Page 8 of 11 · complaints 351–400 of 520

2009 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 2009 record →

Suspension
Filed Jun 20, 201267,775 milesNH

FOUND A BROKEN LEAF ON THE REAR SUSPENSION ON THE LEFT HAND SIDE, IT WAS THE MIDDLE LEAF NOT THE MAIN LEAF. MUST HAVE HAPPENED IN THE LAST 2700 MILES. WAS UNDER THE TRUCK AT 65,000 AND ALL WAS GOOD. I DO NOT LOAD THIS TRUCK, IT CAN'T TAKE IT. IT IS BASICALLY A PASSENGER CAR WITH A CARGO BOX, AND THATS HOW I USE IT. CALLED LOCAL DEALER AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO RECALLS OR SERVICE LETTERS. CALLED A LOCAL SPRING SHOP AND WHEN I GAVE THEM THE MAKE AND MODEL, THEY SAID THEY WEREN'T SURPRISED, THEY DO A LOT OF SINGLE LEAFS ON TACOMAS, AND AT A WIDE RANGE OF MILEAGE. THEY HAVE DONE REPLACEMENTS ON VEHICLES FROM 18K-80K. *JS

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 201234,000 milesPA

FUEL RATIO SENSOR LIGHT DISPLAYED AT 34,000 MILE AND 39 MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP. TOYOTA WILL NOT PAY FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 6, 201260,000 milesVA

IN SEPTEMBER 2011, I NOTICED THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS HAD AN ORANGE/BROWN SPOT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LENS. EIGHTS MONTHS LATER, THE DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS HAVE MELTED AND CRACKED THE PLASTIC LENS. THE PASSENGER SIDE LENS HAS COMPLETELY MELTED IN HALF. THE BULB APPEARS TO SIT TOO CLOSE TO THE LENS IN THE HOUSING UNIT. FIRE RISK. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jun 3, 2012LA

MY TRUCKS HEADLIGHT UNIT HAS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS "AMBER TURN SIGNAL LIGHTING" AND ITS CONTINUED TO CAUSE MELTING AROUND THE HOUSING. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR NOW AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INFORMED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AND THEY REFUSE REPLACEMENT BECAUSE ITS NOT A DECLARED RECALL FROM TOYOTA. THE LIGHT ISSUE CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND IS ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED AROUND THE TURN AREA. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 29, 201256,250 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS HAD BURNED THROUGH THE TURN SIGNAL COVERING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TURN SIGNAL BULBS WERE POSITIONED TOO CLOSELY TO THE CASING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,250. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 11/29/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE LIGHTS WERE NO LONGER EFFECTIVE

Exterior Lighting
Filed May 17, 201235,000 milesOK

I NOTICED THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT LENS HAD CRACKED & MELTED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT DUE TO THE AMOUNT OF HEAT THE BULB IS PUTTING OUT. I AM DISAPPOINTED THAT A COMPANY SUCH AS TOYOTA WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ THE FIX IS OVER $700 TO FIX. IT MAKES YOU WONDER IF GREED IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. *TR

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Apr 26, 201260,000 milesNC

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. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

SteeringCrash1 injured
Filed Apr 20, 201228,000 milesWV

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE WAS DRIVING 40 MPH AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE STEERING WHEEL BROKE OFF BEFORE THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUFFERED HEAD INJURIES AND WAS THE ONLY OCCUPANT IN THE VEHICLE. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY ANOTHER PERSON. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS ALSO NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 16, 201238,650 milesLA

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE MELTING IN THE FRONT OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS/TURN SIGNAL. BOTH SIDES HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. THEY BOTH HAVE A HORIZONTAL CRACK AND A MELTED BLOB OF PLASTIC THAT WILL LIKELY KEEP GETTING BIGGER. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD. WHILE AT LOWES YESTERDAY, I CHECKED THE HEADLIGHTS OF ONE OTHER TACOMA, AND HE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. WHEN I GOT HOME, I PERFORMED A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND SEVERAL FORUMS WHERE OWNERS WERE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. MOST SAID THAT WHEN THEY MENTIONED IT TO THEIR TOYOTA DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP ACTED LIKE NO ONE HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. SOME CUSTOMERS WERE ABLE TO GET THE HEADLIGHTS REPLACED AND SOME WERE NOT. I'D BE CONCERNED THAT THE REPLACEMENT WILL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE A COUPLE OF YEARS FROM NOW. *JS

