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 2001 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the contact was involved in a multiple vehicle collision. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained minor injuries, which did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. A diagnostic appointment was scheduled for February 7, 2018. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. There were no active recalls associated with the vehicle's year, make, and model. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 151,900.
Takata recall. I rear ended a vehicle doing 30+ MPH which in turn that vehicle hit another and that vehicle hit another. I was concerned that my airbags did not deploy and I wound up hitting my chin on the steering wheel and left elbow hit the windshield. Toyota corporate was notified and an inspector was sent out to my local Toyota dealer on 3/12/18 but will not tell me anything until Toyota corporate contacts me in 30-45 days. All I would want is the replacement parts and would fix it myself but I'm sure I'm in for a big "let down!".
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. While driving approximately 50 MPH, a deer jumped into the road and caused a crash. The air bags failed to deploy. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000. Updated 3/26/15 updated 03/30/15 updated 10/30/15
"Takata recall" I have been in 2 car accidents in the 2001 Toyota Tacoma and the air bag did not deploy in both incidents. 1st accident the front of vehicle was extremely damanged in a high impact accident in motion on the freeway and the air bag did not deploy. The 2nd accident the entire front end of truck was damaged on the freeway while in motion and the air bag again did not deploy.
The truck was in a front end to rear end collision at or around 40 MPH the airbags didn't deploy. I have pictures of the truck. The accident report. & witness of the vehicle. [redacted]
Auto accident on 10/30/2017 chest hit steering wheel taken to local hospital by paramedics for blunt forced trauma! Filed police report only to find out that Takata air bags are being recalled. Is this how I file a claim
The driver's and passenger's side airbags failed to deploy during a collision where I was struck while driving. In addition to this accident I was also given a ticket in which the state trooper stated that the accident would not have occurred if the tires were not bad. Tacoma Toyota double cab truck, year 2001. I hydroplaned crossing the median in which an on-coming vehicle struck my vehicle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the vehicle accelerated independently causing the vehicle to crash into a pole and the air bags failed to deploy. A police report was not filed and no injuries were sustained. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2001 Toyota Tacoma airbag did not deploy in two separate accidents. The first accident occurred on June 9, 2004. The second accident occurred May 7, 2013. The first time, the consumer was rear ended. The second time, the consumer was hit, by another motorist who ran a light.
The driver's and passenger's side airbags failed to deploy during a front end collision that occurred while I was driving approximately 30-35 MPH. My 2001 Toyota Tacoma double cab pickup struck the other vehicle sustaining severe front end damage.
Airbag complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2001 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, 5% of the model year's 396 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2001 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 4 recalls for other components. 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 2001 Toyota Tacoma airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 152,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 19 crashes, 0 fires and 15 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.