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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD · 4 NHTSA variants

2010 Toyota TacomaRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls and 294 owner complaints for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma. Most complaints involve suspension (95) and vehicle speed control (34). The EPA rates it 15–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–22mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
13campaigns
Latest Jun 2016
Owner complaints
294
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
See all 13 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

294 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2009 – Sep 2026
  1. Suspension95
  2. Vehicle speed control34
  3. Structure30
  4. Power train29
  5. Exterior lighting25
  6. Steering19
  7. Air bags16
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic13
  9. Seat belts9

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
2008450
2009520
2010294
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015102
2016324
2017244
2018209
2019219
202090
202181
202259
202354
2024155
2025116
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 6, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Suspension

95 reports
“The passenger side lower A arm frame mount broke, due to frame rust. The truck has been taken to Toyota, they had the truck for about 6 weeks and have refused to fix the safety issue.This year model had a recall on the frame, it was taken in for the recall, but the recall has failed. When the lower A arm frame mount broke, I just happened to be in a parking lot. If I had been driving it, I could have killed someone, or could have been killed myself.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 3, 2026Steering, Suspension, Unknown or otherODI 11754384

Vehicle speed control

34 reports2 crashes
“ON 1/2/18 I WAS DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT GOING SLOW GETTING READY TO PUT MY TRUCK INTO REVERSE TO BACK UP INTO A SPOT WHEN SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION TOOK PLACE. MY TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP ACCELERATING FORWARD WITH MY RIGHT FOOT PRESSED ALL THE WAY DOWN ON THE BRAKE MY TRUCK CONTINUED TO REV UP AND JUMP FORWARD WITH TIRES RUBBER BURNING DUE TO ME HAVING MY FOOT ON BREAK TRYING TO STOP THE TRUCK. I MISSED HITTING A CAR BARELY AND STILL NOT SURE HOW I MISSED IT. MY FOOT WAS CLEARLY ON THE BRAKE THE ENTIRE TIME AND FINALLY I PUT MY TRUCK IN PARK AND THE TRUCK CAME TO A STOP, SINCE I WAS NOT GOING DOWN A HIGHWAY. I REPORTED TO TOYOTA AND GOT NO WHERE. I HAVE NO FLOOR MAT IN MY TRUCK SO CANT BLAME IT ON FLOOR MAT. THEY ARE CLAIMING IT WAS MISAPPLICATION OF PEDAL. THIS IS A TOTAL LIE. I WOULD OF HIT THAT CAR HAD MY FOOT BEEN ON WRONG PEDAL. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE SO HARD AND PUTTING IN PARK STOPPED THE TRUCK. AGAIN COULD HEAR THE ENGINE REV AS IF STUCK IN ACCELERATION AND MY TIRES BURNING RUBBER AS I CONTINUED TO ENGAGE BRAKE AND TRUCK WAS JUMPING FORWARD. TOYOTA HAS OPENED A CASE BUT AGAIN REFUSE TO ADMIT TO ANY PROBLEM BLAMING IT ON…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2018Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, EngineODI 11061585

Structure

30 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was in for inspection, the mechanic informed the contact that the entire subframe was rusted. The contact was advised that the vehicle was unsafe to drive due to the rust on the subframe. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted and informed the contact that the extended warranty for the failure had expired. No additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 49,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 24, 2026StructureODI 11759154
All 2010 Tacoma problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 6, 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 · Part-time 4-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 Nov 6, 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 · Part-time 4-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 · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162018$3,550494
Tacoma 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151816$4,000555
Tacoma 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
141815$4,300592
  • 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 · 18 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Tacoma 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 6, 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 2010 Toyota Tacoma as of Nov 6, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 6, 2026Vehicle 5787Vehicle 5788Vehicle 5789
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

2010 Tacoma questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Tacoma have?

13 safety recalls as of Nov 6, 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 2010 Toyota Tacoma problems?

Owners filed 294 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are suspension (95), vehicle speed control (34), structure (30). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Toyota Tacoma get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Toyota Tacoma at 15–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 6, 2026