Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver swerved to prevent hitting a deer but veered off road and the vehicle rolled over 5 times. Upon impact, the air bags failed to deploy. The driver sustained internal bleeding and a crushed right arm and knee. The contact also sustained and a broken left arm ,leg, and ankle. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 83,000.
My 2000 Toyota Tacoma prerunner rear ended another vehicle and my driver side air bag did not detonate. The speed of my vehicle at impact with the other vehicle was between 55-60 MPH. Fortunately, I was wearing my seat belt.
While driving southbound at 45mph an auto pulled into traffic directly in front of me. I did not have time to brake, and struck vehicle driver's side door at 45. Impact spun both vehicles into the center lane. Truck front tires were moved back into the firewall,and tentire front end must be replaced. Truck frame was damaged to the extent that the frame must be replaced. Tthe drivers airbag did not deploy and was noted by the police, and rescue staff. Driver of the automobile was pinned inside, and was transported to the emergency room. I have contacted Toyota customer service three times in the last three weeks. Each time I was told a representative would inspect the vehicle. Yesterday I again contacted Toyota and was told that they would not inspect the vehicle because it was not at a dealership. …
Yesterday night I got into an accident with my 2000 Toyota Tacoma.... A man failed to yield at a stop sign and crossed the intersection where I was driving on and had the right away. I was going 45 at the time and when I saw him pull out I slammed my brakes and it was too late. I t boned him...my air bags did not deploy causing me to whip lash forward(yes, I was wearing a seat-belt). When I whip lashed forward my face hit the wheel and I bit into my own lip , my pinky finger also hit the wheel causing it to swell up. From what I was told by the police officer and insurance company was that my airbag should have deployed !! This car has never been in an accident so I don't understand why it never went off.
While traveling at 50 MPH car in front of consumer's vehicle suddenly stopped and consumer rear ended the other vehicle. Front of vehicle was pushed in approximately 6 to 8 inches, and none of the airbags deployed. Consumer has contacted dealer, and they said that impact didn't touch airbag sensor. Consumer felt someone could have been seriously injured.
Consumer was involved in a front end collision at 35 MPH and seat belt did not work properly after slamming on the brakes, consumer was still able to be thrown forward, and hit his shoulders and chest. Contacted dealer, and dealer was going to take a look at the vehicle. Consumer also stated that the air bags failed to deploy.
A crash occurred at an intersection where my vehicle broadsided another vehicle that had pulled out in front of me. I was travelling at approx 50 MPH and when we hit it caused the other vehicle to roll over onto it's top. Neither front drivers side or passenger side airbags deployed at anytime during the accident.
While traveling on a residential street another vehicle ran red light and ran into consumer's vehicle. Upon impact, airbags didn't go off. The clutch failed prematurely. The drive shaft fell off while the consumer was driving. The vehicle experiences vibration. There was one injury.
Restrained driver of a 2000 Toyota Tacoma pickup was traveling at approximately 40mph on a mountain road. The driver swerved to avoid hitting an animal in the roadway, lost control and struck a tree. No air bag deployment. Driver hit the steering wheel causing serious injuries.
While traveling at 35 MPH consumer ran into another vehicle that was at a stop light head-on, and none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer, and dealer was going to take a look at the vehicle.
Airbag complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Toyota Tacoma, 12% of the model year's 211 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2000 Toyota Tacoma. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 83,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.