2009 Toyota Tacoma Owner Complaints

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame on the driver’s and passenger’s side was severely rusted. The dealer was contacted about the failure and about the warranty enhancement program ZH6, which was associated with the failure. The manufacturer had extended the warranty coverage for frame corrosion on certain 2005–2010 model year Toyota Tacoma vehicles. The dealer informed the contact that the program had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty program had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.

NHTSA ID

11747159

Incident

Jun 28, 2026

Mileage

217,000 mi

Unknown.no accident ,Steering is tight. Started noticing it May 12 2026.

NHTSA ID

11743521

Incident

May 12, 2026

Real bumper assembly rotted off the frame was dragging behind the truck I'm at 60mph luckily nobody was behind me pulled over and removed it all both frame rails was rusted in half Hanging On by a little piece every place I called will not fix it want me to buy a whole frame truck has 220 miles on it with no rear bumper

NHTSA ID

11739530

Incident

Sep 6, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID

11695505

Incident

Oct 23, 2025

Mileage

297,651 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after maintenance service on the vehicle, it was discovered that the front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected, and determined that the entire subframe had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic result was provide,d and the contact was informed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.

NHTSA ID

11695033

Incident

Oct 22, 2025

Mileage

85,000 mi

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the chassis was rusted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that an unknown Toyota recall for warranty coverage had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.

NHTSA ID

11694959

Incident

Jan 15, 2025

Mileage

110,000 mi

THE FRAME HAS RUSTED AND HOLES ARE UNSAFE. I AM WORRIED ABOUT DRIVING MY VEHICLE. THE SAFETY OF ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD I AM TRAVELING ARE AT RISK. I WENT TO LIBERTY TOYOTA IN BURLINGTON, NJ AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR. THE RUST IS UNUSUAL AND THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER YEARS AFFECTED AND FRAMES REPLACED. MY WIFE PURCHASED THIS TRUCK FROM LIBERTY TOYOTA

NHTSA ID

11693714

Incident

Sep 13, 2024

Vehicle: 2009 Toyota Tacoma VIN: [XXX] Mileage: 128,400 Owner: Jacob Grove, Anderson, SC Summary of Issue: The frame of this 2009 Toyota Tacoma has developed severe rust perforation that makes the vehicle unsafe to drive. My independent mechanic has refused to work on it due to safety concerns, and Toyota of Greenville (SC) has confirmed that the frame is extensively corroded and requires replacement. Background: Toyota previously issued a Customer Support Program (CSP) for frame corrosion affecting 2005–2009 Tacomas in northern states, including Ohio, where this truck was purchased and operated. In June 2018, the vehicle was inspected at Don Wood Toyota in Athens, OH (91,600 miles). The dealership recorded “no perforation” and did not apply the protective coating or replace the frame. The truck has been minimally driven since (an average of 6,000 miles per year). In May 2024, at 128,400 miles, a mechanic and dealership confirmed the frame has multiple areas of severe perforation, including around brake lines and exhaust mounts. Concern: It is unreasonable that a vehicle frame could go from “no perforation” to “severe perforation” in only 36,000 miles and six years of light use. This indicates either: The 2018 inspection under Toyota’s CSP was inadequate, or The frame was already compromised but not properly addressed at the time. Safety Risk: The vehicle cannot be safely lifted, worked on, or driven in its current condition. The rapid deterioration presents a risk of frame failure while driving, endangering occupants and others on the road. Request: I am submitting this complaint so that NHTSA is aware of ongoing frame corrosion failures in 2005–2009 Toyota Tacomas, even in cases where Toyota previously inspected and declined to repair during the CSP period. This case demonstrates that the problem may not have been properly identified or corrected during program inspections, leaving unsafe vehicles on the road. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11682040

Incident

May 1, 2024

The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a branch lodged beneath the vehicle and the corroded subframe with a hole in the front passenger’s side subframe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

NHTSA ID

11679005

Incident

Aug 6, 2025

Mileage

113,000 mi

Brake failure because of rusted brake lines.

NHTSA ID

11647187

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

Brake failure resulting from rusted brake lines. Vehicle has not been inspected by manufacturer police or any other entity. No warning lamps or other indicators that detected brake failure.

NHTSA ID

11642721

Incident

Dec 20, 2024

I just learned from my Mechanic that the Frame Corrosion is bad. The frame was inspected by Vanderstyne (now West Herr) Toyota on 06/20/2020. It passed the Inspection at that time, so they did not do anything. But within 4.5 years and only a little more than 6,000 miles driving since then - this corrosion shows up. I think the Toyota Specs for the Corrosion Inspection were not sufficient. Toyota should be held accountable for their negligence. I only have 72,900 miles on this Tacoma. I would have liked to keep it for another 5 years or so, but now I cannot and Toyota washed their hand when I contacted them.

NHTSA ID

11621838

Incident

Oct 22, 2024

See Attached Letter

NHTSA ID

11618525

Incident

Sep 13, 2024

My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?

NHTSA ID

11610734

Incident

Aug 25, 2024

Chassis in the middle frame back left too much rust and big hole due to rust

NHTSA ID

11593639

Incident

Jun 11, 2024

See attached document for complaint

NHTSA ID

11570983

Incident

Jul 30, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11566610

Incident

Jan 31, 2023

We recently went to have new tires put on the Tacoma at Costco. The Costco technician said that the frame was rusted and he had a similar problem with his Tacoma and Toyota repaired it. He told us that he couldn't install the new tires with the rusted frame and suggested that we go to our Toyota Dealer. We went to Toyota Direct in Columbus, Ohio (where we have had the vehicle serviced every time) and they took pictures of the rust and told us they would call us back. Although we have inquired several times, they had not called us back so we reached out to Toyota Corporate and they said that the recall/warranty extension had expired and there was nothing they could do. Costco has refused to install the new tires until the frame is repaired. (our problem is not with Costco.) The Costco tech did tell us that he was surprised that the rust had not been noticed before by the Dealer during regular service as it would not have appeared so quickly. So the complaint goes against Toyota Corporate and Toyota Direct... why did they not notice any rust while the warranty/recall was in effect or any of the service visits if this is a standard problem with 2009 Toyotas. If the vehicle has a rusted frame, that could be dangerous to whoever is driving the vehicle. In addition, without being able to have new tires installed due to the frame issue, that creates another safety concern with winter weather approaching and tires that need replaced.

NHTSA ID

11563647

Incident

Nov 25, 2023

Frame is rusted out under engine above axle housing.

NHTSA ID

11551262

Incident

Oct 22, 2023

Just learned from CT Toyota dealer that my 2009 Toyota Tacoma frame has significant corrosion and that it's time to replace frame or vehicle. Very disappointed. Vehicle did go in for recall service on 12/7/17 and CRC spray was applied as frame was determined ok at that time. Looks like that didn't help much to prevent further corrosion less than 6 years later. Voicing my frustration over those that got new frames are still driving on road, while I have to retire my truck. Extending warranty to 12 years from date of first use clearly did me no help. Do I and others like this have any options?

NHTSA ID

11544513

Incident

Sep 14, 2023

Frame rotten from salt corrosion. Rust holes in frame.

NHTSA ID

11543696

Incident

Sep 10, 2023

Rust flaking frame small hole

NHTSA ID

11539570

Incident

Aug 19, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11539253

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

We took the Toyota Tacoma VIN [XXX] , is be service oil change , clear out lights on dash board repair tires. the mechanic put the truck on the lift and had to drop it down due to the massive amount of rust on the frame, that they were concerned it would brake in half. We are the original owner of this 2009 Tacoma and never received any information about the recall. My address has never changed since the purchase. Please contact us to help get this corrected ... The engine and transmission. are in good condition. It's the frame that force it undriveable. blue book on the car is @ $8900. it only has @ 87,000 miles. [XXX] [XXX] or [XXX] Email: [XXX] [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11538894

Incident

Aug 16, 2023

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.

NHTSA ID

11537275

Incident

Apr 7, 2023