Home · 2011 Toyota Tacoma · Complaints

What 183 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Toyota Tacoma

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (183)Crash / fire / injury (15)Suspension (59)Lights (32)Electrical system (22)Body & structure (21)Steering (17)Airbags (15)Brakes (13)Speed control (9)Transmission & drivetrain (8)Engine (3)

Newest first · 183 complaints · page 2 of 8

Feb 28, 2021Suspension

REAR LEAF SPRINGS ARE VERY WEAK AND ARE NOT AS SUPPORTIVE AS THEY SHOULD BE. AS SHOWN IN THE PHOTO THE SPRING IS PRETTY MUCH STRAIGHT AND IT SHOULD HAVE SOME CURVE AS THERE IS NO LOAD ON THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11398270

Dec 11, 2020Lights

MY DAYLIGHT RUNNING LIGHT KEEPS BURNING OUT AND SPLITTING THE LENS. IT'S THE SECOND SET OF LIGHT I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THEM.

NHTSA ODI 11383014

Dec 4, 2020Steering

UPON INSPECTION TO TROUBLESHOOT A MINOR POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK, I NOTICED THAT THE PINION INPUT SHAFT HOUSING (RIGHT SIDE OF POWER STEERING RACK) HAD EXCESSIVE RUST BEYOND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE REST OF THE RACK DID NOT EXHIBIT THE SAME DEGREE OF CORROSION, SUGGESTING A MANUFACTURING OR ASSEMBLY DEFECT. THE CONDITION WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND BY TOYOTA TECHNICIANS. THE CERTIFIED MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CONDITION IS BEYOND NORMAL WEAR BUT THE TOYOTA TECHNICIAN DENIES THAT ANYTHING BUT A BOLT IS CORRODED.

NHTSA ODI 11377949

Nov 21, 2020Lights

BOTH LEFT SIDE AND RIGHT SIDE DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHT LENS INSIDE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY ARE BURNED AND DISCOLORED. HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY LENS ARE CRACKED.

NHTSA ODI 11375750

Nov 11, 2020Steering

I WAS DRIVING AND AT ANY SPEED THE STEERING WOULD LOCK UP WHILE TURNING. THE LOWER INTERMEDIATE SHAFT HAS DETERIORATED TO FAILURE. I'M GLAD THAT I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT BUT CAME CLOSE. WHEN SEARCHING THE INTERNET TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I FOUND THAT IT WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR ANYONE LIVING IN A AREA (NOT JUST IN THE USA) THAT IS A SNOW AREA WHERE SALT IS USED. TOYOTA CONSIDERS THIS A WEAR ITEM. THIS SHOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED A WEAR ITEM WHEN FAILURE CAN HAPPEN AT ANY GIVEN SECOND WHEN DRIVING AND NOT ALLOWING THE VEHICLES DRIVER TO BE IN CONTROL

NHTSA ODI 11374087

Jul 2, 2020Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LEAF SPRING FRACTURED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED BY TOYOTA OF SCRANTON (3400 N MAIN AVE, SCRANTON, PA 18508) WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V604000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,304.

NHTSA ODI 11337211

Jun 23, 2020SteeringSuspensionBrakes

THE VEHICLE TAKES LONG TO STOP EVEN AFTER CHANGING THE BRAKE PADS , ROTORS, BRAKE SHOES, WITH NEW COMPONENTS. THE REAR MAKES A THUD SOUND WHEN ACCELERATING OR COMING TO A STOP. THE LEAF SPRINGS ALSO SQUEAK AND I NOTICED AFTER THEY CHANGED MY FRAME THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE NOT CHANGE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS A RECALL ON THE LEAF SPRINGS AND IT WAS RUSTING? THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT STARTED TO MAKE THIS LOUD THUD SOUND WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AROUND 5-10 MPH. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON THIS, BUT MY LOCAL DEALER SAYS THERE ISN'T ONE? WHY DOESN'T THE MAIN BRANCH TALK TO OR UPDATE THE SYSTEM FOR ALL TOYOTA BRANCHES FOR RECALLS? *TR

NHTSA ODI 11330429

Feb 11, 2020AirbagsSeat beltsWheels

YES, I WENT TO THE DEALER WHO IS SELLING THIS VEHICLE AND NONE OF THE 9 RECALLS HAVE BEEN CORRECTED. DISTURBING! I CHECKED THE SAFETY SITE FOR THE INFORMATION

NHTSA ODI 11308641

Feb 10, 2020Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA COROLLA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BENCH SEAT FALLING APART, DETACHED FROM THE WELL, THE STEEL BAR POINTED OUT RIPPING THROUGH THE MATERIAL AND THE FRAME DETACHED CAUSING THE DRIVE TO UNABLE TO SEAT PROPERLY TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DCH FREEHOLD TOYOTA DEALER, (4268 ROUTE 9, SOUTH ST, FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP, NJ 07728) AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE, THEY COULD NOT SERVICE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR FEE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000.