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 23, 201240,000 milesGA

THE HEADLIGHT LENSES ARE MELTING IN FRONT OF THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHT BULBS/TURN SIGNALS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED BY TOYOTA. I WAS TOLD BY TOYOTA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT MY TOYOTA EXTENDED PLATNIUM WARRENTEE WILL NOT COVER THIS PART AND THEY WILL NOT AUTHORIZE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE HEADLIGHTS. *TR

Suspension
Filed Mar 16, 201264,750 milesPA

I BEGAN TO DRIVE MY VEHICLE TODAY AND HEARD A STRANGE CLANKING NOISE. I PULLED OVER AND UPON INSPECTION I FOUND THAT ONE OF THE RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRINGS WAS BROKEN. I HAVE NEVER HAD A LOAD IN THE BED OF THE TRUCK OVER 500LBS. I SEE THAT PRIOR MODEL YEAR TACOMAS HAD A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE TRUCK HAD THE SAME PART BUT THE RECALL DOES NOT EXTEND TO 2009. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Mar 8, 201246,100 milesFL

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE TO CLOSE TO THE PLASTIC IN FRONT OF THE BULB, WHICH HAS CRACKED AND MELTED THE PLASTIC LENS, WHICH IS A FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Feb 11, 201217,246 milesTX

IGNITION COIL FAILED CAUSING ROUGH ENGINE. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 19, 201240,300 milesAZ

STEERING GEARBOX SEAL FAILURE REQUIRING REPLACEMENT OF THE RACK AND PINION. *TT

Steering
Filed Dec 14, 201115,000 milesNH

MY TACOMA HAS A CONSTANT SHIMMY IN THE STEERING WHEEL. MY MECHANIC AND TOYOTA SERVICE HAVE TRIED BALANCING, ALIGNMENTS AND ROAD-FORCE TESTING, BUT NOTHING WORKS TO ELIMINATE THE SHAKE. IT IS AT IT'S WORST WHEN I FIRST ACCELERATE TO CRUISING SPEED AFTER THE TRUCK HAS SAT FOR EIGHT HOURS. AT THESE TIMES IT IS AN APPROXIMATELY A 1/4 INCH SHIMMY IN THE WHEEL, AND IS QUITE A VIOLENT SHAKE. IT SEEMS TO DISSIPATE AFTER A WHILE, BUT THE SHIMMY NEVER GOES AWAY COMPLETELY. IT EXISTS WITH BOTH MY ALL-SEASON TIRES, AND MY SNOW TIRES. *TR

Power Train
Filed Dec 12, 201152,000 milesCA

MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH DIFFICULT ENGAGING. SLIPPING FEELING IN FORWARD GEARS AND REVERSE. THE CENTER SECTION OF THE CLUTCH DISK HAVE SEPARATED FROM THE FRICTION MATERIAL SECTION OF THE CLUTCH DISK. DEFECTIVE CLUTCH. *TR

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Nov 14, 201160,000 milesTX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRONT TURN SIGNAL LENSES BURNED OUT. THE CONTACT NOTICED VISIBLE BURN MARKS ON BOTH LENSES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 14, 201115,322 milesIN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 09V388000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED AN ABNORMAL ACCELERATION WHILE SHIFTING INTO DRIVE WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION FAILURE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE WOULD BE SENDING FOR AN INVESTIGATOR TO FURTHER INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 15,322.

