75 of the
10,741 complaints filed about the Toyota Tacoma
are about the equipment —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2009.
We rented a vehicle consisting of the identified Toyota Tacoma with an installed cab-over camper (Travel Lite 550U-XS, VIN: [XXX]). While driving this rental vehicle on a two-lane highway with our family, including two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]), a fire ignited in the vehicle's built-in propane/gas stove system. We were not alerted to the fire by any onboard safety equipment, though the camper was equipped with a smoke alarm. We were alerted only by a passing motorist. The vehicle's smoke alarm did not activate until several minutes after the fire had already been extinguished by us using the vehicle's fire extinguisher, and after the smoke inside the camper had already dissipated. The smoke alarm sustained visible smoke damage and its exterior housing was melted, which we believe indicates the alarm was exposed to significant heat/smoke without triggering, or triggered only very late in that exposure. We believe this represents a serious safety equipment failure: a smoke/fire detection system that did not provide any early warning during an active fire, in a small space. This delay in detection could have resulted in serious injury or death. Additionally, we received no safety briefing regarding the hazards of the propane system at the time of vehicle handover. The vehicle overview video provided to us contained no safety information regarding the gas system, and we later discovered it depicted a different vehicle unit than the one we were actually provided, raising questions about whether this vehicle's specific gas/stove configuration and safety equipment had been properly reviewed or tested prior to rental. We made a best guess at cause in speaking with the responder fire department, but we cannot know for sure. To be clear, there was no issue with the Toyota Tacoma itself. We are submitting this complaint to ensure NHTSA is aware of this potential safety defect in the smoke alarm system and/or propane stove. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(
NHTSA complaint #11753398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER:LPG SYSTEMS
We rented a vehicle consisting of the identified Toyota Tacoma with an installed cab-over camper (Travel Lite 550U-XS, VIN: [XXX]). While driving this rental vehicle on a two-lane highway with our family, including two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]), a fire ignited in the vehicle's built-in propane/gas stove system. We were not alerted to the fire by any onboard safety equipment, though the camper was equipped with a smoke alarm. We were alerted only by a passing motorist. The vehicle's smoke alarm did not activate until several minutes after the fire had already been extinguished by us using the vehicle's fire extinguisher, and after the smoke inside the camper had already dissipated. The smoke alarm sustained visible smoke damage and its exterior housing was melted, which we believe indicates the alarm was exposed to significant heat/smoke without triggering, or triggered only very late in that exposure. We believe this represents a serious safety equipment failure: a smoke/fire detection system that did not provide any early warning during an active fire, in a small space. This delay in detection could have resulted in serious injury or death. Additionally, we received no safety briefing regarding the hazards of the propane system at the time of vehicle handover. The vehicle overview video provided to us contained no safety information regarding the gas system, and we later discovered it depicted a different vehicle unit than the one we were actually provided, raising questions about whether this vehicle's specific gas/stove configuration and safety equipment had been properly reviewed or tested prior to rental. We made a best guess at cause in speaking with the responder fire department, but we cannot know for sure. To be clear, there was no issue with the Toyota Tacoma itself. We are submitting this complaint to ensure NHTSA is aware of this potential safety defect in the smoke alarm system and/or propane stove. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(
NHTSA complaint #11753398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
We rented a vehicle consisting of the identified Toyota Tacoma with an installed cab-over camper (Travel Lite 550U-XS, VIN: [XXX]). While driving this rental vehicle on a two-lane highway with our family, including two young children (ages [XXX] and [XXX]), a fire ignited in the vehicle's built-in propane/gas stove system. We were not alerted to the fire by any onboard safety equipment, though the camper was equipped with a smoke alarm. We were alerted only by a passing motorist. The vehicle's smoke alarm did not activate until several minutes after the fire had already been extinguished by us using the vehicle's fire extinguisher, and after the smoke inside the camper had already dissipated. The smoke alarm sustained visible smoke damage and its exterior housing was melted, which we believe indicates the alarm was exposed to significant heat/smoke without triggering, or triggered only very late in that exposure. We believe this represents a serious safety equipment failure: a smoke/fire detection system that did not provide any early warning during an active fire, in a small space. This delay in detection could have resulted in serious injury or death. Additionally, we received no safety briefing regarding the hazards of the propane system at the time of vehicle handover. The vehicle overview video provided to us contained no safety information regarding the gas system, and we later discovered it depicted a different vehicle unit than the one we were actually provided, raising questions about whether this vehicle's specific gas/stove configuration and safety equipment had been properly reviewed or tested prior to rental. We made a best guess at cause in speaking with the responder fire department, but we cannot know for sure. To be clear, there was no issue with the Toyota Tacoma itself. We are submitting this complaint to ensure NHTSA is aware of this potential safety defect in the smoke alarm system and/or propane stove. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(
NHTSA complaint #11753398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Product identification: Brand: Dasaita Model: HA2161H3 ASIN: B0CQNWQR8D Purchased: September 4, 2025, via Amazon Aftermarket Android head unit installed in a 2017 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport caused electrical interference with the vehicle's brake stop switch circuit (DTC C1425), resulting in autonomous braking without driver input, simultaneous ABS and Traction Control warning lights, and a dashboard warning indicating simultaneous accelerator and brake input. Two independent repair facilities confirmed the head unit as the probable cause. Symptoms resolved upon removal of the head unit and reinstallation of the factory OEM unit. The product is currently listed as unavailable on Amazon. Injury or accident: None, but describe it as a near-safety incident since the vehicle was braking itself while in motion.
