2005 Toyota Tacoma complaints

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED LIT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V096000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE AIR BAG COULD DEPLOY AT ANYTIME IF A CRASH OCCURRED OR FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THERE WAS ALSO THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY AT ALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,600. UPDATED 3/25/08 *CN

MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA 4DR 2X4 IS EXPERIENCING THE LURCHING ISSUE WHEN A/C IS RUNNING AT A STOP LIGHT. ALTHOUGH IT HAS NOT CAUSED ANY ACCIDENTS THUS FAR, I'VE COME CLOSE IN MANY OCCASIONS AND NERVOUS AT LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE THE VEHICLE. NOW THAT I'VE JUST HAD A CHILD, I'M EVEN MORE INTERESTED IN GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED. THIS ISSUE OCCURS REPEATEDLY WHEN A/C IS RUNNING. *TR

I WAS DRIVING ON A NARROW MOUNTAIN ROAD WHEN I ACCELERATED PAST A VEHICLE IN THE SLOW LANE. WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS IT WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I TOOK MY FOOT COMPLETELY OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND IT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. MY CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ON. I HAD TO USE MY LEFT FOOT TO PRESS THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED ACCELERATING AND ONLY STOPPED AFTER I REPEATEDLY STOMPED ON THE GAS PEDAL. MY WIFE WAS WITH ME AT THE TIME AND WITNESSED IT. I JUST LEARNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM VIA THE NEWSCAST AND HAVE NOT REPORTED IT TO TOYOTA YET. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE DRAMATICALLY ACCELERATED. NO PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AT THE TIME. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO PARK TO STOP THE VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD REVVING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. NO WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY FAILURES. A COMPLAINT HAS NOT BEEN FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000. UPDATED 01/11/08. *LJ

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA WITH INDENTATIONS ON THE SPARE TIRE. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE SPARE TIRE IS TOUCHING THE CHASSIS WHICH IS CAUSING THE INDENTATIONS. CUSTOMER ALSO STATED THAT THE OTHER SPARE TIRE EXPLODED AND THE NEW ONE IS ERODING. *KB

ALMOST DAILY MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB TRUCK LURCHES FORWARD DURING DECELERATION AND ALSO AT A COMPLETE STOP. A FEW TIMES IT HAS LURCHED FORWARD A FOOT OR MORE WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR STOP LIGHT. *JB UPDATED 10/16/07 *TR

TRUCK LURCHED FORWARD WHEN AT A STOP SIGN. FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, YET TRUCK MOVED FORWARD AN INCH OR TWO. HAPPENS REGULARLY, 4-5 TIMES A WEEK. LAST TIME WAS ON SEP 10TH, 2007. *TR

UPON COMING TO A STOP (MOST OF THE TIME...PERHAPS MORE THEN 50%), THE VEHICLE WILL 'LURCH' FORWARD SLIGHTLY...EVEN WHEN THE BRAKE IS DEPRESSED. THIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEALER A YEAR AGO (AND IS ON FILE WITH THEM). I WAS TOLD THAT THIS CONDITION WAS 'NORMAL'. NO ACTION HAS BEEN TAKEN BY THE DEALER TO CORRECT OR OTHERWISE STOP THIS CONDITION. IT HAS NOT BEEN SO BAD THAT I COULD NOT STOP THE VEHICLE (JUST PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL HARDER). STILL, IF NOT PAYING ATTENTION, A COLLISION MIGHT READILY OCCUR IN STOPPED TRAFFIC. *JB

LATE SHIFTING, SHUDDERING, LURCHING AT IDLE. *TR

MUD GUARDS ARE BREAKING OFF FOR NO REASON, HAS TO BE POOR DESIGN OR DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARS METAL GRINDING WHEN MAKING LEFT TURNS. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. TOYOTA STATED THAT THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO REPAIR THE FAILURE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE. THEY ALSO STATED THAT THEY DO NOT CONSIDER IT A SAFETY HAZARD. TOYOTA STATED THAT THIS IS A FAILURE DEALING WITH THE TRANS-ACTUAL AND TRANSFER CASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 38,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

THIS IS FOR THE 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. I HAVE NOTICED SEVERAL TIMES WHEN COMING TO A STOP THAT THE TRUCK LOUNGES FORWARD. EVEN WITH MY FOOT COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE THE TRUCK STILL WILL PULL FORWARD. I HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN SO MANY TIMES, ONE TIME STOPPING FOR A PEDESTRIAN CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME AND THE TRUCK TRYING TO PULL FORWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY JUST TOLD ME IT WA S NORMAL OR THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

