UsedScore

2009 Toyota Tacoma: Avoid

Owners filed 225 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Tacoma in its first five years on the road, about 188 for every 100,000 sold: 2.8× the rate of a typical Tacoma year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area.

The biggest problem area, counting serious complaints more, is the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (27% of complaints, median 1,000 miles).

Complaint index
2.8×
per vehicle sold, vs. a typical Tacoma year
Rank
14th of 14
1st = fewest complaints
Complaints
225
first five years; 188 per 100,000 sold
Recalls
13
campaigns
2nd generation, 2005–2015 · Updated September 24, 2026 · How we rate
2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab

Photo: 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab · HJUdall, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Problem areas

Ranked by severity-weighted complaints · share · median miles
  1. Powertrain27% · 60 complaints · median 1,000 miles
  2. Speed control23% · 51 complaints · median 8,000 miles
  3. Lights25% · 57 complaints · median 45,000 miles
  4. Brakes10% · 22 complaints · median 4,000 miles
  5. Electrical11% · 25 complaints · median 22,000 miles
  6. Steering3% · 6 complaints · median 28,000 miles
  7. Engine4% · 9 complaints · median 3,000 miles
  8. Suspension5% · 11 complaints · median 21,000 miles
  9. Air bags1% · 3 complaints
  10. Body and structure2% · 5 complaints

Bars rank problem areas by complaints weighted for severity (crashes, fires, injuries and deaths count more). A complaint can name more than one area. Mileage is reported on about half of complaints.

What owners describe

Lights

Many owners of this Tacoma report that the daytime running light lenses in the headlight assemblies melt, bubble, or crack over time, apparently from heat generated by the bulbs. Repairs often mean replacing the whole headlight assembly, and owners describe mixed results getting dealers to cover the cost.

Warning signs:
Owners often first notice discoloration, an orange or brown spot, bubbling, or a scorched area in the lens before it cracks or melts through.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently replaced the headlight/lens assembly, sometimes splitting or fully charging owners for parts and labor once out of warranty, though some found no fix.
Mileage:
most between 35,000 and 60,000 miles, among 89 complaints that give it

“The headlight lenses are melting in the front of the daytime running lights/turn signal”

“Daytime running light bulbs on both headlight assemblies have burned straight through the orange plastic covers, causing them both to bubble, and crack in half”

Powertrain

Owners describe the transmission hesitating or slipping when accelerating out of turns or stops, with the engine revving before a sudden forward lurch. Dealers often called this normal and offered no lasting fix, leaving many owners uneasy about merging or turning in traffic.

Warning signs:
Many owners report the engine revving with no corresponding acceleration, followed by a delayed, sudden lurch or jerk into gear, especially at low speeds under 20 mph.
What shops did:
Dealers frequently told owners this behavior was normal for the transmission, reset the 'shift logic' or 'learn code,' or could not duplicate or repair the issue.
Mileage:
most between 0 and 15,000 miles, among 70 complaints that give it

“The automatic transmission jumps down into 1st gear and races the engine making it hard to control the vehicle properly”

“The car will downshift into a non-responsive mode and there is an extreme lag followed by a lurch forward”

Speed control

Owners report their Tacoma sometimes surges or races unexpectedly when stopping, shifting, or on cruise control, occasionally resulting in minor crashes. Dealers frequently couldn't reproduce the issue, though some received recall-related floor mat or pedal work with mixed results.

Warning signs:
Many describe sudden high RPMs or a lunge/surge while braking, shifting gears, turning, or with cruise control engaged on hills, sometimes with tire spin or a burning smell.
What shops did:
Dealers often could not duplicate the problem or found nothing wrong; some replaced or trimmed accelerator pedals, adjusted floor mats, or reprogrammed the vehicle's computer.
Mileage:
most between 5,000 and 15,000 miles, among 55 complaints that give it

“Truck required more than normal braking to slow properly after turn, finally used both feet to apply maximum brake pressure”

“As soon as I shifted into drive it accelerated uncontrollably”

Summaries are written with AI from the owner complaints shown on NHTSA's site and checked against them; quotes are word for word.

Recalls (13)

Check a VIN on NHTSA ›
  • NHTSA 16V396000June 20167,749 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010 Camry, and 1989 and 2009-2010 Corolla vehicles equipped with aftermarket accessory seat heaters with a copper strand heating element. The electrical wiring in the seat heaters may be damaged when the seat cushion is compressed.

    Risk: If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory.

  • NHTSA 14V743000November 20143,233 vehicles

    Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner. The affected vehicles may experience compression of the seat cushion which may damage the seat heater wiring.

    Risk: Damage to the seat heater wiring could cause the wires to short, increasing the risk of the seat burning and causing personal injury to the occupant.

    Fix: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 14V604000September 2014710,711 vehicles

    Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion. While being driven, the broken leaf could move out of position and contact surrounding components including the fuel tank, possibly puncturing the tank and causing a fuel leak.

    Risk: If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies.

  • NHTSA 14V475000August 201420,000 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale. The affected vehicles may list incorrect spare tire size and/or cold tire inflation information on the tire placard. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 110, "Tire Selection and Rims for Passenger Cars."

    Risk: If the spare tire is inflated to the incorrect pressure provided on the placard, tire failure may occur while it is being driven on, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard.

  • NHTSA 14V168000April 20141,486,413 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable assembly, which includes a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC). Due to the shape and location of the FFC's retainer, the FFC could become damaged when the steering wheel is turned.

    Risk: If the FFC is damaged, connectivity to the driver's air bag module could be lost and the air bag deactivated. The failure of the driver's air bag to deploy in the event of a crash that typically necessitates deployment increases the risk of injury to the driver.

