CarModelProblems.com

2009 Toyota Tacoma Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Suspension — runs 3.5× the fleet median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.
518Complaints
13Recalls
25Crashes
18Fires
2Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Suspension (22% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

Suspension complaints here are 3.5× the median for that category across the 965 model-years tracked on this site.

2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Suspension114 · 22%RecalledRecall 14V604000
Exterior Lighting105 · 20.3%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control57 · 11%RecalledRecall 09V388000
Power Train:automatic Transmission44 · 8.5%No official action
Electrical System39 · 7.5%No official action
Steering38 · 7.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

SUSPENSION114 · 22%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING105 · 20.3%
STEERING38 · 7.3%
STRUCTURE:BODY37 · 7.1%
POWER TRAIN26 · 5%
Unspecified / other17 · 3.3%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16 · 3.1%

Percentages are the share of the 518 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 13 campaigns

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 14V743000 · 2014 · reported 11/19/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:leaf

NHTSA campaign 14V604000 · 2014 · reported 09/29/2014

If the fuel tank leaks fuel from being punctured, there is an increased risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module

NHTSA campaign 14V168000 · 2014 · reported 04/09/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 14V475000 · 2014 · reported 08/04/2014

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/cooler

NHTSA campaign 16V396000 · 2016 · reported 06/02/2016

If damaged, the copper strand heating element may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Tires:pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems

NHTSA campaign 11V148000 · 2011 · reported 03/04/2011

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Seat Belts

NHTSA campaign 13V337000 · 2013 · reported 08/07/2013

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 12V092000 · 2012 · reported 03/07/2012

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER’S SIDE AIR BAG MAY NOT DEPLOY, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control Module-inactive

NHTSA campaign 13V014000 · 2013 · reported 01/16/2013

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.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

NHTSA campaign 09V388000 · 2009 · reported 10/05/2009

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 09V223000 · 2009 · reported 06/15/2009

INCORRECT LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY MODIFICATION LABELS COULD RESULT IN THE VEHICLE BEING OVERLOADED, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V035000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

THIS DOES NOT MEET THE STANDARD REQUIREMENTS. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Equipment:other:labels

NHTSA campaign 10V036000 · 2010 · reported 02/03/2010

A DRIVER MAY OVERLOAD A VEHICLE WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“THE RADIO ACTS ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY. IT CHANGES STATIONS, TURNS ITSELF OFF AND ON, ETC. SOMETIMES THE CONTROLS, SUCH AS THE VOLUME, ARE NON-RESPONSIVE, SO…”NHTSA complaint 10312928 — filed 02/22/2010 · SUSPENSION

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

45201261622014615020163924201814112020111220222072024932026

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?

Suspension issues are the most-reported category, cited in 114 of 518 NHTSA complaints (22%), followed by exterior lighting (105), vehicle speed control (57), power train:automatic transmission (44). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have?

518 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 25 involved a crash, 18 involved a fire, and 2 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2009 Toyota Tacoma have any recalls?

Yes — 13 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 14V743000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma's reported problems?

2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.