2001 Toyota Tacoma Problems, Recalls & Reliability
504 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, alongside 6 recall campaigns and 0 defect investigations. It scores 60/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Body & structure leads the reports, typically around 144,277 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2001 Toyota Tacoma sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1997, 2013–2015, 2020–2022.
Avoid
Where 2001 sits among all Tacoma years
What owners report
“The frame rusted out with only 150,000 miles, informed vehicle needs to be junked or have frame replaced.this vehicle is unsafe to drive.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 Tacoma
“Rear passenger leaf spring frame mount rusting off. Vehicle is not safe to drive.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 Tacoma
“My Toyota truck frame is rusted with big holes and could break in two at any time.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 Tacoma
“Front brakes makes loud clicking noise when backing up, and i've been told told that the noise is normal from the shifting brakes pads. Please advise”— owner report to NHTSA, 2001 Tacoma
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 362 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 148,000 miles. Half of those reports fall between 100,000 and 180,000 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (6)
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,…
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…
CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO.…
Fix: AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE…
Fix: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
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…
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.
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…
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…
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…
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…
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2001 Toyota Tacoma reliable?
The 2001 Toyota Tacoma drew 504 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 60/100, scored against the model's worst year (2006).
What are the most common 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems?
The top reported problems for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma are body & structure (235 complaints), suspension (84), and other (43).
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems show up?
Owners most often report 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems around 148,000 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 100,000 and 180,000 miles.
Does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have recalls?
6 recall campaigns apply to the 2001 Toyota Tacoma. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.