2005 Toyota Tacoma

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Toyota Tacoma Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2005 highlighted. 1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 359 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 540 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 518 complaints 2010: 290 complaints 2011: 183 complaints 2011 2012: 294 complaints 2013: 124 complaints 2014: 92 complaints 2015: 100 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 237 complaints 2018: 199 complaints 2019: 209 complaints 2019 2020: 85 complaints 2021: 76 complaints 2022: 55 complaints 2023: 48 complaints 2023 2024: 138 complaints 2025: 69 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2005: 707 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003359
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007540
2008445
2009518
2010290
2011183
2012294
2013124
201492
2015100
2016323
2017237
2018199
2019209
202085
202176
202255
202348
2024138
202569
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

STRUCTURE 19%

19% of complaints: structure — 136 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

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

NHTSA ODI report, 20230710

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A SLIGHT CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130731

Where the motor mount sits the bracket below collapsed into the Frame itself causing the engine to lower

NHTSA ODI report, 20231028

SUSPENSION 18%

18% of complaints: suspension — 124 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

Frame failure due to rust. Suspension is detached with springs hitting frame. NOTE: fuel tank partially detached previously due to rusted brackets 3-4 years ago and all components were replaced.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231212

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 12%

12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PRE-RUNNER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE COMPLETING A THREE-POINT-TURN, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE RPM'S STARTED INCREASED ABNORMALLY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130125

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, A CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR MAT CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GET STUCK.

NHTSA ODI report, 20121002

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 72 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 57 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

2005 — complaint volume: 707
R 20050303 — 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

Remedy: 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 1-800-331-4

Campaign 05V050000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20050725 — 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 ERR

Remedy: 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 NECESS

Campaign 05V302000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060406 — 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 A

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 06V096000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090918 — equipment

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 WH

Remedy: 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

Campaign 09V223000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20091231 — vehicle speed control

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 FL

Remedy: 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. THES

Campaign 09V388000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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."

Remedy: 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 S

Campaign 10V036000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100527 — equipment

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 VE

Remedy: 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 RECAL

Campaign 10V035000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20120803 — air bags

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 ASSEMB

Remedy: 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-

Campaign 12V092000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20140224 — 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.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies.

Campaign 13V337000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20160129 — suspension

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.

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 14V604000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2005 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for structure issues (136 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for suspension issues (124 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 05V050000 (parking brake) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 05V302000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V096000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V223000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09V388000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V036000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V035000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 12V092000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 13V337000 (seat belts) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14V604000 (suspension) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2023 ▲ 2022 ▲ 2025

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2007 ■ 2009

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2005 Toyota Tacoma reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?

The most-reported component is structure:body, accounting for 19% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2005 Toyota Tacoma have?

10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.