ROUNTREE MOORE TOYOTA DEALER IN LAKE CITY FLORIDA WAS UNABLE TO FIX RECALL SSC 501. SERVICE DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL WERE UNCOOPERATIVE AND DID NOT WANT TO DO THIS WORK. *AK

MAY 30, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT KIEWIT MIDDLE SCHOOL WITH MY TACOMA. WHILE I WAS APPROXIMATELY 5-10 FEET FROM THE CAR IN FRONT THE ENGINE BEGIN RACING. MY FOOT WAS NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, IT WAS FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE. THE ENGINE CONTINUED REVVING AND THE BRAKES FINAL GAVE AND I HIT THE CAR AHEAD. AS IT IS I DAMAGED THE FRONT OF MY TACOMA, AS WELL AS THE REAR OF CAR AHEAD OF ME. I AM SURE IF THERE WERE NOT A VEHICLE AHEAD AT SUCH A CLOSE DISTANCE GREAT DAMAGE AND INJURY WOULD HAVE BEEN INCURRED. I DO NOT FEEL THAT CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE, I CONTACTED TOYOTA, NATIONAL -- THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS OK AND TO TAKE IT HOME. I FELT SO STRONGLY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE THAT I IMMEDIATELY TRADED IT IN FOR A NISSAN -- IF YOU NEED MORE INFORMATION OF WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK WITH OTHERS THAT SAW WHAT HAPPENED PLEASE LET ME KNOW. I HAVE ALSO KEPT ALL RECEIPTS AND DOCUMENTATION FROM TOYOTA. BTW -- ACCORDING TO TOYOTA -- YOU GUYS DON'T EXIST. -- I STUMBLED UPON YOUR INFORMATION IN THE BACK OF MY NEW NISSAN'S OWNER MANUAL.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT SMELLED ASPHYXIATE GAS FUMES WHEN COLD STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 8,000, AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE IS UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. *AK THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF REPAIR INVOICE. THE DEALER STATED CREAK SOUND CLUTCH PEDAL WHEN DEPRESSED AND DIFFICULTY PUTTING INTO 4WD, BUT FACTORY NEVER ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/06/07 *TR

THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE IS HIGHLY VULNERABLE TO CHIPPING AND PEELING. THE BASE SEEMS VERY THIN AND THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF CHIPS IN THE PAINT, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RUST. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE MIDWEST AND WE DON'T USE SAND WHEN IT SNOWS, SO IT IS NOT ROAD CONDITIONS, JUST EVERYDAY DRIVING THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. *JB

EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE ABOVE 65MPH. A CONSTANT LOUD NOISE FROM A FAULTY SEAL SOMEWHERE IN WINDSHIELD AREA OR DRIVER-SIDE DOOR AREA WHEN TRAVELLING AT 65 MPH OR ABOVE. WORSE IF DRIVING DIRECTLY INTO WIND.*AK

I PURCHASED A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PICKUP W/ THE 1 ENGINE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, I NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD WHEN I ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. THE NOISE SOUNDED LIKE A KNOCK OR A SMALL HOLE IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I RETURNED THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER, AND PROVIDED THE INFORMATION. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HEAR A THING. (THIS WAS IN PHILDELPHIA). WHEN I RETURNED HOME TO NEW ORLEANS AFTER KATRINA, I TOOK THE TRUCK TO A TOYOTA DEALER, WHO SAID IT WAS AN ENGINE KNOCK AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. OVER TIME THE NOISE GOT LOUDER AND I TOOK THE TRUCK TO ANOTHER DEALER TOYOTA OF SLIDELL. THEIR TECHNICIAN TOOK A RIDE WITH ME AND HEARD THE NOISE HIMSELF, BUT INDICATED HE FOUND NO PROBLEM WHEN THE TRUCK WAS CHECKED OUT. AT A LATER DATE I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THE NOISE AGAIN AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT TOYOTA HAD A TECHNICAL BULLETIN ISSUED ABOUT THE PROBLEM WHICH WAS IN ONE OF THE TWO EXHAUST MANIFOLDS ON THE ENGINE. BOTH EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WERE REPLACED AND THE NOISE SEEMED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. AT A LATER DATE, I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AND REPORTED THAT THE PROBLEM RETURNED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY HAD COMPLETED EVERYTHING THE COULD BASED ON TOYOTA'S GUIDANCE. I REQUESTED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS BE REPLACED AGAIN SINCE IT SEEMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS ELIMINATED WHEN THE EXHAUST MANIFOLDS WERE REPLACED ORIGINALLY. HE CHECKED WITH THE REGIONAL TECHNICAL REP WHO SAID TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE EQUIPMENT A SECOND TIME, AND THIS WAS DONE. THE NOISE RET

WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS TO A MINUTE WITH THE TRANSMISSION IN DRIVE , E.G. AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE WILL SURGE FORWARD AS IF THE GAS PEDAL HAS BEEN MOMENTARILY DEPRESSED.*AK

I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA X RUNNER. THERE ARE CRACKS ACROSS THE TREADS OF AT LEAST TWO OF THE FOUR TIRES ON THE TRUCK (BRIDGESTONE POTENZA TIRES). I WENT TO A BRIDGESTONE SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME TO DRIVE ACROSS THE STREET AND TALK TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP. THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING A VEHICLE WITH CRACKS ACROSS THE ENTIRE TREAD FACE. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WITH THIS PROBLEM, NEARLY ALL OF THE X RUNNER DRIVERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM; SOME OF WHICH GET THE TIRES REPLACED OR GET THE RUN-AROUND LIKE MYSELF. PLEASE HELP ME. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT AND I NEED SAFE TRANSPORTATION. *JB

1) 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA "LURCH" WHILE SLOWING OR STOPPED. I HAVE NOTICED IT WITH OR WITHOUT A/C OR DEFROST ON. GENERALLY, I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP, AND A FEW SECONDS LATER, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARD SLIGHTLY. 2) WHILE IT HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, IT IS SOMEWHAT DISCONCERTING. 3) NO REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENT PARTS HAVE BEEN EFFECTED. I'VE GUESSED IT IS A TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFT, AND THE RESULTING INCREASED TORQUE AT THE REAR WHEELS RESULTS IN THE LURCH. THE MORE FIRMLY THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE LESS NOTICEABLE THE PROBLEM. *JB

THIS IS A FOLLOW UP TO A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT REGARDING DIFFICULTY SHIFTING PARTICULARLY FROM 1ST TO 2ND. AFTER SENDING THREE CERTIFIED LETTERS TO TOYOTA (THE LAST SENT TO THE PRESIDENT'S OFFICE) I FINALLY, MORE THAN 6 MONTHS LATER, RECEIVED A WRITTEN RESPONSE. PERHAPS BECAUSE OF THE REASONS I CITED FOR MY FAILED MEDIATION ATTEMPT (IN PARTICULAR BEING GIVEN BAD ADVICE, WHICH, AT THE TIME, I NAIVELY ACCEPTED, BY THE TOYOTA FACTORY TRAINED SPECIALIST ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR THE MEDIATION) I WAS GRANTED A SECOND ATTEMPT AT MEDIATION. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO BEHAVE IN THE FASHION I PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. I SIMPLY CANNOT UNDERSTAND WHY IT IS "NORMAL" FOR THE GEARS TO INTERMITTENTLY CLASH (AND THE COLDER IT IS, GRIND) WHEN SHIFTING. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING 5 SPEEDS FOR MORE THAN 2 DECADES. *JB

WHILE USING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT FREEWAY SPEED, DRIVING UP AN INCLINE. THE TRANSMISSION DOWNSHIFTED VIOLENTLY TWO GEARS FROM 5TH TO 3RD. ACTUAL SPEED ACCELERATION HAPPENED ENOUGH TO NEARLY CAUSE A REAR END COLLISION. I HAD TO MANUALLY CANCEL CRUISE CONTROL TO REGAIN SAFE CONTROL....*JB

I WAS LOADING A MOTORCYCLE INTO THE BACK OF MY 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA AND THE TAILGATE COLLAPSED. I HAVE OWNED THIS TRUCK FOR A YEAR AND A HALF AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I'VE EVER PUT ANY WEIGHT ON THE TAILGATE OF THE TRUCK. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, IT SOUNDS LIKE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. THERE IS NO MENTION FROM TOYOTA IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR ANY ASSOCIATED DOCUMENTS THAT THE TAILGATE IS INCAPABLE OF HANDLING A LOAD. THE WEIGHT RATING FOR THE CARGO BOX IS LISTED AT 1000 POUNDS BUT THERE IS NOTHING ON THE TAILGATE. I HAVE OWNED A FORD RANGER AND A CHEVY S-10 IN THE PAST AND NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEM LOADING A BIKE IN THE BED. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE COLLAPSED TAILGATE AVAILABLE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY INJURED IN THIS BUT IT COULD HAVE BEEN POTENTIALLY FATAL IN THE BIKE HAD FALLEN ON ONE OF THE MEN LOADING THE BIKE. TOYOTA WON'T ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AND IS BLAMING THIS ON THE CONSUMERS. *JB

