Toyota Tacoma Complaints
8,484 consumer complaints on file.
- #10457756May 8, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 1996 TOYOTA TACOMA THAT WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR A FAULTY FRAME. I RECEIVED TWO LETTERS INFORMING ME OF THIS PROGRAM. THE FIRST ONE WAS IN 2009, AND THE SECOND IN 2010. I BROUGHT MY TRUCK IN FOR ITS FREE CHECK FOR FRAME CORROSION. THERE WAS A GRAVEYARD OF TRUCKS LIKE MINE. I DON'T KNOW IF THEY COULD HAVE FIT ANOTHER UNSAFE TRUCK IN THE LOT, THEY COULDN'T CRUSH THEM FAST ENOUGH. I WENT ON MY OWN AND UNFORTUNATELY I FEAR AS A WOMAN I WAS TREATED DIFFERENTLY. I WATCHED THE MECHANIC BANG MY FRAME OVER AND OVER, ENOUGH TO PUT IT OUT OF ALIGNMENT. MY NAME WAS CALLED AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY TRUCK PASSED THE TEST. RECOMMENDED ME TO FIX A BUNCH OF THINGS, SO AFTER WAITING ALL DAY FOR THEM TO REPAIR MY TRUCK AND SPEND 2000 DOLLARS THAT I DIDN'T HAVE, I WAS SENT ON MY WAY. MY TRUCK DID NOT FEEL SAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I LIVE ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD WHERE THE HIGHEST SPEED LIMIT IS 45 MPH. THIS WAS AT FALMOUTH TOYOTA, AFTER THE SECOND NOTICE I WENT TO HYANNIS TOYOTA. THEY FAILED ME, SAID THERE WAS NO REPLACING THE FRAME, NO UNDER CARRIAGE TREATMENT, MY TRUCK WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I SIGNED A CONTRACT STATING THAT I WAS TO RECEIVE 150% MINT CONDITION BLUE BOOK VALUE OF MY TRUCK. I WAS LOOKING AT 9000.00, 10,000 DOLLARS OR MAYBE MORE IF I PUT THE MONEY AS A DOWNPAYMENT ON A NEW TOYOTA. I LOVE MY TRUCK, BUT I HAVE NEVER FELT SAFE IN IT. I WAS READY TO GOTO SALES AND FIND A NEW TRUCK. I HAD TO WAIT FOR A PHONE CALL FROM CECH, YOU KNOW THE BIG GUY,TOYOTA USA. AND AFTER THAT HAND OVER MY TITLE AND START THE TRANSACTION. I WENT BACK A LITTLE OVER A WEEK LATER TO DROP OFF MY TITLE AND GET THE RENTAL CAR THEY PROMISED ME. THEN THE DOOR SLAMMED IN MY FACE. I AM THE THIRD OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST OWNER BOUGHT THE TRUCK IN 1995, JUST BEFORE THE NEW YEAR. NOW I AM LEFT WITH AN UNSAFE TRUCK THAT I CANT INSPECT, SELL OR DRIVE. $300.00 IS ALL THEY ARE OFFERING ME NOW. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457435May 4, 2012ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
ON 5/2/12 ONE OF THE RIGHT TURN SIGNALS STOPPED WORKING. WHILE INSPECTING THE LIGHTS TO DETERMINE WHICH BULB TO REPLACE, I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC LENS IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT IS BLACKENED AND MELTING FROM THE HEAT OF THE BULB. ADDITIONALLY, THE LENS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT IS CRACKED ON THE INSIDE WHERE THE BULB HAS OVERHEATED THE LENS. FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE LAMP SOCKET SHOWS HEAT FATIGUE AND DISCOLORATION DUE TO OVERHEATING. IT APPEARS AS IF THE LIGHT BULB IS TOO CLOSE THE LENS AND THERE IS INADEQUATE VENTILATION FOR THE HEAT. I AM CONCERNED THAT CONTINUAL HEATING OF THE LENS AND THE SOCKET MAY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THAT COMPONENT, CAUSING A FIRE. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THIS TRUCK MODEL'S RUNNING LIGHTS (WHICH ARE ALSO THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS) ARE ALWAYS ON WHENEVER THE HEADLIGHTS ARE OFF, THERE IS NO WAY OF SHUTTING THESE LIGHTS OFF. FYI: INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE TURNED UP NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. MANY CONCERNED CUSTOMERS HAVE REPORTED THE ISSUE TO TOYOTA (MYSELF INCLUDED), HOWEVER, TOYOTA WILL NOT FIX OR EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN THE LIBERTY OF LOOKING AT THE TURN SIGNAL LENSES OF PARKED TACOMA TRUCKS JUST TO SEE IF THEY HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS MINE. AN OVERWHELMING MAJORITY OF THE TRUCKS SHOW THE SAME TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457504May 4, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRAME WAS ROTTEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457143May 2, 2012SEATS
