Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. The contact discovered a mileage discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a private sale through OfferUp. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 139,900. It was later discovered that the mileage on the Title was 339,740.
My problem was associated with the air bag warning light. It came on and so I took my truck to Big Two Toyota in Chandler AZ. Dealer said I had a faulty clock spring assembly that will prevent the air bag system from functioning properly and was a major safety risk.... So I let Dealer remove and replace it for $511.82. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN SAFETY RECALL.... Please look into this issue for me and other Toyota Tacoma truck owners. Thank you.
I was driving, from my work try to open the window and I can not open I stop, something smell burn, was my driving side door, windows were lock, my truck were looked , I can not open doors, I drove to my mecanic he broke the window, a lot smoke inside my truck, OK, I went out, and it cost me $1200.00.- to fix, well change everything inside. Thanks I live in lomita ca.
Every time I turn the ignition to start my engine the gas gauge takes about 15 seconds to respond. Most frequently than not, the speedometer and the coolant gauge do not work when the vehicle is in motion. When I get to my destination and turn off the engine, and restart, the gauges work (sometimes). I asked the dealer about it, and they claim there is no recall for this problem, and it would cost $1000.00 to replace the main harness that is causing the problem. The tachometer, and the odometer work just fine. I do feel this is a safety issue, considering sometimes I do not know what my speed is, or if my engine is getting to hot, and over heating, causing damage to it. I've been a Toyota truck owner since 1987, and this is my second truck. Your vehicles are very dependable, and I hope you can resolve this problem. Please keep informed on this matter, I would appreciate it. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start occasionally. The vehicle would lose power and fail to accelerate when depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the wire harness failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000....updated 02/08/16
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Toyota Tacoma. While driving low speeds, various electrical systems, including the air conditioner, stopped working. In addition, the vehicle made an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the interior long wire overheated and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
Blower motor only works on high. Sometimes speed od. Doesn't work, sometimes it does. Speed od. Reads about 5 miles per hour fast. Gauges pause for about 10 sec. Before working when I first start truck. All started around 120,000 miles.
Short in the button to turn the cruse control on sometimes it works but I have to push it at least 200 times. The second thing is a short in the over head compas/temperature gauge it just does not work any more.
I bought my 2005 Tacoma about 2 months ago. I have experienced this problem three times now. The last time being tonight after picking up my daughter at work. The truck was accelerating and I was literally standing on the brake and the engine was racing and would not stop. I through it into neutral and it sounded like it was going to explode! I have no rugs in my vehicle, it did not come with any, and I was going to get the all weather mats, but have not bought them yet. The cruise control was not engaged. I do consider myself to be a fairly experienced driver, I use to race a 70 chevelle in the 1/4 mile (this was many years ago.), if I did not have such experience I am sure I would have ran the car up a tree or something. I am scared, I have beat cancer twice and I'll be '!@#$% if I am going to let a faulty Tacoma take me out!
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 compared against mile markers. I took to the dealer and they hooked it up to the diagnostic computer and found nothing wrong - they said there was no fix. It is unsafe to drive when you don't know how fast you are really going plus the condition shortens the life of the factory warranty (36,000 miles) because the odometer is recording more miles than actual.
Electrical complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, 3% of the model year's 707 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2005 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 10 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 2005 Toyota Tacoma electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.