Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.
2005 Toyota Tacoma — Known Issues & Recalls
Complaints from Jan 2013 to Dec 2015
The most reported issue is structure problems (192 complaints). 47 complaints involved crashes. 4 involved fires.
Open Safety Recalls (10)
NHTSA Campaign: 14V604000
Component: SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:LEAF
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.
Risk: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 13V337000
Component: SEAT BELTS
Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.
Risk: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.
Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 12V092000
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2009 TACOMA VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 14, 2004, THROUGH AUGUST 29, 2008. OVER TIME, STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION MAY DAMAGE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVERS AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVERS SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPIRAL CABLE ASSEMBLY, FREE OF CHARGE. AN INTERIM LETTER IS EXPECTED TO BE MAILED TO OWNERS DURING APRIL 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V388000
Component: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL CAN GET STUCK IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION DUE TO ITS BEING TRAPPED BY AN UNSECURED OR INCOMPATIBLE DRIVER'S FLOOR MAT.
Risk: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.
Fix: TOYOTA FILED AN AMENDED DEFECT REPORT ON NOVEMBER 25, 2009, STATING THAT DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND, ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, ALTER THE SHAPE OF THE FLOOR SURFACE UNDER THE PEDAL. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA Campaign: 09V223000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
TOYOTA IS RECALLING 27,080 MODEL YEAR 2005 THROUGH 2010 PASSENGER CARS BUILT FROM SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 TO MAY 4, 2009. THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT EQUIPPED WITH LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
Risk: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: TOYOTA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND PROVIDE THEM WITH A NEW, ACCURATE LABEL TO BE INSTALLED OVER THE INACCURATE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 18, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371.
NHTSA Campaign: 05V050000
Component: PARKING BRAKE
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION. IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOCK NUT MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, WHICH WILL REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARKING BRAKE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE, THUS RAISING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V035000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
GULF STATES TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2010 VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. DEALERS WILL ALSO CORRECT THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.
NHTSA Campaign: 06V096000
Component: AIR BAGS
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.
Risk: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
NHTSA Campaign: 10V036000
Component: EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
SOUTHEAST TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2005-2011 PASSENGER VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.
Risk: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL TO CONSUMERS THE CORRECTED LABEL OR THE CUSTOMER WILL HAVE THE OPTION FOR DEALERS TO INSTALL THE LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.
NHTSA Campaign: 05V302000
Component: AIR BAGS
ON CERTAIN REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH SEAT, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR CONNECTOR PINS ARE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR.
Risk: IN THIS CONDITION, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, AFFECTING THE ADAPTIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, WHICH IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT FASTENING CONDITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. AN ADDITIONAL SUB-WIRE HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE CONNECTOR PIN MANUFACTURING ERROR, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-431-4331.
Owner-Reported Issues (20 of 706)
Structure →10 issues
Your truck's frame has extensive rust and corrosion that a mechanic determined makes it unsafe to drive. Your vehicle was part of a Toyota recall for frame corrosion treatment, but when it was serviced under that recall, the frame was deemed non-replaceable and only a temporary fix was applied. Now, visible rust is actively breaking away from the frame, and you're experiencing handling changes when accelerating and turning. Addressing this will likely require either frame repair/reinforcement or frame replacement, which may involve stripping and treating the frame or full structural reconstruction.
Parts you may need:
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You've noticed severe rust and corrosion on your truck's sub-frame (the metal frame that supports the vehicle structure). A Toyota dealer inspected it and determined the corrosion makes your truck unsafe to drive. The manufacturer was contacted but didn't offer assistance. Addressing this will likely require professional removal of the corroded sub-frame components and replacement with new parts, or potentially a full frame replacement depending on the extent of the damage.
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Your truck's frame has developed significant rust in multiple areas. While one rusted spot was repaired previously, other areas of the frame still need attention and repair. Frame rust can affect structural integrity and should be addressed by a professional inspection and treatment.
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Your truck's chassis has developed rust and corrosion. Additionally, the engine appears to be sitting at an angle rather than level. This may indicate frame damage or engine mount issues that should be inspected by a mechanic.
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The bracket that holds your engine mount has collapsed, causing your engine to sag lower than it should be. This happened where the motor mount connects to the frame. You may notice unusual engine movement, vibration, or rattling sounds from the engine area.
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Your Tacoma's chassis has developed holes and rust/rot. You understand that Toyota offered free chassis replacements for this defect between 2018 and 2020, but the previous owner didn't take advantage of it and you weren't notified about the recall. You're asking whether you're still eligible for a free replacement even though you're the second owner and the recall period has passed.
Parts you may need:
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Your truck was recalled for potential frame rust and Toyota sealed the frame as part of the recall remedy. However, when you had your gas tank removed in March 2022, you discovered heavy rust on the frame behind the gas tank that was never sealed during the original recall service. Toyota and the dealership said they cannot help because the extended warranty has expired, but you believe this incomplete repair could affect the structural safety of your truck and potentially other Tacomas with the same issue.
