Problems · by component

2005 Toyota Tacoma air bags problems

46 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma cite air bags, 7% of all 707 complaints for this model year. NHTSA also lists 3 recalls on this component.

Complaints
46
7% of all complaints
Crashes
6
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the air bags

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“AIRBAG ON PASSENGER SIDE IS NOT WORKING. LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY SAYS AIR BAG "OFF". THE UPHOLSTERY COVERING AIR BAG SHOWS OIL STAINING ON INSIDE. THIS HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR SEVERAL MONTHS..”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 13, 2018Air bagsODI 11084931
“TAKATA RECALL... BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED TWO YEARS AGO . IT HAS 64000 MILES ON IT AND THE AIR BAG LITE HAS BEEN ON FOR OVER THREE MONTHS NOW, IT USED TO ONLY GO ON ONCE IN A WHILE AND NEVER AT THE DEALER. THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY TRUCK AT THIS TIME”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2018Air bagsODI 11063799
“I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN FRONT OF A BUILDING. I WAS GOING APPROX. 1-3 MPH DUE TO THE LOT BEING WET & HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN I WAS ALMOST TO THE CONCRETE CURB, THE TRUCK SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, JUMPED THE CURB AND HIT THE BUILDING. I STILL HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE & SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE ENGINE WAS REVVING FULL THROTTLE, SO I TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. BEFORE MOVING, I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS TOUCHING THE ACCELERATOR, WHICH WAS THE CASE. THE AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY BUT THAT WAS BECAUSE OF THE ANGLE AT WHICH I HIT THE BUILDING. I THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE AN BACKED OFF THE BUILDING. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2017Air bags, Vehicle speed controlCrash reportedODI 10948844
“THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS NOT PROPERLY FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND INDICATIONS ARE THAT THE SYSTEM WILL LIKELY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY IF INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT. IT CURRENTLY DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE TOYOTA AIRBAG SYSTEM RECALL, BUT INTERESTINGLY ENOUGH THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SYSTEM IN THIS CURRENT MAKE/MODEL. THE PROBLEM WAS DETECTED DURING A ROUTINE MAINTENANCE INSPECTION/SERVICE AT A SHOP.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2017Air bagsODI 10945058
“DRIVER AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON. WHY IS MY VIN NOT INCLUDED IN THE FOLLOWING RECALL BY TOYOTA FOR AIRBAGS FOR TACOMA PICKUPS. NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V092000 COMPONENT(S): AIR BAGS”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 3, 2016Air bagsODI 10911099

Showing 6 of 46 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Related recalls

3 recalls on this component

Air bags: frontal

Remedy pending

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 DRIVER’S AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.

Air bagsReported Mar 7, 2012NHTSA 12V092000

Air bags

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Air bagsReported Apr 3, 2006NHTSA 06V096000

Air bags

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH SEAT, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR CONNECTOR PINS ARE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR.

Air bagsReported Jun 28, 2005NHTSA 05V302000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.