NHTSA complaint #11737359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BLUETOOTH HANDSFREE DOESN'T WORK WITH TRUCK AND IPHONE. TALKING TO TACOMA, THEY SAID THAT THEIR SYSTEM CANT KEEP UP WITH APPLY AND THEIR TECHNOLOGY. THIS DOESN'T WORK FOR BEING HANDSFREE ON THE ROAD WHICH IS WHAT TOYOTA ADVERTISES AND IS THE LAW.
NHTSA complaint #11330150 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 01E041000 (TRAILER HITCHES). THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT SENT A RECALL NOTIFICATION. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM AN INDEPENDENT SOURCE WHO DID NOT MENTION IF THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE VEHICLE'S EXTENSIVE RUST, CORROSION, AND HOLES PERTAINING TO THE FRAME UNTIL AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER ISSUED 14 TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THE STRUCTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED TO DETERMINE IF THE RECALL REMEDY WOULD STILL APPLY. THE CONTACT WAS WAITING ON THEIR RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
NHTSA complaint #11174446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH, WITH THE FLAT BED COVER OPEN, THE BOLTS THAT FASTENED THE COVER FRACTURED. AS A RESULT, THE COVER DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10733758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I JUST BOUGHT THIS TOYOTA TACOMA PRERUNNER TRD OFF ROAD TRIM, AT LONGO TOYOTA, EL MONTE , CA AND I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY OF PRODUCT I BOUGHT AT THAT DEALERSHIP I SHOULD HAVE LOOKED AROUND OR GONE TO WHERE I ALWAYS GO CERRITOS AUTO SQUARE. THE TRUCKS REAR LIFT GATE ONLY CLOSES FROM THE RIGHT SIDE AND THE LEFT SIDE REMAINS OPENS I NEED TO SLAM IT SHUT SO IT CAN COMPLETELY CLOSE, BUT THEN WHEN I OPEN IT THE LIFT GATE OPENS WITH FORCE FROM THE LEFT SIDE IT'S POPS OPEN IT DOESN'T OPEN LIKE IT SHOULD. ALSO THE FRONT TOYOTA EMBLEM ON THE GRILL IS LOOSE NOT TIGHT LIKE IT SHOULD BE AND TO FINALIZE THIS COMPLAINT THE SPACE BETWEEN THE HOOD AND CHROME PIECE THAT GOES AROUND THE FONT GRILL IT IS UNEVEN, THIS IS DISAPPOINTING. I WENT FROM A HONDA TO A TOYOTA BUT IT'S NOT STARTING OUT WELL. MY MAIN CONCERN IS THE REAR LIFT GATE THAT WON'T CLOSE FROM THE LEFT SIDE MAYBE THE LIFT GATE IS CROOKED.
NHTSA complaint #10681865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY COMPLAINT DOES NOT ACTUALLY INVOLVE TOYOTA BUT IT DOES INVOLVE IN AFTERMARKET PART THAT I INSTALLED ON MY VEHICLE. I ORDERED A SET OF WEATHERTECH FLOOR LINERS, WHICH IS SUPPOSE TO BE MOLDED FOR YOUR VEHICLE FLOORS. THE MAJOR PROBLEM IS THE CLUTCH PETAL WANTS TO CATCH UNDER THE MAT ITSELF. I CAN SHOW A VIDEO IF YOU WOULD LIKE , BUT I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I CAN PROBABLY FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH A LITTLE BIT OF TINKERING, BUT I SHOULD NOT HAVE TOO.
