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2021 Toyota Tacoma Electrical Problems

5 owner-reported electrical complaints from NHTSA data

5
Complaints
Feb 2024Dec 2025
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (5)

highELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Nov 2025

Your driver's seat heater stopped working after you noticed a burning smell. When you checked it, you found the electrical connections to the heated seat were discolored and scorched. This suggests an electrical fault caused overheating in that circuit, and the same issue could potentially affect the passenger seat heater.

NHTSA #: 11701925
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Filed: Dec 2025

Your speedometer needle jerks or jumps when driving at 85 mph with cruise control engaged, but the problem goes away when you slow down to 84 mph. This appears to be an intermittent electrical or sensor issue with your speed gauge.

NHTSA #: 11707691
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE
Filed: May 2024

The cabin vent system appears to have a design defect, specifically the passenger-side vent located in the back of the cabin. This component is available for inspection upon request. The dealership, Santa Cruz Toyota, has declined to replace the part despite acknowledging the issue. The concern lies in the vent's design, as it allows water to enter the cabin instead of just expelling air. The water intrusion caused by this malfunction poses a safety risk in two ways. First, the presence of water on the floor increases the chance of an electrical fire due to the numerous electrical wires running underneath. Second, mildew spores can grow on the wet undercarpet padding, creating a health hazard. This problem has been confirmed by Santa Cruz Toyota, and we have video evidence to support the claim. While Santa Cruz Toyota has inspected the vehicle, our request for a direct inspection from the manufacturer, Toyota, has not been successful. There weren't any warning lights or messages prior to the failure. However, the issue became apparent after the heavy rains of 2023 in California, when we discovered water accumulated under the passenger-side carpet padding.

NHTSA #: 11589079
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
Filed: Feb 2024

Driving at approximately 55 mph and dash lights started flickering, radio went off, reset to 530 (am radio). Vehicle started sputtering and slowing down in traffic and completely shut down. Lost all power and coasted to side of road. I had no or little control of vehicle. I have "connected services" that was to warn me about mechanical and electrical failures and no warning of this happening. This enrollment was to give me "services designed to help keep you safe, secure and in control of your Tacoma from almost anywhere". "brand engagement center" not concerned of the incident. Apparently two and half year old battery failed. Replaced by myself.

NHTSA #: 11574484
mediumELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
Filed: Mar 2022

PCS malfunction, VSC malfunctions, Data transmitter for codes to dealership doesn't work, Transmisson jerk/lost in gears, from stop to go would jerk into gear, hot air comes out of steering wheel (video proof), air coming through window controls. when the Pre-collision system had its malfunction the truck took complete control which gave me no access to breaks or gas, when PCS system kicked off truck jerked really hard & started accelerating on its own causing very high RPMs then just stopped accelerating. Transmission would occasionally seem to have an improper shift & jerk. I took my vehicle to Toyota of Denton for the 5k service, & stated issues with the PCS & VSC malfunctions shown on the dashbord. Denton Dealership said don't worry we will take care of it. The itemized reciept doesn't show issues were looked at; & I kept having the same issues. So I took my truck back to the Denton dealership 2nd time & was told "no malfunction light so no ssues were there" by the Service Manager. who also said "the truck sends malfunction codes to a computer at the dealership, but no codes were sent." Which made me feel like there was more wrong with the truck, including electronics, data sender/reciever, & vehicle alert system relay via dash board aswell. Contacted Corp. Informing them of my issues & concerns making it the 3rd time trying to resolve ongoing issues & requested a field inspector from Corp. look at it instead of a dealership. When complaining to Corp. I stated hot air comes from the steering wheel after 1 hr driving it. Field inspector only drove it 45 miles & said nothings wrong with it. I drove this truck for 8,557 & he didnt find anything wrong in the little 45 mile test; yet the black box showed several pending codes on my truck & also the inspectors truck which is the same year & model. Black box data shows pending code on 1/12/21, 4 days before I acquired it; none again until 2/6/21 & then pending codes AT LEAST twice a month until 11/22/21. BBD pic proof

NHTSA #: 11458694

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