Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2000 Toyota Tacoma — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2001 to Dec 2008
The most reported issue is structure problems (56 complaints). 25 complaints involved crashes. 3 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (5)
NHTSA Campaign: 06E049000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE 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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
NHTSA Campaign: 09E025000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA Campaign: 09E012000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
NHTSA Campaign: 01E041000
Component: TRAILER HITCHES
EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION: THIS RECALL IS FOR TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTERS INSTALLED BY DEALERS OR FOR INSTALLATION ON 1999-2000 TOYOTA TUNDRA AND TACOMA VEHICLES. THE CONNECTORS INTEGRATE THE VEHICLE'S TAIL LIGHTS, BRAKE LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS WITH THOSE EQUIPPED ON THE TRAILER, ARE DEFECTIVE. AFFECTED PART NUMBERS ARE: PT207-34000, PT207-34002, PT207-04981, AND PT214-04985. IN THE TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE CIRCUITRY UTILIZED IN THE CONVERTER WAS INADEQUATE TO PROPERLY MANAGE VEHICLE AND/OR TRAILER-SIDE VOLTAGE SPIKES. IF THE CONVERTER IS EXPOSED TO A VOLTAGE SPIKE, IT MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT WITHIN THE CONVERTER. IN THE TACOMA VEHICLES, DUE TO DEFICIENT WATERPROOFING AND IMPROPER INSTALLATION LOCATION OF THE CONVERTER, WHICH IS MOUNTED IN THE LOWER PORTION OF THE TAILGATE CAVITY OF THE VEHICLE, AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT WILL OCCUR IF WATER ENTERS THE CONVERTER HOUSING.
Risk: AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR OPEN CIRCUIT CAN CAUSE A FAULT IN THE CONVERTER AND A NON-OPERATIONAL CONDITION OF THE TRAILER LIGHTS. IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN WITHOUT TRAILER LIGHTS, IT MAY BE DIFFICULT FOR OTHER DRIVERS TO SEE THE TRAILER, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS AND INSTALL A REDESIGNED TRAILER TOWING WIRE HARNESS CONVERTER FREE OF CHARGE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 27, 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 TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 06E026000
Component: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Fix: 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.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 221)
Structure →7 issues
Your truck's frame has significant corrosion that a service center says makes it unsafe to drive. The frame could potentially crack or break, which is a serious safety concern. Toyota offered an extended warranty for this issue on earlier model years but it has expired for your 2000 model, and your truck wasn't included in a more recent settlement that covered 2004+ models. Addressing this will likely require a professional frame inspection and evaluation to determine if welding, plating, or frame replacement is necessary.
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Your truck's frame has severe rust and rot that makes it unsafe to drive. The previous owner claimed a frame recall inspection was completed, but the frame damage is extensive. This will require professional inspection and likely frame replacement or welding repairs to make the vehicle safe.
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Your truck's frame has cracked on the driver's side, and inspection revealed the entire frame is rusted through. This is a serious structural issue that affects the integrity of your vehicle. Frame rust-through and cracks typically require professional welding repair or, in severe cases, frame replacement.
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Your truck's frame has developed corrosion on the passenger side rear, which has caused the shock mount to break off and is making the vehicle unstable. The dealership applied a corrosion treatment, but it didn't stop the problem, and other sections of the frame are also showing corrosion damage. Fixing this will likely require frame repair or replacement of the damaged structural components.
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Your truck's rear frame has developed severe rust and needs to be replaced. Toyota previously offered a warranty program that covered rust prevention coating on the frame, but your warranty has expired. While Toyota is aware of this issue, they won't cover the repair cost. Fixing this will require replacing the rusted rear frame section.
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Your truck's frame has developed corrosion, which is rust and decay of the metal structural components. At 123,000 miles, you noticed this issue but haven't had it inspected or repaired by a professional. Addressing frame corrosion typically involves having a mechanic assess the extent of the rust damage and determine whether the affected areas need to be treated, reinforced, or replaced.
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Your 2000 Toyota Tacoma's frame has developed significant rust that you believe makes it unsafe to drive. Toyota has indicated they cannot address the issue, but you feel the company should take responsibility for what you consider a defect and fix it before someone gets hurt.
