154 of the
10,741 complaints filed about the Toyota Tacoma
are about the seat belts —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
On 7/6/2024 after already having driven my truck to the store I noticed that the rear cab power sliding window exploded outward. Most of the glass was on the tonneau cover but some was inside. While cleaning it I noticed some has fallen into the seat belt assembly for the rear passenger seat. The temperature was 81f and there was absolutely no possible way that this was vandalism or a projectile hitting the glass. Toyota won't cover it or take responsibility. Fine, my concern is the glass that fell into the seatbelt assembly and how that might affect the safety of the belt.
NHTSA complaint #11750067 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased this vehicle used from dealership after reviewing the carfax and receiving reassurance from dealer that airbags were never deployed. 4 days after purchase passenger window needed to be reset into the track and upon removing plastic around front pillars, discovered vehicle had airbags cut out of it. Also found other SRS components of vehicle tampered with or non functional.
NHTSA complaint #11735437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dear Toyota Japan Customer Experience Team, I am the owner of a 2016 Toyota Tacoma currently registered in Guam, U.S.A. I am writing to request your assistance regarding a water leak issue from the rear brake light area, which has caused the carpets and seats to become wet and develop mold. I originally purchased this vehicle in Saipan and recently relocated to Guam. When I visited the Guam Toyota Service Center, they kindly inspected my vehicle and informed me that this issue is related to the 3rd brake light gasket recall; however, the recall period has already expired. Unfortunately, I was never notified of this recall while the vehicle was in Saipan. Continuous exposure to mold has seriously affected both my health and my daughter’s health. Because of this, I had the vehicle professionally cleaned and sanitized by a specialist company. The Tacoma has always been our family’s favorite car, but now I drive it only because I have no choice. Every time I get in, I feel anxious and uneasy. The water leak itself is concerning, but the mold issue worries me even more. I truly hope this water leak and the mold problem can both be resolved so that I can once again enjoy driving my Tacoma with peace of mind. The blue circles in the attached photos indicate areas suspected of mold. These photos were taken right before I sent the car for cleaning. According to the cleaning company, when they removed the seats, they found water underneath the seats and carpets. Whenever I drive the vehicle, I experience persistent coughing and headaches due to mold exposure. This has become a serious health and safety concern. Since this issue is directly related to a previously recalled safety defect, I kindly request Toyota Japan to consider a Goodwill Repair or Safety Exception to address the water leak and the resulting interior damage.
NHTSA complaint #11730507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2017 Tacoma TRD Pro Water has been leaking through the rear air-pressure vents for quite some time. I have had a moldy/musty smell in the truck after a good rain for at least 6 months. Then I started noticing mold coming up on the driver's side kick plate. We went through all the diagnostic steps with Toyota dealership, who kept telling us it was the windshield leaking. We had the windshield removed and reset. The windshield people told us it was the cowl under the windshield allowing water to come in through the air filter behind the glovebox. We took it back to Toyota dealer and they could not find the problem. I paid them $165 to "not" diagnose my truck. They also handed me an estimate for $11,000 to remediate the mold. When we got the truck home, we started looking up the problem on Tacoma forums and YouTube and finally discovered it was the air vents behind the rear seat. I pulled the plastic molding back and there was tons on mold. I took it back to the dealership for repair. The dealership has now said they will replace the air vents but will not remediate the mold. I have had sinus trouble for more than a year and did not know why. I believe this is the reason.
NHTSA complaint #11650577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Front passenger seat belt/SRS lights flashing and staying on. I recently gave someone a ride and when they adjusted the seat/seat belt these lights on the dash came on and will not go off. My guess it is the SRS/seatbelt/seat pretensioner.
NHTSA complaint #11649136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A txdot road work crew had traffic stopped on the highway. We were last in a row of traffic when a distracted, driver, traveling near full highway speed rear-ended us. The truck automatically connected us to an agent who called 911. The message screen showed 2 warnings which said seatbelt malfunction and airbag malfunction. My husband and I both sustained injuries from the forward force against the seat belts to his abdomen and my shoulder, both of which required surgical repair. The airbags did not deploy. The truck was a total loss. A police report was filed but I do not have a copy.
