RoadVitals

2001 Toyota Tacoma Owner Complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers, shown in full

Data refreshed

Complaints on fileComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
396
Latest Sep 21, 2025
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
44
Filed in the last 12 monthsReports filed with NHTSA in the trailing 365 days. Recent volume reflects attention and vehicle age as much as anything else.
1
Reports on file since Dec 26, 2000

What this page shows

Our database holds 396 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. Each one is a report filed by an owner or driver and published by NHTSA without most of them being verified. A complaint is not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. Narratives are shown exactly as filed.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Complaints, most recent first

Showing 1–25 of 396 · page 1 of 16

Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 21, 2025
Crash reported

Lower ball joint separated from knuckle and it says 0 recalls repaired i want it replaced because there oem they were never replaced when recalled

NHTSA ID
11688720
Incident
Sep 18, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Sep 27, 2024

We purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from a used car lot in Omaha NE. We have had it for 3 months and recently had a mechanic look over the vehicle for repairs. The mechanic indicated the frame is rusted through and the truck is unsafe to drive. The mechanic indicated that there was a recall on the frames possibly, so we followed up with Toyota. Toyota told me that there is no frame recall, but instead they did a "Customer Support Program" in relation to the frame, but it had expired. Toyota told us there is nothing they can do for us. My concern is that Toyota has a known issue, a safety issue, concerning their vehicles but will not rectify it. I would like Toyota to be held liable for their substandard product, no matter how long it has been. A quick Google search about Toyota and recalls is that they are not good at reporting them to you, or their service centers are not good at making sure all recalls are taken care of, and I feel that this is something that needs to be investigated - and in my case, rectified.

NHTSA ID
11616924
Incident
Sep 27, 2024
Filed May 16, 2024

My Toyota truck frame is rusted with big holes and could break in two at any time.

NHTSA ID
11589208
Incident
Feb 27, 2024
Body & structure
Filed Sep 7, 2023

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under recall for corrosion underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware that there was corrosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and rust protection was sprayed on the corrosion but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 100,000. The vehicle was taken back to Toyota for service, which was outside the extended warranty and the tech was shown the gaping holes in the frame that had rusted through and at that point the contact was told the extended warranty had expired so they couldn't do anything. The frame has now rusted so bad that Toyota has deemed it unsafe as of 2 months ago when the tech looked at it so the contact reached out to Toyota corporate recall department but they refused to do anything about it as well.

NHTSA ID
11543254
Incident
Sep 14, 2014
Mileage
100,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 24, 2023

The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver’s side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the highway and onto the right shoulder. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light then illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11534137
Incident
Jul 24, 2023
Mileage
100,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Apr 3, 2023

Front part of fuel tank dropped apparently due to corrosion. Electrical and fluid connections to fuel tank were disconnected when the tank dropped. Negligible fuel spill. Vehicle was towed from the scene. Driving on dirt road at the time.

NHTSA ID
11515096
Incident
Apr 2, 2023
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jul 29, 2022

The complete chassis frame under the vehicle, contains a lot of rust and holes due to corrosion. Some years ago, a Toyota dealership asked me to bring the vehicle in to one of their dealerships, where an undercoating was painted on the frame surface. However, the coating is worn away and the rust is visible again and this time there are even more deterioration.

NHTSA ID
11476592
Incident
Jul 4, 2022
Filed Mar 28, 2022

- 2001 Toyota Tacoma New Replacement Frame Rusted, it is available for inspection. - The frame is rusted to the point you can push your finger through it, failure concern while driving. -The local Toyota dealership and corporate office, states the vehicle is not covered in any way. - At this time the vehicle has not been inspected due to dealership stating there are no recalls on the second frame that was installed in the 2001 Toyota Tacoma for the original rusting problem. This vehicle likely will not pass state inspection. - There are no warning devices for this problem. The rust/corrosion was located during an oil change.

NHTSA ID
11458584
Incident
Mar 27, 2022
Suspension
Filed Mar 11, 2022

MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK

NHTSA ID
11456382
Incident
Mar 11, 2022
Suspension
Filed Dec 13, 2021

Excessive frame rust

NHTSA ID
11443698
Incident
Dec 13, 2021
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Feb 25, 2021

I SEE THAT MY FRAME IS CRACKING. SO I LOOKED IT UP. AND FOUND MULTIPLE RECALLS ON THE TUCK. I NOTICED THAT I HAVE A VERY SLOPPY STEERING WHEEL. IT SAID THAT WAS A RECALL TOO. I'M DON'T NO IF PREVIOUS OWNER HAD ANYTHING RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11397993
Incident
Feb 12, 2020
Body & structureSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Feb 14, 2021

MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND ALL THE CAPOMINTES ARE ALSO. I CANT CHANGE ANYTHING PUT BECAUSE OF IT. MY LEAF SPRINGS ARE SHOT WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED TO THE FRAME. IS WEAKING WHICH IS MOVING MY BACK AXLE OFF BALANCE. MY FRONT AILMENT IS COMPLETELY OFF. I AND DREAK ANYTHING LOSE TO FIX THE ISSUE'S. IT FEELS LIKE THEY COMPLETELY FORGOT TO SPRAY MY FRAME ON MY TRUCK

