical system4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
2
13
14
4
8
12
6
7
40
27
20
10
20
29
31
35
34
32
18
20
6
4
3
3
2
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 14 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 12 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 7 |
| 2008 | 40 |
| 2009 | 27 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 20 |
| 2013 | 29 |
| 2014 | 31 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 34 |
| 2017 | 32 |
| 2018 | 18 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 4 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Structure
227 reports2 crashes
“We purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from a used car lot in Omaha NE. We have had it for 3 months and recently had a mechanic look over the vehicle for repairs. The mechanic indicated the frame is rusted through and the truck is unsafe to drive. The mechanic indicated that there was a recall on the frames possibly, so we followed up with Toyota. Toyota told me that there is no frame recall, but instead they did a "Customer Support Program" in relation to the frame, but it had expired. Toyota told us there is nothing they can do for us. My concern is that Toyota has a known issue, a safety issue, concerning their vehicles but will not rectify it. I would like Toyota to be held liable for their substandard product, no matter how long it has been. A quick Google search about Toyota and recalls is that they are not good at reporting them to you, or their service centers are not good at making sure all recalls are taken care of, and I feel that this is something that needs to be investigated - and in my case, rectified.”
Suspension
81 reports8 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver’s side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the highway and onto the right shoulder. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light then illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Air bags
21 reports20 crashes
“THE TRUCK WAS IN A FRONT END TO REAR END COLLISION AT OR AROUND 40 MPH THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE TRUCK. THE ACCIDENT REPORT. & WITNESS OF THE VEHICLE. [XXX] *TR”
Steering
20 reports6 crashes
“I SEE THAT MY FRAME IS CRACKING. SO I LOOKED IT UP. AND FOUND MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE TUCK. I NOTICED THAT I HAVE A VERY SLOPPY STEERING WHEEL. IT SAID THAT WAS A RECALL TOO. I'M DON'T NO IF PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ANYTHING RECALLED.”
Power train
15 reports
“MY TACOMA HAS BEEN IN A COUPLE TIMES FOR TIMING BELT REPLACEMENT AND HAS BEEN INSPECTED FOR RUST BUT NOTHING WAS EVER DONE OR SAID ABOUT IT NEEDING ANYTHING DONE. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET I NOTICED THAT WHEN I SLOWED DOWN MY LIFTED AND WHEN I ACCELERATED MY BED LOWERED. I PULLED OFF TO FIND THAT MY FRAMES HAS RUSTED APART IN FRONT OF REAR LEAF SPRING. TOYOTA CORPORATE WAS CALLED AND THEY SAID NOTHING CAN BE DONE?”
Tires
14 reports3 crashes2 related recalls
“2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO RUSTS PERFORATION OF THE FRAME RAILS AND SPARE TIRE CARRIER RECALL ISSUES. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEALER WOULD NOT HONOR THE FRAME RAIL RECALL. *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.