NHTSA complaint #11641835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE SRS AIRBAGS BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENDER SIDE WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON 1/23/2025 AT 6:06 PM RIGHT AFTER I GOT HOME FROM WORK. THE AIR BAG FAILED TO TURN OFF WHEN THE SEAT BELT IS FASTEN TO THE SEATBELT BUCKLE. WHEN THE SEAT BELT WAS IN PLACE AND REMOVED FROM HOLSTER, THE INDICATOR LIGHT LIT UP AND A BELL SOUND ALERTED ME AS THE OPERATOR OF THE TRUCK, THE SEAT BELT WARNING ALSO TRIGGERED THE AIR BAG LIGHTS TO TURN ON WITH A INDICATOR SRS AIRBAGS OFF. THE INDICATOR RESUMES AS THE AIRBAG OFF LIGHTS REMAIN ON UNTIL THE CAR ENGINE IS OFF. WHEN THE ENGINE IS TURNED BACK ON, THE WARNING LIGHTS OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT IS ON.
NHTSA complaint #11637882 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear seatbelts metal ends are disintegrating with extreme corrosion. Discovered just before 25,000mile service. No corrosion in any other part of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11635053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchase new 2024 Toyota Tacoma sr truck, at approximately 200 miles. false warnings every time. like " Attention check rear seat" appeared every time after I turn off engine. and when there aren't any kids or pets back there. very frustrated. and this is a brand new truck. what kind of QUALITY CONTROL.
NHTSA complaint #11606638 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon entering the vehicle, the seat belt buckle failed to secure the seat belt locking clip. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed a failure with the seat belt buckle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, a case was opened, and the contact was referred to the NHTSA hotline for assistance. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 18,000.
NHTSA complaint #11579877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Could feel and hear the front passenger seat (including the supplemental restraint system airbag) and seat belt move side to side and making a noise. I took the vehicle to Toyota of Denton, in Denton Texas for evaluation. Here is what they found from the service manager's email "Yours will need the seat frame replaced. The seat was removed, we found the seat track has play in it and is non serviceable meaning it comes as an assembly and you can not get individual parts for it. The estimate is $2234.28 and the part would take 3-4 weeks to come in as it is on back order. Keep in mind, that time can change along the way, but that is the current ETA. If you want to proceed with the repair, you would need to pre pay for the part and the diagnostic. The total repair would be reduced by the amount prepaid. I did reach out to Toyota and there would be no goodwill offered for this repair. It was just purchased and the selling dealer is who I would recommend you ask them for assistance. Please let me know how you would like to proceed." This same type of issue is found on from multiple owners. How many passenger seat frames have been replaced on 2019-2023 Tacomas, thousands? This is a huge safety issue effecting the safety of the seatbelt and airbag of the front passenger occupant. What is worse TOYOTA Motor Corp. refuses to honor their own SRS fully transferable 5 year - 60,000 mile warranties. leaving owners of these vehicles to pay for the cost on their own or worse driving a vehicle with loose seats, airbags, airbag sensors, and front passenger seat belts. The NHTSA needs to conduct an immediate full safety recall of all 2019-2023 Toyota Tacoma loose passenger seats due to factory defect faulty seat frames, which directly bolt the front passenger seat belt, airbag, and safety sensors to the vehicle. The NHTSA additionally needs to investigate SRS warranty fraud conducted by Toyota Motor Corp, for failing to uphold their own published SRS warranties
NHTSA complaint #11555863 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The driver side seat belt does not go up and down to adjust position. It is attached to the access door. By not being able to adjust it from going up and down, it makes it hard to strap it into place next to the seat. This may wear out the sides of the seat belt in time. I have not had a Toyota dealer look at it yet. Thanks.
NHTSA complaint #11480034 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The truck was rear ended on 8/15 by a car going 45 miles per hour at a stop light. The air bag sensor went on and air bag did not deploy. It DID NOT deploy when it should have. Both passenger and driver seatbelt did not lock. They DID NOT LOCK. That sensor is also on. Was contacted by dealer after they were notified air bag went off when it did not go off and should have gone off. Seatbelts did not lock on impact causing injury. Car is not drivable due to these sensors and life saving features not working. Sensors are on. Insurance company says car can not be driven it is unsafe. Both driver and passenger went to emergency room. It is our sons car who is in college in Colorado.
