2009 Toyota Tacoma problems
The 2009 Toyota Tacoma has 613 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (20%) concerns suspension. After that come lighting (17%) and cruise control (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 613 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Suspension 20% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 26 and 19
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 35,000 miles 455 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 176 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 64 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 66 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 50 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 40 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 32 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 10 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 8 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 4 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 5 |
What the data shows
Among the 455 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 35,000 miles. For suspension specifically, the median reported mileage is about 77,000 miles (52 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 26 complaints mention a crash; 19 complaints mention a fire; 2 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2009 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 31 model years of the Toyota Tacoma with enough data (415 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 13 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated that he was driving 40 MPH and lost control of the vehicle, causing him to crash into a guard rail. The steering wheel broke off before the air bag deployed. The contact suffered head injuries and was the only occupant in the vehicle. He was taken to the hospital by another person. The police were notified and a report was available if needed. The vehicle was then towed to an auto body shop. The insurance company was also notified.
Vehicle was involved in an accident while starting to turn left onto a side street. The Tacoma was struck in both driver side doors by a 2005 Chevrolet Silverado K3000 driven by an 85 year old who either ran the stop sign or did not see her even though she was signaling and the truck had the option driving lights that are on all the time. The Tacomas doors were pushing in almost a foot and the truck was pushed sideways several feet. Tacoma driver injured her side and has a probable concussion.
My 09 toyota tacoma drl (daylight running light/turn signal) lens burned/melted/broke. I have exceeded my warranty but I feel toyota should stand behind their product and replace my light lens. My local dealer did do a 50/50 split on the cost of replacement, but this is a design problem. Light lens should never burn/melt/break regardless of how old or how many miles the vehicle has on it. Not all tacoma's have drl , this is an option, my local dealer did not know this but I pointed this out to him.
I own a 2009 toyota tacoma pre runner double cab. The brakes are very soft and become softer when driven. They only catch when pushed all the way to the floor. I'm very cautious when I drive the vehicle, spending most of my time judging distance. I'm afraid this method used to operate this vehicle will fail me soon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 toyota tacoma. The contact stated he became aware that the chassis underneath the vehicle was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired as of yet. The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was 92,458.