NHTSA vehicle safety data

2001 Toyota Tacoma Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2001 Toyota Tacoma has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 396 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Toyota dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2001 Toyota Tacoma owner complaints

Owners have filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, describing incidents dated June 12, 2000 to September 18, 2025.

Most-cited components

Structure 227 complaints
Suspension 81 complaints
Unknown or Other 40 complaints
Air Bags 20 complaints
Steering 20 complaints
Service Brakes 18 complaints

Of the 396 complaints on file, 40 report a crash and 4 a fire; across all 396 complaints, owners report 36 injuries and 4 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11688720 · Filed September 21, 2025
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
ODI #11616924 · Filed September 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…
ODI #11589208 · Filed May 16, 2024
My Toyota truck frame is rusted with big holes and could break in two at any time.

Read all 396 complaints

Owner-reported

2001 Toyota Tacoma mileage at failure

293 of the 396 complaints on file for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Structure	Median 145,000 miles	Middle half 100,000–175,000 miles	Based on 186 complaints
Suspension	Median 170,000 miles	Middle half 135,000–200,000 miles	Based on 57 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

Spare Tire Carrier may Fail

NHTSA #12V542000 · Tires — Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire · NHTSA notice

Reported November 23, 2012 · Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing

Potentially affected: 150,000 vehicles

Owners notified February 15, 2013 · Vehicles built August 28, 2000 – August 27, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where road salts are frequently used, road spray can reach the carrier assembly and corrode the lift plate.

Safety consequence

Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E065000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported July 17, 2006 · AJ MOTORSPORT

Potentially affected: 3,593 vehicles

Owners notified July 31, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AJ MOTORSPORT AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS

NHTSA #06E026000 · Exterior Lighting · NHTSA notice

Reported March 23, 2006 · PRO-A MOTORS, INC.

Potentially affected: 61,944 vehicles

Owners notified April 3, 2006

Defect description

CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Safety consequence

WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO PRO-A MOTORS AFTERMARKET LAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE LAMP MODEL NUMBERS, CLICK ON DOCUMENT SEARCH AND VIEW DOCUMENT TITLED "LAMP MODEL NUMBERS."CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BALL JOINT FAILURE

NHTSA #05V225000 · Suspension — Front — Control Arm — Lower Ball Joint · NHTSA notice

Reported May 17, 2005 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 768,379 vehicles

Toyota campaign 50J · Owners notified July 5, 2005 · Vehicles built July 31, 2001 – December 23, 2003 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO A MANUFACTURING ISSUE IN THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINT, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE SURFACE OF THE BALL OF THE JOINT MAY HAVE BEEN SCRATCHED. THE BALL JOINT MAY EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE WEAR AND LOOSENESS, RESULTING IN INCREASED STEERING EFFORT.

Safety consequence

THE LOWER BALL JOINT MAY SEPARATE FROM THE KNUCKLE CAUSING LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND A CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT SUSPENSION LOWER BALL JOINTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 5, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO. 50J.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

TOYOTA/FUEL LEAKAGE

NHTSA #03V189000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings · NHTSA notice

Reported May 19, 2003 · TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 123,360 vehicles

Toyota campaign SSC 30H · Owners notified June 3, 2003 · Vehicles built September 19, 2000 – February 27, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE.

Safety consequence

THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN FUEL LEAKAGE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A FUEL HOSE PROTECTOR ON THE BODY FLANGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 3, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Notes

TOYOTA RECALL NO.SSC 30H.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

SOUTHEAST TOYOTA/TIRES

NHTSA #01V186000 · Tires — Sidewall · NHTSA notice

Reported June 7, 2001 · SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS

Potentially affected: 43 vehicles

Owners notified July 3, 2001 · Vehicles built February 6, 2001 – May 16, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: 4X2 TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH TU4 WHITE LETTER TIRE UPGRADE OPTION AND DISTRIBUTED BY SOUTHEAST TOYOTA DISTRIBUTORS IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA. TIRE DAMAGE MAY HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO IMPROPER INSTALLATION, WHICH COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO DEFLATE OR A BULGE APPEARING IN THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE.

Safety consequence

AN IMPROPERLY INFLATED TIRE COULD RESULT IN VEHICLE HANDLING PROBLEMS OR A BLOW OUT OF AN IMPROPERLY INSTALLED TIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL CHECK ALL FOUR TIRES, REBALANCE AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE ANY DAMAGED TIRE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 3, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2001 Toyota Tacoma Extended Cab

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 4

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

2001 Toyota Tacoma 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Safety Technology

396 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma.

Steering; Suspension; Wheels

ODI #11688720

Crash

Incident: September 18, 2025 · Filed: September 21, 2025

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

Structure

ODI #11616924

Incident: September 27, 2024 · Filed: September 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11589208

Incident: February 27, 2024 · Filed: May 16, 2024

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

Structure

ODI #11543254

Incident: September 14, 2014 · Filed: September 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.

Suspension

ODI #11534137

Incident: July 24, 2023 · Filed: July 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.

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11515096

Incident: April 2, 2023 · Filed: April 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.

Suspension; Structure

ODI #11476592

Incident: July 4, 2022 · Filed: July 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.

Unknown or Other

ODI #11458584

Incident: March 27, 2022 · Filed: March 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.

Suspension; Unknown or Other

ODI #11456382

Incident: March 11, 2022 · Filed: March 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

Suspension

ODI #11443698

Incident: December 13, 2021 · Filed: December 13, 2021

Excessive frame rust

Other Toyota Tacoma model years

Check your 2001 Toyota Tacoma VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Toyota Tacoma at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Toyota VIN