Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2009 Toyota TacomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 519 owner complaints for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve suspension (119) and exterior lighting (105). The EPA rates it 16–22 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
16–22mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
519
Top: suspension
Fuel cost / yr
$2,900est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

13 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

SeatsReported Jun 2, 2016NHTSA 16V396000

Seats: seat heater

Free remedy

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

SeatsReported Nov 19, 2014NHTSA 14V743000

Suspension: leaf

Free remedy

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

SuspensionReported Sep 29, 2014NHTSA 14V604000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

519 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2008 – Aug 2026
  1. Suspension119
  2. Exterior lighting105
  3. Power train75
  4. Vehicle speed control59
  5. Structure54
  6. Electrical system40
  7. Steering39
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  9. Service brakes16

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

By model year

Complaints for each Tacoma model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996257
1997134
1998310
1999251
2000221
2001401
2002360
2003372
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008449
2009519
2010294
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015102
2016324
2017244
2018209
2019219
202090
202181
202259
202354
2024155
2025116
Crashes reported
25
Fires reported
18
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

119 reports
“I have a 2009 Toyota Tacoma that has a significant amount of frame rust. I have recently learned that Toyota lost a class action lawsuit on this model of Tacoma because the frames would rot quickly. I was not aware of this recall, nor was I notified and because of that I missed the 12-year windows for Toyota to replace the frame. Toyota's Owner app made no mention of this either. The only recall that I received was an issue with leaf springs which I had corrected when the parts came in. I'd like to know what I can do to have my truck's frame replaced, or something comparable.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2023SuspensionODI 11539253

Exterior lighting

105 reports16 fires
“Headlight shows visible signs of over heating of the amber lenses on both driver and passenger side. Amber lenses are melted, obscured, burned through and causing additional discoloration to the clear lens of the headlight itself. This creates a safety issue for both driver and passenger side headlights and amber lights not illuminating properly but also reducing the reliability and longevity of the lighting systems themselves.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 19, 2024Exterior lightingODI 11566610

Power train

75 reports1 crash
“ODI #11516361 I bought this 2009 Toyota Tacoma with 20,990 miles on it on 11/22/2019. Then the pandemic hit the USA and the truck sat for many months. Then in April 2023 I brought the truck in for repairs and the mechanic told me the frame was rusted real bad and that the recall was past the deadline. I brought it to Toyota of Watertown Dealership on 4/07/2023 with 33,348 miles on it and they said there was nothing they could do because the truck was over the 12 years of manufacturing recall date. My truck was manufactured on 8/20/2009, so my recall ended on 8/20/2021. I owned the truck for 19 months during the recall and I never received a recall notice from Toyota. If I had known I would have had it inspected before the 12 years were up and Toyota would have been responsible for the rusted out frame. Toyota is negligent and liable for not informing me of the recall. Now I am stuck with a rusted out dangerous vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2023Steering, Suspension, Power trainODI 11537275
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 27, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.7L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Tacoma 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202622$2,900404
Tacoma 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192521$3,050423
Tacoma 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,400468
Tacoma 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172118$3,550494
Tacoma 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550494
Tacoma 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,800523
Tacoma 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$4,000555
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    20 city · 26 hwy · $2,900/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $3,050/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.7 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,400/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    17 city · 21 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 20 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 27, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma as of Oct 27, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 27, 2026Vehicle 5355Vehicle 5354Vehicle 5353
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2009 Tacoma questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have?

13 safety recalls as of Oct 27, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2009 Toyota Tacoma problems?

Owners filed 519 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (119), exterior lighting (105), power train (75). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Toyota Tacoma at 16–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 27, 2026