20 of the
871 complaints about the 2005 Toyota Tacoma are about the
electrical system — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
94,573 miles.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale through OfferUp. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 139,900. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 339,740.
NHTSA complaint #11682911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Casa Grande, AZ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My problem was associated with the air bag warning light. It came on and so I took my truck to Big Two Toyota in Chandler AZ. Dealer said I had a faulty clock spring assembly that will prevent the air bag system from functioning properly and was a major safety risk.... So I let Dealer remove and replace it for $511.82. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFETY RECALL.... Please look into this issue for me and other Toyota Tacoma truck owners. Thank you.
NHTSA complaint #11446714 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesVAN, WV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOTOR ONLY WORKS ON HIGH. SOMETIMES SPEED OD. DOESN'T WORK, SOMETIMES IT DOES. SPEED OD. READS ABOUT 5 MILES PER HOUR FAST. GAUGES PAUSE FOR ABOUT 10 SEC. BEFORE WORKING WHEN I FIRST START TRUCK. ALL STARTED AROUND 120,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #11205577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLAS Vegas, NV
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
AROUND 150,000MI THE FAN BLOWER ONLY WORKS ON HIGH SPEED (LOW AND MEDIUM DON'T WORK). ON VERY RARE OCCASIONS, ALL FAN SPEEDS WORK FINE. TRIED CHANGING THE FAN RESISTOR BUT IT DIDN'T HELP.
NHTSA complaint #11079654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 120,000 milesHemet, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
EVERY TIME I TURN THE IGNITION TO START MY ENGINE THE GAS GAUGE TAKES ABOUT 15 SECONDS TO RESPOND. MOST FREQUENTLY THAN NOT, THE SPEEDOMETER AND THE COOLANT GAUGE DO NOT WORK WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. WHEN I GET TO MY DESTINATION AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE, AND RESTART, THE GAUGES WORK (SOMETIMES). I ASKED THE DEALER ABOUT IT, AND THEY CLAIM THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AND IT WOULD COST $1000.00 TO REPLACE THE MAIN HARNESS THAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEM. THE TACHOMETER, AND THE ODOMETER WORK JUST FINE. I DO FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, CONSIDERING SOMETIMES I DO NOT KNOW WHAT MY SPEED IS, OR IF MY ENGINE IS GETTING TO HOT, AND OVER HEATING, CAUSING DAMAGE TO IT. I'VE BEEN A TOYOTA TRUCK OWNER SINCE 1987, AND THIS IS MY SECOND TRUCK. YOUR VEHICLES ARE VERY DEPENDABLE, AND I HOPE YOU CAN RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE KEEP INFORMED ON THIS MATTER, I WOULD APPRECIATE IT. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME. DON
NHTSA complaint #11014940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hamilton TWP, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WHEN USING AIR CONDITION OR HEATING IT DOES NOT GO ON UNLESS YOU STEP ON A BUTTON LOCATED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR WHICH THEN THE UNIT WILL REGULATE AND TURN ON. YOU CAN FEEL A CLICK WHEN YOU PRESS IT ON THE FLOOR DON'T KNOW WHY THIS IS.
NHTSA complaint #10984245 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesLahavera, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING LOW SPEEDS, VARIOUS ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, INCLUDING THE AIR CONDITIONER, STOPPED WORKING. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE INTERIOR LONG WIRE OVERHEATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
NHTSA complaint #10821016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 91,000 milesLehi, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY STEREO CHANGES STATIONS ON ITS OWN I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S IN THE BUTTONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE ACTUAL STEREO ITSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10817215 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 90,000 milesLehi, UT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SHORT IN THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CRUSE CONTROL ON SOMETIMES IT WORKS BUT I HAVE TO PUSH IT AT LEAST 200 TIMES. THE SECOND THING IS A SHORT IN THE OVER HEAD COMPAS/TEMPERATURE GAUGE IT JUST DOES NOT WORK ANY MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10817210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 138,000 milesLakewood, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START OCCASIONALLY. THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND FAIL TO ACCELERATE WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000....UPDATED 02/08/16 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10789672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 165,339 milesLomita, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING, FROM MY WORK TRY TO OPEN THE WINDOW AND I CAN NOT OPEN I STOP, SOMETHING SMELL BURN, WAS MY DRIVING SIDE DOOR, WINDOWS WERE LOCK, MY TRUCK WERE LOOKED , I CAN NOT OPEN DOORS, I DROVE TO MY MECANIC HE BROKE THE WINDOW, A LOT SMOKE INSIDE MY TRUCK, OK, I WENT OUT, AND IT COST ME $1200.00.- TO FIX, WELL CHANGE EVERYTHING INSIDE. THANKS I LIVE IN LOMITA CA.