NHTSA ODI 11308304

Jan 29, 2020Brakes

ABOUT 1 MONTH AGO I NOTICED MY BRAKE PEDAL FELT SPONGY. CHECKED FLUID LEVEL, PADS AND SHOES, OK. NO SIGN OF A FLUID LEAK. 1 WEEK LATER I WAS DOING 65MPH AND HAD TO COME TO AN EMERGENCY STOP. MY BRAKE PEDAL FADED ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKING AT ALL, COULDN'T PUMP THEM UP AND STEERED FOR THE OPEN SHOULDER. I LIMPED HOME, CHANGED MY SHORTS AND LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON SEVERAL TACOMA FORUMS ON THE WEB. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND NOBODY HAS AN ANSWER, PEOPLE HAVE REPLACED EVERY COMPONENT INCLUDING THE FLUID WITH NO LUCK. I HOOKED UP MY OBD2 READER THAT HAS ABS FUNCTIONALITY AND IT SHOWED NO FAULT CODES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM AND EVERYBODY IS JUST GUESSING WHAT CAUSES THE FAILURE. IT IS THE BRAKES!, THE MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE ON ANY CAR. MY TRUCK HAS BEEN PARKED AND WILL STAY THAT WAY UNTIL SOMEONE (HOPEFULLY TOYOTA) FIGURES OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND WHY.

NHTSA ODI 11302847

Jan 23, 2020Body & structure

THE HORN IN MY 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA QUIT WORKING. I WENT TO USE IT MY HORN, AND IT DID NOT WORK. I'VE TAKEN MY TRUCK TO SEVERAL PLACES TO SEE IF IT COULD BE FIXED. I HAVE BEEN READING WHERE THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM FOR MANY TOYOTA OWNERS. ALSO, THE WHITE PAINT ON MY CAR IS STARTING TO FLAKE OFF. THE TRUCK ISN'T EVEN 10 YEARS OLD AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED. YET AGAIN, THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS AFFECTED BY THIS. APPARENTLY THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF WHITE PAINT THAT TOYOTA KNOWS TO BE AN ISSUE ON CERTAIN YEAR MODELS, BUT THEY HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL. HAVING A PAINT JOB IS AN EXPENSE THAT MOST CAN NOT AFFORD! I COULD SEE IF IT WAS SOMETHING THAT WAS CAUSED FROM AN ACCIDENT OR THE OWNERS FAULT, BUT THIS IS RIDICULOUS. MINE IS STARTING TO PEEL AND FLAKE ON MY PASSENGERS SIDE DOOR AROUND THE WINDOW. THERE WAS NO PRELIMINARY FLAKING OR PEELING OF THE CLEAR COAT, IT WENT STRAIGHT FROM WHITE PAINT TO GRAY. NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE WRITTEN IN ABOUT BOTH OF THIS ISSUES AND THERE IS NOTHING BEING DONE! THERE IS NO REASON WHY THEY CAN'T FIX OUR HORNS. I LIVE IN N.C. AND MY TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT IT. THIS LEADS TO OTHER TICKETS AND FINES THAT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I HAVE NEEDED MY HORN, AND IT DOESN'T WORK.

NHTSA ODI 11301343

Dec 26, 2019Electrical system

HORN NOT WORKING .WAS TOLD IT WAS IN STEERING WHEEL

NHTSA ODI 11291261

Dec 25, 2019Transmission & drivetrain

EXTREME WEAR AND STRUCTURAL DETERIORATION OF THE REAREND GEARS THAT CAUSES A CLUNKING AND WINDING SOUND. THE CLUNK SOUND OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IT PUT INTO GEAR AND THE WINDING SOUND AS IT IS DRIVEN.

NHTSA ODI 11291158

Dec 21, 2019SteeringElectrical system1 injury

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I FELT MY STEERING COLUMN GET LOOSE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT THE GAS STATION, I TRIED MAKING SURE THE COLUMN ADJUSTER WAS TIGHT, AND IT WAS. THE ENTIRE STEERING WHEEL/COLUMN WAS STILL LOOSE, AND THEN FELL OFF INTO MY LAP. AFTER THAT, MY TACOMA WOULD NOT START. RADIO WOULD NOT WORK, AND THE ODOMETER NUMBERS DISAPPEARED. I HAD TO THEN CALL A TOW TRUCK TO GET MY VEHICLE HOME. IF I HADN'T STOPPED AT AT THE GAS STATION, IT WOULD HAVE FELL OFF AS I WAS DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI 11290665

Oct 15, 2019Lights

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES IN TWO YEARS.

