This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
After hearing clunking noises in the rear end of the truck, an inspection revealed broken rear leaf springs. The springs were replaced by a local mechanic at a cost of nearly $1100. I consider the failure of the springs to be premature as I do not use the truck for heavy hauling. Research reveals that this is a common problem with this model truck.
Driver's side rear bottom leaf spring failed in fatigue. The failed spring caused damage and deformation to the brake line. I consider this a premature life as this vehicle has not experienced towing or off road use.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for inspection where it was diagnosed that two leaf springs were cracked and needed to be replaced. The failure and current mileage were 55,000. Updated 08/19/14 updated 08/23/2017
8/4/14 the left rear spring broke severing the brake line, leaving her with no ability to stop the truck. 7/12/13 the right rear spring was found to be broken. Both the Toyota dealer and the shop that fixed the springs told me that this was very common in these trucks. Had my daughter lost her brakes ten minutes earlier, she would have been on the interstate and the results could have been tragic.. updated 08-20-14. Updated 08/27/2014
A broken leaf spring cut my brake line and my brakes stopped working with my 8 year old child in the truck. I had already replaced a leaf spring on the other side. This could have caused a very serious accident, luckily the brakes still had some fluid in them when I realized there was an issue. The truck had to be towed to the dealership for repair.
- Fairfax, VT, USA
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At 59,500 miles the left front wheel bearing started making a lot of noise and vibration and noticeably altered the steering. The wheel bearing was replaced under warranty. Now at 90,000 miles the bearing is faulty again and Toyota refuses to fix it again. I took it to my mechanic who told me that he sees a lot of failed wheel bearings on the Tacoma. A failed bearing can result in the wheel locking up or falling off at highway speeds.
I heard a rattling noise from the right rear of the truck while driving on a bumpy side road. I investigated and discovered the bottom leaf spring had broken in half. Doing some online research I discovered that this is a very common problem with Tacoma's. I contacted the dealer and it is not a covered item (no tbs) and it would cost over $1800. I went to my local mechanic which saved me $700. During the repair it was discovered that both right and left were broken. My mechanic informed me that this is a very common problem; that Toyota lengthened the springs to soften the ride, as a result compromised the strength. The leaf springs have always squeaked just by getting in and out of the truck. There is a sticker on the door frame stating that the load rating has been reduced by 290 lbs for this vehicle, I wondered why now I know, cheap springs!
After purchasing the vehicle, in Sept 2011, I had my truck for only a few weeks and I was driving and hit a small bump and heard as well as felt a loud thump coming from the steering column area, I also noticed my bed was moving a little as well. I brought the truck into the dealership as soon as I heard the issue, but the dealership said they didn't hear or feel anything. Now when I hit any bump (big/small) I can literally see the bed on my truck move in my side mirrors, the issues are progressing and my truck is still under warranty and I want these issues fixed asap, esp since its still under warranty. Extremely harsh ride, and feeling unsafe to drive, needs to be fixed asap.
At my state inspection I was told the front ball joints were very bad. I contacted the dealer and was told they were not under warranty, they would cost $800 to repair and they had not experienced this failure before at such low mileage. This year I took my truck in for inspection to find the rear leaf springs on both sides were broken. When I contacted the dealer I was again told it was not a warranty issue and they had not experienced it before. I asked to have the contact information for the Toyota district representative, but was told they did not give that information out. I sent a complaint via email to Toyota corporate and at this point have received not response. The local repair shops tell me they have repaired many of these trucks for these problems. The internet is awash with complaints regarding broken springs. I was lucky, I discovered the problem before the spring piece reached my rear tire. I believe this is a potentially very serious safety issue that the company is taking no responsibility to resolve.
Found a broken leaf on the rear suspension on the left hand side, it was the middle leaf not the main leaf. Must have happened in the last 2700 miles. Was under the truck at 65,000 and all was good. I do not load this truck, it can't take it. It is basically a passenger car with a cargo box, and thats how I use it. Called local dealer and was told there are no recalls or service letters. Called a local spring shop and when I gave them the make and model, they said they weren't surprised, they do a lot of single leafs on Tacoma, and at a wide range of mileage. They have done replacements on vehicles from 18K-80K.
I began to drive my vehicle today and heard a strange clanking noise. I pulled over and upon inspection I found that one of the right rear leaf springs was broken. I have never had a load in the bed of the truck over 500lbs. I see that prior model year Tacoma had a recall for this problem. The truck had the same part but the recall does not extend to 2009.
My Tacoma has a constant shimmy in the steering wheel. My mechanic and Toyota service have tried balancing, alignments and road-force testing, but nothing works to eliminate the shake. It is at its worst when I first accelerate to cruising speed after the truck has sat for eight hours. At these times it is an approximately a 1/4 inch shimmy in the wheel, and is quite a violent shake. It seems to dissipate after a while, but the shimmy never goes away completely. It exists with both my all-season tires, and my snow tires.
When my 2009 Tacoma reached about 18,500 miles the rear spring started to squeak. You can hear it even getting in & out of the vehicle. If you put much weight in the back it will squat & lift the front end up. It even does poorly pulling an empty trailer. This is my 10th + Toyota & I am very disappointed that this type of problem pops up & Toyota won't do anything about it. I may just by a GMC next time.
The radio acts erratically and unpredictably. It changes stations, turns itself off and on, etc. Sometimes the controls, such as the volume, are non-responsive, so the radio cannot be turned down or off when needed. Since fiddling with the radio usually makes it eventually start working again, it is a distraction hazard. I have drifted over the yellow line trying to get it working again. The dealer has acknowledged the defect but refused to repair it. It is an ongoing problem. The dealer said it is a very common problem but Toyota will not provide replacement parts. I believe few people report it because the radio is not seen as a safety issue, but it is a serious distraction. The consumer stated the air bag light has been on for two years. Also, one of the leaf springs had broken in half.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Gibsonia, PA, USA