WIND NOISE - I EXPERIENCED THE SAME INTOLERABLE WIND NOISE IN THE VEHICLE AS OTHERS. IT WAS MOST APPARENT AT FREEWAY SPEEDS IN A CROSS WIND. THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEALED AND REPLACED IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. AFTER SEVERAL VISITS THEY CALLED IN A FACTORY TECHNICIAN WHO QUICKLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS AN IMPROPER FITTING FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND SEAL. DRIVING AT FREEWAY SPEED HE APPLIED LIGHT OUTWARD PRESSURE TO THE UPPER PORTION OF THE DOOR FRAME AND THE NOISE WOULD OCCUR. EXAMINING THE EXTERIOR FIT OF THE DOOR THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 3/16" MISMATCH TO THE REAR DOOR THAT ALSO INDICATED AN IMPROPER FIT. THIS PROBLEM WAS INCREDIBLY ANNOYING AND TOOK APPROXIMATELY 5 MONTHS TO RESOLVE. SINCE, I HAVE HAD AN OCCASIONAL WHISTLE BUT NOT THE PERSISTENT SOUND AS BEFORE. *NM

WIND NOISE IN CAB OF MY 2005 TACOMA EXTRA CAB. THIS IS A EXTREMELY INTOLERABLE NOISE THAT DESTROYS ANY POSSIBILITY OF HAVING A ENJOYABLE DRIVING EXPERIENCE IN THIS VEHICLE. CONDITION WAS; PRESENT WHEN DELIVERED, TOLD TODAY AFTER COMPLAINING FROM DAY ONE THAT THE CONDITION IS ONE CAUSED BY ENGINEERING DEFECT AND TOYOTA HAS NO FIX FOR IT. I KNOW THIS IS PRESENT IN ALL TACOMAS OF THIS MODEL, 2005-2007 AS I HAVE DRIVEN ANOTHER NEW TRUCK EXACTLY LIKE MINE WITH THE SAME CONDITION. DEALER IS NO HELP WHATSOEVER. TALKED WITH ANOTHER OWNER 10/30/06 WITH SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU MIGHT BE. CHARLES *NM

I RECENTLY OPENED A CORPORATE CASE AGAINST THE TOYOTA OF STUART DEALERSHIP. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST INCIDENT THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THEM, BUT THIS IS THE MOST RECENT. ON JULY 26, 2006, I NOTICED SOME GREASE ALL INSIDE THE RIM OF MY TIRE. I BROUGHT THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALERSHIP. I TALKED TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO TRY AND EXPLAIN THE PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD, WE KNOW WHAT IT IS, WE WILL ORDER THE REAR SEALS AND CALL YOU WHEN THEY COME IN. NO ONE LOOKED AT MY VEHICLE!!! I WAS TOLD TO LEAVE AND I WOULD GET A PHONE CALL. ON JULY 27, 2006 AT 10:30 AM WHILE IN A LEFT HAND TURN, I APPLIED THE BRAKE LIGHTLY AT A SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THE TRUCK VERY QUICKLY SPUN AROUND AND BACKWARDS INTO A GUARD RAIL. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE TRUCK BACK TO THEM. THEY ASSURED ME THAT BECAUSE OF THE GREASE ON THE WHEEL AND BEING MADE TO THINK THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THAT THE DEALERSHIP WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THIS HAPPENED, FORTUNATELY ON A ROAD WITH MINIMAL TRAFFIC, NOT ON I-95. I OFTEN THINK ABOUT WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY INJURED MYSELF, OR SOMEONE ELSE. I COULD HAVE HAD MY 5 YEAR OLD IN MY VEHICLE GOING TO CAMP. ANYTHING SERIOUS COULD HAVE HAPPENED. FORTUNATELY, IT DID NOT. AFTER BRINGING THE TRUCK IN AND MANY PHONE CALLS AND TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP, I WAS TOLD AFTER TWO WEEKS, BY THE MANAGER OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT I NEEDED TO CALL MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THIS WAS SO MY INSURANCE WOULD PAY FOR TH

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA (6 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION) HAS EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE TRANSMISSION NOISE AND CLUTCH JUDDER WHEN STARTING IN FIRST GEAR SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN, AT TIMES, EXCESSIVELY DIFFICULT TO SHIFT AND THE JUDDER HAS BEEN, ON RARE OCCASIONS, EVIDENT IN SECOND GEAR. BOTH PROBLEMS HAVE BEEN INTERMITTENT SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED. ON THE MORNING OF JULY 28TH, THE JUDDER PROBLEM WAS PARTICULARLY BAD AND WAS EVIDENT WITH EVERY START IN FIRST GEAR AND SOMETIMES IN SECOND GEAR. IT BECAME MORE VIOLENT WITH EACH START AND AT ONE POINT, AFTER THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FULLY RELEASED, THERE WAS A SUDDEN SLIP OF THE CLUTCH DISC FOLLOWED BY SUDDEN FRICTION. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF TRACTION OF THE DRIVE WHEELS AND SUBSEQUENT TOTAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. CONTROL WAS REGAINED RELATIVELY QUICKLY BY DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH PEDAL TO REMOVE DRIVE POWER FROM THE WHEELS AND A CATASTROPHIC EVENT WAS NARROWLY AVOIDED. TOYOTA HAS ATTEMPTED REPAIR OF THIS JUDDER PROBLEM THREE TIMES INCLUDING A COMPLETE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT AT 6,500 MILES, BUT NOW CLAIMS THAT THE VEHICLE OPERATES NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO A DEALER SHORTLY AFTER THE INCIDENT DESCRIBED ABOVE AND THE SHOP FOREMAN SAID AGAIN, THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY. HE ALSO CLAIMED THAT PER TOYOTA'S DIRECTIVE, HE IS NOT TO KEEP THE VEHICLE UNLESS HE HAS PRIOR APPROVAL FROM TOYOTA TO DO SO. *JB

WHEN MY 05' TACOMA GOES BETWEEN 80-85 MPH THEIR IS A WHISTLING SOUND CAN BE AS CLOSE TO CHINESE TORTURE AS HUMANLY POSSIBLE. IT IS IN THE "G"-FLAT RANGE AND VERY LOUD. *NM

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA TAILGATE IS DANGEROUSLY WEAK, AND IS UNABLE TO SUPPORT WHAT MOST CONSIDER NORMAL WEIGHT FOR A TRUCK TAILGATE. ALTHOUGH SUBSTANDARD DESIGN MAY BE CONSIDERED "BUYER BEWARE", TRUCK BUYERS EXPECT A TAILGATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF NORMAL TRUCK USE ACTIVITIES. TOYOTA PROVIDES NO WARNING OR CAUTION ANYWHERE THAT THE TAILGATE IS OF INSUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO PERFORM NORMAL 1/2-TON TRUCK DUTIES, AND TYPICALLY (PER INTERNET FORUM THREADS) TELLS THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT IT IS THEIR PROBLEM AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO BE ABLE TO SAFELY USE THE TAILGATE FOR ANYTHING MORE THAN HIDING THE INSIDE OF THE BED. SINCE TOYOTA HAS PRODUCED A SUBSTANDARD DESIGNED PART, THEY SHOULD HAVE PROVIDED A VISUAL WARNING ON THE PART TO ALERT CUSTOMERS TO THE DANGER THEIR PRODUCT IMPOSES IF USED IN A TRADITIONAL MANNER. SINCE THEY DID NOT DO SO, THEY SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE TO PROVIDE A REDESIGNED PART TO THEIR CUSTOMERS OR FULL RESTITUTION FOR THE PURCHASE PRICE OF THE VEHICLES. A GOOGLE OR SIMILAR INTERNET SEARCH ON "TACOMA TAILGATE FORUM" WILL SUBSTANTIATE MY STATEMENTS BEYOND MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE WITH THE TAILGATE BENDING. *NM

I HAVE 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB 4X4, VEHICLE HAS A VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END AS IF THE FRONT TIRES ARE OUT OF BALANCE, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN BALANCED TWO TIMES IN THE LAST FEW MONTHS WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO BE THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEMS SEEMS TO OCCUR AT SPEEDS OF 55 TO 65 MPH. IT COMES AND GOES AND GET TO POINT SOMETIMES IF FEELS VERY UNSAFE TO HANDLE AT HIGHER SPEEDS. I HAVE TOLD THE DEALER TWICE ABOUT IT AND THEY SAY THERE'S NOTHING WRONG, YEAH RIGHT. *JB

WHILE PASSING SEVERAL RADAR SIGNS, I NOTICED MY TRUCKS SPEEDOMETER WAS READING ABOUT 8% ABOVE THE ACTUAL SPEED I WAS TRAVELING. A CHECK AT A "SPEEDOMETER CHECK" WHERE THEY HAVE MILEAGE SIGNS EVERY MILE FOR SEVERAL MILES ALSO CONFIRMED THIS. A TRIP WITH MY GPS ALSO SHOWED THE SPEEDOMETER WAS INACCURATE. THE DEALERSHIP CHECKED MY TRUCK ON THEIR SMOG DYNO AND SAID MY SPEEDOMETER WAS ONLY 1 MPH OFF AT 40 MPH. THEY INFERRED THAT SATELLITES, POLICE RADAR AND MY WRIST WATCH ARE LESS ACCURATE THAN THEIR SMOG TEST DYNO, NOT LIKELY. I'M GETTING RIPPED OFF FOR 8% OF MY WARRANTY! *JB

