Most common 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems
Share of the 396 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year
Best Tacoma years: 2014, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017. Compare all years →
2001 Toyota Tacoma recalls (4)
Tires › Temporary/emergency spare tire
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, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland,…
Remedy: 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.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
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 looseness, resulting in increased steering effort.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
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 hose.
Remedy: 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 not receive the free…
Tires › Sidewall
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.
Remedy: Dealers will check all four tires, rebalance and, if necessary, replace any damaged tire. Owner notification began July 3, 2001.
What 2001 Toyota Tacoma owners say
Body & structure all 228 →
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously serviced under recall for corrosion underneath the vehicle. The contact became aware that there was corrosion underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and rust protection was sprayed on the corrosion but the failure reoccurred. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was 100,000. The vehicle was taken back to Toyota for service, which was outside the extended warranty and the tech was shown the gaping holes in the frame that had rusted through and at that point the contact was told the extended warranty had expired so they couldn't do anything. …
We purchased a 2001 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner from a used car lot in Omaha NE. We have had it for 3 months and recently had a mechanic look over the vehicle for repairs. The mechanic indicated the frame is rusted through and the truck is unsafe to drive. The mechanic indicated that there was a recall on the frames possibly, so we followed up with Toyota. Toyota told me that there is no frame recall, but instead they did a "Customer Support Program" in relation to the frame, but it had expired. Toyota told us there is nothing they can do for us. My concern is that Toyota has a known issue, a safety issue, concerning their vehicles but will not rectify it. I would like Toyota to be held liable for their substandard product, no matter how long it has been. …
Suspension all 81 →
The contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the contact swerved to the left to avoid another vehicle and the steering had stiff. The contact stated that the front driver's side wheel then collapsed inside the wheel well. The contact lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle skidded off the highway and onto the right shoulder. The contact stated that the seat belt warning light then illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 05V225000 (Suspension). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
The complete chassis frame under the vehicle, contains a lot of rust and holes due to corrosion. Some years ago, a Toyota dealership asked me to bring the vehicle in to one of their dealerships, where an undercoating was painted on the frame surface. However, the coating is worn away and the rust is visible again and this time there are even more deterioration.
Brakes all 22 →
I had made a left turn onto freeway entrance ramp, started accelerating to get up to speed. At approximately 30mph there was a loud bang/pop noise and the vehicle front left dropped down. I hung on to try and keep vehicle under control as it took an sharp left hand turn towards a pole. Even though the brake pedal went to the floor I was able to some how get the vehicle stopped before the passenger side hit the pole where my 1 year old daughter was riding. I had the truck checked for recalls in late 2008 when I purchased it. The report said ball joint recall was VIN # specific and that this truck was not in the VIN range. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the brakes would not respond causing him to crash into the rear of another vehicle. The passenger in the second vehicle sustained neck and back injuries although the contact was not injured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The mechanic stated that the brakes had failed because the strut and shock had dismounted from the vehicle due to severe rust on the driver's side under carriage. The vehicle was included in a manufacturer's recall where the under carriage was treated with a anti-corrosion coating. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.
2001 Toyota Tacoma engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 19 / 23 / 21 |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 19 / 22 / 20 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 16 / 20 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 19 / 18 |
| 2.7L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 17 / 20 / 18 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 15 / 18 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 17 |
| 3.4L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 18 / 16 |
EPA ratings. Class: Full-size pickup.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Toyota Tacoma a good car?
Based on 396 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Tacoma rates average: about as many complaints as a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
The body & structure — 228 complaints, 58% of all complaints for this model year, most often about body. Next are the suspension (81) and brakes (22).
How many recalls does the 2001 Toyota Tacoma have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent from November 23, 2012 (temporary/emergency spare tire). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Toyota Tacoma?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2015 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012 and 2017. See the full Toyota Tacoma years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 144,000 miles; 9% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.