MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT. AT THE TRIAL THE ACCIDENT RECONSTRUCTION PERSON SAID HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND WHY THE CRASH HAPPENED THAT IT LOOKED LIKE SOME ONE HAD YANKED THE WHEEL VERY HARD. THE TRIAL WAS FOR MANSLAUGHTER AND IT TOOK PLACE BEFORE THE RECALL. THE TRUCK WAS NEVER INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. I FEEL THIS WAS THE CAUSE FOR THE ACCIDENT. *JB
2001 Toyota Tacoma complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
EXCESSIVE FREE PLAY IN STEERING
DT: WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT TIRES WERE WEARING TOO FAST, AND DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE WAS SWOLLEN. CALLER STATED ALL THE TIRES WERE AFFECTED. DEALER COULDN'T TELL IF THIS VEHICLE WAS IN RECALL. CALLER SAID COULD NOT GET IN TOUCH WITH MANUFACTURER. RECALL WAS ON BALL JOINTS, BUT THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT YET CONTACTED VEHICLE'S OWNERS.*AK
DT: CONTACT STATES DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BALL JOINT FELL OFF, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO COME OFF. THIS SPECIFIC VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE TOYOTA RECALL CAMPAIGN.*AK
DIFFICULTY STEERING, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE, VEHICLE ROLLED OVER SEVERAL TIMES
WHILE BRAKING AT NY SPEED CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE, AND THE PEDAL PULSATED. DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *AK
I REAR-ENDED SOMEONE DOING 30 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
2001 TACOMA 2 WHEEL DRIVE 4 DOOR PRE RUNNER. HAVE HAD A HORRIBLE "CLUNK WHEN I REALEASE BRAKES. THE WHOLE TRUCK JERKS AND THE TRANSMISSION SHIFT LEVER JUMPS ABOUT 3 INCHES. TOOK IT TO PRECISION TOYOTA IN TUCSON AND WAS TOLD IT IS CALLED AXLE WRAP. I DID SOME REASEARCH ON AXLE WRAP AND BASICALLY IT IS WORN OUT REAR SPRINGS. THE ONLY THING I HAVE CARRIED IN THE TRUCK HEAVY IS MY 200 LB. MOTORCYCLE. THE TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE AND IS ALL INTERSTATE DRIVING. THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND HAVE SEEN ANOTHER COMPLAINT HERE. I AM WORRIED WHAT KIND OF DAMAGE IT IS DOING TO THE WHOLE DRIVE TRAIN. WHAT'S GOING TO "SNAP"?*AK
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE AT 60 - 65 MPH, A LOUD SOUND WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND THE HANDLING BECAME VERY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP IN LAS CRUCES, NM. INVESTIGATION FROM THE DEALER WAS THE U-BOLT THAT CONNECTED THE LEAF SPRINGS TO THE AXLE CAME OFF AND DAMAGED THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE REAR WHEEL & TIRE AND POSSIBLY THE FRONT TIRE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE TOYOTA CARE REPRESENTATIVE AND THEY RESPONDED THAT THIS WAS A CASE OF THE FAILURE OF A FASTENER AND WAS NOT CONSIDERED TO BE A MECHANICAL DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE. AS OF THIS REPORT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. *JB
THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE BRAKES PADS ON HIS VEHICLE WAS WEARING OUT TOO FAST. HE STATED HE IS CONSTANTLY REPLACING THEM EVERY 3 MONTHS. *JB
WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WOULD COME ON AND GO OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
FILE #200408021294. CUSTOMER (KIM REAMER) 07/27/2004 07:50 AM I HAVE A 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA 4 X 4. IT HAS AN ISSUE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE RELEASED YOU WOULD FEEL A JOLT OR A SLIGHT PUSH FROM THE DRIVE TRANE AREA. I HAVE READ UP ON THIS AND IT IS ALSO KNOWN AS ENGINE WRAP WHERE THE ENERGY GETS STORED UP IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RELEASE IS WHEN THE BREAKS ARE RELEASED FROM A STOP. IT FEELS LIKE YOU ARE HIT IN THE REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. YOU SOMTIMES HERE A SLIGHT THUD. THESE SYMPTOMS DO NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME BUT QUITE OFTEN. PER A CONVERSATION WITH ANOTHER TOYOTA TACOMA OWNER HE STATED THAT TOYOTA IS AWARE OF THIS AND HAS A REPAIR DIRECTIVE OUT. I AM SENDING THIS TO VERIFY THAT INFORMATION AS MY DEALER STATE HE FELT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY TOY AFTER