NEW 2005 TACOMA TOYOTA TRUCK WITH LESS THAN 10K. THE TAILGATE IS ALL BENT. VERY POORLY CONSTRUCTED....TOYOTA SHOULD BE ASHAMED! *NM

WE PURCHASED 2 NEW TOYOTA TACOMA PICK-UPS FOR OUR MOTORCYCLE DEALERSHIP. WE HAVE BEEN IN BUSINESS FOR 8 YEARS, AND OWNED FORD, CHEVY, AND NISSAN AS OUR DELIVERY TRUCKS. THE TAILGATES ON THESE TRUCKS HAVE NEVER BENT UNTIL WE BOUGHT THESE 2 TOYOTAS. BOTH NEW TRUCKS HAVE BENT TAIL GATES, DUE TO POOR CONSTRUCTION. THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS ON THE TAILGATE NOR IN THE OWNERS MANUAL, BUT SOUTHEAST TOYOTA REFUSES TO WARRANTY THESE ITEMS. *NM

I JUST READ A SIMILAR COMPLAINT AND I WANTED TO FILE MY STORY. MY 2005 TACOMA'S SPEEDOMETER HAS BEEN READING APPROXIMATELY 7 MILES PER HOUR FASTER THAN ACTUAL. I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHY SO MANY CARS WERE PASSING ME ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I WAS DOING AROUND 65! I CHECKED IT BY FOLLOWING MY WIFE IN HER CAR AND ALSO COMPARED AGAINST MILE MARKERS. I TOOK TO THE DEALER AND THEY HOOKED IT UP TO THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG - THEY SAID THERE WAS NO FIX. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW HOW FAST YOU ARE REALLY GOING PLUS THE CONDITION SHORTENS THE LIFE OF THE FACTORY WARRANTY (36,000 MILES) BECAUSE THE ODOMETER IS RECORDING MORE MILES THAN ACTUAL. *NM

MY IN CAR GPS SYSTEM SHOWS IT DOING 75 MPH WHEN THE SPEEDOMETER (IN DASH)SHOWS IT DOING 80, 66 MPH WHEN DOING 70 ON THE SPEEDOMETER. SO IF DOING A MINIMUM SPEED POSTING OF 45 MPH I WOULD BE DOING ONLY 43 MPH ON THE SPEEDOMETER. TOYOTA CLAIMS THAT THE SPEEDOMETER IS WITH IN TOLLERANCE AND WILL NOT ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *JB

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPOT WITH MY 2005 TACOMA AUTOMATIC AND I HAD MY FOOT COMPLETELY ON THE BRAKE WHEN THE TRUCK LUNGED FORWARD. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE REAR ENDED ME. ITS BEEN DOING IT EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE AT STOP LIGHTS SINCE THEN. *NM

I HAVE EXCESSIVE PAINT CHIPPING PROBLEMS ON A 2005 SPEEDWAY BLUE TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB TRD SPORT SR5 V6 4WD. I'VE OWNED FOR LESS THAN (1) YEAR AND THERE ARE OVER (100) PAINT CHIPS ON: HOOD, FENDERS, BUMPERS, ROCKERS, DOORS, AND BED. THERE ARE (0) SCRATCHES ON THIS TRUCK, AND THE FACTORY SKID PLATES ARE STILL CHIP/SCRATCH/DENT FREE. CHIPS GO DOWN PAST PRIMER. THIS TRUCK HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN OFF-ROAD. ONLY DRIVEN ON HIGHWAYS AND CITY STREETS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL CAME OFF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LEAVE THE ROAD AND STRIKE OTHER VEHICLES PARKED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AT THE SCENE. BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER RECEIVED INJURIES, ALTHOUGH BOTH WERE WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE AGENCY. HOWEVER, THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION ON WHAT CAUSED THE WHEEL TO DISLODGE. UPDATED 5/2/2006 - *NM

MY CONCERN IS THAT THE TIRES ON OEM TIRES ON MY VEHICLE (2005 TOYOTA TACOMA X-RUNNER) ARE DEFECTIVE. I HAD A "SPLIT" IN MY TIRE AND I TOOK IT TO BRIDGESTONE AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY REPLACED ALL OF MY TIRES, NOT JUST THE PROBLEM ONE WITH NO QUESTIONS. WHERE MY CONCERN COMES IN IS THAT I KNOW OTHER WITH THE SAME VEHICLE AS I HAVE AND THEY EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THE BRIDGESTONE REP. IN THEIR AREA IS TELLING THEM THAT THEY DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IF THE TIRE IS UNSAFE AND SOME AREA KNOW ABOUT THIS AND ARE FIXING IT WHY ARE NOT ALL THE AREAS AWARE OF THIS. I FEEL THAT THEY ARE KNOWINGLY PUTTING LIVES AT RISK BY ALLOWING THIS TO GO ON WITH NO SOLUTION. *JB