NHTSA ID
11396210
Incident
Jan 5, 2001
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jan 26, 2021

I BROUGHT MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA FOR AN INSPECTION IN JANUARY 2020 AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME WAS ROTTED AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I CONTACTED EMPIRE TOYOTA SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAMPAIGN TO FIX THIS ISSUE EXPIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO AND I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS FIXED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS CAMPAIGN NOR WAS MY HUSBAND WHO WAS THE PREVIOUS OWNER. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT MANY OTHER TACOMA OWNERS ARE IN THE SAME PREDICAMENT. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE FIX THAT I CANNOT AFFORD. TOYOTA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND MAKE THIS A RECALL TO BE FIXED REGARDLESS OF TIMEFRAME.

NHTSA ID
11389962
Incident
Jan 25, 2021
Mileage
146,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 21, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S SUBFRAME FELT LOOSE UNDERNEATH. THE CONTACT NOTICED RUST AND CORROSION UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WELL AND ON THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. RIVERHEAD TOYOTA (1655 ROUTE 58 (OLD COUNTRY ROAD), RIVERHEAD, NY 11901 (631) 727-7722) INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVEN AND THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A SPECIAL PROGRAM TO THE REPLACE THE SUBFRAME BACK IN 01/2016 WHICH EXPIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT RECEIVED THE NOTIFICATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A CASE NUMBER AND PROMISED A CALLBACK. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNREPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

NHTSA ID
11365555
Incident
Sep 28, 2020
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Sep 24, 2020

I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING THESE SIGNS WHILE DRIVINH.

NHTSA ID
11360848
Incident
Sep 21, 2020
Mileage
256,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2020

OUR 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4WD DOUBLE CAB (WITH 143,000 MILES AND EXCELLENT CONDITION) ABS CONTROL UNIT FAILED SOMETIMES IN EARLY JAN 2020. AFTER WE SEARCHED FOR REPLACEMENT PART ON TOYOTA DEALERS' WEBSITES, THEY SHOWED "THIS PRODUCT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE." OUR SHOP SEARCHED AND WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA DEALERS THE SAME THING. I CONTACTED DEALERS AND THEY SAID NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT TO CONTACT TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA IN PLANO, TEXAS. WE ALONG WITH OUR SHOP SEARCHED FOR USED/RECYCLED PART ACROSS AMERICA. WE FOUND ONE FROM OREGON BUT IT DID NOT WORK AFTER INSTALLATION. MARCH 17, 2020, WE CONTACTED TOYOTA IN PLANO, TEXAS, WITH A LETTER TO CHRIS NIELSEN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT OF PRODUCTS SUPPORT & CHIEF QUALITY OFFICER, ABOUT THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT WITH A "SAFETY ISSUE" AS MY FAMILY AND 10 OF THOUSANDS OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS WHO HAD STUCK OR HAVE BEEN STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE." TOYOTA RESPONDED MARCH 27, 30, 31, APRIL 6, 8, BUT REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE "SAFETY ISSUE." FINALLY, ON APRIL 9, TOYOTA SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. WHEN I ASKED IF WE, ALONG WITH THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE"? TOYOTA RESPONDED BY SAYING WE GOT THERE PHONE NUMBER AND ADDRESS IF WE HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS. MEANWHILE, ON APRIL 3, 2020, WE FOUND A SECOND UNIT, BUT IT AGAIN FAILED AFTER 2 MONTHS. THESE ARE EXPENSIVE UNITS EVEN A USED ONE AND IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE TO INSTALL AND TO UNINSTALL. MOST IMPORTANTLY, WE AND THOUSAND OF OTHER TOYOTA OWNERS ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS "SAFETY ISSUE" BECAUSE NO PART WAS AVAILABLE ANYWHERE WITHIN US. IT IS NOT JUST 2001 AS OTHER YEARS USED THE SAME PART. TOYOTA KNEW LONG AGO AND DECIDED NOT TO PRODUCE THEM ANYMORE AND THAT IS WHY PEOPLE ACROSS AMERICA ARE STUCK WITH THIS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. I WOULD NOT BE SURPRISED IF THERE HAVE BEEN FATALITIES INVOLVED THIS ABS CONTROL UNIT BUT NO ONE KNEW ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ID
11338446
Incident
Jan 10, 2020
Mileage
143,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Jun 10, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED THROUGH AT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO PRIME TOYOTA - BOSTON (1605 VFW PKWY, WEST ROXBURY, MA 02132), AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 175,000.*DT *BF *TR THE CONSUMER PROVIDED PHOTOS. *TR

NHTSA ID
11328105
Incident
Jun 6, 2020
Mileage
175,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 7, 2020

TOOK TRUCK FOR INSPECTION, WOULDN'T PASS BECAUSE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER IS UNATTACHED BECAUSE OF FRAME. MECHANIC SAYS DRIVING IT IS UNSAFE. TOYOTA HAD RECALL I WAS UNAWARE OF FOR RUSTED FRAMES, WHEN CONTACTED THEM THEY SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. *TR

