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 2011 Toyota Tacoma owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the driver's and passenger's side headlights were inoperable. Upon inspection, the contact noticed that the headlight assemblies were extremely hot and had melted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the driver's and passenger's side headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 210,000.
1.) Headlights are yellowing. 2.) Hard to see at night. 3.) Everyone has the same problem. The government should mandate going back to glass headlights for safety reasons. Buffing them only lasts a short period of time and the elderly can't afford to buy new OEM headlights every 6 years as they are very, very expensive. This is a safety issue, as yellow lenses equal more nighttime accidents, fact. This should have been addressed years ago.
My 2011 Toyota Tacoma has apparently has had a design flaw since even before 2009 in the front turn signal housing. The design flaw causes the lense to melt from extreme heat build up in the housing causing the bulb to burn out and ultimately the socket to char and in my case deform to the point I couldn't replace the bulb. Toyota has in September 2011 released a technical bulletin instructing there techs on how to remediate the obvious design flaw. There was no notices sent out to owners even though they apparently knew before they even built the 2011 trucks that there was a serious problem. To do this and not make us aware is criminal to say the least because in the cab it is telling you that it is working and your not aware that your front signal is not working. Think of on coming traffic not knowing that your gonna turn and you think they do. This is criminal. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that the daytime running lamps became really hot. The contact then noticed that the daytime running lights turned brown and melted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called temecula valley Toyota at [phone] (26631 ynez rd, temecula, ca 92591) and was informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that the warranty enhancement had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. The contact stated that while starting the vehicle, the contact noticed burn marks on both front head lamps caused by the daytime running lights. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the head lamps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure who stated that a voluntary recall for the failure had expired. The failure mileage was 25,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Toyota Tacoma. While driving with the daytime running lamps illuminated, the condensation on the headlights split and melted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer (premier Toyota , 5601 national rd e, richmond, in 47374) where it was diagnosed that the headlight/turn signal assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified and opened case number: [redacted]. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 25,000.
The inner daytime running light/turn signal lens becomes distorted and bubbled with a brown, scorched residue which obscures and/or diminishes the running light and turn signal functions to on-coming traffic. Additionally, the inner lens is cracked and/or separated. Toyota did offer a warranty extension on this defect so it has been acknowledged as a problem. This warranty extension has since expired although the problem still exists for these vehicles.
Purchased new Toyota Tacoma 2011 from local dealer. Problem is with daytime running lights getting too hot and burning and cracking lens. Customer service says they sent out warranty policy bulletin (pol14-03) , but I never received notice. They also say both warranties they created because of this problem, have expired, and will not pay for repairs. I am worried they May start a fire because of the overheating.
My headlight assembly lens were distorted and bubbled on both side of the vehicle. Toyota replaced the headlights twice on the right & 1 on the left. Now the one on the right is distorted and bubbled again and Toyota refused to replace it because it is outside the 5 years/70,000 mi warranty. This is a potential fire hazard and a defect from the design. Please see attached picture for reference.
The running light lens on driver's side is fogged and cracked. Toyota issued a voluntary recall and sent me a letter that they would replace part up to 5 years or 70,000 miles. I have 65,000 miles but my truck is greater than 5 years old, and they would not replace the part after I contacted them. According to my local dealer this will eventually happen to the other side as well.
Headlight complaints in other Tacoma years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2011 Toyota Tacoma?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the lights of the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, 17% of the model year's 186 complaints. The component named most often is headlights (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2011 Toyota Tacoma headlight problems?
No. NHTSA lists no lights recall for the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, though it has 9 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 2011 Toyota Tacoma headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 3 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.