THE FOAM INSIDE THE DRIVER'S HEAD REST HAS DETERIORATED SO A STEEL BAR IS COVERED BY ONLY FABRIC AND NO FOAM. IT CREATES A HAZARD BECAUSE IN CASE OF A REAR END CRASH, THE DRIVER'S HEAD WILL IMPACT A STEEL BAR INSTEAD OF A FOAM PAD. I CONTACTED TOYOTA. THEY CONSIDER IT OUT OF WARRANTY AND WANT ALMOST $500 FOR A NEW HEAD RESTRAINT. THIS IS LIKE SAYING THE SEATBELTS OR AIRBAGS DON'T HAVE TO WORK FOR THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10457158May 2, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED, HAD HOLES IN IT, AND WAS SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND WAS GOING TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456941April 30, 2012SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHEN THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS ALSO A SQUEAKING COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS WOULD HAVE TO BE ROTATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED YET THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456528April 26, 2012POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS EXHIBITED FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSE, WHICH WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND CAUSING THE ABNORMAL NOISE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BELL HOUSE SEVERAL TIMES UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE BELL HOUSE CONTINUED TO EXHIBIT THE LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456564April 26, 2012TIRES:SIDEWALL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA EQUIPPED WITH GOODYEAR PACEMARK (N/A) TIRES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A BLISTER ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S TIRE. THE CONTACT EXAMINED EACH TIRE AND NOTICED THAT BLISTERS WERE PRESENT ON ALL OF THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT HE MAY BE DRIVING OVER TOO MANY BUMPS ON THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BLISTERS WERE PRESENT ON THE INNER AND OUTER SIDEWALLS OF ALL TIRES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE ON THE TIRES WAS 9,869. UPDATED 6/4/12 *CN THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE NEW TIRE EIGHT MONTHS LATER. UPDATED 06/11/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456591April 26, 2012EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BEGINNING TO MELT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456429April 25, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THERE WERE HOLES IN THE CROSS MEMBER. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FRAME WOULD HAVE TO BE REBUILT. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD EXPIRED TWO MONTHS PRIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456310April 24, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THERE WAS A RAPID INCREASE IN ACCELERATION AND ENGINE RPMS. THE MALFUNCTION OCCURRED UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS IN ACTIVATION. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP ONCE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ENGAGED AND THEN RESUMED NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10456087April 23, 2012STEERING
STEERING BECAME VERY STIFF. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455839April 20, 2012SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THE REAR AXLE HAD DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000. UPDATED 05/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED TOYOTA PURCHASED THE VEHICLE BACK FROM HIM. UPDATED 05/22/12
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455863April 20, 2012STEERING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES AND WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY ANOTHER PERSON. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455857April 20, 2012POWER TRAIN
