2009 Toyota Tacoma

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2009 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-09-02

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

2009: 519 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1995	177
1996	253
1997	131
1998	300
1999	249
2000	210
2001	396
2002	333
2003	359
2004	414
2005	707
2006	782
2007	540
2008	445
2009	519
2010	292
2011	186
2012	294
2013	124
2014	93
2015	101
2016	323
2017	238
2018	202
2019	214
2020	87
2021	78
2022	57
2023	52
2024	144
2025	85
2026	6

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SUSPENSION 23%

23% of complaints: suspension — 120 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rear.

Show complaint excerpts

Frame is rusted out under engine above axle housing.

NHTSA ODI report, 20231022

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 20%

20% of complaints: exterior lighting — 105 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE YELLOW SIGNAL AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS THAT ARE ALWAYS ON AND THE LIGHT BULB HEAT UP CAUSING THE PLASTIC TO HEAT AND MELT AND STILL FEEL HOT WHEN USING ON A LONG DRIVE. I WORRY ABOUT MY CAR CATCHING ON FIRE

NHTSA ODI report, 20190304

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE BEGINNING TO MELT THE HEADLIGHT HOUSING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120426

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 76 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 11%

11% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing accelerator pedal.

CRASH

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT WAS ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY AND AS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE SUDDEN ACCELERATED RAPIDLY. THERE WAS ALSO AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE ROMS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20120703

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING ABOVE 45 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RAPIDLY ACCELERATE AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. AS A CONSEQUENCE SHE CRASHED AND WENT INTO A DITCH. HER FRONT FENDER, HOOD AND DRIVER SIDE DOOR WERE DAMAGED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20091224

WHILE BRAKING AT INTERSECTION, TRUCK ACCELERATED STRIKING VEHICLE IN FRONT, CAUSING THAT VEHICLE TO STRIKE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM. FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20090114

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 54 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.

Show complaint excerpts

Just learned from CT Toyota dealer that my 2009 Toyota Tacoma frame has significant corrosion and that it's time to replace frame or vehicle. Very disappointed.

NHTSA ODI report, 20230914

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2009 — complaint volume: 519

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 20110331 — tires

TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2008 THROUGH 2011 FJ CRUISER, LAND CRUISER, TACOMA, SEQUOIA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STAND

Remedy: FOR THE LAND CRUISER, SEQUOIA, TACOMA AND TUNDRA VEHICLES, THE DEALER WILL RE-CALIBRATE THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM ON AFFECTED VEHICLES AND INSTALL AN UPDATED TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LAB

Campaign 11V148000 — 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 20130321 — air bags, seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, an

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013. Owners may contac

Campaign 13V014000 — 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 20141002 — equipment

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale.

Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard. The recall is expected to begin in September 2014.

Campaign 14V475000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20141027 — air bags

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

Campaign 14V168000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150129 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge. The recall is expected to began in January 2015.

Campaign 14V743000 — 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

R 20160714 — seats

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser,...

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016. Owners may contact SET customer service at 1-866-405-4226.

Campaign 16V396000 — check if this car was fixed