NHTSA has 396 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, received from 2000 to 2025. The most-reported system is structure (228 complaints, 58%), followed by suspension (81) and unknown or other (40). Owners reported 40 crashes, 4 fires, 36 injuries and 4 deaths. Median mileage at failure: 144,000 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008, with 40 received that year. 4 safety recalls cover this model year.
396NHTSA complaints
4safety recalls
40crashes reported
4fires reported
36injuries
4deaths
Quick answers
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
Owners report structure problems most often: 228 of 396 NHTSA complaints (58%), followed by suspension (81) and air bags (20).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have?
NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The most recent is 12V542000 (tires, 2012-11-23).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage at failure is 144,000 miles, across 295 complaints that reported mileage.
Have owners reported crashes or fires in the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
Yes. Owners reported 40 crashes, 4 fires, 36 injuries and 4 deaths in NHTSA complaints.
Problems by system
System
Complaints
Share
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Median miles
Structure
228
58%
2
0
1
144,116
Suspension
81
20%
8
0
5
168,418
Unknown or other
40
10%
2
1
2
176,000
Air bags
20
5%
19
0
15
148,450
Steering
20
5%
6
0
4
161,000
Service brakes
19
5%
3
0
1
129,660
Power train
15
4%
0
0
0
105,895
Tires
13
3%
3
0
2
87,500
Speed control
11
3%
6
0
11
80,000
Fuel system
7
2%
1
3
1
47,000
Wheels
7
2%
2
0
0
144,500
Engine
5
1%
0
0
0
173,296
Seat belts
5
1%
1
0
1
104,717
Electrical system
4
1%
0
0
0
50,000
Parking brake
4
1%
0
0
0
150,000
Seats
3
1%
2
0
1
112,217
Latches, locks and linkages
2
1%
0
0
0
75,000
Equipment
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
Visibility and wipers
1
<1%
0
0
0
–
A complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Defect: Toyota is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Tacoma light trucks manufactured from August 28, 2000, through August 27, 2004, and originally sold, or currently registered, in the following cold climate states with high road salt usage: Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and the District of Columbia. The spare tire in the subject vehicles is located underneath the rear of the vehicle and held by a…
Risk: Corrosion of the plate could cause it to break, which could result in detachment of the spare tire from the vehicle. Detachment of the spare tire could result in a road hazard which may increase the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace the spare tire carrier lift plate as necessary, free of charge. The recall began in February 2013. Owners may contact their Toyota dealer or the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331.
Defect: On certain sport utility vehicles, due to a manufacturing issue in the front suspension lower ball joint, there is a possibility that the surface of the ball of the joint may have been scratched. The ball joint may eventually experience excessive wear and looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front suspension lower ball joints free of charge. The recall began on july 5, 2005. Owners may contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Defect: On certain pickup trucks, during side impact ncap test (I.e. Lincap test), a flange at the rear end of the double cab body 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.
Risk: This damage could result in fuel leakage, which could result in a fire if in the presence of an ignition source.
Remedy: Dealers will install a fuel hose protector on the body flange. Owner notification began june 3, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Defect: Vehicle description: 4x2 trucks equipped with tu4 white letter tire upgrade option and distributed by southeast toyota distributors in the states of alabama, florida, georgia, north and south carolina. Tire damage may have occurred due to improper installation, which could cause the tire to deflate or a bulge appearing in the sidewall of the tire.
Risk: An improperly inflated tire could result in vehicle handling problems or a blow out of an improperly installed tire.
Remedy: Dealers will check all four tires, rebalance and, if necessary, replace any damaged tire. Owner notification began july 3, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact southeast toyota at 1-800-301-6859.
We purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from a used car lot in Omaha NE. We have had it for 3 months and recently had a mechanic look over the vehicle for repairs. The mechanic indicated the frame is rusted through and the truck is unsafe to drive. The mechanic indicated that there was a…
Structure · NHTSA complaint 11616924, received 2024-09-27
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under recall for corrosion underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware that there was corrosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and rust protection was sprayed…
Structure · NHTSA complaint 11543254, received 2023-09-07
Lower ball joint separated from knuckle and it says 0 recalls repaired i want it replaced because there oem they were never replaced when recalled
Suspension · NHTSA complaint 11688720, received 2025-09-21
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver’s side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of…
Suspension · NHTSA complaint 11534137, received 2023-07-24
The truck was in a front end to rear end collision at or around 40 mph the airbags didn't deploy. I have pictures of the truck. The accident report. & witness of the vehicle. [redacted] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). [redacted]
Air bags · NHTSA complaint 11186014, received 2019-03-11
Takata recall. I rear ended a vehicle doing 30+ mph which in turn that vehicle hit another and that vehicle hit another. I was concerned that my airbags did not deploy and I wound up hitting my chin on the steering wheel and left elbow hit the windshield. Toyota corporate was notified and an…
Air bags · NHTSA complaint 11079985, received 2018-03-17
Built from the NHTSA complaints flat file and the NHTSA recalls flat files, data as of 2026-10-22. Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models collect more of them.