    Fix: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners.

  • NHTSA 13V337000August 2013342,451 vehicles

    Seat belts

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011. If the access doors are repeatedly and forcefully closed, the screws that attach the seat belt pre-tensioner to the seat belt retractor can loosen over time. If the screws loosen completely, the seat belt pre-tensioner and the retractor spring cover could detach from the seat belt retractor.

    Risk: If the seat belt pre-tensioner detaches from the seat belt assembly, the seat belt pre-tensioner will not perform as designed, increasing the risk of injury in a severe crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies.

  • NHTSA 13V014000January 20133,235 vehicles

    Seats · Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive

    Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and Tundra; model year 2009-2013 Highlander and Venza; model year 2012 Prius V; and model year 2010-2012 Sequoia. During modification by SET to include accessories such as leather seat covers, seat heaters or headrest DVD systems, these vehicles may not have had the passenger seat occupant sensing system calibration tested. Without passing the calibration test, the occupant sensing system may not operate as designed.

    Risk: If the front passenger seat occupant sensing system is out of calibration, the front passenger airbags may not deploy or they may deploy inappropriately for the passenger's size and position. This could increase the risk of personal injury during the event of a vehicle crash necessitating airbag deployment.

    Fix: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary.

  • NHTSA 12V092000March 2012495,470 vehicles

    Air bags: frontal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2009 tacoma vehicles, manufactured from september 14, 2004, through august 29, 2008. Over time, steering wheel vibration may damage the spiral cable assembly (clockspring) that powers the driver’s air bag module. If damage occurs, the air bag warning lamp will illuminate and the air bag may become deactivated.

    Risk: In the event of a crash, the driver’s side air bag may not deploy, increasing the risk of personal injury.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the spiral cable assembly, free of charge.

  • NHTSA 11V148000March 201122,000 vehicles

    Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 fj cruiser, land cruiser, tacoma, sequoia and tundra vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138, "tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)." when factory-installed wheels and tires were replaced with toyota authorized accessory wheels and lt tires prior to first sale, the tire pressure monitoring systems were not re-calibrated correctly and therefore do not start illuminating the low tire pressure warning telltale at the required minimum activation pressure.

    Risk: Failure to warn of tire deflations is a non-compliance with fmvss 138 and could lead to tire failure increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: For the land cruiser, sequoia, tacoma and tundra vehicles, the dealer will re-calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system on affected vehicles and install an updated tire and loading information label at no charge.

  • NHTSA 10V035000February 2010271,417 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Gulf states toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between september 1, 2005 and june 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: This does not meet the standard requirements.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 10V036000February 2010153,418 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Southeast toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

    Risk: A driver may overload a vehicle which may increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge.

  • NHTSA 09V388000October 20094,445,056 vehicles

    Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

    Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

    Risk: A stuck open accelerator pedal may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

    Fix: Toyota filed an amended defect report on november 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.

  • NHTSA 09V223000June 200927,080 vehicles

    Equipment: other: labels

    Toyota is recalling 27,080 model year 2005 through 2010 passenger cars built from september 1, 2005 to may 4, 2009. These vehicles were not equipped with load carrying capacity modification labels which fails to conform with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims."

    Risk: Incorrect load carrying capacity modification labels could result in the vehicle being overloaded, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Toyota will notify owners and provide them with a new, accurate label to be installed over the inaccurate label free of charge.

A recall only helps if the repair was done. Enter the vehicle's 17-character VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup before you buy.

Service bulletins

Toyota sent NHTSA 314 service bulletins and other notices to dealers covering the 2009 Tacoma. These are repair instructions, not recalls. Warranty extensions and bulletins about its top problem areas:

  • TSB003220 · August 2023TSB: Replacement certification labels (the vinyl label installed on the driver door or door post) and VIN plates (the metal plate riveted to dashboard) (see Figure 1) for most 1979 ?
  • TSB011219 · August 2023TSB: Some 2005 ?
  • Customer Support · April 2020DL: ZLZ Expired on 04/20/2020
  • T-SB-0112-19 · August 2019TSB: SUPERSESSION NOTICE The information contained in this bulletin supersedes Service Bulletin No.
  • T-SB-0134-16-Rev · July 2019TSB: REVISION NOTICE July 01, 2019 Rev2: ?
  • ZH2-Toyota POL17 · September 2018Customer Support Program: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise.
  • T-SB-0302-17-Rev · June 2018TSB: REVISION NOTICE June 27, 2018 Rev2: ?
  • ZH2_Toyota POL17 · June 2018Warranty Policy Bulletin: Toyota has received reports in which customers have indicated that there is a drivetrain vibration and/or drivetrain noise.

All 2009 Tacoma bulletins on NHTSA ›

Questions owners ask

Is the 2009 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
Owners filed 225 complaints with NHTSA about the 2009 Toyota Tacoma in its first five years on the road, about 188 for every 100,000 sold: 2.8× the rate of a typical Tacoma year. That's more than twice a typical year, across more than one problem area. Ratings compare Tacoma years with each other using complaints filed with NHTSA; they don't measure every problem owners have.
What are the most common 2009 Tacoma problems?
Owners' complaints most often involve the powertrain (transmission and drivetrain) (27%), speed control (23%) and the lights (25%). A complaint can name more than one area.
Has the 2009 Toyota Tacoma been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent in June 2016 (seats). Enter the vehicle's VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to see whether the repairs were done.

Sources

Owner complaints, recalls and manufacturer communications from NHTSA's public data files, as of September 24, 2026. Complaints are counted once each, over the model year's first 60 months on the road. UsedScore is not affiliated with NHTSA or Toyota. The 2009 Toyota Tacoma on NHTSA.gov · How we rate