I HAVE A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA X-RUNNER. I HAVE TIRES THAT ARE SPLITTING ACROSS THE TREAD. IT SEEM THAT EVERY MODEL OF THIS TRUCK IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND NO RECALL IS BEING DONE. HTTP://WWW.CUSTOMTACOS.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=46086&PAGE=17&HIGHLIGHT=TIRE I DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH MY TIRES SPLITTING. AND NO ONE SEEMS TO BE TRYING TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. MY AUTO IS ONLY 8 MONTHS OLD, AND I DON'T WANT TO REPLACE 5 $260 A TIRE OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. *NM

STEERING WHEEL WILL MOVE BACK AND FORTH AS IF A SURGE OF PRESSURE. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO BECOME DIFFICULT TO HANDLE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP TWICE WITH OUT CORRECTION THEY SAY THAT IT IS FINE. *NM

POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD 29 MAR 06 05/06 TACOMA SUSPENSION DESIGN-DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS NOT A QUESTION BUT A DESCRIPTION OF WHAT I AND OTHER PREVIOUS AND CURRENT TACOMA OR TRUCK OWNERS CONSIDER A DESIGN FLAW AND POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. I'M HIGHLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE FRONT END METAL SUSPENSION KNUCKLE THAT SITS A 1/2 INCH AWAY FROM THE MIDDLE OF THE TIRE. THIS IS ON THE 05 TACOMA CREW CAB 4X4 SHORTBED W/TRD, TOW PKG (OC)OPTIONS. -THIS CAUSES ISSUE THIS COULD CAUSE FLEXING OF THE TIRE DURING NORMAL ON-ROAD AND OFF-ROAD BUMPS CAUSING THE TIRE TO FLEX AND POSSIBLY RUB AGAINST THE SUSPENSION KNUCKLE. THIS SITUATION IS COMPOUNDED IF A TIRE RUNS A LITTLE LOW ON AIR PRESSURE AND COULD CAUSE A PREMATURE CUT TIRE OR BLOWOUT. ANOTHER UNRELATED ITEM--THE NEW 05/06 TACOMA REAR SUSPENSION BOTTOMS OUT TO EASY. DURING A RECENT HUNTING TRIP OCT 05 IN COLORADO. I HAD MY HUNTING GEAR DISTRIBUTED EVENLY IN THE CREW CAB AND THE SHORTBED (APPX 100PDS IN THE BACK SEAT, ONLY MYSELF 220PD IN DRIVER SEAT, AND APPX 400 PDS IN THE TRUCK BED. THE TRUCK BED HAD APPX 275 PDS BETWEEN THE WHEEL WELL AND TAILGATE AND OTHER 100-150 MAX IN FRONT OF BED EVENLY DESTROYED. THE TRUCK BOTTOMED OUT QUITE EASILY ON FAIRLY MINOR RUTS ON DIRT ROADS AND ON HIGHWAY DITCHES THAT WERE ONLY MINOR SLOPED AND SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSE THE TRUCK TO BOTTOM OUT. THE TRUCK WAS NOT CLOSE TO THE 50% WEIGHT LIMIT AND THE REAR OF THE TRUCK STANDING STILL WAS NOT SAGGING MUCH AT ALL FROM THE WEIGHT. I WAS REALL

WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THERE IS AN INCONSISTENT AND UNPREDICTABLE MECHANICAL SENSATION THAT VARIED FROM A MILD YET DISTINCT ROUGH TRANSITION (CREATING THE PERCEPTION THAT I WAS FORCING THE GEARS) TO A DRAMATIC MECHANICAL SENSATION OF GEARS CHANGING (AT TIMES ACCOMPANIED WITH A CLICKING SOUND). I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE MASTER TECHNICIAN (MT) DRIVE THE TRUCK AND SEE IF HE WAS EXPERIENCING WHAT I WAS EXPERIENCING. HE SHARED THAT HE COULD FEEL THE GEARS AND SAID HE COULD REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION IF THE FACTORY TRAINED SPECIALIST (FTS) AGREED IT NEEDED REPLACING. FTS DROVE THE TRUCK WITH ME AND DID NOT FEEL THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING ABNORMAL ABOUT THE SHIFTING (VEHICLE OPERATES AS DESIGNED...). BECAUSE THE PRESENT SHIFTING SENSATION MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE FORCING OR GRINDING GEARS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE GIVEN I CAN TEND TO BE MORE FOCUSED ON THE SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND THAN ON DRIVING AND IT IS UNCERTAIN WHETHER THE TRANSMISSION WILL POSSIBLY FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING THE TRUCK. I HAVE OWNED AT LEAST 5 OR 6 FIVE-SPEED VEHICLES. I HAVE ALSO WORKED ON TRANSMISSIONS. IN ALL MY EXPERIENCE WITH 5-SPEEDS I HAVE OWNED, I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED A SHIFTING PROBLEM LIKE I AM PRESENTLY EXPERIENCING. THIS IS A BRAND NEW, SUPPOSEDLY, QUALITY TOYOTA VEHICLE AND IT UNQUESTIONABLY SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I AM CURRENTLY IN ARBITRATION. *NM