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Oct 25, 201130,000 milesGA

DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS BURN /MELT THE LENS DUE TO EXCESSIVE HEAT, IN LESS THEN 30K MILES. I BELIEVE TOYOTA HAS A DESIGN PROBLEM WITH THE DRLS. EVERY TACOMA WITH THE DRL OPTION WILL EVENTUALLY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THE COMPARTMENT THAT HOLDS THE DLR LIGHT IS SMALL, WITH NO VENTILATION, AND THE LAMP DISSIPATES APPROXIMATELY 28 WATTS OF HEAT, WHICH IS FOCUSED TOWARD THE LENS (ALONG WITH THE LIGHT). IT IS SIMPLY TOO MUCH HEAT IN TOO SMALL AN AREA, AND THE HEAT IS SUFFICIENT TO MELT THE PLASTIC LENS IN FRONT OF THE LAMP. SINCE THE DRL IS PART OF THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, THE COST OF PARTS IS REPORTED TO BE AROUND $700 PLUS LABOR. I BELIEVE THAT LENSES (WITH PROPER LAMPS) SHOULD NEVER MELT. ASKING TACOMA OWNERS TO PAY $700 +, EVERY 30K MILES IS OUTRAGEOUS! MY HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THEY ARE SURE TO FAIL AGAIN IF SOMETHING IS NOT DONE TO CORRECT THE DESIGN OF THE DLRS. IT APPEARS THAT TOYOTA IS IGNORING THE PROBLEM AND HOPING MOST PEOPLE WON'T RECOGNIZE THE PROBLEM UNTIL AFTER THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. NOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS CONDITION WILL EVENTUALLY LEAD TO AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. *TT

Exterior LightingFire
Filed Sep 8, 2011137,000 milesGA

MY 09 TOYOTA TACOMA DRL (DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT/TURN SIGNAL) LENS BURNED/MELTED/BROKE. I HAVE EXCEEDED MY WARRANTY BUT I FEEL TOYOTA SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND REPLACE MY LIGHT LENS. MY LOCAL DEALER DID DO A 50/50 SPLIT ON THE COST OF REPLACEMENT, BUT THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM. LIGHT LENS SHOULD NEVER BURN/MELT/BREAK REGARDLESS OF HOW OLD OR HOW MANY MILES THE VEHICLE HAS ON IT. NOT ALL TACOMA'S HAVE DRL , THIS IS AN OPTION, MY LOCAL DEALER DID NOT KNOW THIS BUT I POINTED THIS OUT TO HIM. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH SAME PROBLEM BUT HIS TACOMA IS STILL IN WARRANTY AND THE DEALER DID A 100% REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED TOYOTA WITH A LETTER AND PICTURES AND WAS TOLD TOYOTA WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT BECAUSE I HAD EXCEEDED MY WARRANTY. *TR

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 30, 2011SC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS WERE MADE WITH DOUBLE CONTACT BULBS. THE HEAT FROM THE LIGHT WAS BURNING THROUGH THE LENSES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND HAD THE LENSES REPLACED BUT THE DEALER DID NOT CHANGE THE BULBS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RECUR BECAUSE THE BULBS WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS EXTREMELY RARE AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BULB BURNED THROUGH THE LENS WITHIN TWO YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37,600.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Aug 24, 201145,900 milesSC

DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS ARE MELTING THE PLASTIC LAMP HOUSING. ALL COMPONENTS ARE FACTORY STOCK: BULBS, HOUSINGS, WIRING, ETC. MELTED PLASTIC HOUSING HAS CHANGED THE TURN SIGNAL BEAM GEOMETRY RESULTING IN REDUCED VISIBILITY AND RISK OF ACCIDENT. ALSO, MELTED MATERIAL INDICATES A POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. *TR