TAKING IT FOR A DRIVE WITH ME IN IT. PLEASE NOTE I POINTED IT OUT ONCE BUT HE SAID IT IS NORMAL. NORMAL IT IS NOT SERVICE RESPONSE: RUSS SWANSON: WE MET AND WENT ON A ROAD TEST TOGETHER WHEN YOU WERE LAST HERE ON JULY 21. OUR BEST INTEREST IS IN FINDING ANY ABNORMALITIES AND CORRECTING THEM. IF THIS CONDITION WORSENS TO THE POINT WHERE THERE IS AN ABNORMALITY, IT WILL BE OUR PLEASURE TO CORRECT IT. AT THIS POINT, ANY ATTEMPT AT CORRECTIVE ACTION WOULD BE COUNTERPRODUCTIVE. RUSS SWANSON KOOL TOYOTA MY RESPONSE: WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ROAD TESTED WITH YOU IN IT, I ONLY NOTICED THE VEHICLE DO IT ONCE WHICH WAS SLIGHT TO WITH WHAT IT DOES. AS I STATED IT HAPPED ABOUT 4 TIMES DRIVING IN TO WORK AND HEARD IT THUMB ON ALL 4 CASE
UPON STARTING THE TRUCK AND DRIVING OUT THE DRIVEWAY, GASOLINE STARTED SPRAYING ALL OVER THE HOOD,THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE DRIVEWAY. THERE IS A HIGH PRESSURE INJECTION HOSE THAT GOES FROM THE FUEL FILTER TO A FITTING ON THE FIRE WALL AND BACK TO THE GAS TANK. THE PLASTIC CLAMP THAT HOLDS THIS HOSE UP,WORE A HOLE IN THE HOSE. THE PART NUMBER FOR THE HOSE ASSEMBLY THAT BROKE IS 2390675040. *NM
CONSUMER RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL LETTER NO. 033189000: PICK-UP TRUCKS, DURING SIDE IMPACT NCAP TEST (I.E. LINCAP TEST), A FLANGE AT THE REAR END OF THE DOUBLE CAB BODY IS DEFORMED AND INTERFERED WITH THE FUEL INLET HOSE THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL FILLER PIPE AND FUEL TANK, RESULTING IN DAMAGE TO THE FUEL INLET HOSE. HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP STILL DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE TO CONDUCT THE RECALL. *LA
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A COLLISION WHERE I WAS STRUCK WHILE DRIVING. IN ADDITION TO THIS ACCIDENT I WAS ALSO GIVEN A TICKET IN WHICH THE STATE TROOPER STATED THAT THE ACCIDENT WOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED IF THE TIRES WERE NOT BAD. TACOMA TOYOTA DOUBLE CAB TRUCK, YEAR 2001. I HYDROPLANED CROSSING THE MEDIAN IN WHICH AN ON-COMING VEHICLE STRUCK MY VEHICLE.
FRONT FENDER MOLDING WAS FALLING OFF. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE DRIVER T-BONED A VEHICLE THAT RAN A RED LIGHT. THE VEHICLES DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON IMPACT. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK *NLM
THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END COLLISION THAT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35 MPH. MY 2001 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PICKUP STRUCK THE OTHER VEHICLE SUSTAINING SEVERE FRONT END DAMAGE. *LA
2001 TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER 2 WHEEL DRIVE, 6 CYLINDER, AUTOMATIC EXTRA CAB 30,000 MILES RIGHT SIDE UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS FAILED AT FREEWAY SPEED CAUSING WHEEL AND BRAKE ASSEMBLY TO FOLD UNDER VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND LOSS OF BRAKING AND SEVERE DAMAGE TO VEHICLE. *NLM
CONSUMER WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BACK AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SKIDDED ON ICE AND CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO A GUARDRAIL. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH CAUSING OVER $8000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO TRUCK. NEITHER DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MR
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG EMITS ACRID/MUSTY LIKE ODOR WHEN SUBJECTED TO HEAT FROM THE SUN OR AFTER THE HEATER HAS BEEN RUN FOR A WHILE AND HAD A CHANCE TO SOAK THE AREA BEHIND THE DASH. ODOR TRIGGERS WIFE'S ASTHMA ATTACKS. ODOR IS NOT COMING FROM HEATER/AC VENTS. DT
THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TOO CLOSE TOGETHER, CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE WENT TO PRESS THE BRAKE HE ALSO PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PH *JB
CONSUMER STATES THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AND HAS BEEN REPLACED 3X ALREADY. THE BELT LOCKS UP AND TIGHTENS ON PASSENGER WHENEVER VEHICLE TRAVELS OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD. TS