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Your truck's subframe has developed severe rust, including a 10-inch crack on the inside of the driver's side rear. The rust is worst near the catalytic converters and in front of the rear tires, and appears to be caused by water getting trapped inside the double-wall design where it can't escape, causing the frame to rot from the inside out. Your dealer confirmed the subframe needs repair but has not completed the work. Fixing this will likely require subframe replacement or extensive rust repair and welding.
Parts you may need:
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You noticed rust on your truck's driver-side frame while changing the oil. This is a structural issue that's no longer covered under warranty at your vehicle's mileage. Addressing rust typically involves cleaning the affected area and applying rust treatment or protective coating to prevent further corrosion.
Parts you may need:
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While changing your oil, you noticed heavy rust and corrosion on your truck's subframe (the metal frame that holds suspension and drivetrain components). The subframe appears to be deteriorating due to age and exposure. Addressing this would likely involve inspecting the extent of the corrosion and potentially replacing corroded sections of the subframe or applying rust treatment to prevent further damage.
Parts you may need:
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Suspension →1 issue
Your truck's frame is rusting severely, and your dealer has warned you that it could fail suddenly while driving—which could be dangerous on the highway. The frame problem wasn't caught during regular maintenance visits until August 2024, despite the vehicle being well-maintained and garaged. Toyota has declined to cover the rust damage because your warranty has expired, even though the dealer confirmed the frame deterioration is the vehicle's fault, not due to an accident or poor maintenance.
Parts you may need:
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Suspension,structure →1 issue
Your truck's frame has developed severe rust that's causing the suspension to detach from the frame, allowing the suspension springs to strike the frame directly. This is a structural safety issue that has progressively worsened—your fuel tank brackets also rusted through and were replaced 3-4 years ago. The suspension system will need to be re-secured to the frame, and the rusted frame sections will likely need to be reinforced or replaced to prevent further deterioration.
Parts you may need:
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Structure,wheels,back Over Prevention →1 issue
Drivers the problem drunk speeding Hitman killed man do you watch hard no manslaughters still driving just got another traffic ticket and let go again super unfair
Suspension,power Train,engine →1 issue
Your 2005 Tacoma had a Toyota safety recall for abnormal frame rust. When you brought it to a dealership for inspection in 2018, they told you the rust was normal, but in September 2022 the frame cracked around the engine mount in a horseshoe pattern, causing the engine to drop and shift. This frame failure caused the cooling fan to rub, transmission to shift abnormally, engine RPMs to fluctuate, and the steering to lock up, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Repairing this issue will likely require professional frame welding or replacement and realignment of engine and suspension components.
Parts you may need:
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Unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your Tacoma's frame has developed two large holes that are compromising its structural integrity. A technician discovered this during a 2022 maintenance visit, but a previous 2015 frame inspection missed the damage. Toyota says they can't help because their frame warranty program expired in January 2019, even though you had the vehicle inspected during the coverage period.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System,air Bags →1 issue
Your airbag warning light came on, and the dealer diagnosed a faulty clock spring assembly that could prevent the airbag system from working properly—a serious safety issue. The repair cost $511.82 to replace the part. The owner believes this should have been covered by a safety recall.
Parts you may need:
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Electrical System →1 issue
You discovered that your 2005 Toyota Tacoma's actual mileage (339,740 miles) is significantly higher than what was shown when you purchased it (139,900 miles). This mileage discrepancy was only noticed after you completed the private sale. This indicates the odometer may have been tampered with or rolled back before the sale.
Parts you may need:
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Structure,unknown Or Other →1 issue
Your 2005 Tacoma's chassis and undercarriage components are severely rusted with visible holes developing in the frame. Toyota indicated there is no recall for this issue, but you weren't informed when you purchased the vehicle that frame replacement might become necessary. Addressing this will likely require professional inspection and possible frame repair or replacement, along with rust treatment of affected undercarriage components.
Parts you may need:
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Power Train →1 issue
Your differential housing has corroded and is leaking oil, which means your differential gears aren't getting proper lubrication. While the problem was caught before it caused major damage, a failed differential could potentially cause loss of vehicle control. Your Tacoma doesn't have a warning light to alert you to low differential oil levels, so you won't know there's a problem until it's serious. The fix will likely involve replacing the corroded differential housing and refilling the differential fluid.
Parts you may need:
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Seat Belts →1 issue
Your driver side seat belt is stuck and won't slide up and down along its track to adjust the position where it crosses your shoulder and chest. This makes it difficult to properly position the belt before fastening it, and the inability to adjust it may cause excessive wear on the sides of the belt over time. The seat belt adjuster mechanism may need to be cleaned, lubricated, or replaced to restore proper sliding function.
Parts you may need:
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