Equipment
Filed Aug 5, 201130,000 milesRI

I ALWAYS WANTED A TOYOTA TRUCK EVER SINCE I WAS 16. NOW AT 38 I DECIDED TO PURCHASE A 2009 TACOMA BRAND NEW AND I CURRENTLY HAVE 30,000 MILES ON IT AND I BEGAN NOTICING AN ANNOYING WHINING SOUND FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AT 65 - 70 MPH. I BROUGHT IN IN TO MY LOCAL TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS NORMAL. I WAS SHOCKED TO HEAR THIS SINCE I HAVE NEVER HEARD THIS NOISE FROM ANY OF THE TRUCKS I HAVE OWNED PREVIOSULY AND I CHECKED ONLINE AND THIER IS A TSB FOR THE DIFFERENTIAL FOR THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM IN 2008 MODELS. I TOLD TOYOTA THIS AND THEY SAID A REP WOULD BE COMING OUT. A WEEK OR SO LATER THE REP CAME OUT AND I RECIEVIED A CALL STATING THAT THE VEHICLE IS NORMAL AND THE NOISE CAN BE HEARD IN OTHER TOCAMAS AS WELL. THE REP SAID TO WAIT AND A TSB MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT BE RELEASED. I WAS VERY UPSET AT THIS ESPECIALLY WHEN I READ ONLINE THAT TOYOTA FIXED THIS PROBLEM FOR OTHER PEOPLE. I OPENED A CASE UP WITH TOYOTA AND THEY DID NOT EVEN CARE ONE BIT. NOW LAST WEEK AS I WENT TO PARK MY TRUCK IN THE GARAGE AND I SHIFTED IT IN DRIVE WITH MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE (NOT THE GAS PEDAL)THE VEHICLE'S RPM RACED UP AND THE VEHICLE TRIED TO LURCH FORWARD. SHOCKED TO SAY THE LEAST I THEN SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL WAITED A FEW MOMENTS AS THE VEHICLE KEPT RACING UP I THEN SHUT IT DOWN. I STARTED IT BACK UP AND IT IDLED NORMALLY. THE NEXT DAY I CALLED TOYOTA TO STATE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. TOYOTA WANTED ME TO BRING IT IN RIGHT AWAY. I TOOK IT IN AND THEY HAD A LONG LISTED FORM OF

Power Train › Driveline › Differential Unit
Filed Jul 20, 201129,000 milesRI

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED FOR EXAMPLE AT A RED LIGHT THE VEHICLE RPM WILL INCREASE AND THE VEHICLE WILL THEN LURCH FORWARD. FORTUNATELY MY FOOT IN ON THE BRAKE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE THAT HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY TOYOTA REGIONAL REPS AS A WHINING NOISE FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL AT 50 TO 70 MPH. TAKEN BACK 3 TIMES TO DEALER THEY SAY ITS NORMAL BUT I KNOW IT IS NOT. THESE MAY BE 2 SEPARATE ISSUES BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT TOYOTA MAKES IT DIFFICULT FOR IT'S CUSTOMERS TO GET WARRANTY REPAIRS AND IN ACKNOWLEDGING A PROBLEM. TOYOTA SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR ITS LACK OF CUSTOMER SERVICE IN FIXING ITS VEHICLES UNTIL PEOPLE GET INJURED. *KB

Exterior Lighting
Filed Jul 14, 201151,000 milesNY

THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO USE THE COMPLAINT THAT WAS SENT VIA EMAIL. JO. NOT SURE WHO TO CONTACT BUT I AM A SAFETY PROFESSIONAL FOR MANY YEARS AND AN INCIDENT LAST NIGHT CONFIRMED AN OBVIOUS DANGER TO DRIVERS BASED ON THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DASHBOARD LIGHTING AND HEADLAMP ACTIVATION. A NEAR MISS LAST NIGHT REMINDED ME OF THE SAME CONDITION I NOTED LAST YEAR IN A SIMILAR INCIDENT. I BELIEVE A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO DRIVERS EXISTS, IT IS AN UNRECOGNIZED THREAT, A SIMPLE REMEDY WOULD CORRECT AND I WOULD LIKE TO DISCUSS THAT CONCERN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 8, 201132,000 milesAZ