ONE OF THE TIRES BLEW UP ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNIG ALL OVER SUDDENLY MY TRUCK WAS FISH TAILING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS VERY CLOSE TO CAUSE A COLLECTIVE ACCIDENT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFFERED ME TO THEIR LOCAL DEALER TO LOOK AT THE TIRES BUT THEIR ANSWER WAS THAT THE DAMAGE WAS CAUSED BY A ROAD HAZARD. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE TIRES BLEW UP IN PIECES IN A MATTER OF SECONDS. I INSTALLED THE SPARE TIRE BUT THE DAY AFTER I NOTICE THAT THE TIRE WALL HAS A BIG LUMP.( LOOK LIKE A WEAKER SECTION ON THE SIDE READY TO EXPLODE) DT
I WAS BACKING OUT OF A STORE IN SAN CARLOS MEXICO. I STARTED THE TRUCK, APPLIED THE BRAKE AND PUT THE TRUCK INTO REVERSE. THE TRUCK ACCELATED BACKWARD OUT OF CONTROL AND STRUCK A CEMENT POST IN THE PARKING LOT AND CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. I TRIED TO PUT THE TRUCK INTO PARK. THE GEAR SHIFT MOVED AND THE TRUCK BEGAN TO ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE BRAKE WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO INCREASE IN RPMS. THE TRUCK ACCELERATED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL JUMPING A PARKING CURB AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF THE STORE. THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED A FRACTURED FOOT. ONE OF THE REAR PASSENGERS SUFFERED A CONTUSION TO HER FOREHEAD. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE DONE TO THE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK AND DAMAGE DONE TO THE STORE FRONT. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO ASSESS THE DAMAGE TO THE TRUCK OR INVESTIGATE THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE TRUCK IS STILL BEING HELD IN MEXICO BY THE AUTHORITIES. DT
HAS BEEN IN SHOP (11)TIMES. MR
WHILE MAKING A TURN AT A LOW SPEEDS AND ON A FLAT SURFACE, THE VEHICLE WILL ACCELERATE WITH NO WARNING, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK WHILE MAKING A TURN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ANT HIT A FENCE, AS A RESULT ALL 3 OCCUPANTS SUSTAINED INJURIES. *SCC
THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES TO CORRECT A DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN CONSUMER WOULD MAKE AN ATTEMPT TO STOP, THE DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO A SLIP JOINT IN THE DRIVE SHAFT WHICH NEEDED TO BE LUBRICATED AND WAS A NORMAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE, BUT ALSO STATED THE CONDITION WAS DUE TO THE DRIVE SHAFT SEIZING UP, THE SHOCKS AND REAR BRAKES WAS REPLACED.*JB
VEHICLE LOCKS AND UNLOCKS AT WILL. WHEN IT DOES LOCK CONSUMER HAS TO MANUALLY UNLOCK THE DOORS TO GET OUT. MECHANIC STATES THERE IS NO PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN FIND.*AK
WHILE CONSUMER WAS APPROACHING A PARKING AREA HE SLOWED DOWN TO TURN AT LESS THAT 10 MILES PER HOUR, PLACED HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO ENTER A PARKING PLACE, THE ENGINE RPM INCREASED TO APPROXIMATELY 20 MILES PER HOUR, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE CONSUMER THEN COLLIDED WITH A PARKED VEHICLE, CONSUMER SUSTAINED INJURIES AND EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO HIS VEHICLE AND THE OTHER VEHICLE DRIVER ALSO WAS INJURED. *YD
CONSUMER STATES THAT A CLAMP FROM A HOSE CAME OFF CAUSING THE VEHICLES RPM TO BE TOO HIGH, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND SMOKE, DEALER STATES PROBLEM IS DUE TO FACTORY INSTALLMENT. *TT
FRONT PASSENGER TIRE BLEW OUT ON SIDEWALL CAUSING VEHICLE TO VEAR INTO IRON GATE DAMAGING FRONT FENDER, SIDE DOOR, SIDE MIRROR, RUNNING BOARD.*AK (DOT NUMBER: W2ULAWN160 TIRESIZE: P205/75R15)
FRONT BRAKES MAKES LOUD CLICKING NOISE WHEN BACKING UP, AND I'VE BEEN TOLD TOLD THAT THE NOISE IS NORMAL FROM THE SHIFTING BRAKES PADS. PLEASE ADVISE
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 55MPH ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS A NOISE LOCATED IN REAR END. DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR END. CONSUMER'S SON WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF HIM, HE APPLIED BRAKES AND LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE/ RAN INTO A TREE. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AFTER HE WAS CLIMBING OUT OF VEHICLE.*AK
