2005 Toyota TACOMA: complaints, problems and recalls

I'M NOT SUTRE IF THIS REALLY QUALIFIES BUT I BOUGHT A NEW TRUCK AND THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL QUITS WORKING AT VARIUOS TIMES WHEN ITS IN THE "ON" POSITION.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10100810 at NHTSA ↗

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA 2WD MANUAL WITH 800 MILES DEVELOP A MAJOR OIL LEAK BETWEEN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE CRANK SHAFT. GEAR SHIFT NOT SMOOTH. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. 800 miles reported. Look up ODI 10102153 at NHTSA ↗

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA ACCESS CAB WITH THE TRD PACKAGE AND SKID PLATE 2W DRIVE. E SKID PLATE CATCHES AIR AND CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE VIOLANTLY AT 75 MPH AND HIGHER, WHICH COULD POSSIBLY CAUSE THE LOSS OF CONTROL. WE REMOVED THE PLATE AND NOW THERE IS NO VIBRATION. PEOPLE WILL THINK IT IS THE TIRES BEING OUT OF BALANCE, BUT IT IS THE PLATE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO REDESIGN THIS PLATE AND CHECK THINGS IN A WIND TUNNEL.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 10105999 at NHTSA ↗

WHILE DRIVING IN INCLEMENT WEATHER VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING ONTO THE FLOORBOARD. THIS CAUSED A FLOOD INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE A POST BECAME DETACHED FROM THE MAIN FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A PROXY GLUE WAS APPLIED AND FIXED IT. *AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10107040 at NHTSA ↗

EXHAUST POOR ENGINEERING. THE CROSSOVER PIPE ON THE EXHAUST IS THE LOWEST POINT OF THE VEHICLE. IT HANGS DOWN BELOW THE TRANSFERCASE MOUNT. THIS WILL GET CRUSHED IF TAKEN OFF ROAD. I BOUGHT A 4 X 4 TRD MODEL FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF TAKING IT OFF-ROAD. A CRUSHED OR DAMAGED CROSSOVER PIPE COULD RESULT IN CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING OR EVEN DEATH. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10108458 at NHTSA ↗

CABIN MOUNT BOLTS AND BUSHINGS CONTRACT IN THE COLD WEATHER AND BECOME LOOSE. THERE IS A LOUD BANGING NOISE HEARD THROUGHOUT THE CAB OF THE TRUCK. WHEN THE WEATHER WARMS UP THE SOUND GOES AWAY. DEALER REMOVED THE BUSHINGS AND BOLTS AND REALIGNED TO NO AVAIL. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112230 at NHTSA ↗

2005 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB WITH SKID PLATE. SKID PLATE CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO VIBRATE AT HIGH SPEEDS, 70 MPH AND HIGHER. IT'S WORSE WHEN CAUGHT IN A CROSS WIND ON THE HIGHWAY OR ON WINDY DAYS. VERY STRONG AND LOUD VIBRATION. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY WHEN THE SKIDPLATE WAS REMOVED. I'VE READ MANY COMPLAINTS FROM ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE STRONG VIBRATION COULD CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL AND WHO KNOWS WHAT DAMAGE IT COULD CAUSE TO THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA NEEDS TO RECALL THE SKID PLATE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112601 at NHTSA ↗

1. FROM DAY ONE ;2. LOUD POPPING NOISES FROM UNDER SIDE - CABIN ATTACHMENT TO THE CHASIS. ITS BEEN TWO WEEKS SINCE I TOOK THE VEHICLE AND ITS GETTING WORSE. OCCURRS WHEN GOING OVER EVEN SMALL BUMPS/RUTS/MANHOLE COVERS OR OTHER IMPERFECTIONS IN THE ROAD ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. AND, THERE IS SIGNIFICANT "SWAYING" IN THE CABIN. PROBABLY DUE TO IMPROPER SECUREMENT OF THE CAB TO CHASIS. 3. HAVE BEEN TO THE DEALER WHO CALLED TOYOTA IN CALIFORNIA WHO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THE 05 TACOMAS WITH TRD, 4X4, 4 DOOR, SHORT BED MODELS, BUT H…

Owner-reported narrative. 250 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112775 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2005-02-11 (February 11, 2005)

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION. IN THIS CONDITION, THE LOCK NUT MAY LOOSEN AND COME OFF, WHICH WILL REDUCE THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE PARKING BRAKE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW THE VEHICLE TO ROLL IF THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT PLACED INTO THE "PARK" POSITION AND THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON A SLOPE, THUS RAISING THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND TIGHTEN THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL CABLE LOCK NUT TO THE PROPER TORQUE SPECIFICATION FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2005-06-28 (June 28, 2005)

ON CERTAIN REGULAR CAB PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH A BENCH SEAT, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR CONNECTOR PINS ARE INCORRECTLY POSITIONED DUE TO A WIRE HARNESS MANUFACTURING PROCESS ERROR.