BRAKING INCONSISTENCY, USUALLY IN STOP AND GO OR UNEXPECTED TRAFFIC STOPS, SAY AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS AND INTERSECTIONS. OCCASIONALLY THE EFFICIENCY OF THE BRAKES VARIES, USUALLY CAUSING CONCERN THAT ONE MIGHT / WILL NOT BE ABLE TO STOP SHORT OF A COLLISION. IE NEAR MISSES. THIS CONDITION IS EXPERIENCED EVEN ON DRY EXCELLENT ROAD SURFACES IN NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS. SURPRISE, LONGER THAN EXPECTED STOPPING DISTANCES, QUESTIONING IF ALL THE BRAKES ARE FUNCTIONING OR IF ABS IS CUTTING IN PREMATURELY. OCCASIONAL LONG ROLLOUTS STOPS AND A COUPLE OF EXPERIENCES WHERE I HAD TO ALTER HEADING TO ALMOST PASS UP ALONG SIDE THE VEHICLE AHEAD, DURING A FREEWAY STOP AND GO, PANIC STOP HAS MADE ME SUSPECT THAT THERE MIGHT BE A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE AXLE-WRAP (TACOMA) PHENOMENON. COULD THE EXCESSIVE BRAKE BIAS CAUSED ROTATION OF THE REAR AXLE HOUSING AND ABS SENSORS BE IMPARTING A PREMATURE FALSE, IMPENDING WHEEL LOCKUP SIGNAL, TO THE ABS COMPUTER TO UNNECESSARILY BYPASS FLUID UNDER PRESSURE BACK TO THE RESERVOIR AND THUS NOT MAINTAIN FULL BRAKE PRESSURE TO ALL FOUR BRAKES/WHEELS DURING MEDIUM TO HEAVY BRAKING ON GOOD ROAD CONDITIONS? NOT ALL STOPS PRODUCE BUMPING (AXLEWRAP) AND ONLY ON OCCASION IS REDUCED BRAKING A MAJOR FACTOR, HOWEVER THEY DO OCCUR AND USUALLY WHEN YOU ARE NOT EXPECTING IT. TOYOTA DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE A SOLUTION TO THE AXLE-WRAP RECURRING DISCREPANCY. DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO BELIEVE THAT IF THERE WAS A SERIOUS PROBLEM THEN TOYOTA WOULD TELL THEM ABOUT IT? UNUSUAL BRAKE SHOE WEAR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 1, 201178,700 milesNH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE REAR AXLE RIGHT LEAF SPRING NEAR THE GAS LINE WHICH WAS CORRODED AND HAD BROKE IN HALF. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE FAILURE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE 2009 TACOMA AND WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 78,700.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Apr 5, 2011HI

2009 TOYOTA TACOMA FRONT TURN SIGNALS BURNING LENS. AMBER TURN SIGNAL BULBS APPEAR TO BE TO HIGH OF WATTAGE FROM FACTORY. LENS ARE BUBBLING/MELTING AND DISCOLORING FROM HEAT FROM THE BULBS. DRIVERS SIDE MUST HAVE GOTTEN HOT ENOUGH TO CRACK THE TURN SIGNAL LENS ITSELF. POSSIBLE FIRE HAZARD. A CHECK OF 9 OTHER SIMILAR TACOMA TRUCKS ON HICKAM AFB SHOWS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 3 OTHER VEHICLES OR 3 TACOMA'S COUNTING MINE. VEHICLE HAS JUST UNDER 20,000 MILES AND NEVER BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. TURN SIGNALS ALSO ACT AS DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHTS WHICH ARE TURNED ON WHENEVER TRUCK IS RUNNING. [XXX] ONLY PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS TO THE TRUCK LENS, BURNT/CRACKED. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 21, 201114,500 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BUT WOULD EVENTUALLY BE ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE DEALER REPLACED A COMPUTER CHIP BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOLD HIM THAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE BAD FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 25,375. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,500.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Feb 23, 201124,000 milesMA

THIS VEHICLE HAS WHAT I CONSIDER TO BE A BREAK PROBLEM. THE PRESSURE AND LENGTH OF PEDAL DEPRESSION REQUIRED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. I HAVE TO DEPRESS THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR IN ORDER TO STOP UNDER AVERAGE DRIVING CONDITIONS. IT ACTUALLY FEELS AS THOUGH THE PEDAL HAS NOT FULLY ENGAGED THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN COMPLETELY DEPRESSED. THE LENGTH OF TRAVEL IN THE PEDAL FROM THE POINT WHERE BREAKS INITIALLY ENGAGE AND COMPLETELY STOPS IS EXCESSIVE AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO TOYOTA FOR SERVICE AND THEY HAVE INDICATED THAT THE BREAKS ARE WITHIN TOYOTA SPECIFICATIONS AND DO NOT REQUIRE SERVICE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 23, 20113,000 milesNC

MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA HAS A DEMENTED MIND OF ITS OWN WHEN IT COMES TO UNEXPECTED ACCELERATION. I WILL DESCRIBE WHAT IT HAS DONE AT LEAST 10 TIMES IN THE YEAR AND A HALF SINCE I (UNFORTUNATELY) PURCHASED IT. AS I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR AND APPLY IT TO THE BRAKE, THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP TO MORE THAN 7,000 RPM. I CONTINUE PRESSING ON THE BRAKE WHICH STARTS TO SLIP. TO AVOID A CRASH I MUST QUICKLY SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL. AS THE ENGINE REACHES MAXIMUM RPM'S, IT THEN DIES BACK TO AN IDLE. IT IS NOT THE FLOOR MAT OR THE ACCELERATION PEDAL CAUSING THIS. NINE OF THESE TIMES I HAVE BEEN GOING FORWARD, BUT THIS MORNING THIS EXACT SAME THING HAPPENED AS I WAS SLOWLY BACKING UP INTO A PARKING SPACE. NOW HERE'S THE EVEN SADDER SITUATION WE HAVE. MY WIFE OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA RAV4 AND THE EXACT SAME THING HAS HAPPENED IN THAT VEHICLE ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. (I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT ON HER VEHICLE AS WELL.) THIS IS NOT DRIVER ERROR. IT'S A VERY SCARY SITUATION AND WE ARE BOTH HOPEFUL NOTHING SERIOUS HAPPENS TO US OR THE VEHICLES IN FRONT OF US AS WE ARE TRYING TO STOP OUR VEHICLES. *LN

Service Brakes, ElectricCrash
Filed Jan 20, 201112,780 milesMO

I STARTED MY TRUCK, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE 22, PULLED IT INTO MY GARAGE AND PRESSED ON THE BRAKE TO EASE FORWARD AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT STOP. I PRESSED AS HARD AS I COULD ON THE BRAKE BUT THE TRUCK CONTINUED FORWARD AND HIT THE FRONT WALL OF THE GARAGE. IT FELT LIKE IT WAS TRYING TO CONTINUE DRIVING FORWARD AGAINST THE GARAGE WALL. I PLACED IT INTO PARK AND AFTER CALMING DOWN BACKED IT OFF THE WALL. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 13, 2011FL

2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER STATES THAT HE RECEIVED AN UNDATED RECALL NOTICE. HE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW NHTSA COULD APPROVE THEM TO SEND OUT AN UNDATED RECALL NOTICE. *KB

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jan 7, 201114,500 milesHI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER(09V388000-VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL). AFTER GETTING THE RECALL REPAIRS DONE SHE WAS UNSATISFIED BECAUSE THE FLOOR MATS DO NOT FIT COMFORTABLE AND HER FOOT SLIPS OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. SHE ALSO STATES THAT SHE WOULD LIKE FOR THEM TO REVERSE THE REMEDY DUE TO THE PROBLEM THAT SHE EXPERIENCED AT THE TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT ALLOW THEM TO REVERSE THE REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 14,500.

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Dec 28, 20108,000 milesUT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A POLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER AND SHE HAS SIMULTANEOUSLY DEPRESSED BOTH PEDALS CAUSING THE ABNORMAL ACCELERATION. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 8,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 1, 201015,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE HE WAS EXPERIENCING ISSUES WHEN HE WAS SHIFTING GEARS. THE TECHNICIANS MODIFIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. AFTER THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS MODIFIED HE WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN IT BECAME DIFFICULT FOR HIM TO ENGAGE THE PEDAL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 27, 201023,762 milesGA

WHILE DRIVING MY 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA SPORT PICK-UP TRUCK IN A LOWES HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTER PARKING LOT TODAY (11/27/10 AT 2:25 PM), MY TACOMA BEGAN A VERY RAPID ACCELERATION AS I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN ROUNDING AN ISLE TURN IN THE LOT AND PREPARING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. I APPLIED IMMEDIATE HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE SINCE A TOYOTA PRIUS WAS RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME AND I DID NOT WANT TO HIT IT. DURING MY BRAKING THE REAR TIRE(S) WAS SPINNING AND SCREECHING ON THE PAVEMENT. THE TRUCK MOVED FORWARD ABOUT 5 FEET AND THEN THE MOTOR SHUT OFF AS I WAS REACHING TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. WHEW! THIS HAPPENED IN ALL OF A SPAN OF MAYBE 4 TO 5 SECONDS. THANK GOD I HAD JUST RECENTLY TAKEN THE TRUCK IN FOR A RECALL WHERE THE DEALER CUT BACK THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND INSTALLED NEW SOFTWARE TO SHUT OFF THE ENGINE WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THIS NEW SOFTWARE SAVED MY BUTT AND THAT OF THE PRIUS TOO. WHO KNOWS THE DAMAGE THAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN DONE WITHOUT IT. THIS IS MY (THE TACOMA'S) 3RD RAPID ACCELERATION INCIDENT AND 3RD TIME I AM REPORTING TO THE NHTSA. FIRST REPORT WAS ON 12/03/09 ID: 174319. THIS TIME I WAS PARKED WITH THE MOTOR RUNNING. UPON MOVING THE SHIFT LEVER FROM P TO N THE MOTOR RAPIDLY ACCELERATED. SINCE THE CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL I WAS ABLE TO SHUT OFF THE IGNITION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER THE NEXT DAY AND THEY "FOUND NO PROBLEM". RIGHT! MY SECOND REPORT TO THE NHTSA WAS ON 4/14/10 ODI: 10325627. SAME PROBLEM AS WITH THE FIRST REPORT TO THE NHTSA. I DID NOT TAKE IT

