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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure227
  2. Suspension81
  3. Air bags21
  4. Steering20
  5. Power train15
  6. Tires14
  7. Vehicle speed control11
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic11
  9. Wheels7
  10. Service brakes7
  11. Fuel system, gasoline5
  12. Seat belts4
  13. Parking brake4
  14. 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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20002
200113
200214
20034
20048
200512
20066
20077
200840
200927
201020
201110
201220
201329
201431
201535
201634
201732
201818
201920
20206
20214
20223
20233
20242
20251

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.

03 —Owner reports

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2024StructureODI 11616924

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 24, 2023SuspensionODI 11534137

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2019Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11186014

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2021Steering, Suspension, StructureODI 11397993

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?”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 28, 2017Suspension, Power train, Unknown or otherODI 10957678

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”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 22, 2018Structure, TiresODI 10838416
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.