Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
In June 2013 I was approaching an interstate entrance ramp. As I slowed down (foot on the brake) to make the right turn onto the ramp, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, causing the rear end to "fish tail" around, jumping the curb on the right side of the ramp and sending the vehicle down the embankment. I was able to get the vehicle to stop before hitting the fence at the bottom of the hill. Since this first incident in June 2013, the vehicle has had three more incidents in June, July and August of 2014. The last incident in August occurred as I was pulling into a parking spot. Again, I was slowing down (foot on the brake) when the vehicle suddenly accelerated causing me to strike the parked vehicle in front of me. The incidents in June and July 2014 were also similar parking lot incidents with no other vehicles around. …
I had an accident last August while driving my Toyota Tacoma prerunner. I was slowing down in a turn lane and I could not get the truck to stop which made me continue into oncoming traffic. The damage to my truck was over $8,000. And I do not know the dollar amount cased to the other car but it sustained major to the front of that car. The other car hit me on the driver side near the front wheel and back wheel areas. I did not receive a ticket but I was noted as the cause of the accident. I also ended up in the emergency room . No air bags went off I guess because it did not hit me in the front. I am not sure of the exact day of the accident so I put the 15th of the month. I can get the exact from my insurance company when needed.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While attempting to park the vehicle in reverse, the contact had to apply extreme pressure to the accelerator pedal. He then depressed the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to stop and continued to move in reverse. The vehicle crashed into a parked vehicle. A passenger was injured. The ambulance was not called to the scene and the vehicle was able to be driven. The insurance company had the vehicle repaired and a diagnostic was performed. At this time, the cause of the failure is still unknown. The speed was unknown as well. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 46,000.
On two occasions the brakes have failed in wet conditions. The first occurred when going through standing water of about 5" under normal temperature. The second occurred after going through a car wash in temperature of 39 degrees. After going through the car was I was traveling about 5 MPH through a parking lot to park in front of a convenience store, the truck stuck the curb, and nearly struck propane tanks stored in front of store. After drying the vehicle and waiting about 15 minutes I proceeded to the intersection in front of business and brakes failed again.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 50 MPH, the rear of the vehicle began to vibrate. In addition, the brake pedal was depressed and it took a longer distance to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the driveshaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V604000 (suspension). The failure mileage was 79,000.
There has been "recall' on these vehicles regarding excessive frame rusting. This car was "inspected" and found not to have a defect. A few weeks later the brakes failed due to brake line rust though. The brake line (front brakes) with the problem was mounted on the frame. The brakes failed when I was exiting a parking lot and descending a short hill to the main street. I was unable to stop the car before it entered the street but fortunately there was no traffic at the time.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving 20 MPH uphill, the rear of the vehicle slid out of control. As a result, the vehicle flipped over. The contact stated that there was ice patches on the road and the ABS brakes did not engage. As of April 29, 2008, the dealer had not inspected or repaired the vehicle. The driver sustained a neck injury and bruises on her left inner thigh. The current and failure mileages were 35,000. The VIN was unavailable.
I was pulling into a curb parking space when suddenly the engine on my truck accelerated. My foot was already on the brake so I pushed all the way to the floor but I was slowly moving forward anyway. My brakes were smoking from trying to stop my truck. I hit the back of a parked car and pushed it approximately two parking spaces before I thought to turn the engine off.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While the vehicle was stationary, it was discovered that there were holes in the frame of the vehicle. The contact also stated that there was a brake line failure that occurred in the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 91,213. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving at approximately 40 MPH, the brakes failed and the steering wheel vibrated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Also, the contact stated that the front passenger side tire wobbled. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 139,152.
Related recalls
Parking brake
On certain pickup trucks equipped with an automatic transmission, there is a possibility that the parking brake pedal cable lock nut May not have been tightened to the proper torque specification. In this condition, the lock nut May loosen and come off, which will reduce the effectiveness of the parking brake.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the parking brake pedal cable lock nut to the proper torque specification free of charge. The recall began on March 3, 2005. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.
Brake complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, 4% of the model year's 707 complaints. The component named most often is antilock (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Tacoma brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 05V-050 (parking brake, Feb 11, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Toyota Tacoma brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 35,000 miles, and 48% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 3 injuries to brakes 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.