KnownCarProblems2001 Toyota Tacoma Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 396 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, most often about the body and structure (58% of complaints, typically around 144,000 miles). It is 7th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems
Body and structure
228 complaints · 58%Half of these problems showed up before 144,000 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
2001 Toyota Tacoma diagnosed with frame rot back on 4/2/08. Numerous huge holes in right rear frame rail. Told by Toyota not to drive vehicle as it is unsafe. I have no other vehicle still driving this truck. My vehicle was manufactured 01/01. Not part of current buy-back program 1995-2000. I am caught between the…
I own a 2001 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck that has excessive frame rot. Recently the frame broke where the rear bumper mounts to the frame. There is rot located all over the frame. This vehicle falls into the scope of Toyota motor company rusted frame problem.
Suspension
81 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 168,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH the front driver side tire became detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contacts residence. The tow truck driver informed the contact of NHTSA campaign id number: 05v225000 (suspension:front:control arm:lower ball…
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact was driving 5 MPH when a loud, abnormal sound emitted from under the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed corrosion on the drivers side I-beam and the cross beam, which was detached on the passenger side of the vehicle. The manufacturer…
Other or unspecified
40 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 176,000 miles.
I have a 2001 Toyota Tacoma and the frame is broken in two on the passenger side of the truck and rusted in two on the other side of the truck. The truck is very unsafe to drive and I am learning there was a recall on these trucks for faulty frames. I have also learned that they stopped the recall in 2012 before I…
I am unsure when this had happened but the frame on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma is corroded and broken into 2 pieces in 2 different areas. The place where it is broken is not corroded but just broke. Would like to know if this truck is under a safety issue that Toyota should be responsible for or if it is just an expensive…
Brakes
22 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 136,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, conventional, power assist.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma sr 5 extended cab. The contact was driving 3-4 MPH when the vehicle drove over a road bump and the lower ball joint proceeded to detached from the passenger side front tire. The vehicle then unexpectedly drifted forward three feet. The vehicle was towed to a local repair shop…
Emergency brake failure, the emergency brake on my 2001 Toyota Tacoma has seized for a second time. With the emergency brake seized it is not possible to operate the emergency brake. The design of the emergency braking system allows the system to seize due to corrosion at the location where the actuating lever meets…
Air bags
20 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 148,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 50 MPH, a deer jumped into the road and caused a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was…
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact was involved in a multiple vehicle collision. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries, which did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. A diagnostic appointment was scheduled for february…
Steering
20 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 161,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, rack and pinion.
Severe shimmy when driving, and swaying to either side. I then took the truck to Toyota where they found out that the entire steering control system is corroded to the point that the vehicle can loose control at any time. I will be forced to change the yoke and eventually the rack and pinion.
The driver side front ball joint failed while driving at 50 MPH on a smooth surfaces state road. The wheel fell off of the control arm and sent my vehicle sliding down the road. Pictures are attached. This issue has been recognized in a similar recall of 4x4 vehicles of the same make and model. The action number of…
Wheels and tires
18 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 99,500 miles. Parts named most often: temporary/emergency spare tire, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, sidewall.
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While reversing at a low speed, the contact noticed that the spare tire separated from underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12v542000 (tires). The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The technician was unable…
Bought the truck new from dealer in austin,tx. Carried in yesterday for tire rotation at american tire and was told the truck had the wrong lug nuts on the wheels and it was unsafe to drive from shop. I purchased new wheels so I could safely drive the truck. I called Toyota and explained the situation to them and was…
Transmission
15 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 106,000 miles. Parts named most often: driveline, axle assembly, automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive).
Rusty leaky diff problem the oil leaks constantly. I called the Toyota dealer and they said there is no recall and nothing they will do about it at this time.
2001 Toyota Tacoma replaced rear axle bearing twice already truck has less 90000 miles. In both incidents it has ruined the internal parts of the axles causing damage to the carrier case. I bought a 3 rd trd axle at a wrecking yard to find the same problem in that axle. I was fortunate I was not involved in a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Toyota Tacoma recalls
Wheels and tires: temporary/emergency spare tire
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 spare tire carrier. A lift plate on the carrier is used to help raise, lower and retain the tire. During its manufacture, the lift plate may not have been sufficiently coated with anti-corrosion materials. If the plate is insufficiently coated and the vehicle is operated in cold climate regions where r
Suspension: lower ball joint
Risk: The lower ball joint may separate from the knuckle causing loss of steering control and a crash could occur.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: This damage could result in fuel leakage, which could result in a fire if in the presence of an ignition source.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Wheels and tires: sidewall
Risk: An improperly inflated tire could result in vehicle handling problems or a blow out of an improperly installed tire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 Toyota Tacoma
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: body and structure (228 complaints, typically around 144,000 miles); suspension (81 complaints, typically around 168,500 miles); other or unspecified (40 complaints, typically around 176,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 23, 2012 (wheels and tires). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Toyota Tacoma?
- It is 7th of 27 Tacoma model years by number of complaints, with 396 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.