Toyota Tacoma 2005–2015
2nd generation · N220-N270 (shares architecture with 4Runner N210/N280 and FJ Cruiser)
NHTSA data through 12 August 20265,117 complaints, 3,800 with mileageMethod
On this generation, failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 20,000 and 100,000 miles.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 84 complaints (2.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 2,500
- 25%
- 20,000
- Median
- 59,053
- 75%
- 100,000
- 90%
- 145,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 505 | 13.3% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 189 | 5.0% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 129 | 3.4% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 127 | 3.3% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 103 | 2.7% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 105 | 2.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 134 | 3.5% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 115 | 3.0% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 104 | 2.7% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 139 | 3.7% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 136 | 3.6% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 124 | 3.3% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 138 | 3.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 135 | 3.6% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 116 | 3.1% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 130 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 84 | 2.2% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 136 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 97 | 2.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 91 | 2.4% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 109 | 2.9% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 69 | 1.8% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 69 | 1.8% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 44 | 1.2% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 60 | 1.6% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 45 | 1.2% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 83 | 2.2% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 49 | 1.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 51 | 1.3% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 46 | 1.2% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 51 | 1.3% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 23 | 0.6% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 43 | 1.1% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 24 | 0.6% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 29 | 0.8% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 19 | 0.5% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 16 | 0.4% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 15 | 0.4% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 15 | 0.4% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 19 | 0.5% |
| 200,000+ | 84 | 2.2% |
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Owners filed 5,117 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005–2015 Toyota Tacoma, and 3,800 of them record the mileage at which the failure happened. That is enough to show not just what fails, but when.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 20,000 and 100,000 miles. The median is 59,053 miles.
The most-reported areas are the suspension (16.8% of complaints, typically around 84,000 miles), body structure (16.7% of complaints, typically around 95,000 miles), throttle and speed control (11.3% of complaints, typically around 26,000 miles).
21 recall campaigns cover this generation.
What fails, and when
- Suspension84,000median 83,762 miles, middle half 48,000 to 118,000
- Body structure95,000median 95,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 137,000
- Throttle and speed control26,000median 26,020 miles, middle half 6,500 to 61,000
- Transmission and driveline17,000median 17,000 miles, middle half 1,500 to 62,000
- Problems owners could not categorise70,000median 70,325 miles, middle half 35,000 to 116,000
- Steering85,000median 85,000 miles, middle half 55,000 to 130,000
- Airbag system76,000median 76,500 miles, middle half 50,000 to 109,000
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 861 | 16.8% | 84,000 | 48,000–118,000 |
| Body structure | 856 | 16.7% | 95,000 | 56,000–137,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 580 | 11.3% | 26,000 | 6,500–61,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 406 | 7.9% | 17,000 | 1,500–62,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 311 | 6.1% | 70,000 | 35,000–116,000 |
| Steering | 307 | 6.0% | 85,000 | 55,000–130,000 |
| Airbag system | 284 | 5.6% | 76,000 | 50,000–109,000 |
| Engine | 216 | 4.2% | 62,000 | 45,000–94,000 |
| Electrical system | 209 | 4.1% | 57,000 | 24,000–90,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 203 | 4.0% | 47,000 | 34,000–65,000 |
Which systems, and when
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 59,053 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The suspension accounts for 16.8% of complaints (861 reports, 436 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 83,762 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 48,000 and 118,000 miles.
Body structure accounts for 16.7% of complaints (856 reports, 613 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 95,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,000 and 137,357 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 11.3% of complaints (580 reports, 498 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 26,020 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 6,400 and 61,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 7.9% of complaints (406 reports, 346 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 17,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 1,500 and 62,500 miles.
Problems owners could not categorise accounts for 6.1% of complaints (311 reports, 162 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 70,325 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 35,400 and 116,000 miles.
The steering accounts for 6.0% of complaints (307 reports, 259 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 85,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 55,000 and 130,000 miles.
Differences between model years
Within this generation, complaint volume is not constant across model years. The 2006 model year drew the most — 977 complaints — while 2014 drew the fewest at 133. The median year sits at 406.
That makes 2006 an outlier: roughly 2.4 times the median year of this generation. A single year standing that far apart usually reflects either a first-year issue that was later corrected, or a component change introduced for that year. Anyone shopping this generation has a straightforward reason to prefer a different year, all else being equal.