CONSUMER COULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE WHEN MAKING A SLOW RIGHT TURN OR PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE, DEALER FOUND CONTAMINATED BRAKE PADS AND REPLACED THEM, HOEWVER NOISE CONTINUED, CONSUMER ALSO NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, DEALER FOUND THAT ABS SENSOR WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY AND MADE REPAIRS. *SLC
WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS ON AN INTERSTATE THE TRUCK HYDROPLANED AND SPUN OUT OF CONTROL CAUSING IT TO LEAVE THE ROADWAY AND FLIP OVER TWICE LANDING ON THE CAB. NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. ONLY OCCUPANT, DRIVER, SUSTAINED ONLY VERY MINOR INJURIES.*AK
WHILE DESCENDING A MODERATELY STEEP DIRT ROAD WE EXPERIENCED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC AND EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEMS. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A STOP ON A FLAT AREA OF ROAD. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES BRAKE SYSTEM SLOWLY RETURNED TO NORMAL OPERATION. LOCAL DEALER INSPECTION REVEALED NO APPARENT CAUSE FOR THE MALFUNCTION AND NO SUGGESTION AS TO WHAT POSSIBLY COULD HAVE CAUSED BOTH BRAKE SYSTEMS TO FAIL. NO EVIDENCE OF BRAKE OVERHEATING OR FATIGUE, NO FLUID LEAKS OR STORED COMPUTER FAULT CODES. DEALER SUGGESTION, "DRIVE IT TILL IT FAILS AGAIN AND BRING IT BACK".*AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40MPH ON HIGHWAY AND HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM REAR WHEEL, AND THE WHEEL FELL OFF. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
MAKES A CLANKING SOUND IN DRIVESHAFT WHEN SHIFTING.REPORTED THIS TO DEALERSHIP PROCEEDED TO ADD GEAR OIL TO REAREND .THIS HELPED SOME BUT DIDNT STOP NOISE . CONTACTED CHARLIES AGAIN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD DROP AND PACK DRIVESHAFT TO ELIMINATE SOUND. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE DRIVESHAFT AND IM AFRAID THAT THE END RESULT COULD BE DANGEROUS. IVE CONTACTED THEIR CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND WAS TOLD A NEW DRIVE SHAFT WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION AND THEY WOULD ONLY PACK THE OLD ONE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.I BELIEVE PACKING THE DRIVESHAFT WOULD ONLY BE A BANDAID ON A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. ARE YOU AWARE OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH OTHER TOYOTA TACOMA DRIVESHAFTS? *AK
THIS TIRE WAS FLAT AFTER 1200 MILES OF HIWAY DRIVING. THERE WAS FOUND TO BE A STONE ABOUT 1 CENTIMETER BY 2 CENTIMETER THAT HAD PENETRATED AND TORN THE BODY OF THE TIRE. THIS COULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT . THE PEOPLR WHO REPAIRED THE TIRE STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS THE THINNEST THEY HAD SEEN. WE HAVE PURCHASED NEW TIRES. THIS SHOULD NO HAPPEN ON A NEW PICK-UP. *AK
THREE BOLTS THAT HOLD DRIVESHAFT CAME OUT ALMOST ALL THE WAY . CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER HAS FIXED PROBLEM.*AK FRONT DRIVE SHAFT BOLTS WERE NOT INSTALLED CORRECTLY AT FACTORY. *YH
INTERMITTENTLY ALARM SYSTEM WILL NOT OPEN VEHICLE . VEHICLE BEEN IN / OUT OF DEALER SHOP ON FIVE OCCASION S,AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
ANOTHER VEHICLE FAILED TO YIELD RIGHT OF WAY AND I T-BONED THEM AT 30 MPH. AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND FLORIDA HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER WAS VERY CONCERNED, AS HE FELT THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED.*AK
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING IN RAINY CONDITIONS AT 20MPH AND WITHOUT ACCELERATION FRONT SLID ACROSS ROAD INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. NO INJURIES, TOYOTA HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE BUT DID NOT TEST DRIVE IT. EVERYTHING MET REQUIREMENTS, BUT NOTHING ELSE COULD BE DONE FOR CONSUMER.*AK *YD
PAYLOAD RATED AT 1674/LBS ACCORDING TO THE SALES BROCHURE AND SALEMAN. WE ADVISED THE TRUCK WILL BE USED FOR DELIVERIES OF 600-1200/LBS. LOADED 800/LBS AND THE TRUCK SUSPENSION IS AT ITS FULL TRAVEL. THE TRUCK SEEMS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH MORE THAN A 500/LB PAYLOAD. *AK
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma → · Every Tacoma year → · How the figures are calculated →