Problems · NHTSA complaints

2005 Toyota Tacoma problems

Owners filed 707 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA between Nov 2004 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is structure (260).

Complaints
707
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
47
Reported by owners
Fires
4
Reported by owners
Injuries
16
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Structure260
  2. Suspension137
  3. Vehicle speed control93
  4. Steering61
  5. Power train57
  6. Air bags46
  7. Tires26
  8. Electrical system20
  9. Engine18
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic15
  11. Visibility15
  12. Engine and engine cooling14
  13. Wheels9
  14. Service brakes7

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
20042
200551
200632
200729
200830
200927
201074
201124
201221
201353
2014108
201562
201674
201740
201817
201916
202017
20219
20227
20237
20244
20252
20261

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

260 reports4 crashes2 fires
“I discovered frame perforation rust, for which Toyota sent letters offering to repair or compensate. I have moved to Florida and the letters didn't forward. So I notified Toyota and they said they would not do anything to help. There was a prior class-action lawsuit about this, which prompted Toyota's action. I have sent Toyota mechanic statements and photos of the rust along with m y nice letter requesting help. They offered that I could get my vehicle inspected at a Toyota dealer, at my expense, which would auto-enter it into their warranty database, repair order # [XXX] which I did this week. I am writing them back again, appealing for their help. In the interim, I am making this report. I will also be notifying the Florida Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026StructureODI 11744962

Suspension

137 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The frame is rusting out substantially. The dealer advised me not to drive because the frame could fail at anytime. I have been driving around unaware of the problem. I could have been killed if the framed failed on the highway. There was no warning light. The Vehicle has been into the dealer and no one mentioned the problem until 08/30/2024. The Vehicle has been maintained and garaged. The vehicle is in good condition and has not been in an accident. I called Toyota and was told I was out of luck because the warranty expired even though the frame problem was Toyotas fault. A truck frame should outlast the engine and the body. I plan to keep the truck for 400,00 miles and my finances are very tight. Toyota is penalizing me because the frame didn't rust out sooner and on Toyotas time frame.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2024SuspensionODI 11612615

Vehicle speed control

93 reports31 crashes1 related recall
“BLOWER MOTOR ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. SOMETIMES SPEED OD. DOESN'T WORK, SOMETIMES IT DOES. SPEED OD. READS ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR FAST. GAUGES PAUSE FOR ABOUT 10 SEC. BEFORE WORKING WHEN I FIRST START TRUCK. ALL STARTED AROUND 120,000 MILES.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 3, 2019Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11205577

Steering

61 reports1 crash
“INTERMEDIATE STEERING ROD LOWER BALL JOINT HAS FAILED , UNABLE TO STEER TRUCK SAFELY THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS TOYOTA NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS I BOUGHT THIS TRUCK BRAND NEW IN 2005 OFF THE FLOOR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2021SteeringODI 11407098

Power train

57 reports1 crash
“In May of 2018, I purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. After arrival of new title, I received a safety recall notice from Toyota in regards to possible abnormal frame rust. I was instructed to take my Tacoma to nearest Toyota dealership for frame inspection. Prior to taking Tacoma in for frame inspection, I scoped the frame myself, and noticed abnormal rust forming throughout both sides of the frame. Therefore, I took my Tacoma to Berge Toyota in Mesa AZ. for further inspection and to have some other repairs done. Upon my arrival to Berge Toyota, l informed the service writer of the repairs that were needed done and showed him the request from Toyota for the frame inspection. My vehicle was taken to a lift, where a brief frame inspection was performed with a flashlight only and I was told the frame was fine, and the rust I had witnessed during my personal inspection was within a standard tolerance of "normal". On September 12, 2022 my frame cracked in a horseshoe formation around the driver side motor mount, causing the engine to shift and sink approx. 3/4" towards the driver side. This frame failure has caused numerous problems to occur, such as the fan to…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 22, 2022Suspension, Power train, EngineODI 11490424

Air bags

46 reports6 crashes3 related recalls
“My problem was associated with the air bag warning light. It came on and so I took my truck to Big Two Toyota in Chandler AZ. Dealer said I had a faulty clock spring assembly that will prevent the air bag system from functioning properly and was a major safety risk.... So I let Dealer remove and replace it for $511.82. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFETY RECALL.... Please look into this issue for me and other Toyota Tacoma truck owners. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2022Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11446714
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.