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 23, 201010 milesVA

I HAVE A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB PRE RUNNER. THE BRAKES ARE SPONGY AND BECOME EVEN SOFTER WHEN DRIVEN. THE BRAKE PEDAL SLOWLY LOSES HEIGHT, SINKING TOWARDS THE FLOOR. STOPPING DISTANCE BECOMES UNPREDICTABLE AND THE VEHICLE BECOMES MORE DIFFICULT TO STOP. I'VE COMPLAINED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AND FILED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH YOU GUYS. WILL YOU PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE MY BRAKING ISSUE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Oct 21, 20105,000 milesAZ

BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR SOMETIMES. IF YOU PUMP IT THEN IT IS OK. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Sep 29, 201013,900 milesNC

USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, SET AT 61MPH, CLIMBING A SMALL HILL, THE TRUCK DOWNSHIFTED AT LEAST 3 TIMES, REVVING THE ENGINE TO OVER 5000 RPM. IT STARTLED ME. MY FIRST REACTION WAS TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL, BUT I KNEW THAT WOULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO OVER REV. I LIFTED THE CRUISE CONTROL TO SHUT IT OFF, AND THE ENGINE SPEED DROPPED. I DROVE A WHILE WITH THE CRUISE OFF, THEN RETRIED IT. ON THE FIRST HILL THE SAME THING HAPPENED, AND I SHUT OFF THE CRUISE. I TRIED TWO MORE TIMES WITH THE SAME RESULTS. WHEN I DROVE WITH OUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON, THE ENGINE WOULD DOWN SHIFT ONLY ONE TIME, THEN AT THE TOP OF THE HILL WOULD UPSHIFT, RESUMING THE NORMAL OPERATION. THROUGH OUT THE REST IF MY VISIT TO PA, I DROVE W/O CRUISE CONTROL, AND THERE WERE NO OVER SHIFTING INCIDENTS. ON THE RETURN TRIP TO NC ON THE 26TH, I RESET THE CRUISE, AND UPON CLIMBING A HILL, THE SAME THING HAPPENED. I SHUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL UNTIL I GOT OUT OF THE HILLS, AND THEN THE OPERATION SEEMED NORMAL. I HAVE MADE THAT TRIP BEFORE IN THE TRUCK, AND HAD NOTHING LIKE THE EXPERIENCE I JUST MENTIONED. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 20, 201015,000 milesOH

2009 TOYOTA TACOMA AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPAGE WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM LOW SPEED. THIS OCCURS AFTER SLOWING DOWN TO BETWEEN 5 AND 10 MPH. WHEN YOU TRY TO ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS UP BETWEEN 500 AND 2000 RPM BUT THE VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE. I REPORTED THIS SHORTLY AFTER I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ALL THE TACOMA TRANSMISSIONS DID THIS AND IT WAS NORMAL. THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS AND I HAVE ASKED THE DEALER IF TOYOTA HAS A FIX FOR IT EVERY TIME I TAKE THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AND I AM TOLD THERE IS NO FIX AND THE TRANSMISSION IS WORKING CORRECTLY EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID HE GET NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER TACOMA OWNER. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AND I AM UNABLE TO ACCELERATE TO AVOID AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Pedals and Linkages
Filed Aug 19, 20102,200 milesAL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND THE ENTIRE BRAKE PEDAL FRACTURED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS REPLACED DUE TO A BAD WELD. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 2,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,800.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Aug 8, 2010CA