NHTSA complaint #10649370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING FROM EAST TO WEST AND CROSSING THE GORGE AT GEORGE, WASHINGTON WIND WAS BLOWING REALLY HARD. THEN I HEARD WIND NOISE COMING INTO THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED AT THE NEXT REST AREA AND CHECKED THE VEHICLE OUT AND FOUND THAT THE WINDSHIELD SEAL HAD LIFTED AND WAS CAUSING WIND NOISE AND FLEXING OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC HAD THE WINDSHIELD BLOWN COMPLETELY OUT. THIS IS UNSATISFACTORY FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10608194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AUXILIARY AUDIO JACK IS DESIGNED POORLY CAUSING FAILURE. FRONT TURN SIGNAL BOTH SIDES YELLOW BULB THE CONNECTOR FOR THE BULB AND THE BULB ITSELF BLACKENS AND IS FRAGILE. FAKE FRONT BUMPER COVER IS MISLEADING AND FALSELY GIVES A FEELING OF SAFETY. ACTUAL BUMPER IS QUITE SMALL AND MAY LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC INJURY OR DEATH IN THE EVENT OF A MODERATE OVERLAP COLLISION. THE ACCIDENT OR COLLISION OCCURRED WITH A MODERATE OVERLAP HITTING LEFT 1/4 OF FRONT BUMPER THE FRONT LEFT FENDER WAS PUSHED INTO THE DOOR CAUSING MORE BODY DAMAGE THAN SHOULD HAVE OCCURRED.
NHTSA complaint #10583470 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE AS DIRECTED BY THE OWNER'S MANUAL BUT THE ENGINE OVERFLOWED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WAS OVERFILLED BY 19.2 OZ. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE INFORMATION LISTED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL WAS CORRECT. UPDATED 6/17/14
NHTSA complaint #10579089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS IS A VERY COMMONLY REPORTED PHENOMENON, SEE THE WEBSITES LISTED AT THE BOTTOM. REPORTED PHENOMENON HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 10 TIMES WITHIN THE PREVIOUS 5000 MILES. WHEN ENTERING A TURN WITH NO BRAKE APPLIED, MOST COMMONLY A CLOVERLEAF, THE VEHICLE STABILITY CONTROL WILL ENGAGE AND APPLY THE BRAKES IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TURN. NO BRAKE LIGHTS ARE DISPLAYED SO VEHICLES BEHIND ARE NOT AWARE OF THE SUDDEN SLOWING. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WERE DRY, SUNNY, AND THE VEHICLE SPEED IS WELL WITHIN A SAFE SPEED. THIS IS VERY REPEATABLE IN SPECIFIC LOCATIONS. THIS PROBLEM WAS BEEN REPORTED TO DUBLIN TOYOTA AND THEY DO NOT KNOW HOW TO FIX IT, BUT WILL CHARGE ME TO TRY A ZERO POINT CALIBRATION WHICH IS NOT PROVEN TO RESOLVE THIS KNOWN PROBLEM. ...HTTP://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/FORUM/2ND-GEN-TACOMAS/112351-VSC-LIFT-INTERACTION-HOW-COMMON.HTML.... ...HTTP://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/FORUM/SUSPENSION/41215-LIFT-VSC-ANSWER.HTML....... ...HTTP://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/FORUM/2ND-GEN-TACOMAS/167922-WHO-HAS-PROBLEMS-AFTER-3-LESS-LIFT-VSC-WHO-DOESNT.HTML..... ...HTTP://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/FORUM/2ND-GEN-TACOMAS/272560-ABS-ACTIVATES-OCCASIONALLY-AFTER-FRONT-END-LIFT.HTML..... ...HTTP://WWW.TACOMAWORLD.COM/FORUM/2ND-GEN-TACOMAS/92474-RECALIBRATING-VSC-WHY-HOW.HTML..... MY TRUCK HAS AN AFTERMARKET ADD A LEAF WHICH INCREASES RIDE HEIGHT BY 1.5". THIS TRUCK HAS THE SAME COMPONENTS THAT MY PREVIOUS 2006 TRUCK HAD WITH NO PREVIOUS OCCURRENCES. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT MANY TOYOTA DEALERS OFFER THIS VEHICLE WITH UP TO A 3" LIFT.