NHTSA complaint #11479817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A child infant passenger car seat was placed in the rear passenger center seat position. The the shoulder/lap-belt was used to install the car seat rear-facing. Once the install was complete. The shoulder belt was slowly pulled and extended all the way out. The purpose was to have the shoulder belt reach its maxed length. This would position the belt to be placed into retracting mode only. This would prevent the child or an infant to possibly extend the belt once its been retracted. This would minimize the free play with the belt such as being tangled with child's arm, head, body parts, and potentially becoming a choking hazard. The issue now, is the shoulder/lap-belt retracting mechanism is malfunctioning. The shoulder/lap belt is not retracting. Rather it is stuck and now the entire shoulder/lap belt is extended all the way out. There is no resistance in the seat-belt and cannot will not secure a rear passenger in the center seat position. The rear center seat does not have a working safety car passenger safety belt.
NHTSA complaint #11444037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A child infant passenger car seat was placed in the rear passenger center seat position. The the shoulder/lap-belt was used to install the car seat rear-facing. Once the install was complete. The shoulder belt was slowly pulled and extended all the way out. The purpose was to have the shoulder belt reach its maxed length. This would position the belt to be placed into retracting mode only. This would prevent the child or an infant to possibly extend the belt once its been retracted. This would minimize the free play with the belt such as being tangled with child's arm, head, body parts, and potentially becoming a choking hazard. The issue now, is the shoulder/lap-belt retracting mechanism is malfunctioning. The shoulder/lap belt is not retracting. Rather it is stuck and now the entire shoulder/lap belt is extended all the way out. There is no resistance in the seat-belt and cannot will not secure a rear passenger in the center seat position. The rear center seat does not have a working safety car passenger safety belt.
NHTSA complaint #11444037 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I had my mechanic take the passenger door panel off to investigate a rattle in the door. What he found was the seat belt anchor bolt for the front passenger had come loose and was rattling around inside the access door ( a rear door where the front passenger seatbelt is mounted). This is a serious safety problem as the seatbelt would not have worked properly in an accident, not being properly bolted/anchored to the vehicle. My mechanic stated he has never seen a bolt like this come loose before, usually they are so tight they are very difficult to remove. I have never received a recall notice for this problem and have always taken this vehicle in for all recalls. I am really upset as I now see Toyota has an informal recall for this problem, yet I had to pay a mechanic to fix it. The consumer did have the recall repair performed.
NHTSA complaint #11436858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear driver seatbelt retracts but won’t reel back up. After replacing it, shop recognized the ineffective nature of the other side. Safety of my children at risk. Inspected by independent shop and dealer. No warning lights. Symptoms include less effective
NHTSA complaint #11435653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tacoma was rear-ended at 80 mph. Tacoma rolled over three times front airbags did not go off.. side curtain bags did.. seat belt on driver side failed after the second rollover.. rear cross traffic warning did not go off.. driver seat collapsed. driver was injured and was in trauma unit for 3 weeks. Vehicle last known is located off of belvedere road in West Palm Beach Florida.. I called up Toyota and a third party got the EDR from the vehicle.. I have a copy of it. As far as I know the problem has not been inspected.
NHTSA complaint #11425923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I own a 2005 Toyota Tacoma xtra cab with 140445 miles on it. When it had 36000 miles I noticed the driver side seatbelts wearing down that was in 2011 . It’s just me so the passenger side is still good. I contacted Toyota about this problem asking them if there were any recalls or any complaints about the seatbelt wearing down. I was told no complaints. I told them my safety concerns they agreed on having my local dealership take care of the problem. It took some convincing to have it approved. So now I’m having the same issue again I haven’t contacted them yet. I just hope they will fix the problem again. Like I told the person I spoke to none of my other many vehicles have had a safety belt wearing down on the sides. It could be a poor design that’s causing it but none the less it’s needs to be corrected.
NHTSA complaint #11423142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.