NHTSA ID
11323627
Incident
Jun 18, 2019
Body & structureSuspension
Filed May 3, 2020

FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT

NHTSA ID
11323137
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
Driver assistance
Filed Dec 13, 2019

UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT, THE VEHICLE SURGED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE UNINTENTIONALLY. FORCEFUL BRAKING WAS APPLIED TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AND GRADUALLY SLOW THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11288911
Incident
Dec 13, 2019
Mileage
160,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 6, 2019

I HAVE REPLACED THE LOWER BALL JOINTS FIVE TIMES IN THE LAST FOUR YEARS. THREE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AND TWICE ON THE PASSENGERS SIDE. TWICE I WAS IN SOMEONE'S DRIVEWAY TWICE I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY AND ONCE I WAS TURNING A CORNER. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO HOWEVER I NEVER REAPONDED AT THE TIME. NOW WHEN I LOOK ON THIS WEBSITE IT SAYS THERE WAS NO RECALL SO I AM UNSURE HOW TO PROCEED.

NHTSA ID
11287410
Incident
Sep 1, 2015
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Nov 10, 2019

FRAME OF THIS VEHICLE HAS RUSTED BEYOND BEING SAFE TO DRIVE. VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS VIRGINIA STATE INSPECTION. RUST IS DUE TO FACTORY MANUFACTURING DEFECT THAT TOYOTA HAS ACKNOWLEDGED. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND HAD NO WAY OF KNOWING OF ANY TOYOTA REMEDIES TO THIS SITUATION. I HAVE CONTACTED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND THEY REFUSE TO OFFER ANY HELP. THIS IS AN INHERIT FACTORY DEFECT AND AGE AND TIME SHOULD MAKE NO DIFFERENCE. THERE ARE MANY OF THESE VEHICLES STILL OPERATING ON THE HIGHWAYS WITH THIS DEFECT CREATING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.

NHTSA ID
11279233
Incident
Nov 9, 2019
Body & structure
Filed Oct 30, 2019

I NOTICED MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA MAKING ODD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. I DECIDED TO HAVE MY MECHANIC TAKE A LOOK AT IT FROM THE BOTTOM OF TRUCK: HE SAW AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE OBSERVABLE EXTENSIVE RUSTED/CORROSION AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS OF THE TRUCK AND SAID IT WAS A GOOD IDEA TO TAKE IT TO DEALERSHIP SINCE THERE HAS BEEN A SETTLEMENT LAWSUIT FOR DEFECTS ON TOYOTA TACOMA'S THAT WHERE NOT TREATED WELL ENOUGH WITH THE RUST INHIBITOR SPRAY. I TOOK MY TACOMA TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED IT ORIGINALLY AND THEY SAID EXACTLY WHAT MY MECHANIC HAD ALREADY TOLD ME ABOUT THE RUSTED AND PERFORATED AREAS ON THE FRAME/CHASSIS AND STATED THAT THE CHASSIS/FRAME HAS AN ADVANCED CORROSION/ RUST DAMAGES TO THE POINT OF THE FRAME BEING FRACTURED OR BROKEN IN HALF IF THE PROBLEM CONTINUES, WHEREAS IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO CONTINUE DRIVING THE TRUCK. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE RUSTY FRAMES AND NOW AM CONSIDERING FURTHER INTO HIRING AN ATTORNEY REGARDING MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND MY LOVED ONES AND I BELEIVE IT'S INCONSIDERATE AND SHAMING ON TOYOTA TO NOT HAVE ONE SINGLE RECALL INFORMATION ON 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA'S. I HOPE I CAN GET ANSWERS SOON IN REGARDS TO THIS PROBLEM AND WILL DUE WHAT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE TOYOTA RESPOND TO MY ISSUE. I HAVE ALREADY CALLED THEM 4MONTHS AGO AND THEY STATED I HAD TO FIRST FILE THIS COMPLAINT ON THIS WEBSITE IN ORDER TO PROCEED TO THE NEXT STEPS.

NHTSA ID
11277223
Incident
Oct 8, 2018
Body & structure
Filed Oct 17, 2019

2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO VEHICLE HAVING A RUST AND CORROSION PROBLEM ON THE FRAME. *AS *JS

NHTSA ID
11269653
Incident
Oct 17, 2019
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Oct 14, 2019

I'M WRITING YOU BECAUSE I HAD MY 2001 TACOMA INSPECTED FOR THE FRAME RUST RECALL IN 2010. AT THAT TIME I WAS TOLD THAT MY TRUCK WOULD BE SPRAYED WITH AN INHIBITOR TO PREVENT RUST. THE VEHICLE FRAME HAS SINCE RUSTED AND IS MOST LIKELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SPRAY INHIBITOR OBVIOUSLY DID NOT WORK OR WAS APPLIED INCORRECTLY. THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED FROM THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.

NHTSA ID
11268378
Incident
Oct 2, 2018
Mileage
240,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Narrow this down by component

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .