2021 Toyota Tacoma Electrical Problems

The Multi-Information Display (MID) on the instrument cluster (combination meter) has failed completely. The display shows full-width horizontal RGB scan lines across the entire screen with no readable information. The analog gauges (speedometer and tachometer) remain functional but all digital display information is unavailable including speed, warnings, fuel economy data, and safety system status indicators. This failure occurred suddenly with no prior warning. Vehicle has approximately 50,000 miles. I am aware that Toyota issued Safety Recall 25V595 in September 2025 covering the identical combination meter failure on 2023-2025 model year Tacomas and other Toyota vehicles. The root cause identified in that recall — accelerated deterioration of the memory device inside the combination meter due to improper programming — appears to be the same failure mechanism present in my 2021 model year vehicle. I am filing this complaint to formally document that this known defect extends to 2021 model year Tacoma vehicles and to request that NHTSA investigate expanding recall 25V595 to include earlier model years. Toyota should be required to repair or replace the combination meter on affected 2021 vehicles at no cost to owners, consistent with the remedy already established for 2023-2025 vehicles. A Toyota case has been opened with the Brand Engagement Center at [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11746832

Incident

Jun 26, 2026

Digital instrument panel speedometer screen has gone blank. No longer displays speed. This occurred while driving the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11746375

Incident

Jun 17, 2026

When vehicle is driven at 85 mph (cruise control set) speedometer jolts. Speed must be reduced to 84 to resolve issue.

NHTSA ID

11707691

Incident

Jul 17, 2024

Heated seat stopped working after smelling a slight burning smell. I investigate and found discolored and burnt electrical connections on the heated seat wires. This happened on the driver's seat. I'm worried the same thing could happen on the passenger side.

NHTSA ID

11701925

Incident

Oct 29, 2025

The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was a coolant leak, and the coolant level in the reservoir was low. The coolant reservoir was topped off; however, the failure reoccurred. While having an oil change at Keys Toyota (5855 Van Nuys Blvd, Sherman Oaks, CA 91401); the contact was informed about the coolant leak in the rear of the engine. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact called the local dealer, who confirmed there was no warranty coverage for the repair. The vehicle was diagnosed with a coolant leak, and the starter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

NHTSA ID

11690504

Incident

Sep 25, 2025

Mileage

102,000 mi

The cabin vent system appears to have a design defect, specifically the passenger-side vent located in the back of the cabin. This component is available for inspection upon request. The dealership, Santa Cruz Toyota, has declined to replace the part despite acknowledging the issue. The concern lies in the vent's design, as it allows water to enter the cabin instead of just expelling air. The water intrusion caused by this malfunction poses a safety risk in two ways. First, the presence of water on the floor increases the chance of an electrical fire due to the numerous electrical wires running underneath. Second, mildew spores can grow on the wet undercarpet padding, creating a health hazard. This problem has been confirmed by Santa Cruz Toyota, and we have video evidence to support the claim. While Santa Cruz Toyota has inspected the vehicle, our request for a direct inspection from the manufacturer, Toyota, has not been successful. There weren't any warning lights or messages prior to the failure. However, the issue became apparent after the heavy rains of 2023 in California, when we discovered water accumulated under the passenger-side carpet padding.

NHTSA ID

11589079

Incident

Dec 23, 2023

Driving at approximately 55 mph and dash lights started flickering, radio went off, reset to 530 (am radio). Vehicle started sputtering and slowing down in traffic and completely shut down. Lost all power and coasted to side of road. I had no or little control of vehicle. I have "connected services" that was to warn me about mechanical and electrical failures and no warning of this happening. This enrollment was to give me "services designed to help keep you safe, secure and in control of your Tacoma from almost anywhere". "brand engagement center" not concerned of the incident. Apparently two and half year old battery failed. Replaced by myself.

NHTSA ID

11574484

Incident

Feb 20, 2024

PCS malfunction, VSC malfunctions, Data transmitter for codes to dealership doesn't work, Transmisson jerk/lost in gears, from stop to go would jerk into gear, hot air comes out of steering wheel (video proof), air coming through window controls. when the Pre-collision system had its malfunction the truck took complete control which gave me no access to breaks or gas, when PCS system kicked off truck jerked really hard & started accelerating on its own causing very high RPMs then just stopped accelerating. Transmission would occasionally seem to have an improper shift & jerk. I took my vehicle to Toyota of Denton for the 5k service, & stated issues with the PCS & VSC malfunctions shown on the dashbord. Denton Dealership said don't worry we will take care of it. The itemized reciept doesn't show issues were looked at; & I kept having the same issues. So I took my truck back to the Denton dealership 2nd time & was told "no malfunction light so no ssues were there" by the Service Manager. who also said "the truck sends malfunction codes to a computer at the dealership, but no codes were sent." Which made me feel like there was more wrong with the truck, including electronics, data sender/reciever, & vehicle alert system relay via dash board aswell. Contacted Corp. Informing them of my issues & concerns making it the 3rd time trying to resolve ongoing issues & requested a field inspector from Corp. look at it instead of a dealership. When complaining to Corp. I stated hot air comes from the steering wheel after 1 hr driving it. Field inspector only drove it 45 miles & said nothings wrong with it. I drove this truck for 8,557 & he didnt find anything wrong in the little 45 mile test; yet the black box showed several pending codes on my truck & also the inspectors truck which is the same year & model. Black box data shows pending code on 1/12/21, 4 days before I acquired it; none again until 2/6/21 & then pending codes AT LEAST twice a month until 11/22/21. BBD pic proof

NHTSA ID

11458694

Incident

Nov 22, 2021

I was my 2021 Toyota Tacoma home after work on the highway at night at 11:00 pm. While on the highways there was highway construction and traffic was coming to a stop. I was driving in the slow lane doing 60-65. As I approached the stopped traffic i let my foot of the accelerator pedal and put my foot on the brake pedal to slow down, as i did this the rpm's jumped up to 4000 and the truck went to take off full speed on its own. I held the brake pedal down to the floor and i shifted the truck from drive mode to sport mode than back to drive mode. ( I panicked) but soon as i did that the engine stopped accelerating thankfully because i had many stopped cars in front of me that i would have plowed into. I love my truck but I am not scared to drive it always have my hand on the shift waiting for it to happen again possibly.

NHTSA ID

11427804

Incident

Aug 3, 2021