2005 TACOMA PRERUNNER HAS A POP OR THUMP THAT OCCURS WHEN THERE IS AN ACCELERATION FOR A DEAD STOP AND THEN ALSO A THUMP WHEN THERE IS A DECELERATION. IT CAN BE FELT IN THE CAB AS THOUGH THERE IS A SPACE BETWEEN THE CAB MOUNTING BOLTS AND THE FRAME I.E., NOT TIGHT ENOUGH AND CAUSES THE CAB TO LIFT FORWARD AND UP WHEN STOPPING OR THE OPPOSITE WHEN ACCELERATING. HAVE TAKEN IT TO TOYOTA OF MANHATTAN BEACH, CA., THEY TIGHTENED THE BOLTS AND IT WAS BETTER BUT IS NOW BACK AS IT WAS IN BEFORE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WAS SHIFTED FROM FOUR WHEEL DRIVE HIGH OR LOW, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT ALWAYS SHIFT. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE AUDIBLE ALARM STATING THE VEHICLE HAS NOT SHIFTED CAME ON. AN ADDITIONAL 5 ATTEMPTS WERE NEEDED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED. THE TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER DROVE THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. ALSO, WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES WERE BELOW ZERO DEGREES THE KEYLESS ENTRY WOULD NOT UNLOCK THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP TESTED THE KEY FOB AND REPLACED THE BATTERY, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM. UPDATED 3/22/2006 - *NM

AFTER HAVING TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON THIS VEHICLE AT 6271 MILES, LESS THAN 2 WEEKS LATER AGAIN HEARD A CLINKING SOUND EMANATING FROM THE REAR TRANSMISSION WHEEL AREA. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER AND DURING TECHNICIAN TEST DRIVE WITH SPOUSE REAR END LOCKED UP. DEALER DISCOVERED ISSUE WAS BOLTS ON RIGHT REAR E-BRAKE CABLE INSIDE DRUM CAME OUT AND BRAKE SHOE WAS LOCKING UP REAR AND THEN MAKING IT HARD TO SHIFT INTO GEAR AND BOLT WAS MAKING THE GRINDING NOISE AT LOWER 1ST GEAR. DEALER REMOVED AND CLEANED AXLES, INSTALLED NEW BOLTS ON E-BRAKE CABLE, REMOVED AND REPAIRED REAR BRAKE SHOES AND MACHINED BOTH REAR DRUMS. *NM

DURING RECENT COLD WINTER WEATHER, HAD COUPLE INCIDENTS WHERE BRAKES APPEARED TO NOT OPERATE CORRECTLY ON MODERATE ICE/SLUSHY ROAD CONDITION AND THIS CAUSED ON ONE OCCASION TO RUN THROUGH INTERSECTION DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BEING FORTUNATE THAT NO OTHER TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT AT THE TIME. THIS ALL COMES AFTER A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AT 6271 MILES AND REAR BRAKE WORK ON THE VEHICLE AT 6558 MILES. THIS TRUCK IS LIKE A LEMON. *NM

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA XTRA CAB 4X4. PASSENGER SIDE CARPET AREA WAS DISCOVERED WET AT AROUND 1379 MILES. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT HOSE CONNECTION ON THE EVAPORATOR BOX HAD CRACKED OFF WHERE THE DRAIN HOSE CONNECTS TO THE BOX. HAD TO ORDER AND REPLACE THE LOWER PART OF THE BOX, WHICH REQUIRED COMPLETE REMOVAL OF FRONT DASH. SUBSEQUENT PROBLEM WITH WINDSHIELD VENTS WAS REPAIRED AFTER RETURN AND DISCOVERY THAT VENT WAS NOT PROPERLY RECONNECTED WHEN FRONT DASH WAS REINSTALLED. *JB

AT AROUND 6150 MILES, TRANSMISSION WAS MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AND OCCASIONAL ISSUES ENCOUNTERED GETTING THE VEHICLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALERSHIP AND THEY IDENTIFIED THAT BEARING HAD SLIPPED LOOSE IN TRANSMISSION. DEALER ORDERED AND INSTALLED A BRAND NEW TRANSMISSION INTO 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA PICK UP. *JB