Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2009 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that he noticed that the subframe was excessively rusted. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer for routine oil change and tire rotation services, and after the contact made the mechanic aware of the failure, he was informed that the vehicle could not be raised up on the lift because the subframe had excessive rust and would fracture. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact then made Toyota of Bedford (18151 Rockside Rd, Bedford, OH 44146) aware of the failure; however, the dealer declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 104,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that after maintenance service on the vehicle, it was discovered that the front subframe of the vehicle was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was inspected, and determined that the entire subframe had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where the same diagnostic result was provide,d and the contact was informed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the frame on the driver's and passenger's side was severely rusted. The dealer was contacted about the failure and about the warranty enhancement program ZH6, which was associated with the failure. The manufacturer had extended the warranty coverage for frame corrosion on certain 2005-2010 model year Toyota Tacoma vehicles. The dealer informed the contact that the program had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the warranty program had expired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at an independent mechanic for routine maintenance, the mechanic informed him that there was a hole in the sub-frame and that the sub-frame was severely corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was no recall associated with the VIN. Additionally, the extended warranty had expired. The vehicle had previously been serviced in 2017 when the dealer applied an undercoating to the subframe. The failure mileage was 65,136.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle started shaking abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact stated that she had received a recall in the past for the subframe however, the vehicle was not repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but informed the contact that the recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated while driving approximately 60 MPH, the tire hit the wheel well and the frame was ripped apart. The dealer sent a technician to the contact's home to inspect the vehicle. The contact was informed that the sub frame needed to be replaced however, the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 250,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal sound coming from underneath the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a branch lodged beneath the vehicle and the corroded subframe with a hole in the front passenger's side subframe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.
The contact owns a 2009 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that upon further inspection, the contact became aware that the chassis was rusted. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was informed that an unknown Toyota recall for warranty coverage had expired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Never received notice for XX Warranty Enhancement Program and found out in March 2022 as vehicle cannot pass inspection due to rusty on frame. BRAND ENGAGEMENT ADVOCATE March 09, 2022 at 12:18 PM Dear [redacted], Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. regarding your frame concern in your 2009 Tacoma. We are sorry to learn you're experiencing a concern with your vehicle. We were able to further look into your frame concern and have verified your vehicle is beyond the parameters of the Warranty Enhancement Program for this concern. This warranty enhancement program was an extension of the vehicle's Basic Warranty. Primary coverage for this program expired on 01/31/19 and Secondary coverage for your vehicle expired 12 years after the date of first use: 06/30/20. …
We recently went to have new tires put on the Tacoma at Costco. The Costco technician said that the frame was rusted and he had a similar problem with his Tacoma and Toyota repaired it. He told us that he couldn't install the new tires with the rusted frame and suggested that we go to our Toyota Dealer. We went to Toyota Direct in Columbus, Ohio (where we have had the vehicle serviced every time) and they took pictures of the rust and told us they would call us back. Although we have inquired several times, they had not called us back so we reached out to Toyota Corporate and they said that the recall/warranty extension had expired and there was nothing they could do. Costco has refused to install the new tires until the frame is repaired. …
Body complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2009 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the body & structure of the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, 10% of the model year's 519 complaints. The component named most often is body (37 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2009 Toyota Tacoma body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2009 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 13 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 2009 Toyota Tacoma body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 75,000 miles, and 10% before 25,000 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.