NHTSA complaint #10785099 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,098 milesSAN Diego, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TOOK OUR 2005 TOYOTA TRUCK INTO THE TOYOTA DEALER FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT P0333. THEY SAID THAT IT WAS A CABLE THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED BY ANOTHER TOYOTA DEALER DUE TO RODENT DAMAGE. SINCE THE CAR ONLY HAS 2000 MILES SINCE THAT REPAIR AND A TOTAL MILEAGE OF 12,000 MILES WE FOUND IT UNBELIEVABLE THAT THEY WOULD QUOTE US A "DISCOUNTED" RATE OF 2,318.00 TO REPAIR THE CABLE AGAIN. WE TOLD THEM THAT WE DID NOT WANT TO SPEND THIS MUCH MONEY ON A CAR THAT ONLY HAD 12,000 MILES.THE CAR GOT REPAIRED AT A FRACTION OF THE COST THEY WANTED AND IT TURNED OUT THAT THEY HAD NOT TIGHTENED DOWN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND UNPLUGGED A SENSOR ON STARTUP. THEIR COST TO REPAIR WITH A SUPPOSED 8 HOUR DISCOUNT WAS 2318.00. THE EVENTUAL COST FROM A NORMAL MECHANIC WAS 374.00. IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN LESS BUT THE EXTRA TIME TO CORRECT THEIR ERRORS COST MORE MONEY. ON THE INTERNET THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF THIS SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE BEING CAUSED BY RODENTS EATING INTO CRITICAL WIRING. WIRING THAT CANNOT BE REPAIRED WITHOUT THE TOYOTA DEALER CHARGING 3000.00 PLUS FOR LABOR. THIS IS A SCAM. IT WOULD BE EASY FOR THE TOYOTA ENGINEERS TO FIX THIS CABLE SO THAT IT COULD NEVER BE EATEN BY ANYTHING AGAIN. ALSO MY MECHANIC AND OTHERS HAVE ASKED "WHY DO THEY EAT THIS CABLE AND NO OTHERS IN THE SAME AREA"? THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY MAKING THE WIRE COATING OUT OF MATERIALS THAT ATTRACT THE RODENTS TO IT. THIS IS A CASH COW REPAIR FOR THEM AND THEY ARE NOT ABOUT TO MAKE IT SO THAT THE RODENTS DO NOT EAT IT. A NORMAL MECHANIC CHARGES 374.00 TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM VERSUS 3000.00 FOR THE DEALER! THIS IS PROFESSIONAL ROBBERY THROUGH DESIGN AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED FROM A FEDERAL STAND POINT. I HAVE ALL OF THE PAPERWORK AND THE CABLE THAT IS IN PRISTINE CONDITION EXCEPT FOR THE EATEN AWAY END IF YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD LIKE TO EXAMINE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10626222 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 105,711 milesEL Dorado, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
SPIRAL CABLE, AIR BAG, STEERING COLUMN, CHARGED $609.82 BY DEALER TO REPAIR, WAS IN OTHER REPAIR SHOP THIS WEEK, HEARD ANOTHER CUTOMER COMPLAIN OF SAME PROBLEM, ALSO HAD 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. EVERY SINGLE LIGHT CAME ON, ON THE DASH, SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. MANUAL SAYS TAKE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER. WHAT A RIP OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10434383 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesMiami, FL
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH AND CABLES WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
NHTSA complaint #10397476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 79,000 milesLake Elsinore, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BLOWER MOTOR FAN SPEED SELECTOR SWITCH ILLUMINATION HAS QUIT WORKING AND ALSO THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DISPLAY ON THE FRONT PASSENGER ROOF HAS QUIT WORKING.
NHTSA complaint #10310115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,146 milesManchester, NH
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I BOUGHT MY 2005 TACOMA ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES NOW. THE LAST TIME BEING TONIGHT AFTER PICKING UP MY DAUGHTER AT WORK. THE TRUCK WAS ACCELERATING AND I WAS LITERALLY STANDING ON THE BRAKE AND THE ENGINE WAS RACING AND WOULD NOT STOP. I THROUGH IT INTO NEUTRAL AND IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE! I HAVE NO RUGS IN MY VEHICLE, IT DID NOT COME WITH ANY, AND I WAS GOING TO GET THE ALL WEATHER MATS, BUT HAVE NOT BOUGHT THEM YET. THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT ENGAGED. I DO CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A FAIRLY EXPERIENCED DRIVER, I USE TO RACE A 70 CHEVELLE IN THE 1/4 MILE (THIS WAS MANY YEARS AGO.), IF I DID NOT HAVE SUCH EXPERIENCE I AM SURE I WOULD HAVE RAN THE CAR UP A TREE OR SOMETHING. I AM SCARED, I HAVE BEAT CANCER TWICE AND I'LL BE '!@#$% IF I AM GOING TO LET A FAULTY TACOMA TAKE ME OUT!
NHTSA complaint #10263227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,501 milesYosemite, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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!
NHTSA complaint #10161985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10 milesMystic, CT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10159150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 15,400 milesHOT Sulphur Springs, CO
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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 -
NHTSA complaint #10151695 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,965 milesSimi Valley, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY
WHILE PERFORMING A NORMAL REVIEW UNDER THE HOOD, I DISCOVERED THE OEM DELPHI BATTERY HAD SPRAYED ACID ON THE UNDER SIDE OF THE HOOD WHICH RAN DOWN THE FENDER WELL (REMOVING THE PAINT ON BOTH) AND CONTINUED RUNNING DOWN TO THE FRAME AND AC LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10126431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.