Recalls and what they cover
NHTSA records 21 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around equipment (8), seats (3), the airbag system (2). Repeated recalls against the same area of the car generally mean the first remedy did not fully resolve the underlying problem.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Reported severity
Of the 5,117 complaints filed against this generation, 428 reported a crash; 81 reported a fire; 224 reported an injury; 10 reported a fatality. Crash-involved reports represent 8.4% of the total.
These are owner-reported outcomes, not verified investigations, and they are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. They are included because the distinction between a fault that strands a car and a fault that causes a collision is the one that matters most, and it is not visible in a complaint count alone.
What this means if you are buying one
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 20,000 and 100,000 miles, with a median of 59,053. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the suspension and body structure are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The suspension in particular shows a median failure mileage of 83,762, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Documented problems
Frame / Structure 2005–2010
Frame corrosion again. A November 2016 class settlement required Toyota to inspect and, where necessary, replace rusted frames on 2005-2010 model year Tacomas, with a 12-year inspection program.
Suspension 2005–2010
Rear leaf spring leaf fracture; a broken leaf can move rearward and puncture the fuel tank, creating a fire and loss-of-control risk. Toyota recall coverage on 2005-2010 trucks.
Suspension 2005–2008
Front lower ball joint separation recall covering the early second generation.
Steering
Steering intermediate shaft and rack clunk/looseness, a very high-frequency complaint across the generation.
By model year
| Year | Complaints | With mileage |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 871 | 663 |
| 2006 | 977 | 739 |
| 2007 | 676 | 482 |
| 2008 | 558 | 387 |
| 2009 | 612 | 455 |
| 2010 | 346 | 222 |
| 2011 | 229 | 164 |
| 2012 | 406 | 362 |
| 2013 | 169 | 136 |
| 2014 | 133 | 106 |
| 2015 | 140 | 84 |
Recalls (21)
| Campaign | Date | Component |
|---|---|---|
| 17V425000 | 2017-09-01 | Equipment |
| 16V396000 | 2016-07-14 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
| 14V604000 | 2016-01-29 | Suspension:rear:springs:leaf Spring Assembly:leaf |
| 15V099000 | 2015-03-13 | Wheels |
| 14V828000 | 2015-02-23 | Equipment |
| 14V743000 | 2015-01-29 | Seats:front Assembly:seat Heater/Cooler |
| 14V663000 | 2014-12-01 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 14V168000 | 2014-10-27 | Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module |
| 14V475000 | 2014-10-02 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 14V054000 | 2014-03-28 | Electronic Stability Control (esc) |
| 13V337000 | 2014-02-24 | Seat Belts |
| 13V494000 | 2014-01-23 | Tires:temporary/Emergency Spare Tire |
| 13V557000 | 2013-11-27 | Engine |
| 13V123000 | 2013-05-28 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 13V014000 | 2013-03-21 | Seats |
| 12V092000 | 2012-08-03 | Air Bags:frontal |
| 12V158000 | 2012-06-05 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 11V148000 | 2011-03-31 | Tires:pressure Monitoring and Regulating Systems |
| 10V036000 | 2010-05-27 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 10V035000 | 2010-05-27 | Equipment:other:labels |
| 10V042000 | 2010-03-22 | Power Train:driveline:driveshaft |
What owners reported
I have 2005 Toyota Tacoma double cab 4x4, vehicle has a vibration in the front end as if the front tires are out of balance, the tires have been balanced two times in the last few months which doesn't seem to be the issue. The problems seems to occur at speeds of 55 to 65 MPH. It comes and goes and get to point…
2005 · 5 miles · Suspension
I just read a similar complaint and i wanted to file my story. My 2005 Tacoma's speedometer has been reading approximately 7 miles per hour faster than actual. I couldn't figure out why so many cars were passing me on the highway when i was doing around 65! I checked it by following my wife in her car and also…
2005 · 10 miles · Electrical system
Braking is too slow. When stopping under dry conditions this vehicle takes too long to stop. Dealer was notified. Dealer stated that was 'normal' for anti-lock braking systems. Dealer would not take any action. To improve braking ABS brakes were disabled by removing fuse. Even with this braking to a stop takes…
2005 · 10 miles · Hydraulic brake circuit
Purchased new 2005 Toyota Tacoma pickup, 4 cylinder, automatic, 4x2. On first drive of new truck a shake or shimmy was noticed at any speed above 20 MPH, but most notable in the 45 to 70 MPH range. Returned truck to dealer. Was told that this is a defect known to Toyota, but that Toyota has been unable to determine…
2005 · 40 miles · Steering
Built from 3,800 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-08-12 · open data · reproduce this page