NHTSA complaint #10505871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FINALLY DID FLOOR MAT RECALL WORK DONE ON MY 2006 TACOMA. NEW FLOOR MAT IS THIN, FLIMSY, NOTHING LIKE ORIGINAL THICK ALL WEATHER FLOOR MAT. I ALSO WANT TO ADD, THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN AW FLOOR MAT FOR TACOMA VEHICLES, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO INTERFERENCE WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, AND THAT THE ONLY REASON I CHANGED THE MATS WAS DUE TO THE MAT RIBS STARTING TO BREAK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. IN ADDITION, THE CAMPAIGN CALLED FOR THE FLOOR CARPET TO BE VACUUM CLEANED AND SHAMPOOED, AND NONE OF THIS WAS DONE. THE DEALER SIMPLY SWAPPED-OUT THE FLOOR MATS AND CHARGED-OUT $185 TO "RECALL WORK", I DON'T EVEN THINK THEY DID ANY PEDAL ADJUSTMENT. HERE'S THE REAL PROBLEM: THE NEW, THIN, FLIMSY FLOOR MAT USES THE OLD FLOOR MAT RETAINER HOOKS THAT WERE INTENDED FOR THE THICK ALL WEATHER FLOOR MATS. THESE FLOOR MAT HOOKS HURT MY FEET WHEN DRIVING BAREFOOT, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, THEY CAN, THEY WILL, AND THEY HAVE CAUGHT AND HOOKED-UP THE HEEL OF MY SHOES ON OCCASION. I AM A VERY SAFE DRIVER, DO NOT TAILGATE VEHICLES, AND I TELL YOU NOW, THESE HOOKS HAVE CAUSED ME TO GET INTO EMBARRASSING SITUATIONS AND VERY NEAR ACCIDENTS DUE TO MY SHOE GETTING CAUGHT IN THE HOOKS AND NOT BEING ABLE TO BRAKE PROPERLY AND ON TIME. IF I MODIFY THE HOOKS OR CUT THEM, THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE THAT THE NEW MAT WILL SLIDE-UP UNDER THE PEDALS, PREVENTING USE OF THE BRAKES AND NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. I WILL NOT DO THIS, I WILL NOT ASSUME THIS RESPONSIBILITY. AT THIS PRESENT SITUATION, AT THIS PRESENT DESIGN, THE LIABILITY RESTS WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND THE AUTHORIZATION FOR THIS RECALL DESIGN MODIFICATION. AS I MENTIONED EARLIER, THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR/MAKE/MODEL; HOWEVER, THE RECALL MODIFICATION DID CREATE A PROBLEM WHERE NONE EXISTED, AND MADE THE SITUATION WORSE THAN ORIGINAL.
NHTSA complaint #10503278 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NOT LONG AFTER MY BASIC WARRANTY EXPIRED, I HAD FRAYING IN MY SEAT BELT THAT WAS TO THE POINT IT DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION. I TOOK IT TO A TOYOTA DEALER IN WACO, TEXAS, AND THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE BELT FREE DESPITE THE MILEAGE. ALMOST A YEAR LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. I WENT BACK TO THAT DEALER AND THEY REPLACED IT FREE EVEN THOUGH THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE OBLIGATION. ABOUT TWO YEARS LATER, THE SAME OCCURRED. I HAVE MANAGED TO GET THE TRUCK INSPECTED BUT I NEED BADLY TO REPAIR THE BELT, BUT I CANNOT AFFORD IT. ALTHOUGH THE WEAR IS NEAR THE WAIST, WHERE ONE FIGURES ANY FRAYING MIGHT TAKE PLACE, BELT AFTER BELT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. ALSO, MY FLOOR MAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO AND IT OCCASIONALLY WILL BUNCH UP AND HIT MY ACCELERATOR AND WILL ON OTHER TIMES BUNCH UP UNDER MY CLUTCH AND I AM UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE.
NHTSA complaint #10503199 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2007 TOYOTA TACOMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO 5 RECALLS ON VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE LAST FIVE YEARS THERE WERE APPROXIMATELY FIVE RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND THE DEALER REFUSED TO REMEDY THEM, WHICH MADE THE VEHICLE ALMOST WORTHLESS.
NHTSA complaint #10474862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 QUESTIONS LIKE WHERE WAS THE FLOOR MAT, WAS CRUISE CONTROL ON, DO I USE BOTH FEET TO DRIVE ONE FOR BRAKE AND ONE FOR THE GAS PEDAL. I TOLD THEM NOTHING WAS ON THE PEDAL, I DID NOT HAVE CRUISE CONTROL ON, AND I USE ONE FOOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE ONLY. MY FOOT CANNOT EVEN HIT THE GAS WHEN ITS ON THE BRAKE. THEY THINK IT IS ME. THIS IS A SAFTY ISSUE AND THEY TREAT IT LIKE IT'S NOTHING. TOYOTA.BAD CUSTOMER WARRANTY SERVICE. PLEASE HELP ME WITH THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10417680 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.