NHTSA ODI 11268724

Sep 24, 2019Body & structure

FRAME IS VERY RUSTY

NHTSA ODI 11257845

Aug 25, 2019Electrical systemAirbags

MY HORN STOPPED WORKING A MONTH AGO-REPLACED RELAY-NOW AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON- AFTER REAADING COMPLAINTS, SEEMS THE TWO ARE RELATED AND RECALLED ON EARLIER VERSIONS

NHTSA ODI 11246290

Jul 17, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CENTER SECTION OF THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE LEAF SPRING FELL OUT AFTER CRACKING IN TWO AREAS. THE CONTACT CALLED HARR MOTOR GROUP (100-112 GOLD STAR BLVD, WORCESTER, MA 01606, (508) 471-5733) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ALSO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000. *BF *TR

NHTSA ODI 11232775

Jul 17, 2019Suspension

MY MECHANIC NOTICED LEFT LEAF SPRING WAS MISSING A 6 INCH PIECE OF METAL BROKE OFF

NHTSA ODI 11232828

Jun 17, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GALAXY TOYOTA (750 NJ-36, EATONTOWN, NJ 07724, 732-982-4177) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEAF SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 117,000.

NHTSA ODI 11220724

Jun 14, 2019Suspension

I JUST BOUGHT 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. IT HAS LITTLE OVER 51,000 MILES. I HEARD A POPPING NOISE. TOOK IT TO TOYOTA DEALER. THEY MAINTENANCE IT. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS PASSENGERS SIDE LEFT SPRING IS BROKE. I TOOK OUT POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. BUT DON'T COVER THAT. I SEEN RECALL ON 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. BUT MINE WASN'T IN RECALL. TOYOTA DEALER TOLD ME I WOULD BE OUT 900.00 TO 1200 DOLLARS I JUST BOUGHT TRUCK GIVE ALMOST 26 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO FIX THAT TOO.

NHTSA ODI 11220207

Jun 4, 2019Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 TOYOTA TACOMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN ABNORMAL SNAPPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO LIA TOYOTA OF COLONY (2116 CENTRAL AVE, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, (518) 631-5254) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED NEW LEAF SPRINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED THE CONTACT A CREDIT TOWARDS THE REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

NHTSA ODI 11217805

May 27, 2019Suspension

REAR LEFT SIDE LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING; I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM THE U.S INTO THE ISLAND OF GRENADA(CARIBBEAN) WHERE THE SPRING BROKE.. HEARD THIS LOUD FLAPPING UNDER THE VEHICLE ; STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE AND FOUND THE MIDDLE SPRING (OF 3) BROKE AND WAS STICKING OUT FROM THE REST; I NOTICED THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS WERE MORE FLAT THAN CURVED LIKE NORMAL SPRINGS THE TOYOTA DEALER IN GRENADA IS TELLING ME I MUST GET A LETTER FROM A TOYOTA DEALER IN THE U S FOR THEIR REPAIR SERVICES TO ACT. I CANT BELIEVE THE ORDER SAID "GO TO THE NEAREST TOYOTA DEALER" AND THESE PEOPLE WHO SUPPOSED TO BE DEALERS ARE GIVING ME THIS RUN AROUND.

NHTSA ODI 11210206

Mar 26, 2019Suspension

ON LINE IT SAYS THERE IS A RECALL ON MY 2011 TACOMA FOR REAR LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING. MY LEAF SPRING ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BROKE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH NO WEIGHT IN MY BED. TOYOTA TELLS ME MY VIN DOESN'T COME UP ON THE LIST. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WHY ISN'T MY TRUCK COVERED? I DON'T OVERLOAD MY TRUCK, IN FACT I BABY IT. I'VE ONLY HAD IT JUST OVER ONE YEAR. I'M REALLY DISAPPOINTED THAT THEY WOULD BASICALLY SAY SORRY YOU'RE ON YOUR OWN! IT'S GOING TO COST $800-$1000 DOLLARS I CAN'T AFFORD BUT HAVE NO CHOICE! ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

NHTSA ODI 11191728

Feb 27, 2019Suspension

BOTH REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE. TOYOTA DOES NOT SELL THE THREE LEAF SPRING ONLY 4 LEAF. I NOTIFIED TOYOTA AND THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE 2011 TACOMAS.

NHTSA ODI 11182783

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Working with the data? Download all 183 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 10, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Toyota Tacoma verdict →