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Unknown Or Other →5 issues
Your truck's frame has rusted through and broken. This is a structural integrity issue that affects the safety and stability of your vehicle. Frame repair or replacement will be needed to restore the truck's structural strength.
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Your truck's frame has severely rusted and become unsafe, even though other similar trucks on the road aren't having this problem. You believe Toyota used defective steel and didn't properly prevent rust, and you say Toyota contacted you about this issue but you have no record of that notification. You're unable to safely drive, sell, or repair your truck due to this rust damage. Fixing this will likely require frame replacement or extensive rust repair and reinforcement.
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Your Tacoma's frame has developed extensive rust with holes throughout, making it unsafe to drive. The dealer refuses to perform even basic maintenance like oil changes, and Toyota won't provide a written denial of your claim despite acknowledging the issue exists. Addressing this will likely require professional frame inspection and rust repair or replacement of affected frame sections.
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Your truck's frame has severely corroded and crumbled, making it unsafe to drive. While you brought it in for a power steering leak repair, your mechanic discovered the frame was compromised and could fail. Toyota has a known recall for this frame corrosion issue, but the recall period has expired and the company refused to help, even though you were never notified of the safety risk or the recall deadline.
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Your horn isn't working even though all the fuses are in good condition. Additionally, your airbag warning light has been on continuously since 2006 and won't turn off. The horn issue may require inspection of the horn relay or horn assembly itself, while the airbag warning light suggests the airbag system needs diagnostic scanning to identify and clear the underlying fault.
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Suspension →2 issues
The frame of your truck has rusted through and broken in the area above the rear tire. This is a structural integrity issue that affects the safety and durability of your vehicle. Repairs will likely require professional frame welding or replacement of the affected section.
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While your son was driving at 30 mph, the front passenger-side wheel suddenly separated from your Tacoma without any warning, causing the front end to hit the pavement. After investigating, the failure was traced to a broken lower ball joint. The wheel detachment was a serious loss of vehicle control that could have caused a crash.
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Suspension,structure →2 issues
Your 2000 Tacoma's subframe is severely corroded, which is a structural component that supports major parts of the vehicle. When you took the truck to an independent mechanic, they discovered the corrosion, but Toyota's dealer said the vehicle wasn't covered under any recall for this issue and couldn't help. The corrosion was found around 100,000 miles, and Toyota didn't provide assistance when notified of the problem. Addressing this will likely require professional inspection and potentially subframe replacement or repair to restore structural integrity.
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Your Tacoma had a recall repair around 2010-2013 where the frame was checked for rust and then coated with undercoating to prevent future rust. After this repair, rust has started appearing under both rear fender wells on your subframe, even though the frame wasn't rusted before the coating was applied. The fix would likely involve removing the damaged undercoating, addressing the rust with cleaning or repair, and reapplying protective coating.
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Structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your vehicle's frame has deteriorated severely and won't pass a safety inspection, even though the rest of the truck still runs fine. The structural damage is significant enough to be a safety concern. Fixing this would likely require professional frame repair or replacement, which is a major undertaking.
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Suspension,electrical System,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your truck's frame has developed rust that concerns you for highway driving safety. Multiple electrical components aren't working, including the horn, airbags, and radio. Toyota previously offered a frame repair program but no longer honors it for your vehicle.
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Electrical System,exterior Lighting →1 issue
Your trailer towing wire harness converter may fail due to an electrical short or open circuit, which could cause your trailer lights to stop working while you're towing. In rare cases, the converter housing could become warped from heat, and you might see your check engine light turn on. This issue typically happens while driving on city streets or highways, especially when turning.
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Engine And Engine Cooling,structure →1 issue
Your check engine light came on, and you found that the oxygen sensor needed replacement. When your friend tried to install a new sensor, they discovered rust on the frame underneath the vehicle, which prevented them from tightening the sensor completely. This caused exhaust fumes to leak into your cabin while driving. The dealership was contacted but didn't diagnose or repair the issue.
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Related Vehicles
Other Toyota Tacoma years:
Other 2000 vehicles: