2010 Toyota Tacoma Problems & Complaints

Use caution1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age

Owners have filed 294 complaints about the 2010 Toyota Tacoma with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 1.6× as many as a typical Tacoma model year at the same age — above average, so look closely at the problem areas below before you buy. The most reported problem area is the suspension (95 complaints, typically around 45,000 miles). 13 recalls cover this model year.

294complaints
13recalls
10crashes
7fires
9injuries
0deaths

Most common 2010 Toyota Tacoma problems

  • Suspension~45,000 miles
    9532%
  • 3412%
  • Body & structure~104,000 miles
    3010%
  • 2910%
  • Other / not specified~59,000 miles
    279%
  • Lights~57,000 miles
    259%
  • Brakes~20,000 miles
    217%
  • Steering~53,000 miles
    196%
  • Air bags~118,000 miles
    165%
  • Engine & cooling~31,000 miles
    93%
  • Seat belts~49,000 miles
    93%
  • Electrical system~28,000 miles
    83%
  • Fuel & propulsion system~23,000 miles
    72%
  • Windows, wipers & sunroof~20,000 miles
    62%
  • Wheels & tires~25,000 miles
    62%
  • Equipment & accessories~86,000 miles
    21%
  • Stability & traction control~60,000 miles
    21%

Share of the 294 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Toyota Tacoma complaints by model year

’95’96’97’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26177253131300249211396333360414707782541449519294186295125931013242432092199081595415411111
Owner complaints per model year, Toyota Tacoma. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Tacoma years: 2014, 2015, 2020. Years to avoid: 2024, 2016, 2025, 2012, 2017. Compare all years →

2010 Toyota Tacoma recalls (13)

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 16V-396 · Jun 2, 2016 · 7,749 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain 2005-2011 4Runner, Highlander, Sequoia, and Sienna, 2005-2010 Avalon and Tundra, 2006-2008 Camry Solara, 2006-2010 Highlander hybrid, 2006-2011 Rav4 and Tacoma, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2007-2011 Camry hybrid, 2009-2010 Venza, 2010-2012 Prius, 1988-1990 and 2005-2010…

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the seat heaters, free of charge, and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory. The recall began on July 14, 2016.

Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler

NHTSA recall 14V-743 · Nov 19, 2014 · 3,233 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 Prius and Corolla, 2009-2011 Venza, 2006-2010 Avalon, 2007-2010 FJ Cruiser, 2005-2011 Sienna and Sequoia, 2006-2011 Tacoma 4x2 and 4x4, Camry, Highlander, Tundra 4x2 and 4x4, and 2007-2011 Rav4 and 4Runner.

Remedy: SET will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the heaters with copper strand heating elements and refund the purchase price of the seat heater accessory, free of charge.

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › Leaf

NHTSA recall 14V-604 · Sep 29, 2014 · 710,711 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 Toyota Tacoma Pre-Runner and 4x4 vehicles manufactured September 14, 2009, to October 11, 2010. In the affected vehicles, one of the leaf springs may fracture due to stress or corrosion.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners and dealers will install new rear leaf spring assemblies. The recall began on January 29, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 14V-475 · Aug 4, 2014 · 20,000 vehicles

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2008-2014 FJ Cruiser and Tacoma vehicles equipped with accessory wheels and tires installed by Toyota or dealers prior to the vehicle's first sale.

Remedy: For the involved vehicles, overlay stickers to correct the tire placard will either be mailed to owners or provided to dealers for placement over the incorrect information on the placard.

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

NHTSA recall 14V-168 · Apr 9, 2014 · 1,486,413 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2006-2008 RAV4, 2006-2010 Yaris, 2008-2010 Highlander, and 2009-2010 Tacoma, Corolla, Corolla Matrix and General Motors Pontiac Vibe vehicles. In the affected vehicles, the steering column assembly contains electrical connections to the driver's airbag module housed in a spiral cable…

Remedy: Toyota will notify the Toyota vehicle owners, and General Motors will notify the Pontiac Vibe owners. Toyota sent owners an interim notification letter in May 2014 to advise owners of the recall.

Seat belts

NHTSA recall 13V-337 · Aug 7, 2013 · 342,451 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured September 14, 2004, through March 29, 2010; and model year 2011 Tacoma Access Cab vehicles manufactured July 1, 2010, through September 7, 2011.

Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt assemblies. Based on the inspection, the seat belt assembly will be replaced or new pre-tensioner screws will be installed with thread-locking sealant…

Show 7 more recalls

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 13V-123 · Apr 9, 2013 · 7,525 vehicles

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 and 2010-2013 Toyota Tundra, 2010-2012 Rav4, 2012 Toyota Sequoia, 2010-2011 Toyota Corolla, 2010-2011 Toyota Camry and Camry Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota Highlander and Highlander Hybrid, 2010-2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser, 2011 Toyota Land Cruiser, 2010-2013 Toyota Venza, 2010-2011…

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners and provide a corrected label with instructions concerning its installation. A small group of the affected vehicles will need additonal remedies which are still being developed.

Seats

NHTSA recall 13V-014 · Jan 16, 2013 · 3,235 vehicles

Southeast Toyota Distributors, LLC (SET) is recalling certain models interspersed through model years 2009 through 2013 as follows: model year 2009-2012 Tacoma, 4Runner, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Prius, and RAV4; model year 2009-2010 Avalon, FJ Cruiser, and Highlander Hybrid; model year 2010-2013 model year Corolla, Sienna and…

Remedy: Southeast Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will test the sensitivity of the occupant detection sensors, and recalibrate them as necessary. The recall began on March 21, 2013.

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 11V-148 · Mar 4, 2011 · 22,000 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2011 fj cruiser, Land cruiser, tacoma, sequoia and tundra vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no.

Remedy: For the Land cruiser, sequoia, tacoma and tundra vehicles, the dealer will re-calibrate the tire pressure monitoring system on affected vehicles and install an updated tire and loading information label at no charge.

Power train › Driveline › Driveshaft

NHTSA recall 10V-042 · Feb 18, 2010 · 8,000 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2010 Toyota tacoma pickup trucks. The propeller shaft May develop cracks during the manufacturing process. Over time, the cracks May eventually lead to the separation of the propeller shaft.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the front propeller shaft on affected vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on March 22, 2010. Owners May contact Toyota at 1-800-331-4331.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 10V-035 · Feb 3, 2010 · 271,417 vehicles

Gulf states Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2010 vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold between September 1, 2005 and June 2, 2008 without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. Dealers will also correct the owner's manual.

Equipment › Other › Labels

NHTSA recall 10V-036 · Feb 3, 2010 · 153,418 vehicles

Southeast Toyota is recalling certain model year 2005-2011 passenger vehicles for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." these vehicles were sold without the requisite load carrying capacity modification labels.

Remedy: Dealers will mail to consumers the corrected label or the customer will have the option for dealers to install the label free of charge. The safety recall began on May 27, 2010.

Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal

NHTSA recall 09V-388 · Oct 5, 2009 · 4,445,056 vehicles

Toyota is recalling certain model year 2004-2010 passenger vehicles. The accelerator pedal can get stuck in the wide open position due to its being trapped by an unsecured or incompatible driver's floor mat.

Remedy: Toyota filed an amended defect report on November 25, 2009, stating that dealers will modify the accelerator pedal and, on certain vehicles, alter the shape of the floor surface under the pedal.

What 2010 Toyota Tacoma owners say

Suspension all 95 →

My vehicle, which has been inspected at my local Toyota dealership, has significant rust corrosion, with perforation through the frame in several areas. I was told by the service manager that Toyota had sent out letters to owners (not a recall) to bring their vehicles in for inspection for this problem and that they would repair or replace the frame. I had not received any correspondence about this issue and have been told that this program expired in September of 2021,which now leaves me with the financial liability of replacing or repairing, which I have been told would cost between 14-20 thousand. I have contacted "The Toyota Brand engagement center" case#221121001445, and they confirm they cannot and will not do anything for me. Please let me know what possible recourse I have in resolving this issue. Thank You!! Bruce Beeman 122 Ridgewood Acres Thomaston Connecticut 06787 [phone]

Dec 2022

The frame on my 2010 Toyota Tacoma has developed severe perforation and rust-through. There are large holes in the frame, and the exhaust hanger has broken completely off the frame rail. The corrosion is spreading across multiple points, making the vehicle unsafe and at risk of structural failure while driving. I purchased the truck in May 2020 and brought it to a Toyota dealer for a paid multi-point inspection that included the undercarriage. At that time, Toyota's ZH6 frame corrosion program was still active. No frame concerns were reported, and the program was never disclosed to me. Toyota has since denied assistance, even though the condition now represents a clear safety hazard. This frame corrosion is not cosmetic. It is structural and has already caused parts of the vehicle to detach.

Sep 2025

Speed control & acceleration all 34 →

On 1/2/18 I was driving into a parking lot going slow getting ready to put my truck into reverse to back up into a spot when suddenly without warning an unintended acceleration took place. My truck would not stop accelerating forward with my right foot pressed all the way down on the brake my truck continued to rev up and jump forward with tires rubber burning due to me having my foot on break trying to stop the truck. I missed hitting a car barely and still not sure how I missed it. My foot was clearly on the brake the entire time and finally I put my truck in park and the truck came to a stop, since I was not going down a highway. I reported to Toyota and got no where. I have no floor mat in my truck so cant blame it on floor mat. They are claiming it was misapplication of pedal. This is a total lie. I would of hit that car had my foot been on wrong pedal. …

98,000 miles · Jan 2018

2010 Toyota Tacoma new vehicle owned less than 2 months with 1200 miles on vehicle. Approaching red light had taken foot off accelerator to slow, upon placing foot on brake , realized, vehicle was not slowing. Standing harder on brake, it held the truck back enough to bump into car infront of me. Truck continued to push the vehicle infront of me, with rear wheels spinning on wet roadway...I jammed shift lever into park position with motor and tires still spinning to finally stop it. Not apparent damage to either vehicle or injuries known. Took truck local dealer to check diagnosis and vehicle. They found nothing , could not duplicate problem and test drive. I currently have truck parked in my driveway. Will not drive it because I feel it is unsafe and have reported the incident to Toyota hqs ref # 1008262334.

1,000 miles · Aug 2010 · crash

Body & structure all 30 →

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken for State Inspection however, the vehicle failed the inspection due to cracks to the driver's and passenger's side sub frame, and corroded brake lines. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that both the driver's and passenger's side sub frame and brake lines needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. An undisclosed dealer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that an unstated recall had expired, and the previous vehicle owner was notified, but no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000.

Frame and members · 132,000 miles · Sep 2023

The contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while the vehicle was with an independent mechanic for a scheduled service, the contact was informed that the frame underneath the engine was rusted. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was informed that an unknown recall associated with the failure had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

100,000 miles · Jun 2021

2010 Toyota Tacoma engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.7L 4-cyl5-speed manualRWD20 / 26 / 22
2.7L 4-cyl4-speed automaticRWD19 / 25 / 21
2.7L 4-cyl5-speed manual4WD17 / 22 / 19
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 21 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD16 / 20 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD15 / 18 / 16
4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual4WD14 / 18 / 15

EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2010 Toyota Tacoma a good car?

Based on 294 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2010 Tacoma rates use caution: 1.6× as many complaints as a typical year of the Tacoma at the same age. It is one of the Tacoma years we suggest avoiding. 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 2010 Toyota Tacoma?

The suspension — 95 complaints, 32% of all complaints for this model year, most often about rear. Next are the speed control & acceleration (34) and body & structure (30).

How many recalls does the 2010 Toyota Tacoma have?

There are 13 recalls for the 2010 Toyota Tacoma, the most recent from June 2, 2016 (seat heater/cooler). 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 2010 Toyota Tacoma problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 40,000 miles; 60% 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.