BOUGHT A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA NEW. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS HAS ACTED STRANGE AT LOW SPEEDS FROM DAY ONE. WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, THEN ACCELERATE THE ENGINE REVS UP AND THE TRANSMISSIONS TAKES SEVERAL SECONDS TO ENGAGE INTO GEAR. THIS IS A DEFINITE HAZARD WHEN IT COMES TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. WENT TO THE TOYOTA DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR THIS VEHICLE!!!! IF THIS IS NORMAL, THIS WILL BE MY LAST TOYOTA. HOW MANY COMPLAINTS WILL IT TAKE TO MAKE TOYOTA DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM? *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 23, 20105,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 8,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jul 12, 20108,400 milesWI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT A WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE SPEED AND STOP THE ACCELERATION BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE FROM A DRIVEWAY WITH THE BRAKES DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE UNINTENDED ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 8,400. UPDATED 9/1/10 *CN UPDATED 09/02/10*JB

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 12, 201018,500 milesOK

WHEN MY 2009 TACOMA REACHED ABOUT 18,500 MILES THE REAR SPRING STARTED TO SQUEAK. YOU CAN HEAR IT EVEN GETTING IN & OUT OF THE VEHICLE. IF YOU PUT MUCH WEIGHT IN THE BACK IT WILL SQUAT & LIFT THE FRONT END UP. IT EVEN DOES POORLY PULLING AN EMPTY TRAILER. THIS IS MY 10TH + TOYOTA & I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM POPS UP & TOYOTA WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I MAY JUST BY A GMC NEXT TIME. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jul 2, 201022,000 milesMT

I HAVE A 2009 TOYTOA TACOMA WITH 26,000 MILES, AND THE LEAF SUSPENSION IS FAILING. THERE ARE AUDIBLE GROANS AND CREAKS JUST GETTING IN AND OUT OF THE CAR, OR IF I PUT IN LOADS AS LIGHT AS 50 POUNDS. FURTHER, THE RIDE HAS BECOME WORSE OVER BUMPS. TOYOTA HAS ISSUED TSBS FOR THIS ISSUE IN EARLIER MODELS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM, AND THERE ISN'T A TSB FOR 2009. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jun 13, 2010NE

THE REAR VIEW MIRROR IS TOO LOW AND CAUSES A LARGE BLIND SPOT. THE BLIND SPOT CREATED BY THE LOCATION OF THE REAR VIEW MIRROR HAS CAUSED ME NOT TO BE ABLE TO SEE SEVERAL VEHICLES CROSSING IN FRONT OF ME. THIS IS MOST PROMINENT WHEN APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION AND A VEHICLE IS APPROACHING FROM MY RIGHT. I HAVE FOUND THAT I MUST ACTUALLY DUCK DOWN AND LOOK AROUND MY MIRROR WHEN APPROACHING INTERSECTIONS IN ORDER TO SEE ALL APPROACHING TRAFFIC. *TR

Suspension › Rear
Filed Jun 7, 201019,000 milesOK

THE REAR SPRINGS STARTED SQUEAKING ABOUT 19,000 MILES. WHEN PULLING A TRAILER VEHICLE SWAYS BADLY. WITH 600 LBS OF WEIGHT IN BED, VEHICLE SITS REALLY LOW. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 28, 201011,176 milesVA

TODAY I WAS ON RT 50 IN WESTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA STOPPED AND WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO CENTREVILLE RD. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TOYOTA TACOMA 09 SURGED FORWARD AND GENTLY HIT THE STOPPED FULL SIZE TRUCK IN FRONT OF ME. THE GENTLEMEN IN THE FULL SIZE TRUCK GOT OUT AND SAW NO DAMAGE ON HIS TRUCK. I HAD SOME MINOR SCRATCHES ON THE FRONT BUMPER AND ON THE FRONT LICENSE PLATE. NO ONE WAS HURT SO WE DID NOT REPORT ANYTHING. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN MY TRUCK THAT CAUSES THIS SUDDEN SURGE. HAD SOMEONE WALKED IN FRONT OF MY TRUCK WHEN THE SURGE OCCURRED, SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT. *TR

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.

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