Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2010 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that head light assemble which included the daytime running lights and turn signal had over heated causing the light housing to become discolored and the bulb had shattered. The contact indicated that the failure had occurred on both the driver and passenger side lights and had failed on multiple occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer Toyota of brook heaven located at 890 brookway blvd, brookhaven, ms 39601 ms. Who repaired the failure but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while parked, he noticed that theday ime running lights were burning through the lens. As a result, the lenses were cracking. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a diagnostic testing. The technician stated that both headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and advised that the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 101,000. Updated 2/4/13 the consumer stated the lens had heat damageto bulb base and the socket it plugs into. The dealer once refused to repair due mileage. The dealer was this was a problem. The manufacturer assisted with repairs. Updated 02/13/2013
Auxiliary audio jack is designed poorly causing failure. Front turn signal both sides yellow bulb the connector for the bulb and the bulb itself blackens and is fragile. Fake front bumper cover is misleading and falsely gives a feeling of safety. Actual bumper is quite small and May lead to catastrophic injury or death in the event of a moderate overlap collision. The accident or collision occurred with a moderate overlap hitting left 1/4 of front bumper the front left fender was pushed into the door causing more body damage than should have occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the bulbs for the daytime running lights became overheated and burned through the plastic shielding. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician confirmed the failure and stated that the light assembly would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was no longer under warranty. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage was 43,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact noticed bubbles in the headlamps. The vehicle was taken to bruner auto group (224 early blvd, early, tx 76802) where it was diagnosed that the headlamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer stated that there was a technical service bulletin and an extended warranty for five years; however, the vehicle was already repaired and the warranty was expired. The approximate failure mileage was 56,965. ..updated 08/22/17 *cn1
I had both of my headlamps replaced by Toyota under warranty because they were melting at the daytime running light lens. The drivers side headlamp is melting again. I was told by Toyota that the one year warranty given on the new headlamps was over and that they would not be replaced again. I do not think Toyota fixed the problem but just replaced the defective headlamps with more defective headlamps to buy time until everyone was out of warranty and they wouldn't have to do anything about it.
"Takata recall" the yellow part of the headlight has melted cracking both lenses inside, was told by the Toyota dealership/crbin, ky the recall was over and I was too late to have both headlight assemblies replaced. I didn't receive anything in the mail about a recall, nothing from the dealer to let me know there was a recall on the lights. I bought the truck in ohio, but I live in ky
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that both daytime running lights would overheat and crack or discolor the lens. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician advised that the lens would have to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that there was a strong vibration and an abnormal noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced three u-joints and the day time running lights. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 78,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2010 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the lens for the daytime running lights was melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 65,000.
Headlight complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2010 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the lights of the 2010 Toyota Tacoma, 9% of the model year's 294 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2010 Toyota Tacoma headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2010 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 2010 Toyota Tacoma headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 5 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.