Toyota Tacoma Complaints (2009)

520 consumer complaints on file.

#11774011October 27, 2026
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757294August 16, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
My truck has experienced a major coolant leak, but it's not the radiator nor the water pump. After replacing both the radiator and water pump, the leak remains. Upon further investigation, the hose connecting to the coolant bypass housing has come completely disconnected from the housing and the male connector, which is part of the housing is completely gone. After further research, I've come across numerous posts on multiple forums of other people experiencing the same issue with the same hose disconnecting and the same part of the coolant bypass housing completely gone. Had I not caught this problem while in my driveway, the truck would have leaked all the coolant and caused major issues possibly resulting in an accident on the road.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11747159June 29, 2026
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11743521June 11, 2026
STEERING
Unknown.no accident ,Steering is tight. Started noticing it May 12 2026.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11739530May 22, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695505October 24, 2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11694959October 22, 2025
STRUCTURE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11695033October 22, 2025
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11693714October 15, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11682040August 21, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11679005August 7, 2025
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11647187March 8, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
Brake failure because of rusted brake lines.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11642721February 14, 2025
SERVICE BRAKES
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11621838October 24, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11618525October 7, 2024
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
See Attached Letter
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11610734August 25, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
My frame is rusting and has holes in places. Is there a recall for that?
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11593639June 11, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
Chassis in the middle frame back left too much rust and big hole due to rust
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11570983February 9, 2024
STRUCTURE
See attached document for complaint
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11566610January 19, 2024
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11563647January 4, 2024
STRUCTURE:BODY
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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