Consequence: IN THIS CONDITION, THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT BUCKLE SENSOR MAY NOT FUNCTION AS DESIGNED, AFFECTING THE ADAPTIVE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT, WHICH IF THE VEHICLE IS INVOLVED IN A CRASH, COULD RESULT IN IMPROPER OCCUPANT RESTRAINT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE SEAT POSITION AND SEAT BELT FASTENING CONDITION SENSOR CONNECTOR. AN ADDITIONAL SUB-WIRE HARNESS WILL BE INSTALLED TO CORRECT THE CONNECTOR PIN MANUFACTURING ERROR, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-431-4331.

Reported: 2006-04-03 (April 3, 2006)

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, DUE TO IMPROPER ASSEMBLY OF THE AIR BAG INFLATOR, WHICH IS USED IN THE SIDE AIR BAG, THE CURTAIN SHIELD AIR BAG, AND THE KNEE AIR BAG ASSEMBLY, SOME INFLATORS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN INSUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF THE HEATING AGENTS NECESSARY FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. IN THIS CONDITION, THE EXPANSION FORCE OF THE GAS MAY BE INSUFFICIENT TO PROPERLY INFLATE THE AIR BAG WHEN THE SRS SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED DURING A CRASH.

Consequence: THIS MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF INJURY TO THE OCCUPANT IN THE INVOLVED SEATING POSITION IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPECIFIC SRS AIR BAG. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 6, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-888-270-9371, SCION AT 1-866-548-1851, OR LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2009-06-15 (June 15, 2009)

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 WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."

Consequence: INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 AT 1-888-270-9371.

Reported: 2009-10-05 (October 5, 2009)

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 FLOOR MAT.

Consequence: A STUCK OPEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL MAY RESULT IN VERY HIGH VEHICLE SPEEDS AND MAKE IT DIFFICULT TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH, SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH.

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. THESE CHANGES ADDRESS THE RISK OF PEDAL ENTRAPMENT DUE TO INTERFERENCE WITH THE FLOOR MAT. REDESIGNED ACCELERATOR PEDALS WILL BECOME AVAILABLE BEGINNING IN APRIL 2010 AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY MODIFIED PEDAL WITH THE NEW PEDAL IF DESIRED. ALSO, DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY GENUINE TOYOTA OR LEXUS ALL-WEATHER FLOOR MATS WITH REDESIGNED ALL-WEATHER MATS, OR REPURCHASE THE PREVIOUS MATS FROM OWNERS WHO DO NOT WANT THE NEW ONES. ADDITIONALLY, SOFTWARE MODIFICATIONS WILL BE INSTALLED ON CAMRY, AVALON AND LEXUS ES 350, IS 350 AND IS 250 MODELS THAT WILL ENSURE THAT THE BRAKE OVERRIDES THE ACCELERATOR IN THE EVENT BOTH BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS ARE APPLIED. TOYOTA WILL BEGIN MAILING LETTERS TO OWNERS ON DECEMBER 31, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TOYOTA AT 1-800-331-4331, LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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 VEHICLES WERE SOLD BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 1, 2005 AND JUNE 2, 2008 WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS.

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 RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 27, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GULF STATES TOYOTA AT 713-580-3300.

Reported: 2010-02-03 (February 3, 2010)

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." THESE VEHICLES WERE SOLD WITHOUT THE REQUISITE LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS.

Consequence: A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 SOUTHEAST TOYOTA AT 1-800-301-6859.

Reported: 2012-03-07 (March 7, 2012)

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 ASSEMBLY (CLOCKSPRING) THAT POWERS THE DRIVER’S AIR BAG MODULE. IF DAMAGE OCCURS, THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE AIR BAG MAY BECOME DEACTIVATED.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER’S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2013-08-07 (August 7, 2013)

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. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.

Consequence: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant and a retractor spring cover with stopper ribs to prevent loosening of the screws. These services will be provided at no cost to the owner. The recall began during February 2014. Owners may contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Reported: 2014-09-29 (September 29, 2014)

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. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

Consequence: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.

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.