MYRModel Year Report

2009 Toyota Tacoma

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2009 Toyota Tacoma
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
519
Recalls
13

Campaigns on file for 2009

Investigations
0

None on file

Top problem
Suspension

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

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: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 519 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1997 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 519 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints
1995: 177 complaints 1995 1996: 253 complaints 1997: 131 complaints 1997 1998: 300 complaints 1999: 249 complaints 1999 2000: 210 complaints 2001: 396 complaints 2001 2002: 333 complaints 2003: 360 complaints 2003 2004: 414 complaints 2005: 707 complaints 2005 2006: 782 complaints 2007: 541 complaints 2007 2008: 445 complaints 2009: 519 complaints 2009 519 2010: 293 complaints 2011: 186 complaints 2011 2012: 295 complaints 2013: 125 complaints 2013 2014: 93 complaints 2015: 101 complaints 2015 2016: 323 complaints 2017: 239 complaints 2017 2018: 206 complaints 2019: 216 complaints 2019 2020: 88 complaints 2021: 79 complaints 2021 2022: 59 complaints 2023: 53 complaints 2023 2024: 151 complaints 2025: 100 complaints 2025 2026: 7 complaints

2009: 519 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1995177
1996253
1997131
1998300
1999249
2000210
2001396
2002333
2003360
2004414
2005707
2006782
2007541
2008445
2009519
2010293
2011186
2012295
2013125
201493
2015101
2016323
2017239
2018206
2019216
202088
202179
202259
202353
2024151
2025100
20267

Known problem areas

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

Suspension

23% · 120 reports

Most commonly citing rear.

Show complaint excerpts

Frame is rusted out under engine above axle housing.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-10-22

Exterior lighting

20% · 105 reports
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…

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-03-04

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, 2012-04-26

Power train

15% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Vehicle speed control

11% · 59 reports

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, 2012-07-03

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, 2009-12-24

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2009-01-14

Structure

10% · 54 reports

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, 2023-09-14

Safety timeline

13 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2009Complaint volume 519 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2009-09-18Equipment09V223000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2009-12-31Vehicle speed control09V388000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V036000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2010-05-27Equipment10V035000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2011-03-31Tires11V148000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2012-08-03Air bags12V092000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2013-03-21Air bags, seats13V014000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2014-02-24Seat belts13V337000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2014-10-02Equipment14V475000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-10-27Air bags14V168000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. R
    2015-01-29Seats14V743000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  13. R
    2016-01-29Suspension14V604000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2016-07-14Seats16V396000 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2009 Toyota Tacoma — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Suspension: 120 reports on file for this year.
  • Exterior lighting: 105 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 76 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 09V223000 · Equipment
  • Recall 09V388000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 10V036000 · Equipment
  • Recall 10V035000 · Equipment
  • Recall 11V148000 · Tires
  • Recall 12V092000 · Air bags
  • Recall 13V014000 · Air bags, seats
  • Recall 13V337000 · Seat belts
  • Recall 14V475000 · Equipment
  • Recall 14V168000 · Air bags
  • Recall 14V743000 · Seats
  • Recall 14V604000 · Suspension
  • Recall 16V396000 · Seats
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2009 Toyota Tacoma is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.