HEARD HUMMING NOISE FROM FRONT END AND TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MECHANIC WHO FOUND EXCESSIVE PLAY IN THE FRONT WHEELS.HE SAID THE WHEELS COULD COME OFF AND THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HE REPLACED BOTH WHEEL BEARING AND HUB ASSEMBLIES. TEST DRIVE CONFIRMED DIAGNOSIS. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455619April 18, 2012VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STOPPED RESPONDING. AFTER TOWING THE TRUCK HOME I READ THE SCAN CODES AND THERE WERE MANY THAT RELATED TO THE THROTTLE BODY SENSORS. IN ORDER TO DEBUG THE SYSTEM I CLEARED THE PROBLEM. WITH THE KEY ON AND THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING I TESTED THE DRIVE-BY-WIRE SYSTEM MANUALLY. IT RESPONDED CORRECTLY AND SHOWED NO PROBLEMS. NO MORE CODES WERE THROWN. I STARTED THE TRUCK AND PUT IT IN GEAR AND ENGINE WENT TO FULL THROTTLE IMMEDIATELY. I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF QUICKLY AND RECHECKED THE DRIVE BY WIRE SERVO SYSTEM. IT STILL WORKED CORRECTLY WITH NO CODES THROWN. I AM AN ENGINEER AND HAVE WORKED A GREAT DEAL WITH SERVO SYSTEMS INCLUDING WRITING A BOOK ON THE HOW TO TROUBLESHOOT THESE SYSTEMS. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THE DESIGNERS DID NOT BUILD ANY REDUNDANCY INTO THE FEEDBACK AND CONTROL DEVICES. THIS DEVICE IS CONSIDERED A MAJOR RISK IN A FAILURE MODE ANALYSIS. IF I DID THAT TYPE OF WORK IN MY POSITION I WOULD BE FIRED AND HAVE AND UNENDING LIST OF LAWSUITS BROUGHT AGAINST ME. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN INCREDIBLE IN TERMS OF RELIABILITY HOWEVER I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT A COMPANY AS LARGE AS TOYOTA WOULD LEAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS TO CHANCE. THIS DEVICE CAN EASILY FAIL IN A WAY THAT WOULD CAUSE A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE IT FAIL AT LOW THROTTLE AND NOT FULL THROTTLE AS IT DID WHEN I TESTED IT AT HOME. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE AND TOYOTA NEEDS TO ADDRESS IT. I CALLED TOYOTA AND THEY "COULDN'T HELP" ME. IT COST $1200 TO REPAIR. IT'S NOT THE MONEY, IT'S THE RISK THAT THIS FAILURE IMPOSES. THE TRUCK NOW BELONGS TO MY 16 YEAR-OLD SON AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT HIS SAFETY. I ALSO HAVE A VIDEO THAT SHOWS THE METHODS I USED TO TEST THE SYSTEM AND THE FAILURE HAPPENING RIGHT IN MY DRIVEWAY!...UPDATED 05/15/12 * BF *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455669April 18, 2012FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE FUEL TANK. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL TANK AND SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455674April 18, 2012POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
SINCE THIS VEHICLE HAD 5000 MILES ON IT I HAVE HAD CLUTCH ISSUES. HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 5 TIMES FOR CLUTCH ISSUES AND IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP NOW. THE CLUTCH IS BURNING UP, THOUGHT THE TRUCK WAS GOING TO CATCH FIRE A FEW WEEKS AGO. THERE HAS BEEN A TSB ON THIS ISSUE AND THEY REPLACED EVERYTHING ON THE LAST SERVICE. IT HAS FAILED AGAIN WITH ON 3,000 MILES ON THIS NEW CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE IS A LITTLE OVER 1 YEAR OLD AND CURRENTLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT. TOYOTA IS GIVING ME THE RUN A ROUND AND NOW WANTS ME TO PAY FOR WARRANTY WORK. I HAVE REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM THEY HAVE A WEAK DESIGN CLUTCH, MADE FOR A 2 WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE IN A 4X4 TRUCK. WE THINK THE CLUTCH SLIPPED SO MUCH A FEW AGO IT REALLY DID CATCH FIRE, IT SMOKED FOR 10 MINUTES AFTER I TURNED THE TRUCK OFF. I HAVE FILED WITH THE HOUSTON BBB AND FILED WITH TOYOTA. I NEED HELP *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455577April 17, 2012POWER TRAIN
INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. WHEN COMING TO A STOP, A HARSH BUMP/LUNGE IS FELT IN THE TRANSMISSION. AT TIMES TO THE POINT WHERE I FEEL AS THOUGH, I HAVE BEEN BUMPED FROM A VEHICLE FROM BEHIND. IF THE BRAKE IS NOT FIRMLY PRESSED, THE VEHICLE WILL MOVE FORWARD. HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS IS NORMAL AND OK. HAVE BEEN TOLD A TSB EXISTS FOR THE PROBLEM. HAVE HAD THE ECU MEMORY CLEARED TO TRY TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *JS
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10455337April 16, 2012STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN INSPECTION AND THEY DETECTED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS DAMAGED DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED A VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FRAME AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0