Problems · NHTSA complaints

2009 Toyota Tacoma problems

Owners filed 520 complaints about the 2009 Toyota Tacoma with NHTSA between Sep 2008 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is suspension (119).

Complaints
520
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
25
Reported by owners
Fires
18
Reported by owners
Injuries
2
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension119
  2. Exterior lighting105
  3. Power train75
  4. Vehicle speed control59
  5. Structure55
  6. Electrical system40
  7. Steering39
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  9. Service brakes16
  10. Air bags13
  11. Equipment11
  12. Engine8
  13. Engine and engine cooling8
  14. Wheels6

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
20083
200962
201071
201120
201238
201342
201449
201558
201646
201735
201819
201911
20209
202110
202210
202317
20247
20258
20265

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

Suspension

119 reports1 related recall
“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

Vehicle speed control

59 reports16 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that she received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V388000 (Vehicle Speed Control). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the floor mats were replaced; however, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the accelerator pedal was depressed and after the accelerator pedal was released, the brake pedal was depressed, and the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact stated that the vehicle independently accelerated. The contact was able to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty and no further assistance provided. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 7, 2023Vehicle speed controlODI 11506050

Structure

55 reports
“The contact's cousin owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. Upon inspection underneath the vehicle, the contact discovered severe frame corrosion on the passenger’s side that could eventually cause the subframe to fracture. The contact stated that an unknown dealer had inspected the subframe in 2018 under recall, and the vehicle passed the inspection. The dealer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified of the failure by phone. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026StructureODI 11774011

Electrical system

40 reports1 crash1 fire
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 127,619. It was later discovered through Carfax in August 2025 that the mileage on the Title was 297,651.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 24, 2025Electrical systemODI 11695505
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.